Norms and standards for industrial identification

Terminal blocks are characterized, among other things, by long lifecycles and their ability to safely withstand continuous operating temperatures of +125°C. In order to ensure that the terminal marking and printing also satisfies these requirements, Phoenix Contact uses marking materials with heat stabilizers.

To simulate usage over several years, the marking materials, together with the terminal blocks or conductors, are subjected to a defined temperature cycle in the climate cabinet. The minimum temperature in the climate cabinet is set to +20°C and the maximum temperature to +120°C (+80°C for PVC).

During the warm-up phase and the ten-minute holding phase, the test objects reach the maximum approved operating temperature. The cool-own phase then follows. The test consists of a total of 192 cycles.

Without exception, Phoenix Contact marking materials are tested in accordance with IEC 60947‑7‑1/-2. All plastics used also have sufficient safety reserves.

UV B components restrict mechanical properties in plastics. As a consequence, printing and markings can be damaged to a greater or lesser extent depending on the type of plastic.

Marking materials from Phoenix Contact can be stored in dry as well as humid atmospheres under UV radiation and are tested in accordance with the above standards.

Extreme ambient influences place high demands on components and their markings. The following test method, based on DIN 50018, describes the corrosion test in a condensation changing climate with an atmosphere that contains sulfur dioxide.

Two liters of distilled water and one liter of SO2 gas are introduced into a climate cabinet. During the test and at a test temperature of +40°C, an acidic atmosphere is formed, which affects the material surfaces of the test objects. After a test period of eight hours, the test objects dry for 16 hours with the door open.

Finally, a microscopic visual inspection is performed. All marking materials used by Phoenix Contact conform to this demanding standard and are resistant to aggressive substances.

In the shipbuilding industry in particular, technical components must be marked in a way that is legible at all times in corrosive atmospheres. The salt content of the air in combination with the increased humidity places high demands on the printing and materials used.

The impact of the climate at sea can be simulated on the basis of IEC 60068-2-11/-52. The resistance of the materials is tested with salt spray in a corrosive atmosphere. The test objects are placed in the test chamber and subjected to a finely dosed spray of five percent sodium chloride solution (NaCl; pH value 6.5 - 7.2) at a temperature of +35°C for a period of 96 hours.

A microscopic inspection is performed after the test. Phoenix Contact marking materials satisfy these stringent requirements and can be used even in extreme climatic conditions.

Markings and printing must be resistant to standard industrial cleaning agents. The above standard prescribes the use of a soft cloth with water, isopropanol, petroleum ether, and n-hexane to clean markings and printing. They must still be legible after cleaning.

The marking materials from Phoenix Contact meet the high requirements for abrasion and wipe resistance and can be used in any application.

Markings and printings must also be resistant to point or linear mechanical loads. For this reason, Phoenix Contact tests all markings and printing for scratch resistance in accordance with the above standard.

A scratching tool with a hemispherical tip (1 mm in diameter) is applied to the test object with a force between 2 N and 6 N depending on the printing method. This is followed by a visual and microscopic inspection of the test objects. Phoenix Contact marking materials satisfy these high mechanical requirements.

In many applications and especially in transportation technology, marking materials are subjected to vibrations and shocks. For a practical simulation of vibration stress, the test objects are tested for vibration resistance at increasing and decreasing frequencies and amplitudes.

In the test, the objects are exposed to a frequency range of 5 Hz to 150 Hz. The RMS value of the acceleration is up to 42.5 m/s2. The test objects are tested on the three axes (x, y, z) for five hours each. The components and marking materials must not be damaged in such a way that would impair their further use. All Phoenix Contact marking materials satisfy these stringent vibration requirements.

An adhesive tape test is carried out for this. A transparent strip of self-adhesive tape with an adhesive strength of 10 ±1 N is attached to the printing or marking being tested. It is then pulled away from the surface at an angle of 60° to the direction of tensile force at a speed of approx. 1 cm/s.

There should be no marks from the printing on the adhesive tape after the test. Phoenix Contact marking materials conform to this standard. They are tough and resistant to peeling.

The purpose of this test is to compare the adhesive strength of labels on various base materials. To this end, a strip of labels (25 mm x 175 mm) is applied to the respective base material with a specified force.

After a defined storage period, the strip is removed from the base material at an angle of 90° and a speed of 300 mm/min. The adhesive strength is specified in N/25 mm. The test therefore enables the most suitable label to be selected for the application.