EN 60252-2:2011

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2011
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 60252-2:2003
,]PHQLþQLNRQGHQ]DWRUML]DPRWRUMHGHO=DJDQMDOQLNRQGHQ]DWRUML,(&

AC motor capacitors - Part 2: Motor start capacitors (IEC 60252-2:2010)
Wechselspannungsmotorkondensatoren - Teil 2: Motoranlaufkondensatoren (IEC 60252-
2:2010)
Condensateurs des moteurs à courant alternatif - Partie 2: Condensateurs de démarrage
de moteurs (CEI 60252-2:2010)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60252-2:2011
ICS:
31.060.70 0RþQRVWQLNRQGHQ]DWRUML Power capacitors
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 60252-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
February 2011
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 31.060.30; 31.060.70 Supersedes EN 60252-2:2003

English version
AC motor capacitors -
Part 2: Motor start capacitors
(IEC 60252-2:2010)
Condensateurs des moteurs à courant Wechselspannungsmotorkondensatoren -
alternatif - Teil 2: Motoranlaufkondensatoren
Partie 2: Condensateurs de démarrage de (IEC 60252-2:2010)
moteurs
(CEI 60252-2:2010)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2011-01-19. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

© 2011 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 60252-2:2011 E
Foreword
The text of document 33/476/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 60252-2, prepared by IEC TC 33, Power
capacitors, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and was approved by CENELEC as
EN 60252-2 on 2011-01-19.
This European Standard supersedes EN 60252-2:2003.
The main changes with respect to EN 60252-2:2003 are listed below:
– definition of segmented film capacitors;
– clearer definition of the purpose of d.c. conditioning in destruction test.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
(dop) 2011-10-19
national standard or by endorsement
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
(dow) 2014-01-19
with the EN have to be withdrawn
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.
__________
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60252-2:2010 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
__________
- 3 - EN 60252-2:2011
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60062 - Marking codes for resistors and capacitors EN 60062 -

IEC 60068-2 Series Environmental testing - EN 60068-2 Series
Part 2: Tests
IEC 60068-2-6 - Environmental testing - EN 60068-2-6 -
Part 2-6: Tests - Test Fc: Vibration
(sinusoidal)
IEC 60068-2-14 - Environmental testing - EN 60068-2-14 -
Part 2-14: Tests - Test N: Change of
temperature
IEC 60068-2-20 - Environmental testing - EN 60068-2-20 -
Part 2-20: Tests - Test T: Test methods for
solderability and resistance to soldering heat
of devices with leads
IEC 60068-2-21 - Environmental testing - EN 60068-2-21 -
Part 2-21: Tests - Test U: Robustness of
terminations and integral mounting devices

IEC 60068-2-78 2001 Environmental testing - EN 60068-2-78 2001
Part 2-78: Tests - Test Cab: Damp heat,
steady state
IEC 60112 - Method for the determination of the proof and EN 60112 -
the comparative tracking indices of solid
insulating materials
IEC 60309-1 1999 Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for EN 60309-1 1999
industrial purposes -
Part 1: General requirements
IEC 60529 - Degrees of protection provided by enclosures - -
(IP Code)
IEC 60695-2-10 2000 Fire hazard testing - EN 60695-2-10 2001
Part 2-10: Glowing/hot-wire based test
methods - Glow-wire apparatus and common
test procedure
IEC 60695-2-11 2000 Fire hazard testing - EN 60695-2-11 2001
Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test
methods - Glow-wire flammability test method
for end-products
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
ISO 4046 - Paper, board, pulp and related terms - - -
Vocabulary
IEC 60252-2 ®
Edition 2.0 2010-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
AC motor capacitors –
Part 2: Motor start capacitors

Condensateurs des moteurs à courant alternatif –
Partie 2: Condensateurs de démarrage de moteurs

