Guide to modern insulation testing Types of insulation testing

DD value Tested material status

>4 bad
2-4 critical
<2 good
Table 3: Values of dielectric discharge

The dielectric discharge test is very useful for testing a multi-layer insulation. This test
can identify excess discharge currents that occur when one layer of a multi-layer
insulation is damaged or contaminated. This condition will not be detected by both the
spot test and the polarization index test. Discharge current will be higher for known
voltage and capacitance if an internal layer is damaged. The time constant of this
individual layer will differ from other layers, causing a higher current than that of a sound
insulation.

3.5 Step voltage insulation resistance test

According to Figures 2 and 3 the insulation resistance Riso does not depend on voltage.
But in practice this happens quite often. Testing with a voltage far below the one
expected in service often reveals moisture and dirt in insulation, whereas effects of
ageing or mechanical damage of a fairly clean and dry insulation may not be revealed at
such low stress. The step voltage method is very useful when testing with an instrument
that has a lower test voltage than the rated test voltage of the tested item. In other
words, step voltage test gives us useful results even in case we are not able to stress
insulation with nominal electrical voltages.
The influence of local weak spots is small at low voltage, but rapidly increases by
increasing the test voltage. A rapidly decreasing insulation resistance indicates this
process.
The step voltage measurement is simple. The device under test is exposed to different
test voltages that are applied in steps. The voltage starts at the lowest value and
increases with defined steps up to the highest level. Figure 8 shows an example of a
step voltage test with five voltage steps and five equal time periods. The recommended
ratio for the test voltage steps is 1 to 5. At each step, test voltage should be applied for
the same length of time T which is usually 60 s. The application of increased voltage
creates electrical stresses on internal insulation cracks. Results can also be corrected to
working temperature. For more information see chapter 5.2. Influence of temperature.

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