Electrical insulation systems - Procedures for thermal evaluation - Part 1: General requirements - Low-voltage

IEC 61857-1:2008 specifies a general test procedure for the thermal evaluation and qualification of electrical insulation systems (EIS) and establishes a procedure that compares the performance of a candidate EIS to that of a reference EIS. This standard is applicable to existing or proposed EIS used in electrotechnical products with an input voltage of up to 1 000 V where the thermal factor is the dominating ageing factor. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2004, and constitutes editorial revisions to make this standard compatible with Parts 21 and 22.

Systèmes d'isolation électrique - Procédures d'évaluation thermique - Partie 1: Exigences générales - Basse tension

La CEI 61857-1:2008 spécifie une procédure d'essai générale pour une évaluation thermique et une qualification des systèmes d'isolation électrique (SIE), et établit une procédure comparant la qualité de fonctionnement d'un SIE candidat à celle d'un SIE de référence. Cette norme s'applique aux SIE existants ou proposés, utilisés dans les produits électrotechniques dont la tension d'entrée monte jusqu'à 1 000 V pour lesquels le facteur thermique est le facteur de vieillissement prépondérant. Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la seconde édition publiée en 2004, et elle constitue une révision rédactionnelle pour rendre la présente norme compatible avec les Parties 21 et 22.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
25-Sep-2008
Current Stage
PPUB - Publication issued
Start Date
26-Sep-2008
Completion Date
31-Oct-2008
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IEC 61857-1:2008 - Electrical insulation systems - Procedures for thermal evaluation - Part 1: General requirements - Low-voltage
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IEC 61857-1
Edition 3.0 2008-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electrical insulation systems – Procedures for thermal evaluation –
Part 1: General requirements – Low-voltage

Systèmes d'isolation électrique – Procédures d'évaluation thermique –
Partie 1: Exigences générales – Basse tension

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IEC 61857-1
Edition 3.0 2008-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electrical insulation systems – Procedures for thermal evaluation –
Part 1: General requirements – Low-voltage

Systèmes d'isolation électrique – Procédures d'évaluation thermique –
Partie 1: Exigences générales – Basse tension

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
P
CODE PRIX
ICS 29.080.30 ISBN 978-2-88910-581-6
– 2 – 61857-1 © IEC:2008
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.3
INTRODUCTION.5
Scope.6
2 Normative references.6
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 General information .8
4.1 Overview of test procedure .8
4.2 Basis of evaluation and qualification .8
4.3 Specific requirements .8
5 Test objects.9
5.1 General .9
5.2 Description .9
5.3 Number of test objects.9
6 Test procedures.9
6.1 General .9
6.2 Initial screening tests .9
6.3 Thermal ageing .10
6.4 Prediagnostic mechanical stress .11
6.5 Other prediagnostic conditioning .11
6.6 Moisture exposure .12
6.7 Dielectric diagnostic tests .12
6.8 Other diagnostic tests .12
7 Analyzing, reporting and classification.12
7.1 End-point criterion .12
7.2 Method of determining life.13
7.3 Extrapolation of data.13
7.4 Report of results .14
Bibliography .16

Figure 1 – Arrhenius graph for comparing a candidate system C with a reference
system R.15

Table 1 – Suggested ageing temperatures and ageing periods.10
Table 2 – Thermal class assignment .13

61857-1 © IEC:2008 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
___________
ELECTRICAL INSULATION SYSTEMS –
PROCEDURES FOR THERMAL EVALUATION –

Part 1: General requirements – Low-voltage

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
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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 61857-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 112:
Evaluation and qualification of electrical insulating materials and systems.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2004, and constitutes
editorial revisions to make this standard compatible with Parts 21 and 22.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
112/92/CDV 112/102/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.

– 4 – 61857-1 © IEC:2008
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 61857 series, under the general title Electrical insulation
systems – Procedures for thermal evaluation, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
maintenance result 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.
61857-1 © IEC:2008 – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
This International Standard establishes a standardized test procedure for estimating by
comparison the life expectancy of electrical insulation systems (EIS) in accordance with
IEC 60505.
An EIS contains many different components selected to withstand the varying electrical,
mechanical, and thermal stresses occurring in the different parts of the structure of an
electrotechnical product. The useful life of an EIS depends upon the way that its individual
components are arranged, their interactions upon each other, and the contribution of each
component to the electrical and mechanical integrity of the EIS. Therefore, it is impossible to
specify one test object to represent all electrotechnical products. It is incumbent upon the IEC
equipment technical committees to address the test objects and application of this test
procedure that will meet their specific needs. This work is intended to proceed by cooperation
between this technical committee and other IEC technical committees to develop a series of
parts, each part to address a specific test object and/or application.
This procedure permits approximate comparisons only, and cannot be relied upon to
completely determine the merits of any particular EIS. Such information can be obtained only
from extended service experience.