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
X
CODE PRIX
ICS 31.060.30; 31.060.70 ISBN 978-2-88912-293-6
– 2 – 60252-2 Ó IEC:2010
CONTENTS
FOREW ORD . 4
1 Sc o pe . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Service conditions . 10
4.1 Normal service conditions . 10
4.2 Preferred tolerances on capacitance . 10
5 Self-healing motor start capacitors . 10
5.1 Quality requirements and tests . 10
5.1.1 Test requirements . 10
5.1.2 Nature of tests . 11
5.1.3 Type tests . 11
5.1.4 Routine tests . 13
5.1.5 Tangent of the loss-angle measurement . 13
5.1.6 Visual examination . 13
5.1.7 Voltage test between the terminals . 14
5.1.8 Voltage test between terminals and case . 14
5.1.9 Capacitance measurement . 14
5.1.10 Check of dimensions . 14
5.1.11 Mechanical tests . 15
5.1.12 Sealing test . 17
5.1.13 Endurance test . 17
5.1.14 Damp heat test . 19
5.1.15 Self-healing test . 19
5.1.16 Destruction test . 19
5.1.17 Resistance to heat, fire and tracking . 22
5.2 Overloads . 23
5.2.1 Maximum permissible voltage . 23
5.2.2 Maximum permissible current . 23
5.2.3 Maximum permissible reactive output . 23
5.3 Safety requirements . 23
5.3.1 Creepage distances and clearances . 23
5.3.2 Terminals and connecting cables . 24
5.3.3 Earth connections . 24
5.3.4 Discharge devices . 25
5.3.5 Pollution . 25
5.4 Marking . 25
6 Electrolytic motor start capacitors . 26
6.1 Quality requirements and tests . 26
6.1.1 Test requirements . 26
6.1.2 Nature of tests . 26
6.1.3 Type tests . 27
6.1.4 Routine tests . 29
6.1.5 Visual examination . 29
6.1.6 Voltage test between the terminals . 29
6.1.7 Voltage test between terminals and case . 29

60252-2 Ó IEC:2010 – 3 –
6.1.8 Capacitance and power factor measurement . 30
6.1.9 Check of dimensions . 31
6.1.10 Mechanical tests . 31
6.1.11 Sealing test . 33
6.1.12 Endurance test . 33
6.1.13 Damp heat test . 35
6.1.14 Pressure relief test . 35
6.1.15 Resistance to heat, fire and tracking . 36
6.2 Overloads . 36
6.2.1 Maximum permissible voltage . 36
6.2.2 Maximum permissible current . 36
6.2.3 Maximum permissible reactive output . 37
6.3 Safety requirements . 37
6.3.1 Creepage distances and clearances . 37
6.3.2 Terminals and connecting cables . 37
6.3.3 Earth connections . 37
6.3.4 Discharge devices . 38
6.3.5 Pollution . 38
6.4 Marking . 38
7 Guidance for installation and operation . 39
7.1 General . 39
7.2 Choice of rated voltage . 39
7.2.1 Measurement of working voltage . 39
7.2.2 Influence of capacitance . 40
7.3 Checking capacitor temperature . 40
7.3.1 Choice of maximum permissible capacitor operating temperature . 40
7.3.2 Choice of minimum permissible capacitor operating temperature . 40
7.4 Checking transients . 40
7.5 Storage of electrolytic capacitors . 41
Annex A (normative) Test voltage. 42

Figure 1 – Test apparatus for d.c. conditioning . 20
Figure 2 – Test apparatus for a.c. destruction test . 20
Figure 3 – Arrangement to produce the variable inductor L in Figure 2 . 21
Figure 4 – Test circuit for measurement of capacitance and power factor . 30

Table 1 – Type test schedule . 12
Table 2 – Test voltages . 14
Table 3 – Torque . 15
Table 4 – Minimum creepage distances and clearances . 25
Table 5 – Type test schedule . 28
Table 6 – Test voltages . 29
Table 7 – Torque . 32
Table 8 – Minimum creepage distances and clearances . 38

– 4 – 60252-2 Ó IEC:2010
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
AC MOTOR CAPACITORS –
Part 2: Motor start capacitors

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60252-2 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 33: Power
capacitors and their applications.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 60252-2, published in 2003,
and constitutes a technical revision.
The main changes with respect to the previous edition are listed below:
– definition of segmented film capacitors;
– clearer definition of the purpose of d.c. conditioning in destruction test.

