The L SPARK™ is the newest member of the family of instruments dedicated to the testing of ESD sensitivity of energetic materials. The L SPARK test instrument is designed for the testing of bare energetic materials (pyrotechnic compositions, primary and secondary explosives and propellants) in the granular bed form. The L SPARK is also capable of performing tests of the resistance of ElectroExplosive Devices (EED’s) to ESD energy. 

For testing energetic substances the L SPARK employs the comparative method  concept – the response of the tested material is compared with the reference material along with the known  ESD behavior under the given discharge conditions. The L SPARK provides the user with basic information about the risk  associated with the ESD event of the tested substance within the least time and at minimum costs. This principle of operation  does not require any further energy evaluation or discharge diagnostics of the discharge.

APPLICATIONS
The L SPARK is suitable for applications where only a basic screening of the risk associated with granular energetic materials is required along with impact and friction sensitivity data. The L SPARK’s simple operation and low running costs allow for the testing of a large count of samples in a short period of time with minimal running costs. This feature makes the L SPARK ideally suited for production facilities (e.g. for periodic production tests, or for the quick assessments of new materials/components used in the manufacturing processes). Adoption of the EED´s testing capability makes the L SPARK a good choice for national notified bodies (testing/certification laboratories) or for manufactures of initiating devices such a igniters, squibs or detonators.

ADVANTAGES & FEATURES

• Compact design
• Low running costs
• Suitable for a quick basic screening of the risks associated with all types of granular explosives
• Optional available accessories expand the L SPARK’s capability for the testing of the ESD resistance  of the Electro-Explosive Devices (detonators, igniters, squibs, etc.) according to the EN standardization
• External steel testing chamber (capacity up to 2-gram NEQ)
• The versatility of the spark gap geometry allows for the easy modification of the spark gap geometry

COMPLIANCE

• EN 13763-13 Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and relays, Part 13: Determination of resistance of electric detonators against electrostatic discharge
• EN 13763-21 Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and relays, Part 21: Determination of flash-over voltage of electric detonators
• EN 16265 Pyrotechnic articles, Other pyrotechnic articles, Ignition devices: Test 6.3.19. for electric igniters
• EN 13938-2 Explosives for civil uses – Propellants and rocket propellants, Part 2: Determination of resistance to electrostatic energy

Manually operated test stand	Capacitor selector switchboard