– 6 – 61857-1 © IEC:2008
ELECTRICAL INSULATION SYSTEMS –
PROCEDURES FOR THERMAL EVALUATION –

Part 1: General requirements – Low voltage

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61857 specifies a general test procedure for the thermal evaluation and
qualification of electrical insulation systems (EIS) and establishes a procedure that compares
the performance of a candidate EIS to that of a reference EIS.
This standard is applicable to existing or proposed EIS used in electrotechnical products with
an input voltage of up to 1 000 V where the thermal factor is the dominating ageing factor.
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 60085:2004, Electrical insulation – Thermal classification
IEC 60216-4-1, Electrical insulating materials – Thermal endurance properties – Part 4-1:
Ageing ovens –Single chamber ovens
IEC 60216-5, Electrical insulating materials – Thermal endurance properties – Part 5:
Determination of relative thermal endurance index (RTE) of an insulating material
IEC 60493-1, Guide for the statistical analysis of ageing test data – Part 1: Methods based on
mean values of normally distributed test results
IEC 60505:2004, Evaluation and qualification of electrical insulation systems
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60505, as well as the
following definitions, apply.
3.1
electrical insulation system
EIS
insulating structure containing one or more electrical insulating materials (EIM) together with
associated conducting parts employed in an electrotechnical device
[IEC 60505, definition 3.1.1]
NOTE EIM with different temperature indices (ATE/RTE according to IEC 60216-5) may be combined to form an
EIS which has a thermal class that may be higher or lower than that of any of the individual components according
to IEC 60505.
3.2
candidate EIS
EIS under evaluation to determine its service capability (thermal)

61857-1 © IEC:2008 – 7 –
3.3
reference EIS
established EIS evaluated on the basis of either a known service experience record or a known
comparative functional evaluation
3.4
thermal class
designation of an EIS that is equal to the numerical value of the maximum use temperature in
degrees Celsius (°C) for which the EIS is appropriate (see IEC 60085)
NOTE The EIS may be subjected to operating temperatures exceeding its thermal class which can result in
shorter expected life.
3.5
EIS assessed thermal endurance index
EIS ATE
numerical value of temperature in degrees Celsius for the reference EIS as derived from known
service experience or a known comparative functional evaluation
3.6
EIS relative thermal endurance index
EIS RTE
numerical value of the temperature in degrees Celsius for the candidate EIS which is relative to
the known EIS ATE of a reference EIS, when both EIS are subjected to the same ageing and
diagnostic procedures in a comparative test
3.7
test object
sample of original equipment or part thereof, or model representing the equipment completely
or partially, including the EIS, to be used in a functional test
3.8
thermal ageing factor
thermal stress that causes irreversible changes of the properties of an EIS
3.9
prediagnostic conditioning
variable or fixed stresses, which can be applied continuously or periodically to an EIS to
enhance the ability of a functional test to detect the degree of ageing
NOTE Prediagnostic conditioning may cause additional ageing.
3.10
diagnostic test
periodic or continuous application of a specified level of a diagnostic factor to a test object to
determine whether or when the end-point criterion has been reached
3.11
end-point criterion
value of either a property or change of property defining the end of life of a test object in a
functional test
3.12
end-of-life
end of a test object’s life as determined by meeting its end-point criterion