60252-2 Ó IEC:2010 – 5 –
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
33/476/FDIS 33/480/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of IEC 60252 series, published under the general title AC motor capacitors,
can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 6 – 60252-2 Ó IEC:2010
AC MOTOR CAPACITORS –
Part 2: Motor start capacitors

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60252 applies to motor start capacitors intended for connection to windings of
asynchronous motors supplied from a single-phase system having the frequency of the mains.
This standard covers impregnated or unimpregnated metallized motor start capacitors having
a dielectric of paper or plastic film, or a combination of both and electrolytic motor start
capacitors with non-solid electrolyte, with rated voltages up to and including 660 V.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60062, Marking codes for resistors and capacitors
IEC 60068-2 (all parts), Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests
IEC 60068-2-6, Environmental testing – Part 2-6: Tests – Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60068-2-14, Environmental testing – Part 2-14: Tests – Test N: Change of temperature
IEC 60068-2-20, Environmental testing – Part 2-20: Tests – Test T: Soldering
IEC 60068-2-21, Environmental testing – Part 2-21: Tests – Test U: Robustness of
terminations and integral mounting devices
IEC 60068-2-78:2001, Environmental testing – Part 2-78: Tests – Test Cab: Damp heat,
steady state
IEC 60112, Method for determining the comparative and the proof tracking indices of solid
insulating materials under moist conditions
IEC 60309-1:1999, Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes – Part 1:
General requirements
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60695-2-10:2000, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-10: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods
– Glow-wire apparatus and common test procedure
IEC 60695-2-11:2000, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods
– Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products
ISO 4046, Paper, board, pulps and related terms – Vocabulary

60252-2 Ó IEC:2010 – 7 –
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
motor running capacitor
power capacitor which, when used in conjunction with an auxiliary winding of a motor, assists
the motor to start and improves the torque under running conditions
NOTE The running capacitor is usually connected permanently to the motor winding and remains in circuit
throughout the running period of the motor. During the starting period, if it is in parallel with the starting capacitor,
it helps to start the motor.
3.2
motor starting capacitor
power capacitor which provides a leading current to an auxiliary winding of a motor and which
is switched out of circuit once the motor is running
3.3
metal foil capacitor
capacitor, whose electrodes consist of metal foils or strips separated by a dielectric
3.4
metallized capacitor
capacitor, in which the electrodes consist of a metallic deposit on the dielectric
3.5
self-healing capacitor
capacitor, whose electrical properties, after local breakdown of the dielectric, are rapidly and
essentially self-restored
3.6
segmented film capacitor
metallised capacitor with a repeating pattern on the metallic deposit on at least one layer,
designed to isolate sections of the capacitor in the event of localised faults occurring in the
dielectric
3.7
discharge device of a capacitor
device which may be incorporated in a capacitor, capable of reducing the voltage between the
terminals effectively to zero, within a given time, after the capacitor has been disconnected
from a network
3.8
continuous operation
operation with no time limit within the normal life of the capacitor
3.9
intermittent operation
operation in which periods with the capacitor energized are followed by intervals during which
the capacitor is unenergized
3.10
starting operation
special type of intermittent operation in which the capacitor is energized for only a very short
period while the motor is accelerating to rated speed

