Electrical insulating materials used under severe ambient conditions - Test methods for evaluating resistance to tracking and erosion

IEC 60587:2022 describes two test methods for the evaluation of electrical insulating materials for use under severe ambient conditions at power frequencies (45 Hz to 65 Hz) by the evaluation of the resistance to tracking and erosion, using a liquid contaminant and inclined plane specimens. The two methods are:

- Method 1: test at constant voltage,

- Method 2: test at stepwise increased voltage.

Method 1 is the most widely used method as there is less need for continual inspection.

The test conditions are designed to accelerate the production of the effects, but do not reproduce all the conditions encountered in service.

This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:

a) an improved description of the experimental methods has been implemented;

b) an improved description of the preparation of the test specimens has been implemented;

c) a more detailed description of the electrode material and of the electrode quality has been added;

d) evaluation criterion B (track length) has been removed for testing according to test method 2 (stepwise tracking voltage) as it is not applicable.