– 8 – 61857-1 © IEC:2008
4 General information
4.1 Overview of test procedure
This thermal ageing test procedure is based on the fact that, for most materials, thermal
ageing is accelerated when temperature is raised, and that often the degree of acceleration
obeys the Arrhenius law on chemical reaction rates. Based on this relationship, acceptable
extrapolation of the ageing test results may be used to determine the anticipated thermal
performance of the candidate EIS. Accelerated thermal testing requires the verification of an
identical or equivalent ageing mechanism compared under operating service conditions.
Test objects consisting of the candidate EIS are exposed to thermal ageing cycles at selected
temperatures. Each cycle consists of a specific time exposure at elevated temperature and a
subcycle of exposure to prediagnostic conditioning and diagnostic tests. Prediagnostic
conditioning may include mechanical stress, cold shock and moisture exposure. A dielectric
diagnostic test is used to determine test life. A reference EIS is tested using the same test
procedure. At each ageing temperature, the test life of the EIS is determined. Based on these
test life values, the thermal class of the candidate EIS is estimated relative to the performance
of the reference EIS in its thermal class.
4.2 Basis of evaluation and qualification
The functional testing and evaluation, according to this test procedure, shall be made on a
comparative basis, using an established EIS as a reference which is tested with the candidate
EIS in equivalent fashion.
If the thermal classes for the candidate and reference EIS differ, then appropriate ageing
temperatures are used for each.
4.3 Specific requirements
Separate Parts in the IEC 61857 series address specific test objects and/or applications and
test procedures.
Test objects are unique to each part because testing of specific electrotechnical products, or
representations thereof, may yield results that are not applicable to other electrotechnical
products.
Different electrotechnical products may also require alternative methods of thermal ageing
and/or diagnostic tests due to design considerations or end-use requirements.
Each Part shall specify the following:
– scope: electrotechnical products that this test object represents;
– construction of the test object (5.2);
– number of test objects required (5.3);
– test procedures: specific requirements and means of testing for
• initial dielectric diagnostic test (6.7.1);
• prediagnostic mechanical stress (6.4);
• other prediagnostic conditioning, as required (6.5);
• moisture exposure (6.6);
• dielectric diagnostic test (6.7.2), or other diagnostic test (6.8); and the end-point
criterion;
• thermal ageing: the means of heating, if other than ovens.

61857-1 © IEC:2008 – 9 –
5 Test objects
5.1 General
Test objects may be actual electrotechnical products, components thereof, or non-functional
models representing the products. Components and non-functional models should embody all
the essential elements of the EIS used in the electrotechnical product. Identical test objects
shall be used for the reference and candidate EIS.
5.2 Description
Specific test objects are described in each Part . Insulation thickness, creepage distances and
discharge protection, where required, shall be appropriate for the intended maximum rated
voltage and equipment standards in practice.
Particular types of non-functional test objects and alternative test procedures for specific
electrotechnical products that have been used successfully may be found in the applicable
Part.
Test objects shall be subjected to the quality control of the normal or intended production
process.
5.3 Number of test objects
The number of test objects (representative of the EIS) in a group for each ageing temperature
shall not be less than five.
NOTE A minimum of five test objects is required to obtain a good statistical average for the end-point analysis of
the EIS under consideration.
The actual number of test objects shall be specified in the applicable part.
6 Test procedures
6.1 General
All test objects shall be subjected to initial screening tests followed by repeated thermal
endurance test cycles in the following order:
– a thermal ageing subcycle;
– a subcycle of prediagnostic mechanical stress, other prediagnostic requirements and
moisture exposure, in that order;
– a dielectric diagnostic test, or other diagnostic test.
It is recognized that, depending on the test facilities available, the type of equipment employed,
and other factors, slight variations in the methods of exposing the test objects may be
necessary. It is all important that when any two different EIS are compared, the test objects of
each shall be subjected to identical exposures and other conditions of test. Unless otherwise
specified, prediagnostic conditioning and diagnostic tests shall be carried out at room
temperature (25 ± 5) °C and (50 ± 10) % relative humidity.
6.2 Initial screening tests
Prior to exposure to an elevated temperature on the first thermal ageing subcycle, all test
objects shall be subjected to a visual inspection and initial screening tests in order to eliminate
___________
The technical committees responsible for equipment may use this test procedure to evaluate the candidate EIS
for specific electrotechnical products, or for general purposes through use of an appropriate non-functional
model.
– 10 – 61857-1 © IEC:2008
defective test objects. The initial screening tests shall consist of the following steps and shall
be conducted in the order given:
– initial dielectric diagnostic test (see 6.7.1 for details);
– prediagnostic mechanical stress (see 6.4 for details);
– other prediagnostic conditioning, as required (see 6.5 for details);
– moisture exposure (see 6.6 for details);
– dielectric diagnostic test (see 6.7.2), or other diagnostic test (see 6.8).
6.3 Thermal ageing
6.3.1 General
The thermal ageing portion of the cycle shall be conducted at a minimum of three different
ageing temperatures. Greater precision may be obtained if tests are carried out at more than
three temperatures. Additional test temperatures may be required to meet the criteria set forth
in 6.3.2.
The ageing temperatures and the duration of exposure at each temperature are selected so as
to reach the anticipated average test life in 5 to 10 test cycles for each set of test objects.
Suggested ageing temperatures and ageing periods are given in Table 1.
Table 1 – Suggested ageing temperatures and ageing periods
Ageing period
Ageing temperature for EIS with anticipated thermal classes of
per cycle
°C
h
90 105 120 130 155 180 200 220 250
504 to 840 105 120 135 145 170 195 215 235 265
48 to 336 120 135 150 160 185 215 235 255 285
24 to 72 135 150 165 175 200 235 255 275 305