– 8 – 60252-2 Ó IEC:2010
3.11
rated duty cycle
rated value indicating the rate of intermittent or starting duty for which a capacitor is suitable
NOTE It is specified by the duty cycle duration, in minutes, and the percentage of the time during which the
capacitor is energized.
3.12
duty cycle duration
total time of one energized and one unenergized interval during the intermittent operation
3.13
relative operation time
percentage of the cycle duration in which the capacitor is energized
3.14
capacitor for continuous and starting operation
capacitor designed to operate at one voltage when in continuous operation and at a different
(usually higher) voltage when in starting operation
3.15
minimum permissible capacitor operating temperature
minimum permissible temperature on the outside of the case at the moment of switching on
the capacitor
3.16
maximum permissible capacitor operating temperature
t
c
maximum permissible temperature of the hottest area of the outside of the capacitor case
during operation
3.17
rated voltage of a capacitor
U
N
r.m.s. value of the alternating voltage for which the capacitor has been designed
3.18
maximum voltage
maximum r.m.s. voltage permissible at the starting capacitor terminals between the point of
starting and the instant at which the capacitor is disconnected
3.19
rated frequency of a capacitor
f
N
highest frequency for which the capacitor has been designed
3.20
rated capacitance of a capacitor
C
N
capacitance value for which the capacitor has been designed
3.21
rated current of a capacitor
I
N
r.m.s. value of the alternating current at the rated voltage and frequency

60252-2 Ó IEC:2010 – 9 –
3.22
rated output of a capacitor
Q
N
reactive power derived from the rated values of capacitance, frequency and voltage
(or current)
3.23
capacitor losses
active power dissipated by a capacitor
NOTE Unless otherwise stated, the capacitor losses will be understood to include losses in fuses and discharge
resistors forming an integral part of the capacitor.
3.24
tangent of loss angle (tan delta) of a capacitor
ratio between the equivalent series resistance and the capacitive reactance of a capacitor
at specified sinusoidal alternating voltage and frequency
3.25
power factor
ratio between the active power and the apparent power of a capacitor
3.26
capacitive leakage current (only for capacitors with a metal case)
current flowing through a conductor connecting the metallic case to earth, when the capacitor
is energized from an a.c. supply system with an earthed neutral
3.27
type of capacitor
capacitors are considered to be of the same type when of similar constructional form, the
same constructional technology, same rated voltage, same climatic category and same kind of
operation
NOTE 1 Capacitors of the same type can differ only in rated capacitance and size; minor differences between
terminations and mounting devices are permitted.
NOTE 2 The same construction includes, for example, the same dielectric material, dielectric thickness and type
of case (metal or plastic).
3.28
model of capacitor
capacitors are considered to be of the same model when they are of the same construction
and have the same functional and dimensional characteristics within the tolerance limits and
are consequently interchangeable
3.29
class of safety protection
degree of safety protection identified by one of three codes to be marked on the capacitor
(P2) indicates that the capacitor type has been designed to fail in the open-circuit mode
only and is protected against fire or shock hazard. Compliance is verified by the test
described in 5.1.16
(P1) indicates that the capacitor type may fail in the open-circuit or short-circuit mode and
is protected against fire or shock hazard. Compliance is verified by the test described
in 5.1.16
(P0) indicates that the capacitor type has no specific failure protection
This subclause does not apply to electrolytic capacitors.

– 10 – 60252-2 Ó IEC:2010
4 Service conditions
4.1 Normal service conditions
This standard gives requirements for capacitors intended for use under the following
conditions:
a) altitude: not exceeding 2 000 m;
b) residual voltage at energization: shall not exceed 10 % rated voltage (see notes to 5.3.4
and 6.3.4);
c) pollution: capacitors included in the scope of this standard are designed for operation in
lightly polluted atmospheres;
NOTE The IEC has not yet established a definition for “lightly polluted”. When this definition is established
by the IEC, it will be incorporated in this standard.
d) operating temperature: between –40 °C and +100 °C (see 3.15 and 3.16).
The preferred minimum and maximum permissible capacitor operating temperatures are
as follows:
– minimum temperatures: –40 °C, –25 °C, –10 °C and 0 °C;
– maximum temperatures: 55 °C, 70 °C, 85 °C and 100 °C.
Capacitors shall be suitable for transport and storage at temperatures down to –25 °C, or
the minimum operating temperature, whichever is the lower, without adverse effect on
their quality;
e) damp heat severity: between 4 days and 56 days. The preferred severity is 21 days.
(The damp heat severity shall be selected from the values indicated by IEC 60068-2-78,
i.e.: 4 days, 10 days, 21 days and 56 days.)
Capacitors are classified in climatic categories defined by the minimum and maximum
permissible capacitor operating temperatures and damp heat severity: i.e. 10/70/21
indicates that the minimum and the maximum permissible capacitor operating temper-
atures are –10 °C and 70 °C and the damp heat severity is 21 days.
4.2 Preferred tolerances on capacitance
Preferred tolerances are as follows: ±5 %, ±10 % and ±15 %.
Asymmetric tolerances are permitted but no tolerance shall exceed 15 %.
5 Self-healing motor start capacitors
5.1 Quality requirements and tests
5.1.1 Test requirements
5.1.1.1 General
This clause gives the test requirements for self-healing motor start capacitors.
5.1.1.2 Test conditions
Unless otherwise specified for a particular test or measurement, the temperature of the
capacitor dielectric shall be in the range +15 °C to +35 °C and shall be recorded.
If corrections are necessary, the reference temperature shall be +20 °C.

