The Impulse Voltage Test System under Wuhan UHV can help many power workers conduct various power tests more conveniently.

1. Electrical Equipment and Insulation Materials (High-Voltage Engineering)

Core Standards:

IEC 60060-1: *High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test requirements* – The foundational standard defining parameters for high-voltage test waveforms (including lightning/ switching impulses), tolerances, test procedures, and measurement system requirements.

IEC 60255-27: Measuring relays and protection equipment – Part 27: Product safety requirements – Includes insulation tests (e.g., impulse voltage tests) for protective relays.

IEC 62271-1: *High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 1: Common specifications* – Specifies insulation tests (lightning/switching impulse) for switchgear, circuit breakers, etc.

IEEE Std 4: IEEE Standard for High-Voltage Testing Techniques – Widely used in North America, analogous to IEC 60060-1.

Key Pulse Waveforms:

Standard Lightning Impulse (LI): 1.2/50 μs (wavefront time ~1.2 μs, time-to-half-value ~50 μs). Simulates lightning overvoltage.

Standard Switching Impulse (SI): 250/2500 μs or wavefront ≥100 μs / time-to-half-value ≥1000 μs. Simulates switching overvoltage.

Chopped Lightning Impulse: LI truncated at 2–5 μs to simulate insulation flashover/arrester operation.

Test Requirements:

Withstand Test: Equipment withstands specified impulses without destructive discharge.

Disruptive Discharge Test: Determines breakdown voltage (e.g., 50% disruptive discharge voltage, U₅₀).

Measurement System: Must comply with IEC 60060-2/IEEE Std 4.

Environment: Tests performed under standard atmospheric conditions (with corrections for temperature/humidity).

2. Electronic Equipment and Components (Electromagnetic Compatibility - EMC)

Core Standards:

IEC/EN 61000-4-4: *Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-4: Testing and measurement techniques – Electrical fast transient (EFT)/burst immunity test* – Evaluates immunity to fast transients (e.g., from relays/switches). Waveform: 5/50 ns bursts.

IEC/EN 61000-4-5: *EMC – Part 4-5: Testing techniques – Surge immunity test* – Tests immunity to surges (lightning/switching transients). Key waveforms:

Combination Wave: 1.2/50 μs (open-circuit voltage) & 8/20 μs (short-circuit current).

Communication Line Surge: 10/700 μs for long-distance lines.

ISO 7637-2: Road vehicles – Electrical disturbances from conduction and coupling – Part 2: Electrical transient conduction along supply lines – Defines automotive transient pulses (e.g., Pulse 1, 2a, 3a/b) for immunity testing.

Test Requirements:

Immunity Test: Performance must remain within manufacturer-defined criteria (Criteria A/B/C) during/after pulse application.

Application: Pulses applied to power/signal lines via coupling networks.

Severity Levels: Voltage/current amplitudes selected based on operational environment.

3. Communication and Signal Systems

Standards may reference IEC 61000-4-5 or define specific cable tests (e.g., telecom lines, coaxial cables) for induced surges. Telecommunication standards (e.g., ITU-T K-series) include surge protection requirements.

4. Specific Components

Semiconductors (TVS diodes, varistors): IEC 61643-311 defines pulse withstand tests (8/20 μs current, 1.2/50 μs voltage).

Capacitors/Transformers: Product-specific standards (e.g., IEC) include impulse tests for insulation/self-healing verification.