Table 1 is intended to guide the selection of ageing temperatures and times. These suggested
ageing temperatures and ageing periods do not describe any actual EIS and cannot be
expected to result in the same end-points for all EIS. The life-temperature relationship for a
specific EIS is relative and it should be compared to similar data for an EIS of known reliability
and service life to be significant.
If the anticipated thermal class for the candidate EIS differs from the thermal class of the
reference EIS, different ageing temperatures and ageing periods should be selected.
A preliminary ageing test at a given temperature may be performed to indicate the anticipated
thermal class and other ageing temperatures and periods.
6.3.2 Ageing temperatures
To minimize the uncertainty introduced by extrapolation, the lowest test temperature should not
exceed the temperature to which the results will be extrapolated by more than 25 K. The lowest
ageing temperature shall result in a minimum log mean test life of 5 000 h. In addition, at least
two higher ageing temperatures shall be selected, separated by intervals of 10 K or more. The
highest ageing temperature shall result in a minimum log mean test life of 100 h. For EIM with
a known melting point, the highest ageing temperature shall be at least 5 K below the melting
point temperature.
61857-1 © IEC:2008 – 11 –
6.3.3 Ageing periods
For each ageing temperature, there will be an assigned period of exposure. Suggested ageing
periods are 24 h to 72 h for the highest ageing temperature, 48 h to 336 h for the intermediate
ageing temperature, and 504 h to 840 h for the lowest ageing temperature. Based on the test
data produced as the testing proceeds, the exposure period for the remaining test cycles may
be doubled if less than one-half of the test objects reach end-of-life after completion of five
cycles; it may be halved if one-third or more of the test objects reach end-of-life after
completion of three cycles.
6.3.4 Means of heating
Thermal ageing may be carried out by placing the test objects in an accurately controlled and
monitored oven with forced circulation as described in IEC 60216-4-1. The temperature
throughout the oven shall be within ±2 K for ageing temperatures up to 180 °C, and ±3 K for
ageing temperatures from 180 °C to 300 °C. Above 300 °C additional agreements on the
required temperature accuracy should be made between parties.
Despite some evident disadvantages, ovens have been shown by experience to be a
convenient and economical method of obtaining ageing temperatures. The oven method
subjects all components of the EIS to the full ageing temperature.
However, the use of ovens for heating is not mandatory. Where the size of the electrotechnical
product under test limits the use of ovens, or where there are other special considerations, a
more direct means that more closely simulates service conditions may be used as specified in
the applicable part, e.g. by means of current through windings in the test object.
6.3.5 Ageing procedure
For oven ageing, the test objects shall be placed directly into the preheated ageing oven at the
beginning of the thermal ageing cycle, and removed from the oven directly to room temperature
at the end of the ageing period. In order to diminish the effects of differences in actual ageing
temperatures between individual test objects, the locations of the test objects in the ageing
ovens should be randomized in successive thermal ageing cycles.
For other means of heating, test objects shall be brought to the ageing temperature in a
minimum amount of time as described in the applicable Part.
NOTE Decomposition products should not influence the test significantly in any way other than normal operating
conditions.
For all methods of thermal ageing, the test objects shall be immediately removed from the
heating source and allowed to cool to room temperature at a natural rate prior to applying
prediagnostic conditioning treatments.
6.4 Prediagnostic mechanical stress
Unless specified in the applicable part, each test object shall be subjected to a period of
mechanical stress following each thermal ageing period. The procedure for applying this stress
may vary with each type of test object and intended service, and should be specified in the
applicable part. When applicable, the candidate and reference EIS shall be exposed to the
same stress and duration of exposure at room temperature and humidity, and without any
applied voltage.
6.5 Other prediagnostic conditioning
Exposure to other prediagnostic conditioning, such as thermal shock, may be performed
according to end-use requirements, as specified in the applicable Part.