60252-2 Ó IEC:2010 – 11 –
NOTE It may be assumed that the dielectric temperature is the same as the ambient temperature, provided that
the capacitor has been left in an unenergized state at this ambient temperature for an adequate period, depending
on the size of the capacitor.
5.1.2 Nature of tests
The tests specified are of two sorts:
a) type tests;
b) routine tests.
5.1.2.1 Type tests
Type tests are intended to prove the soundness of the design of the capacitor and its
suitability for operation under the conditions detailed in this standard.
Type tests are carried out by the manufacturer and/or the test authority if there is need for
an approval.
These tests may be carried out under the supervision of a proper authority which will issue
a certified record and/or type approval.
5.1.2.2 Routine tests
Routine tests shall be carried out by the manufacturer on every capacitor before delivery.
5.1.3 Type tests
5.1.3.1 Test procedure
The samples of each model selected for the type tests shall be divided into groups, as
indicated in Table 1.
Capacitors forming the sample shall have successfully passed the routine tests indicated in
5.1.4.
Each test group shall contain equal numbers of capacitors of the highest capacitance and the
lowest capacitance in the range.
The manufacturer shall provide data on the ratio of capacitance per outer total surface area
of the case of each capacitance value in the range.
The capacitor with the maximum capacitance per unit surface area shall also be tested if this
ratio exceeds that of the maximum capacitance value in the range by 10 % or more.
Similarly, the capacitor with the minimum capacitance per unit area shall also be tested if
the ratio is less than that of the minimum capacitance value in the range by 10 % or more.
“Area” denotes total outer surface area of the capacitor case with the exception of small
protrusions, terminals and fixing studs.

– 12 – 60252-2 Ó IEC:2010
5.1.3.2 Extent of qualification
5.1.3.2.1 A type test on a single model qualifies only the model tested. When the type test is
performed on two models of the same type but of different rated capacitance value, selected
under the rules of 5.1.3.1, the qualification is valid for all models of the same type having
rated capacitance between the two tested values.
5.1.3.2.2 The qualification tests carried out successfully on a capacitor model having a
certain capacitance tolerance are valid also for capacitors of the same model but having
a different capacitance tolerance of up to twice the limits of the declared tolerance. For
example, ±5 % would cover up to ±10 %, and ±10 % would cover up to ±20 %. A smaller
tolerance than the declared tolerance is not permitted. For example, a type approval for
±10 % would not cover ±5 %.
5.1.3.2.3 Occasionally, in current practice, capacitors are required with a capacitance
tolerance that is not symmetrical with respect to the rated capacitance value.
When a type test is carried out successfully on a capacitor model having a symmetrical
capacitance tolerance, the relevant qualification is valid also for capacitors of the same model
having a non-symmetrical capacitance provided that the total range of non-symmetrical
tolerance is
a) within the total range of capacitance allowed in 5.1.3.2.2,
and
b) greater than, or equal to, that of the tested capacitor model. For example, qualification for
+10 +5 +8 +10 +15
±5 would allow values such as %, %, %, % but not %.
-5
-5 -10 -2 0
Table 1 – Type test schedule
Number Number
Number
of samples of failures
of failures
Group Tests Subclause to be allowed in
allowed
inspected first test
in retest
a b
Visual examination 5.1.6
Check markings 5.4
Check of dimensions 5.1.10
c
8 [4] 0
1 Mechanical tests 5.1.11
(excluding soldering)
Sealing tests 5.1.12
(if applicable)
d
2 Endurance test 5.1.13 2
42 [21] 0
Soldering (if applicable)
5.1.11.2
Damp heat test 5.1.14
c
12 [6] 0
3 Voltage test between terminals 5.1.7

