IEC 60587
IEC 60587 Testing
All electrical insulators perform an essential function — preventing electrocution risks like short-circuiting, electric shock and other fire hazards. You can verify that your electrical insulating materials are safe and effective through tracking and erosion testing such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60587 test.
At VTEC Laboratories, we specialize in performing material testing and inspection services to help companies minimize losses and increase performance in their facilities. We're experienced in conducting tests across countless industries, including flammability, chemical, transportation, industrial and military testing.
IEC 60587 - Electrical Insulating Materials Test
Before understanding IEC 60587 testing, you must first know the purpose of electrical insulators. Insulators are materials with high resistance to electrical currents. These substances have tightly bonded valence electrons that enable them to separate electrical conductors without allowing the currents to pass through.
The IEC 60587 test was established by the International Electrotechnical Commission to assess an insulator's resistance to tracking and erosion. This test evaluates electrical insulators used under severe ambient conditions at power frequencies of 45 Hz to 65 Hz using an inclined plane and liquid containment samples. The electrical insulating materials test utilizes two testing methods — constant tracking and stepwise tracking voltage.
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Our multifunctional company has been conducting scientific testing across numerous industries since 1982, and we maintain our reputation as an international leader in commercial testing services over 35 years later. Our advanced testing lab allows us to analyze various substances while utilizing state-of-the-art material analysis techniques, from chromatography to electrochemistry to spectroscopy and more. We even have the experience and capabilities to offer custom testing to our clients.
At VTEC, we always adhere to strict safety standards to ensure the highest quality testing. We are proud to be certified by many major testing organizations, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the U.S. Navy and the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).
How Is the IEC 60587 Test Performed?
The IEC 60587 test is performed using one of two standard tracking and erosion test methods — the constant tracking method or the stepwise tracking voltage method.
Method 1
Method 1, or the constant tracking voltage method, does not require continual inspections and is therefore the most widely used process. This procedure begins by switching on the voltage and raising it to a preferred testing voltage in no more than 10 seconds while the contaminant flows at a uniform rate. This voltage should be continuously maintained for six hours before classifying.
Method 2
Method 2, or the stepwise tracking voltage method, begins by selecting a starting voltage at a multiple of 250 V. Then, the test administrator raises the voltage to the desired value while the contaminant flows uniformly at the specified rate. The voltage is maintained for one hour and then increased by 250 V every hour until failure occurs. The stepwise tracking voltage will be the highest voltage that five specimens can withstand for a full hour without failure.
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