– 12 – 61857-1 © IEC:2008
6.6 Moisture exposure
When specified in the applicable part, after thermal ageing, mechanical stress and other
conditioning requirements, the test objects shall be exposed for 48 h in 95 % to 100 % relative
humidity at 5 K to 10 K above room temperature with surface moisture present.
A suitable humidity chamber capable of maintaining the specified level of humidity shall be
used.
6.7 Dielectric diagnostic tests
6.7.1 Initial dielectric diagnostic test
Initial dielectric diagnostic tests shall consist of the application of voltage stresses under
conditions and at voltages consistent with the intended use of the electrotechnical product
under test as specified in the applicable part.
6.7.2 Dielectric diagnostic test during ageing cycle
In order to check the condition of the test objects and determine end-of-life, the dielectric
diagnostic test shall be applied after each successive exposure to moisture while the test
objects are still in the humidity chamber or immediately after removal while still wet with
moisture.
In certain cases, the presence of surface moisture may cause surface arcing or tracking; in
such cases, the surface of the test object may be wiped free of water droplets immediately
before application of the voltage.
6.8 Other diagnostic tests
Other diagnostic tests, such as insulation resistance, may also be used to determine end-of-life
of a test object, e.g. by complementing the dielectric diagnostic tests. An end-point criterion
may be established for each diagnostic test, with a suitable justification reported in the
applicable part.
7 Analysing, reporting and classification
7.1 End-point criterion
The criterion by which a test object is considered to have failed shall be fully defined prior to
the start of the test. An adequate test shall be included in the test cycle to detect when a failure
occurs denoting end-of-life for each test object. The use of more than one end-point criterion
will tend to make the interpretation of the test results more difficult. It is recommended that only
one end-point criterion be used.
Failure of any component in the EIS constitutes failure of the entire test object and fixes the
end-of-life.
NOTE Test objects may continue to be exposed to the thermal endurance test cycle in order to evaluate other
components of the EIS.
The cause of all test object failures should be determined. End-of-life that can be attributed to
a cause other than failure of the EIS should be disregarded. If a failure is not within the EIS,
such as an open electrical connection, and can be repaired without disturbing the EIS, the test
object may be put back on test.

61857-1 © IEC:2008 – 13 –
7.2 Method of determining life
7.2.1 End-of-life
The end-of-life of a test object is assumed to have occurred at the midpoint of the ageing
period between the last two consecutive applications of diagnostic tests: the one during which
failure was observed and the last prior application of diagnostic tests with no failure.
7.2.2 Average life
The total number of hours of thermal ageing to end-of-life shall be recorded for each test object
at each ageing temperature. The average life in hours at each ageing temperature shall be
calculated as a geometric mean.
7.3 Extrapolation of data
Linear regression analysis in Arrhenius coordinates (log life versus reciprocal of the absolute
temperature) shall be carried out in accordance with IEC 60216-5. Using the reference EIS test
results, calculate the life in hours (t ) at the EIS ATE (T ) of the reference EIS. Using the test
R R
results for the candidate EIS, calculate the temperature (T ) at the number of hours
C
corresponding to t . T is the EIS RTE of the candidate EIS. The thermal class assigned to the
R C
candidate EIS shall be that which is equal to or less than T as shown in Table 2. If the EIS
C
ATE (T ) of the reference EIS is not available, the value in degrees Celsius of its thermal class
R
shall be used.
Table 2 – Thermal class assignment
ATE or RTE Thermal class Letter
a
°C °C designation
90 Y
≥90 <105
105 A
≥105 <120
≥120 <130 120 E
130 B
≥130 <155
155 F
≥155 <180
≥180 <200 180 H
200 N
≥200 <220
220 R
≥220 <250
b
≥250 <275 250 –
a
If desired, the letter designation may be added in parentheses, e.g. Class 180
(H). Where space is a factor, such as on a nameplate, the product TC may elect to
use only the letter designation.
b
Designations of thermal classes over 250 shall increase by increments of 25 and
be designated accordingly.
Results may be represented on a thermal endurance graph by plotting the mean life points (log
means) as shown in Figure 1. Plot the reference EIS test results and extrapolate the line to its
EIS ATE (T ) and read the corresponding life in hours (t ). Plot the test results for the
R R
candidate EIS. Extrapolate the line to t and read the corresponding temperature (T ). T is
R C C
the EIS RTE of the candidate EIS.
IEC 60493-1 describes how to test data for linearity. If the coefficient of correlation is greater
than or equal to 0,95, the data is assumed to be linear. If the coefficient of correlation is
greater than or equal to 0,90 but less than 0,95, it may indicate that ageing is being influenced
by more than one chemical process or failure mechanism. Nevertheless, if very similar EIS
belonging to the same thermal class are being compared, a valid classification of the candidate
EIS may still be made. However, if the coefficient of correlation is less than 0,90, this may