Voltage test between terminals 5.1.8
and case
c
4 Self-healing test 5.1.15 1
20 [10] 0
(if applicable)
e
5 Destruction test 5.1.16 20 [10] 1
(if marked on the capacitor) 10 [5]
6 Resistance to heat, fire and 5.1.17
tracking (not applicable to
(terminal
capacitors with lead terminations) 0 0
f
housing only)
60252-2 Ó IEC:2010 – 13 –
Table 1 (continued)
a
The number of samples specified allows for retest if required. The number in square brackets indicates the actual
number required for the test. All numbers indicate the sample quantity for each capacitance value tested. If a
range is tested, then the quantity indicated in the table will apply to both the highest capacitance, lowest
capacitance and any other intermediate value required to be tested in the range according to 5.1.3.1.
b
A capacitor which fails on more than one test is counted as one defective capacitor.
c
For groups 1, 3 and 4 a retest is allowed with 1 failure. No failures are allowed in these retests.
d
For group 2, no retest is required with 1 failure. With two failures a retest is required, with no more failures
allowed.
e
For group 5, see 5.1.16 which allows a retest under special conditions in the event of one failure.
f
Three samples of terminal housing (parts of insulating material retaining terminals in position) are needed for the
tests described in 5.1.17.
One sample is required for the ball-pressure test (5.1.17.1), one for the glow-wire test (5.1.17.2) and one for the
tracking test (5.1.17.3).
When the number of defects for each group and the total number of defective capacitors do
not exceed the figures indicated in Table 1, the capacitor model shall be deemed to comply
with this standard.
When a capacitor is designed to operate under two or more different conditions (rated
voltages, classes, rated duty cycles, etc.), the following tests shall be performed, once only,
at the highest test voltage:
i) voltage test between terminals (see 5.1.7);
ii) voltage test between terminals and case (see 5.1.8);
iii) self-healing test (see 5.1.15).
The endurance test shall be performed for every voltage rating and under every operating
condition marked on the capacitor. The number of samples to be inspected shall be calculated
accordingly.
5.1.4 Routine tests
5.1.4.1 Test procedure
Capacitors shall be subjected to the following tests in the stated order:
a) sealing test, if applicable (see 5.1.12);
b) voltage test between terminals (see 5.1.7);
c) voltage test between terminals and case (see 5.1.8);
d) visual examination (see 5.1.6);
e) capacitance measurement (see 5.1.9);
f) tangent of loss angle (see 5.1.5).
5.1.5 Tangent of the loss-angle measurement
The tangent of the loss-angle limit and the measuring frequency shall be defined by the
manufacturer.
5.1.6 Visual examination
The condition, workmanship, marking and finish shall be satisfactory. The marking shall be
legible during the life of the capacitor.
There shall be no seepage of any filling material or other visible damage.

