~ ~

STD-NEMA C b Z m b L - E N G L 1793 D b 4 7 0 2 4 7 0532750 5 0 5

ANSI C62.61-1993

for .
Gas Tube
Surge
Arresters
on
Wire Line
Telephone
Circuits

N8tionrl Electrical
Manufacturers Association
1 3 0 0 North 1 7 t h S t r e e t
Suite 1 8 4 7
R o s s l y n , Virginia 2 2 2 0 9
(703) 841-3200

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 ~ ~~ ~

STD-NEMA Cb2.bL-ENGL 3993 b470247 0532753

ANSI C62.61-1993

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

for Gas Tube Surge Arresters on

Wire Line Telephone Circuits

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Secretariat
National Electrical Manufacturers Association

Approved by:
American National Standards Institute

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 ~

STD-NEMA CbZ-bL-ENGL L993 9 b470247 0512752 3 8 8 =

Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by ANSI that the

American requirements for due process, consensus, and other criteria for approval have been
met by the standards developer.
National
Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of Standards
Standard Review, substantial agreement has been reached by directly and materially affected
interests. Substantial agreement means much more than a simple majority, but not
necessarily unanimity. Consensus requires that all views and objections be
considered, and that a concerted effort be made toward their resolution.

The use of American National Standards is completely voluntary; their existence does
not in any respect preclude anyone, whether he has approved the standards or not,
from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, or using products, processes, or
procedures not conforming to the standards.

The American National Standards Institute does not develop standards and will in no
circumstances give an interpretation of any American National Standard. Moreover, no
person shall have the right or authority to issue an interpretation of an American
National Standard in the name of the American National Standards Institute. Requests
for interpretations should be addressed to the secretariat or sponsor whose name
appears on the title page of this standard.

CAUTION NOTICE: This American National Standard may be revised or withdrawn at

any time. The procedures of the American National Standards Institute require that
action be taken periodically to reaffirm, revise, or withdraw this standard. Purchasers
of American National Standards may receive current information on all standards by
calling or writing the American National Standards Institute.

Published by

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

1300 N. 17th Street, Rosslyn, Virginia 22209

Copyright O 1996 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

All rights reserved

No part of this publicationmay be reproduced in any

form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise,
without prior written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

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 ANSI C62.61-1993

CONTENTS
Page
Foreword........................................................................................................................................ ..... ii

1 Scope and purpose .

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2 Referenced and related American National Standards....................................................................... 1

..
3 Definitions............................................................................................................................................ 1

4 Service................................................................................................................................................. 1

5 Arrester types and classifications........................................................................................................ 2

6 Design test criteria............................................................................................................................... 2

7 Classification of arresters-life tests .............. ..................................,................ ............ ................. .....6

8 Product identification ....................................................................................................................... ..1O

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9 Mechanical reliability ......................................................................................................................... 11

Tables
Table 1 Direct current breakdown limits in volts ............................................................................... 2
Table 2 Insulation resistance (RL)in Ohms (a)............................................................................... 3
Table 3 Impulse breakdown in volts ................................................................................................. 3
Table 4 Direct current holdover for two-electrode arresters ...._..._. ......._.__...___... ......____. ....................4
Table 5 Direct current holdover for three-electrode arresters........................................................... 4
Table 6 Life criteria for classification of arresters ............................................................................. 7

Figures
Figure 1 Acceptable limits for impulse transverse voltage tests ........................................................ 5
Figure 2 One-second 50 or 60 hertz life test circuit
(1 ampere-600-foot simulated cable) .._..._..... .__.........__......._...__._. .....__..._. .............. ............9
Figure 3 One-second 50 or 60 hertz life test circuit
(1 ampere-l-mile simulated cable).................................................................................... 9
Figure 4 Thirty-second 50 or 60 hertz life test circuit
(0.5ampere root mean square) ......................................................................................... 10

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 ANSI C62.61-1993

Foreword (This Foreword is not part of American National Standard 62.61-1993)

This standard covers gas tube surge arresters to be used for the limitation of voltage surges due to
lightning or power disturbances on wire line telephone circuits. The purpose of the standard is to serve
manufacturersand purchasers of gas tube surge amesters by providing technical guidance to ensure the
satisfactory operation of these surge arresters in the application intended.
Suggestions for improvement of this standard will be welcome. They should be sent to the National
Electrical ManufacturersAssociation, 1300 North 17th Street, Ross@, Virginia 22209.