– 14 – 61857-1 © IEC:2008
indicate a significant change in the dominating ageing mechanism. Then the classification can
be based only on the lower temperature portion of the curve, which shall be confirmed by an
additional test point at a lower or intermediate temperature. It may be necessary to make a
judgement on the basis of experience as to whether the time and cost of this further testing is
justified, or can be abandoned.
7.4 Report of results
The report of the results of this test shall include all records, relevant details of the test, and
analysis, including:
– reference to this IEC test standard and applicable part;
– description of the EIS tested (the reference and candidate EIS);
– ageing temperatures and ageing periods for each EIS;
– prediagnostic conditioning and diagnostic tests used with applied test or stress levels, for
each EIS;
– detailed description of the test objects;
– number of test objects at each temperature for each EIS;
– method of obtaining the ageing temperatures (including oven type, etc.);
– rate of air replacement, if applicable;
– individual times to end-of-life, and mode of failure;
– mean log times to end-of-life for each ageing temperature, for each EIS;
– regression line with log mean points;
– regression equation and coefficient of correlation;
– EIS ATE/thermal class of the reference EIS;
– EIS RTE/thermal class of the candidate EIS.

61857-1 © IEC:2008 – 15 –
Thermal classes
Time
log
scale
Resulting class
of system C
t
R
System C
System R
T T
R C
Temperature  °C
IEC  1725/08
Figure 1 – Arrhenius graph for comparing a candidate system C
with a reference system R
– 16 – 61857-1 © IEC:2008
Bibliography
IEC 60034-18-1:1992, Functional evaluation of insulation systems for rotating electrical
machines – Part 18-1:General guidelines
IEC 60034-18-21:1992, Rotating electrical machines – Part 18: Functional evaluation of
insulation systems – Section 21: Test procedures for wire-wound windings – Thermal
evaluation and classification
IEC 60034-18-31:1992, Rotating electrical machines – Part 18: Functional evaluation of
insulation systems – Section 31: Test procedures for form-wound windings – Thermal
evaluation and classification of insulation systems used in machines up to and including
50 MVA and 15 kV
IEC 60611:1978, Guide for the preparation of test procedures for evaluating the thermal
endurance of electrical insulation systems (this publication was withdrawn in 2000)
IEC 60791:1984, Performance evaluation of insulation systems based on service experience
and functional tests (this publication was withdrawn in 2004 and replaced by IEC 60505)
IEC 62114:2001, Electrical insulation systems (EIS) – Thermal classification tests (this
publication was withdrawn in 2007 and replaced by 60085)

___________
– 18 – 61857-1 © CEI:2008
SOMMAIRE
AVANT-PROPOS .19
INTRODUCTION.21
Domaine d'application.22
2 Références normatives .22
3 Termes et définitions .22
4 Information générale.24
4.1 Vue d’ensemble de la procédure d’essai .24
4.2 Base de l’évaluation et de la qualification .24
4.3 Exigences particulières.24
5 Eprouvettes .25
5.1 Généralités.25
5.2 Description .25
5.3 Nombre d'éprouvettes.25
6 Procédures d'essai .25
6.1 Généralités.25
6.2 Essais de sélection préliminaire .26
6.3 Vieillissement thermique .26
6.4 Contraintes mécaniques de prédiagnostic .28
6.5 Autre conditionnement de prédiagnostic.28
6.6 Exposition à l’humidité .28
6.7 Essais de diagnostic diélectrique .28
6.8 Autres essais de diagnostic .28
7 Analyse, compte rendu et classification.29
7.1 Critère de fin de vie .29
7.2 Méthode de détermination de la durée de vie .29
7.3 Extrapolation des données.29
7.4 Compte rendu des résultats .30
Bibliographie .32

Figure 1 – Diagramme d’Arrhenius pour la comparaison d’un système candidat C avec
un système de référence R.31

Tableau 1 – Températures et durées de vieillissement proposées.26
Tableau 2 – Evaluation de la classe thermique .30

61857-1 © CEI:2008 – 19 –
COMMISSION ÉLECTROTECHNIQUE INTERNATIONALE
___________
SYSTÈMES D'ISOLATION ÉLECTRIQUE –
PROCÉDURES D'ÉVALUATION THERMIQUE –

Partie 1: Exigences générales – Basse tension

AVANT-PROPOS
1) La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est une organisation mondiale de normalisation composée
de l'ensemble des comités électrotechniques nationaux (Comités nation
...

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