IEEE Std 4 “High Voltage Testing
Techniques”
Past, Present and Future
ITEEE/PES/PSIM High Voltage Testing
Techniques Subcommittee Report
Chairman Bill Larzelere
Secretary Kevin Loving
Members:
Ross Daharsh John Kise Terry McComb
Emst Hanique Jeffrey Britton ‘Arthur Molden
Barry Holst Larry Cofiten Nigel MeQuin
Dave Nichols Dana Dufield Randy Newnam
Herman Schneider Gerald Fitzpatrick Gary Schneider
Stephen Sebo Jeff Hildreth Dan Schweickart
David Train Rudi Kremer ‘Mel Smith
Loren Wagenaar John Kuffel Eddy So
Barry Ward Jim McBride Subhash Tuli
Yicheng Wang Yixin Zhang Hugh Zhu.
Johannes Rickmann
KEY WORDS High Voltage Testing, Harmonization
ABSTRACT
IEEE Std 4 1995 is the latest version of the general IEEE standard dealing with High Voltage Testing and
Measurement. The current revision is he seventh edition ofthis docameat a a separate standard
‘The previous revision of IEEE Sud4 was published in 1978. The major changes ftom that version to the present
(2995) version ae
Description of the wet resting procedure
‘Methods for artificial eortamination tests
Enhanced techniques for assuring the accuracy of HV measurements
Introduction of toe Reference divider method for checking the accuracy of Impulse Voltage Measuring systems
Discussion of Dicletric Loss Measurements (Tan and Power Factor )
(Changes in Atmospheric Correction Factors
‘This paper presents a detailed review of the changes made in the las revision of TERE-4 compared to the 1978
version, the plans for Future revisions and the impact of harmonization with IEC sister standards,
addressed in the earliest
INTRODUCTION
TEE Std 4-1995 is the latest version of the
general IEEE standard dealing with High Voltage
‘Testing and Measurement Technique published under
the chairmanship of Herman Schneider. This standard
is built on the work done by pioneers in the field of
HV testing. The current revision is the seventh
edition of this document as a separate standard. The
subject had been
‘Standardization Report of the American Institute of
Electrical Engineers (AIBE) in 1889 and had been
substantially claborated upon in the subsequent
reports issued from 1902 to 1933. In 1922 it was
decided to issue separate sections for measurement of
test voltages by AIEE. The fist edition of IEEE Std 4
‘was published in 1928, Those of us who rememberPete Bellaschi, Gianguido Carrara, Frank Creed, Nils
‘Hylten Cavallius, Mid Ouyang, Jack Moran, Oscars
Petersons, Herman Schneider, Al Rohlf, David
‘Train, and Dan Whitchead to name a very few, can
think fondly of the halcyon days when much of the
information we take for granted now was being
investigated forthe first time.
MAJOR CHANGES 1995 Std. 4 from 1978 Std. 4
The previous revision of IEEE Std 4 was
published in 1978, The major changes from that
version to the present (1995) version are:
1. Description of the wet testing procedure
2. Methods for artificial contamination tests
3. Enhanced techniques for assuring the accuracy
of HY measurements
4, Introduction of the Reference divider method for
checking the accuracy of Impulse Voltage
‘Measuring systems
5. Discussion of Dielectric Loss Measurements
(Tanb and Power Factor)
6 Changes in Atmospheric Correction Factors
Remarkably, in the six years since the last
revision ofthe stendard, which is referred to by many
PES apparatus committees in their HV. testing
standards, much has changed in the North American
marketplace with respect to the power equipment
‘manufacturing industry. Testing has become more
‘axtomated, more precise and more informative about
the quality of the insulation systems being evaluated.
In eddition, more awareness of the complimentary
IEC standards has developed namely IEC-60060
parts I and U
‘This paper presents a detailed review of the
changes made in the last revision of IBEE Std 4
‘compared to the 1978 version. We will then discuss
the differences between the current version of and the
latest versions of TEC-60060 Part I and Il. Since IEC
stendards are also currently being revised, we will
discuss the proposed changes they will take. Finally,
‘we will present our view on the future of IEEE Std 4
‘The intention of this analysis will be to establish a
road map for the next revision of IBEE Std 4
Comparison of IEEE Std 4 1978 and IEEE Std 4
1995
“At the time IBEB Std 4-195 was being
Published, a review of the two versions of the
standard was made. When the new version of the
standard was being produced, many editorial and
structural changes were implemented. The changes
‘were made to improve the readability and precision
of the standard.
In addition, many technical changes were
made that were based on then current knowledge.
Other technical changes were adopted from joint
activities between the common members of IEEE
PSIM Subcommittee of HVTT and of US IEC TC-42,
‘Technical Advisory Group and CIGRE WG 33.03.
During the time of revision of IEEE Std4, revisions
to IEC 60 Part 2 were also taking place. Attempts
were made to unify technical requirements between
TEC and IEEE where possible.
‘The following list describes the technical differences
between the 1978 and 1995 versions of IEEE Std 4
1) Added scetion on high voltage capacitance and
dielectric loss measurements including tutorial
2) Added definition that the standard is applicable
to testing of equipment rated above 1000 volts.
3) Added methods for statistical evaluation of test
results
4) Added recommendations for clearances to be
used during HV test.
5) Reduced the requirement for ripple voltage
during DC tess from $% to 3%.
6) Added additional guidance in the use of Sphere
‘Gaps for voltage measurements
7) Added the rod-rod gap method for DC voltage
‘measurement checks.
8) Added the lincarity check for AC, DC and
Impalse calibration procedures.
9) Introduced the concept of a reference divider for
calibration comparison for AC, DC and impulse
voliages.
10) Defines the characteristics of a Standard
Reference Voltage Divider for impulse
measurements
11) Reduces the source impedance requirements for
‘transformers used in dry withstand tess
12) Improves the definitions for sources used in AC
pollution testing
13) Mathematically defines the time to chop for
chopped wave testing,
14) Defines oscillating impulse waveshapes.
15) Mathematically defines the Time to Peak for
Switching impulse waveshapes
16) Allows disruptive discharges not on the test
“object to be distegarded during withstand tests
17) Added the requirement for step response tests on
{impulse current shunts,
18) Added additional information on combined test
procedures,
19) Added Additional information on composite test
procedures
20) Revised wet test precipitation rate values
21) Specifies only one nozale for wet testing instead
of four.
22) Introduced advanced digital signal processing
techniques including convolution and transfer
function calculations.
23) Added notes regarding the evaluation of
‘measurement accuracies.24) Qualifies the artificial pollution testing protocol
to apply to ceramic or glass insulators only.
25) Added requirements for quantities to be
measured during artifical pollution testing
26) Modifies the sample preparation procedures for
antficial pollution testing
27) Introduces changes in the Atmospheric
Comrection Factors.
28) Deleted the usc of correction factors for impulse
front time calculations
29) Updated Bibliography and references,
‘The printing of the 1995 version of Std 4 omitted
atmospheric correction information for certain
geometric configurations thet are actively used by
‘other technical committees. This occurred despite the
fact that the balloting pool included members of the
Technical Committees affected by this change. This
information has been reintroduced to the standard by
the publication of P4A in March 2001.
Differences between IEEE Std 41995 and_IKC-
(50060 Parts [and I
‘Comparing the IEE and IEC standards,
even though they have basically the same title, is not
straightforward. First IEC-60060 is in two separate
parts covering the same subject. Part is entitled *
General Definitions and Test Requirements”. Part 11
is entitled "Measuring Systems”. The structure of the
TEC documents is quite different than the structure of
the IEEE standard. In addition, the IEEE version
‘gives a great deal of space to tutorial information
mixed in with the requirements to help educate the
test technician. This tutorial is not contained within
the TEC standard. Another major difference is that
TEC refers to a separate standard for “ Voltage
‘Measurements by Means of Sphere Gaps”. IEC-52,
and for “Artificial Pollution Testing”, TEC-507. IBC
also places some of the statistical analysis,
information in a separate appendix
On the IEBE side, Sid 4 includes Artificial
Pollution Testing, includes the sphere gap tables and.
aumospherie correction factors formulas and also
includes a section on Dielectric Loss Measurements
not covered by IBC. Needless to say, these
differences make a point by point comparison