This standard was processed and approved for submittal to ANSI by the American National Standards
Committee on Surge Arresters, C62.Committee approval of the standard does not necessarily imply that
all committee members voted for its approval. At the time it approved this standard, the C62 Committee
had the following members:

Secretariat: National Electrical Manufacturers Association

scope: Definitions, classifications, ratings, method of test,performance characteristics,

physical characteristics, and application of surge arresters of all types.

J. L. Koepfinger, Chairman
J. A Gauthier, Secretary
Organization Represented Name of Representaúbe

Association of American Railroads (AARR)................................... W. Etter

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) ......................................... G. E. Lee

Rural ElectrificationAdministration (REA) ..................................... G. J. Bagnall

Electric Light and Power (EL&P).................................................... R. A Jones

H. E. Foelker
J. W. Wilson
W. A Maguire
M. C.Mingoia (Alternate)

Instituteof Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) .................... J. L Koepfinger

J. J. Burke
S. S. Kershaw, Jr.
G. L. Gaibrois
W. H. Kapp
C. Hansel1(Altemate)
E. Taylor (Alternate)

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 ~~~~ ~~~ ~
~~

S T D - N E M A C b Z S b L - E N G L L773 b470247 0 5 3 2 7 5 5 0 9 7 I
ANSI C62.61-1993

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) ................. D.W. Lenk

D.Worden
B.Wolff
B. Dillon-Malone
L. Bock (Alternate)

J. Osterhout
F. D.Martzloff
P. Goodwin
B. Panesar

Exchange Carrier Standards Association ...................................... M. Parente

Underwriters Laboratories ............................................................. P. Notanan

L. Williams (Alternate)

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Canadian Standards ...................................................................... D. M. Smith

iii

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 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD C62.61-1993

for Gas Tube Surge Arresters on Wire Line Telephone Circuits

1 Scope and purpose

1.1 Scope

This standard applies to gas tube surge arresters to be used for the limitation of voltage surges due to
lightning or power disturbances on wire line telephone facilities, as follows:

1) in accordance with Article 800 for ANWNFPA 70-1990

2) in the limiting of voltages on telephone cable facilities
3) in the limiting of voltages on equipment intended to coordinate with the gas tube surge arresters
covered by this standard

This standard applies to the arrester only and not to the arrester with associated mounting, fuses, or
thermal protection devices.

1.2 Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to provide technical guidelines for manufacturers and purchasers of gas
tube surge arresters to ensure their satisfactory operation in the application intended. This standard
contains test methods and procedures and specifies acceptable test limits. Product quality assurance,
however, is considered to be an area that should be addressed by mutual agreement between
manufacturer and purchaser; therefore, all such references have been purposely omitted from this
standard. When the terms “minimum values” and “maximum values” are used in this standard, the quality
assurance agreements between manufacturers and purchaser shall apply.

2 Referenced American National Standards

This standard is intended for use in conjunction with the following American National Standards. When
these standards are superseded by a revision approved by the American National Standards Institute,
Inc., the revision shall apply:

ANSIAEEE C62.31-1987, Test Specifications for Gas Tube Surge-Protective Devices

ANSVNFPA 70-1990, National Electrical Code

3 Definitions

The definitions in ANSVIEEE C62.31-1987 shall apply to the terms used in this standard.

4 Service conditions

The limits specified in this standard shall be met under the service conditions described in ANSIAEEE
C62.31-1987 for the classes and types specified by the manufacturers or purchasers.

