Protech

EN 388 Glove Level Check (Abrasion, Cut, Tear, Puncture, TDM)

A glove marked 4X43D has four results and a letter. This reads them back from the lab numbers.

Mechanical Tests Abrasion, tear & puncture
cycles

The result the report gives against the abrasion level, in cycles to holing. Enter 0 if not tested.

N

The result the report gives against the level. Enter 0 if not tested.

N

The result the report gives against the level. Enter 0 if not tested.

Cut Tests Circular blade & straight blade
index

Enter 0 if not tested; the marking then shows X in the second place.

x

How many times the cycles to cut the reference material rose during the circular blade sequence. Above 3, the straight blade test assesses cut.

N

Force to cut through at the reference stroke. Enter 0 if not tested; the fifth place then shows X.

Impact Knuckle protection (P)
kN

EN 13594 clause 6.9 impact test. Enter 0 if the glove claims no impact protection.

kN

Straight Blade Cut Level

— level

1 = A, 2 = B, 3 = C, 4 = D, 5 = E, 6 = F; 0 = below A or not tested

Levels for the Marking

Place 1: Abrasion Level
— level
Place 2: Circular Blade Cut Level
— level
Place 3: Tear Level
— level
Place 4: Puncture Level
— level
Impact P Earned
— 1 = yes
Straight Blade Result Is the Reference
— 1 = yes
Force Short of the Next Cut Letter
— N
Cycles Short of the Next Abrasion Level
— cycles
Force Short of the Next Puncture Level
— N
Shield Pictogram May Be Used
— 1 = yes

Level thresholds per EN 388:2016+A1:2018 as tabled by SATRA: abrasion 100, 500, 2,000 and 8,000 cycles; circular blade cut index 1.2, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0; tear 10, 25, 50 and 75 N; puncture 20, 60, 100 and 150 N; straight blade (EN ISO 13997) A 2 N, B 5 N, C 10 N, D 15 N, E 22 N and F 30 N. A level is met when the result reaches its threshold. The marking prints the four numbers, then the cut letter, in that order; an X stands for a cut test that was not done, and a 0 is commonly printed for a mechanical test below Level 1. The pictogram is not used unless at least one category reaches Level 1 or Level A. The P for impact needs a mean transmitted force of 7.0 kN or less with no single result above 9.0 kN in the EN 13594:2015 clause 6.9 test. When both cut methods are reported, the instructions must say the circular blade result is only indicative and the straight blade result is the reference. A zero entered here reads as level 0, so check the report for which tests were actually run. **This is a reading aid for test reports, not a certification.**

EN 388 Glove Level Check (Abrasion, Cut, Tear, Puncture, TDM) — free, with the formula and a worked example, at Textile School.