This document specifies test methods for the strength and overload tests of connectors for furniture constructed from panel material and procedures for evaluating test results.
This document is specifically intended for assessing cabinet connectors for carcases made of wood-based panel materials. The methods described can, however, be used to assess the relative performance of other types of connectors, e.g. some types of connectors for beds.
The strength and overload tests only apply to the connectors and their components, as well as the mounting to and in the cabinet carcase. They do not apply to additional functions that the connector can have, e.g. covering of the connector.
The tests described in this document are carried out according to a test setup with specified properties and characteristics.
The test results are only valid for the connector tested. The results can be used to represent the performance of production models, provided the tested model is representative of the production model.
Aging and the influences of temperature and humidity are not included. This document contains four informative annexes, providing additional methodologies for the detailed evaluation of the test results and a procedure for comparing the tested connector with a reference connector:
- Annex A (informative) Reference connector - Glued dowel;
- Annex B (informative) Ratio generation;
- Annex C (informative) Stiffness calculation for further evaluation of the overload;
- Annex D (informative) Evaluation by the characteristic value (5 % percentile).