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 ANSI C62.61-1993

5 Arrester types and classifications

The arresters that are accepted by the purchaser shall be selected in accordance with the arresters’
primary use as Type A, B, C, or D; and classified in accordance with Section 7 as Class I, II, III, IV, V, VI,
or VI1 depending on the requirements specified in the following categories: impulse life, maximum single
impulse discharge, and alternating current (ac) discharge current-carrying capability.

The types of protectors in which the arrester is tested shall be identified, and the classification shall apply
only when the arresters are used in those protectors.

6 Design test criteria

The design tests described in 6.1 through 6.7 provide standardized methods for making single
observations of a specified property of an arrester. These properties usually vary from measurement to
measurement, making it necessary to provide statistical descriptions of the property in order to compare
arresters.

The following statistical procedure shall be used to describe any property that has been determined to
have important statistical aspects:

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A product sample shall be selected in a manner consistent with the needs of the purchaser. A sufficient
number of arresters shall be tested and the characteristics in question measured as described in the
applicable design tests until the parameters of the underlying statistical distribution are determined within
confidence limits specified by the manufacturer or purchaser. Values relating to the product sample such
as, but not limited to, mean, medium, maximum, minimum, and standard deviation may then be started.

The tests in 6.1 through 6.7 should be conducted on the arrester as required by the application.

6.1 Direct current breakdown voltage

For arresters that have not been subjected to high energy tests, the values of direct current (dc)
breakdown voltage for a given polarity shall be within the limits specified in table 1 of this standard when
measured in accordance with 4.1 of ANWIEEE C62.31-1987. When applicable, the average value shall
be greater than the minimum average shown in table 1.

-
Table I Direct current breakdown limits in volts
I
DC Breakdown Limits (V)
Ali Arresters I
(Line-to-G round) Multiple-electrode
Arresters
Initial, End-of-Life (Line-to-Line)
Primary Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
Use Value Average Value Value Value Value Value
A 300 350 500 180 600 300 1O00
B 51O - 1O00 250 1200 51O i200
C 265 - 600 265 600 220 -
D 215 - 265 205 265 - -

2
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 ~
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S T D . N E M A C b 2 - b L - E N G L 1773 m b470247 0512758 B T b

ANSI C62.61-I 993

6.2 Capacitance

The capacitance of the arrester shall be measured between each terminal and every other terminal of the
arrester. In measurements involving multi-electrode arresters, a three-terminal measuring instrument is
required. all terminals not involved in the test shall be connected to the ground plane in the measuring
instrument. The capacitance between each pair of electrodes (excluding protector assembly capacitance)
shall not exceed 20 pF when measured at either IkHz or IMhz.

6.3 Insulation resistance

Insulation resistance (RL) shall be measured from each terminal to every other terminal of the arrester by
applying a specified direct current voltage as shown in table 2 of this standard. Insulation resistance
readings shall be taken after insulation stabilization or after 1 minute of applied voltage, whichever occurs
first. Terminals not involved in the measurement shall be left floating.

Table 2 - Insulation resistance (RL)in ohms (Q)

Primary Test Voltage Minimum RL (a)
Use (V dc) Initial End-of-Life
A 1O0 1o8 1Ob
B 1O0 1o8 1o6
C
o to 100 1o8 IO7 (Note 2)
101 to 200 1o5 -
D o to 100 1os 1O7 (Note 3)
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6.4 Impulse breakdown voltage

6.4.1 Impulse breakdown-line-toground

The values of the line-to-ground impulse breakdown shall be within the ranges specified in table 3 of this
standard when measured in accordance with 4.4 of ANSIIIEEE C62.31-I 987. When applicable, the
average value shall be less than the maximum average shown in table 3.

i
Initial End-of-Life
100 V l p 100 V l p
Rise Rise
100 V l p Rise IO0 Vlps Rise 100 V l p Rise I 0 0 V l p Rise Line-to- Line-to-
Line-to-Ground Line-to-Ground Line-to-Ground Line-to-Ground Ground Ground
Primary Min. Max. Max. Min. Max. Max. Min. Max. Max. Min. Max. Max. Max. Max.
Value Avg. Value Value Avg. Value Value Avg. Value Value Avg. Value Value Value

NOTE-Dash (-) indicates no criteria.

