Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body (NSB) of India has developed a new standard, IS 18616 : 2024- Piezoelectric Spark Lighters for Gas Burning Appliances ― Specification.
The standard deals with the requirements and methods of tests for Impact type piezoelectric spark lighters for gas-burning appliances.
The lighter works on the principle of piezoelectric effect “it is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress”. In simpler terms, pressing a button on a piezoelectric lighter causes a small hammer to strike a piezoelectric crystal (mainly Quartz, a type of ceramic), producing a high-voltage spark that ignites the fuel. The standard refers to IS 11014 (Part 1):1984 for the piezoelectric materials that is used in the lighter.
The standards prescribes various tests s of Piezoelectric Element, such as Visual Examination (No chipping of edges and pits on the electrode surface is allowed), Dimensional Examination, Durability (The element shall withstand at least 10 000 impact at the speed of six driving a minute under normal temperature and generate output voltage across a discharge gap of 3 mm), Electrostatic Capacity [Capacitance, as per IS 11014 (Part 1)], Output Voltage (shall be more than 10 kV), Insulation and Insulation Resistance, Heat Resistance test, Endurance Test (lighter shall be tested for 15 000 cycles) and Safety Information.
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