We have completed all the testing and have nearly completed the paper on the results and conclusions. Some interesting results to come…
Author: shellcalc
Progress report – June 2017
We have finished the initial testing and have a good setup for both static and shearing tests. It has actually proved very difficult to get reproducible impact tests and “pulling through piped match” tests – but we are working on it.
We are now sourcing igniters from various suppliers.
If you have igniters that you would like testing, or that you think are sufficiently different that they merit inclusion please contact us. We would need approximately 100 igniters – and of course the project will pay for them.
Impact
Impact sensitivity – eg dropping an item with an igniter, or dropping something onto an item containing an igniter – is a serious potential cause of ignition.
The study will mimic this stimulus by dropping weights onto a jig in which an igniter bead is held securely and measure the force needed to cause ignitions
Static
Static sensitivity – eg discharging static from the body through an igniter held in the hand, or one that is earthed but the circuit incomplete is a potential – is a serious potential cause of ignition.
The study will mimic this stimulus by discarging a static electriocity source through a mount in which an igniter bead is held securely and measure the charge needed to cause ignitions.
We have noted already that static sensitivity is most likely an effect when the discharge is across the bead itself, and not through the connecting wires
Friction
Friction sensitivity – eg inserting or removing an igniter from a length of piped match fuse – is probably one of the most common stimuli of accidental ignition for electric igniters
The study will mimic this stimulus by pulling igniters through a piece of piped match in a jig in which an igniter bead is held securely and measure the force needed to cause ignitions
Electric Igniter Sensitivity Project 