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 6.4.2 Impulse breakdown-line-to-line

Values for line-to-line impulse breakdown voltage of multi-electrode arresters shall not be greater than
twice those given for line-to-ground in table 3 of this standard.

6.5 Direct current holdover voltage

The arrester shall extinguish in less than 150 ms when tested in accordance with 4.9 or 4.10 of ANSVIEEE
C62.31-1987 using the parameters shown in table 4 or 5 of this standard as the parameters that apply to
figures 5 and 6, respectively, of ANSIAEEE C62.31-1987.

Table 4 - Direct current holdover for two-electrode arresters

Primary PSI R3 R2 CI
Use (VI (QI (QI (PFI
Aand B 150 750 136 0.083
(Note 1)
C and D 135 690 135-1 50 0.08-0.1
(Note 2) 52 200 O O

NOTES
1 Type A and B arresters shall be tested by applying a 500 A, 10/1000 ps current wave across the gap using all possible
combinations of surge and power supply polarities. Prior to this test, the arresters shall be subjected to 5% of the impulse life
requirement of 7.1.1, testing a sample quantity in one polarity and another sample quantity in the opposite polarity.
2 Type C and D arresters shall be tested by applying a surge waveform from a source of 1000 V, 10/1000 ps open circuit
voltage and at least 10 A peak, 10/1000 ps current, ensuring that the surge and power supply polarities are the same.

6.5.1 Two-electrode arresters

Two-electrode arresters shall be tested in accordance with 4.9 of ANSIAEEE 032.31-1987 using the
values in table 4 of this standard as component values for figure 5 of ANSMEEE (332.31-1987.

6.5.2 Three-electrode arresters

Three-electrode arresters shall be tested in accordance with 4.10 of ANSIIIEEE C62.31-1987 using the
values in table 5 of this standard as component values for figure 6 of ANSIAEEE C62.31-1987.

Table 5 - Direct current holdover for three-electrodearresters

Primary PSI PS2 R2 R6 R3 CI R5 c3 R4 c2

Use (VI (VI (QI (a) (QI (im (QI (PFI (a) (PFI
A 75 75 375 375 136 0.083 136 0.083 272 0.043
(Notel) 150 150 750 750 136 0.083 136 0.083 272 0.043
B 150 150 750 750 136 0.083 136 0.083 272 0.043
(Note 1)
C and D 52 O O O
(Note 2) 135 O 600 600 135150 0.08-0.11 135-150 0.08-0.11 270-300 0.04-0.05
150 150 1070 1070

4
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 NOTES
1 Type A and B arresters shall be tested by applying a 500 A, 1011000 ps current wave across each gap. Three tests per
sample shall be conducted
a. The 75 V dc test of Type A arresters shall be conducted with opposite polarity supplies and a positive surge polarity. The
150 V dc test of Type A arresters shall be conducted with the power supply polarities the same and positive with respect
to the line side, with both positive and negative polarity surges applied
b. The test of Type B arresters shall be conducted with opposite power supply polarities and positive surge polarities.
c. Prior to these tests, the arresters shall be subjected to 5% of the impulse life requirement of 7.1.1 testing a sample
quantity in one polarity and another sample in the opposite polarity.
2 Type C and D arresters shall be tested by applying surge waveforms to each gap from a source of 1000 V, 10/1000 ps open
circuit voltage having the capability to deliver at least 10 A peak, 10/1000 p short circuit current to each gap.
3 Dash (-) indicates no criteria.

