IS/IEC 62271-1 : 2007

– details of the testing arrangements (including diagram of test circuit);

– statements of the behaviour of the switchgear and controlgear during tests, its condition
after tests and any parts renewed or reconditioned during the tests;
– records of the test quantities during each test or test duty, as specified in the relevant IEC
standard.

NOTE NSDDs may occur during the recovery voltage period following a breaking operation. Their number is of no
significance to interpreting the performance of the device under test. They should only be reported in the test
report in order to differentiate them from restrikes.

6.2 Dielectric tests

Dielectric tests of the switchgear and controlgear shall be performed in compliance with
IEC 60060-1, unless otherwise specified in this standard.

6.2.1 Ambient air conditions during tests

Reference shall be made to IEC 60060-1 regarding standard reference atmospheric

conditions and atmospheric correction factors.

For switchgear and controlgear where external insulation in free air is of principal concern, the
correction factor Kt shall be applied.

The humidity correction factor shall be applied only for the dry tests where insulation in free
air is of principal concern.

For switchgear and controlgear of rated voltage of 52 kV and below, it can be assumed that

– m = 1 and w = 0 when the absolute humidity is higher than that of the reference
atmosphere, i.e. when h > 11 g/m 3 ;
– m = 1 and w = 1 when the absolute humidity is lower than that of the reference
atmosphere, i.e. when h < 11 g/m 3 .

For switchgear and controlgear having external and internal insulation, the correction factor Kt
shall be applied if its value is between 0,95 and 1,05. However, in order to avoid over-
stressing of internal insulation, the application of the correction factor Kt may be omitted
where the satisfactory performance of external insulation has been established.

If Kt is above 1,0 then to fully test the external insulation system the internal insulation will be
overstressed and steps may be necessary to prevent overstressing the internal insulation
systems. If Kt is below 1,0 then to test the internal insulation system fully, the external
insulation will be overstressed and steps may be necessary to prevent overstressing the
external insulation systems. Some methods are discussed in 11.4 of IEC 60060-1.

For switchgear and controlgear having only internal insulation, the ambient air conditions are
of no influence and the correction factor Kt shall not be applied.

For combined tests, parameter g shall be calculated considering the total test voltage value.

6.2.2 Wet test procedure

The external insulation of outdoor switchgear and controlgear shall be subjected to wet
withstand tests under the standard wet test procedure given in IEC 60060-1.

6.2.3 Conditions of switchgear and controlgear during dielectric tests

Dielectric tests shall be made on switchgear and controlgear completely assembled, as in

service; the outside surfaces of insulating parts shall be in clean condition.

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IS/IEC 62271-1 : 2007

The switchgear and controlgear shall be mounted for test with minimum clearances and height
as specified by the manufacturer.

Tests are valid if the height above ground during the tests is less than or equal to the height
used in service.

When the distance between the poles of switchgear and controlgear is not inherently fixed by
the design, the distance between the poles for the test shall be the minimum value stated by
the manufacturer. However, to obviate the necessity of erecting large three-pole switchgear
and controlgear for test purposes alone, the artificial pollution and the radio interference
voltage tests may be made on a single pole and, if the minimum clearance between poles is
equal to or larger than those given in Tables A.1 and A.2 of IEC 60071-2, all other dielectric
tests may be made on a single pole.

When the manufacturer states that supplementary insulation such as tape or barriers is
required to be used in service, such supplementary insulation shall also be used during the
tests.

If arcing horns or rings are required for the purpose of system protection, they may be
removed or their spacing increased for the purpose of the test. If they are required for
gradient distribution, they shall remain in position for the test.

For switchgear and controlgear using compressed gas for insulation, dielectric tests shall be
performed at minimum functional pressure (density) for insulation as specified by the
manufacturer. The temperature and pressure of the gas during the tests shall be noted and
recorded in the test report.

NOTE Caution: In the dielectric testing of switchgear and controlgear incorporating vacuum switching devices,
precautions should be taken to ensure that the level of possible emitted X-radiation during high-voltage testing is
within safe limits (see 5.19). National safety codes may influence the safety measures established.

6.2.4 Criteria to pass the test

a) Short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage tests

The switchgear and controlgear shall be considered to have passed the test if no
disruptive discharge occurs.
If during a wet test a disruptive discharge (as defined by 4.1 of IEC 60060-1) on external
self-restoring insulation occurs, this test shall be repeated in the same test condition and
the switchgear and controlgear shall be considered to have passed this test successfully if
no further disruptive discharge occurs.

b) Impulse tests
The following test procedure B of IEC 60060-1, adapted for switchgear and controlgear
that have self-restoring and non-self-restoring insulation, is the preferred test procedure.
The switchgear and controlgear has passed the impulse tests if the following conditions
are fulfilled:
– each series has at least 15 tests;
– the number of disruptive discharges shall not exceed two for each complete series;
– no disruptive discharge on non-self restoring insulation shall occur. This is confirmed
by 5 consecutive impulse withstands following the last disruptive discharge.
This procedure leads to a maximum possible number of 25 impulses per series.
Procedure C of IEC 60060-1 may be used when all three poles are tested.
NOTE 1 Some insulating materials retain a charge after an impulse test, and for these cases care should be taken
when reversing the polarity. To allow the discharge of insulating materials, the use of appropriate methods, such as
the application of three impulses at about 80 % of the test voltage in the reverse polarity before the test, is
recommended.

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