Auto-Ignition Resistance Testing
The hottest operational parts of the tested Westinghouse WH7500E generator was found to be the exhaust pipe and muffler areas near the exhaust outlet. The temperatures of these locations were observed to be as high as 270 °C. It can be assumed that these areas would be hotter at higher ambient temperatures, so a temperature approximately 30 °C higher was used for auto-ignition determination.
Testing GenTent Fabric, Thread & Velcro®
A thermocouple attached to an Omega HH309 Data Logger Thermometer was secured to a 6” x 6” x 1/4” steel plate with a 500 gram weight. The plate was then heated to approximately 300 °C before a coupon approximately 2” x 3” of sample GenTent material was placed near the center of the hot steel plate.
The sample coupon very quickly began to melt and produced a small amount of smoke, but did not ignite.
300C Test observation at 15 seconds
300C Test observation at 2 minutes
Testing GenTent Clamp and Rubber Sleeve
A thermocouple attached to an Omega HH309 Data Logger Thermometer was secured to a 6” x 6” x 1/4” steel plate with a 500 gram weight. The plate was then heated to approximately 300 °C before a clamp assembly was placed near the center of the steel plate. The clamp set was disassembled to three parts (metal parts were removed) and randomly placed on the heated plate since each part seemingly made by the same material.
Aside from some contact areas with the heated plate that showed signs of melting, no ignition was observed on any of the tested components during the evaluation.
300C Test observation at 15 seconds
300C Test observation at 5 minutes