6.6 Impulse transverse voltage

Multi-electrode arresters of Types A and B shall be tested in accordance with 4.12 of ANSIAEEE C62.31-
1987. A line-to-line voltage not exceeding the arresters’ maximum impulse breakdown at 100 VIps as in
table 3 of this standard may exist for not more than 5 ps. At the end of 5 ps, the line-to-line voltage shall
be reduced to a value not greater than the arresters’ maximum direct-current breakdown, as in table 1,
and, after 1 ms, the line-to-line voltage shall not exceed 50 V as shown in figure 1 of this standard. Any
voltage in excess of the voltage specified in this volt-time curve shall be considered a failure.

MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE TLME

Figure 1 - Acceptable limits for impulse transverse voltage test

6.7 First time effect

Type A and B arresters shall comply with the impulse breakdown requirements of 6.4 and the direct
current breakdown requirements of 6.1 when tested in accordance with the following test procedure.

The arresters to be tested shall be encased in light-excluding material so that no external light can reach
the arrester. This covering shall remain in place for the duration of the test. Direct current and impulse
breakdown tests shall be conducted in accordance with 6.1 and 6.4, and the results recorded. The
arresters shall then be stored for not less than 30 days in an unenergized condition. At the end of this
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storage period, one line-to-ground gap of each sample shall be subjected to one test of impulse
breakdown at 100 V/ps or direct current breakdown. Both impulse and direct current breakdown voltages
shall be measured in each polarity.

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 ANSI C62.61-1993

7 Classification of arresters-life tests

Arresters shall be classified as I, II, III, IV, V, VI, or VI1 depending on their performance in the categories of
impulse life, maximum single impulse current, and 50 or 60 hertz current-carrying capacity. The types of
protectors in which the arrester is mounted for testing shall be identified and the classification shall apply
only when the arresters are used in those protectors. table 6 of this standard indicates the requirements
for determining the arrester classification.

7.1 Class Ithrough IV arresters

These arresters shall be tested for impulse life, maximum single impulse, and 50 or 60 hertz current-
carrying capacity as defined in 7.1.1 through 7.1.3. Tests for failure by low insulation resistance, both
polarities of low direct current breakdown, and both polarities of high impulse breakdown (100 Víps) failure
modes shall be conducted, in that order, after each maximum single impulse discharge current test,
impulse life test, and alternating current (ac) discharge current test using the failure modes defined in
7.1.4 of this standard.

Tests of direct current and impulse breakdown may each consist of a single, low energy firing of each
polarity, rather than the more elaborate procedures required in 6.1 and 6.4.

7.1 .I Impulse life test

The arrester shall be tested for impulse life in accordance with 4.6 of ANSVIEEE (262.3-1987 using the
test waveform specified in table 6 of this standard in both positive and negative polarities. A 20% failure
rate shall be considered acceptable; however, not more than 6% of the samples may fail at less than half
the specified number of impulses. Half the samples shall be tested in one polarity and the remainder in the
opposite polarity. Tests for failure by low insulation resistance, positive and negative low direct current
breakdown, and positive and negative impulse breakdown (100 V/ps) as defined for Type A and B
arresters shall be conducted, in that order, on each pair of electrodes of each sample, after every strike of
the life test.

7.1.2 Alternative current discharge current test

The arrester shall be tested for alternating current discharge current in accordance with 4.7 of ANSMEEE
C62.31-1987 employing discharge time of 11 cycles of 50 or 60 hertz at the current amplitudes given in
table 6 of this standard. A failure rate of not more than 6% shall be considered acceptable. Each pair of
electrodes of each sample shall be tested for failure by low insulation resistance, positive and negative low
direct current breakdown, and positive and negative high impulse breakdown (100 Wps) as specified for
Type A and B arresters, in that order.