– 14 – 60252-2 Ó IEC:2010
5.1.7 Voltage test between the terminals
In type tests, capacitors shall be subjected to an a.c. voltage test as specified in Table 2. The
test shall be carried out with a substantially sinusoidal voltage at the rated frequency.
The test may be carried out at 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
A higher frequency may be used at the manufacturer’s discretion.
Table 2 – Test voltages
Ratio of test
Type test time Routine test time
Type of capacitor
voltage to rated
s s
a.c. voltage
Self-healing capacitor 1,2 10 2

5.1.8 Voltage test between terminals and case
Capacitors shall be capable of withstanding without breakdown, for 60 s, a test between
terminals (joined together) and the case, with a substantially sinusoidal voltage of a frequency
as near as possible to the rated frequency and of the following r.m.s. value:
twice the rated voltage + 1 000 V but not less than 2 000 V.
If the capacitor case is of insulating material, in type tests the test voltage shall be applied
between the terminals and the metal mountings, if any, or between the terminals and a metal
foil wrapped tightly round the surface of the case. In routine tests the test voltage shall be
applied between the terminals and a metal part, if any.
No routine test is required if the case is made entirely of insulating material.
During the test, no dielectric breakdown or flashover shall occur.
5.1.9 Capacitance measurement
The capacitance shall be measured using a method which excludes errors due to harmonics.
The precision of measurement shall be better than 5 % of the total tolerance band. For type
tests the absolute precision shall be 0,2 % maximum.
Type and routine testing shall be carried out at between 0,9 and 1,1 times the rated voltage
and at the rated frequency.
Other measuring voltages and frequencies are permitted if it can be demonstrated that the
capacitance measured does not deviate from the true value by more than 0,2 %.
5.1.10 Check of dimensions
Dimensions of the case, of the terminals and of the fixing arrangements shall comply with
those indicated in the drawing, taking tolerances into account.
In addition, minimum creepage distances and clearances indicated in Table 4 shall be
checked.
60252-2 Ó IEC:2010 – 15 –
5.1.11 Mechanical tests
These tests shall be carried out in conformity with the relevant test in IEC 60068-2.
These tests are as follows:
– robustness of terminations: Test U, IEC 60068-2-21;
– soldering: Test T, IEC 60068-2-20;
– vibration (sinusoidal): Test Fc, IEC 60068-2-6.
5.1.11.1 Robustness of terminations
The capacitor shall be subjected to tests Ua, Ub, Uc and Ud of IEC 60068-2-21, as
applicable.
5.1.11.1.1 Test Ua – Tensile
The load to be applied shall be 20 N for all types of terminations.
For external wire terminations, the cross-sectional area shall be at least 0,5 mm .
5.1.11.1.2 Test Ub – Bending (half of the terminations)
This test shall be carried out only on wire terminations. Two consecutive bends shall be
applied.
5.1.11.1.3 Test Uc – Torsion (other half of the terminations)
This test shall be carried out only on wire terminations. Two successive rotations of 180° shall
be applied.
5.1.11.1.4 Test Ud – Torque (screw terminals)
This test shall be carried out on threaded terminations.
The nuts or screws shall be tightened to the torque specified in Table 3 and loosened again.
The torque shall be applied gradually. The screw material shall have adequate resistance
against stress cracking.
Table 3 – Torque
Thread diameter Torque
mm inches N · m
2,6 – 0,4
3,0 1/8 0,5
3,5 9/64 0,8
4,0 5/32 1,2
5,0 3/16 1,8
5,5 7/32 2,2
6,0 1/4 2,5
8 5/16 5
10 3/8 7
12 1/2 12
– 16 – 60252-2 Ó IEC:2010
5.1.11.1.5 Visual examination
After each of these tests the capacitors shall be visually examined. There shall be no visible
damage.
5.1.11.2 Soldering
This test shall be carried out only when terminals are designed for connection by soldering.
The capacitor shall then be subjected to Test T of IEC 60068-2-20 either using the solder bath
method or the solder globule method.
When neither the solder bath method nor the solder globule method is applicable, the
soldering iron test shall be used, with soldering iron size A.
Before and after the test the capacitance of the capacitor shall be measured by the method
laid down in 5.1.9. No perceivable capacitance change is permitted.
When the test procedures have been carried out, the capacitors shall be visually examined.
There shall be no visible damage.
5.1.11.3 Vibration
The
...