7.1.3 Maximum single impulse test

The arrester shall be tested for maximum single impulse discharge current in accordance with 4.5 of
ANSVIEEE (262.31-1987, employing only the 8/20 ps current waveform at the current amplitudes given in
table 6 of this standard. A failure rate of not more than 6% shall be considered acceptable. Each pair of
electrodes of each sample shall be tested for failure by low insulation resistance, positive and negative low
direct current breakdown, and positive and negative high impulse breakdown (100 V/ps) as specified for
Type A and B arresters, in that order.
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STD.NEMA C b 2 . b L - E N G L 1773 m b470247 0532762 227

ANSI C62.61-1993

Table 6 - Life criteria for classificationof arresters

Number of Operations at Specified Current (Note 4)
Current
Test (Note I) I II 111 IV V VI VI1

7.1.4 Failure modes

Failure modes shall be as defined in 4.16 of ANSVIEEE C62.31-1987, except as supplemented in 7.1.4.1
through 7.1.4.4.

7.1.4.1 Short-circuit failure mode

In this mode, an arrester shall become permanently short-circuited and shall have an impedance of not
more than 1 Q.

7.1.4.2 Low breakdown failure mode

In this mode, an arrester shall have a direct current breakdown of less than that specified in table 1 of this
standard for the end-of-life low voltage mode for Type A and B arresters.

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 ANSI C62.61-1993

7.1.4.3 High breakdown failure mode

In this mode, an arrester shall have direct current or impulse breakdown in excess of any of the end-of-life
high voltage mode values for Type A and B arresters as specified in tables 1 and 3 of this standard.

7.1.4.4 Insulation resistance failure mode

In this mode, an arrester shall have an insulation resistance of less than that specified in table 2 of this
standard for the end-of-life resistance mode values for Type A and B arresters.

7.2 Class V through VI1 arresters

These arresters shall be tested for impulse, one-second 50 or 60 hertz and thirty-second 50 or 60 hertz
life as defined in 7.2.1 and 7.2.2. Tests for failure by low insulation resistance, direct current breakdown,
and high impulse breakdown (100 V/ps) as defined for Type C and D arresters shall be conducted after
each application of the test currents as described in 7.2.1 and 7.2.2. Direct current holdover shall be
measured after the number of operations specified as life criteria in table 6 of this standard for those
arresters surviving to that point.

The life test numbers that are in parenthesis in table 6 should be interpreted as desirable objectives for
certain applications.

7.2.1 Impulse and one-second 50 or 60 hertz life test

When subjected to the various impulse and one-second 50 or 60 hertz test currents shown in table 6 of
this standard, a sample of arresters shall be a life in accordance with the number of operations specified
in table 6.

The open circuit voltage for the impulse life tests shall measure at least 1000 V peak. The current
amplitudes shall be measured with the arrester replaced by a short circuit.

The alternating current tests shall employ a current discharge time of 1 second, except for the 0.5 A level.

The test circuit for the 10 amperes root mean square (A rms) alternating current test shall consist of a 50
or 60 hertz supply feeding a parallel pair of noninductive series limiting resistors, one for each line
terminal. The supply-resistor combination shall deliver 1O00 V rms under open circuit conditions and 1O A
rms to each line terminal under short-circuit conditions.

The 1 A alternating current tests shall be conducted using the circuits shown in figures 2 and 3 of this
standard.

A device in Classes V and VI shall be considered to have reached end-of-life .if any of the following
conditions apply:

1. The impulse breakdown exceeds plus or minus 1000 V at 100 Wps.

2. The direct current breakdown falls below 265 V dc or exceeds 600 V dc.
3. The arrester fails to extinguish in less than 150 rms at the voltage/current combinations listed for Type
C and D arresters in tables 4 and 5 of this standard.
4. The life test insulation resistance (RL) meets one or more of the following conditions:
a) RL is less than or equal to 1.25 MR at 50 V dc.
b) MR is less than or equal to RL which is less than or equal to 10 MQ at 50 V dc for more than 5%
of the specified life operations at the test condition being employed.
c) RL is less than or equal to 1O M R at 1O0 V dc.

8 --```-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

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 ~ - ~ -

S T D - N E M A Cb2.bL-ENGL 1773 m I3470247 0 5 L 2 7 b 4 O T T W

ANSI C62.61-1993

-
Figure 2 One-second 50 or 60 hertz life test circuit
(1 ampere-600-toot simulated cable)
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Figure 3 - One-second 50 or 60 hertz life test circuit

(1 ampere-I-mile simulated cable)

A Class VI1 device shall be considered to have reached end-of-life if any of the following conditions apply:

1. The impulse breakdown exceeds plus or minus 1O00 V / p , plus or minus 350 V at 2V/ps or plus or
minus 265 V at 0.02 Vlps.
2. The direct current breakdown falls below 205 V dc for more than 5% of the specified life operations in
table 6 or exceeds 265 V dc.
3. The arrester fails to extinguish in less than 150 ms at the voltagekurrent combinations listed for Type
C and D arresters in table 4 and 5 of this standard.
4. The life test insulation resistance (RL) meets one or more of the following conditions:
a) RL is less than or equal to 1 MQ at 100 V dc.
b) M a is less than or equal to RL which is less than or equal to I O MO at 100 V dc for more than
5% of the specified life operations at the test condition being employed.

The direct current source to measure RL shall be limited to 10 milliamperes short-circuit current. The 50
volt test shall be made prior to the i00 volt test.

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 ANSI (32.61-1993

7.2.2 Thirty-second 50 to 60 hertz life test

When subjected to the 0.5 A rms 50 or 60 herb test current in table 6 from the circuit of figure 4 of this
standard, the arrester should conduct for 30 seconds.

L I
O
Figure 4 - Thirty-second 50 or 60 hertz life test circuit
(0.5 ampere root mean square)
The arrester in its intended mounting shall continue to conduct until the time of conduction not resulting in
a short circuit is determined or for 30 seconds, whichever occurs first. Conduction of current through the
arrester must continue throughout the test.

The arrester is considered to have reached end-of-life when a short circuit results.

7.2.3 Calculation of life numbers

Equal numbers of arresters shall be tested at each current amplitude of table 6 of this standard. The life of
an arrester at any of the test currents shall be calculated by determining two numbers L i and L2 that
satisfy the following conditions:

L1: The test results indicate that 90% of the arresters in the population from which the sample was
drawn would function without failure for at least L I operations at the condition being tested.
L2: The test results indicate that not more than 5% of the arrester population would fail in L2
operations or less.

Life at the condition being tested shall be defined as the lower of L I or 20 times L2. Or, an arrester
specified to satis@ the requirements of table 6 of this standard shall meet the specifications (of the
manufacturer and of the purchaser) with 90% of the product and have not more than 5% of the product
failing at less than one-twentieth of the specification.

8 Product identification

8.1 Color coding

Each arrester shall be marked in a clear, permanent, and distinctive manner to indicate the category of
intended application.

Type A arresters shall be marked in orange. Type B arresters shall be marked in slate. Type C arresters
shall be marked in white. Type D arresters shall be marked in a color specified by the purchaser.

In each case, a dot, stripe, or other suitable means of marking shall be employed.
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10
Copyright National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Provided by IHS under license with NEMA
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 STD.NEMA Cb2.bJ-ENGL 1773 = b 4 7 0 2 4 7 05127bb 7 7 2
ANSI C62.61-1993

8.2 Manufacturer’s identification

On each arrester, the manufacturer’s name, part number, and date code shall be indelibly marked.

9 Mechanical reliability

It shall be the responsibility of the manufacturer to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the purchaser that
the product is mechanically durable enough to withstand normal installation and maintenance procedures,
as well as shipping, storage, and environmental stress, and that production testing is such as to preclude
the failure of arresters from normal mechanical stresses experienced in routine storage and arrester
application.

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Copyright National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Provided by IHS under license with NEMA
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale