IEC TR 62730:2012

IEC TR 62730 ®
Edition 1.1 2024-06
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
HV polymeric insulators for indoor and outdoor use tracking and erosion testing
by wheel test and 5 000 h test

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IEC TR 62730 ®
Edition 1.1 2024-06
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
HV polymeric insulators for indoor and outdoor use tracking and erosion testing
by wheel test and 5 000 h test
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.080.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-9239-6
REDLINE VERSION – 2 – IEC TR 62730:2012+AMD1:2024 CSV
 IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope and object . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Background to the tracking and erosion tests . 8
4.1 Difference between the tracking and erosion and accelerated ageing tests on
polymeric insulators . 8
4.2 The wheel test . 8
4.3 The 5 000h multiple stress test . 9
5 Classification of tests . 10
6 General requirements for insulator test specimens . 10
7 The tests . 10
7.1 Wheel test . 10
7.1.1 Test specimens . 10
7.1.2 Procedure . 10
7.1.3 Test conditions . 12
7.1.4 Acceptance criteria . 12
7.2 5 000 hour test (test at multiple stresses) . 12
7.2.1 Test specimen . 12
7.2.2 Procedure . 12
7.2.3 Test conditions . 13
7.2.4 Voltage . 16
7.2.5 Solar simulation . 16
7.2.6 Artificial rain . 16
7.2.7 Dry heat . 17
7.2.8 Humidity . 17
7.2.9 Pollution . 17
7.2.10 Salt fog calibration . 17
7.2.11 Acceptance criteria . 19
Bibliography . 20

Figure 1 – Test arrangement of the tracking wheel test . 11
Figure 2 – Typical layout of the test specimens in the chamber and main dimensions
of the chamber . 13
Figure 3 – Multiple stress cycle . 14
Figure 4 – Typical layout of the rain and salt fog spray systems and the xenon lamp . 15
Figure 5 – Spectrum of xenon arc lamp and solar spectrum . 16
Figure 6 – Reference porcelain insulator .

 IEC 2024
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
HV POLYMERIC INSULATORS FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR USE
TRACKING AND EROSION TESTING BY WHEEL TEST AND 5 000H TEST

FOREWORD
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This consolidated version of the official IEC Standard and its amendment has been
prepared for user convenience.
IEC 62730 edition 1.1 contains the first edition (2012-03) [documents 36/305/DTR and
36/316A/RVC] and its amendment 1 (2024-06) [documents 36/596/DTR and
36/601/RVDTR].
In this Redline version, a vertical line in the margin shows where the technical content
is modified by amendment 1. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough
red text. A separate Final version with all changes accepted is available in this
publication.
REDLINE VERSION – 4 – IEC TR 62730:2012+AMD1:2024 CSV
 IEC 2024
The main task of IEC technical committees is to prepare International Standards. However, a
technical committee may propose the publication of a technical report when it has collected
data of a different kind from that which is normally published as an International Standard, for
example "state of the art".
IEC 62730, which is a technical report, has been prepared by IEC technical committee 36:
Insulators.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document and its amendment will remain
unchanged until the stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the
data related to the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
 IEC 2024
INTRODUCTION
IEC 62217 [1] included three different tracking and erosion tests. One, the 1 000 hour salt-
fog test, was included in the main text as a default test and two others, the 5 000 hour test
and the tracking wheel test, were given in annexes as alternative tests.
Following a decision by TC 36 it was decided that it was desirable to have a single
standardised test in IEC 62217; hence a study of the usage and effectiveness of all three
tests was undertaken by Working Group 12 of TC 36. The results of this study indicated that,
while the 5 000h and the tracking wheel tests each had their advantages, only the 1 000 hour
salt fog test was adapted to all insulator types and was more economical to perform.
It was decided by TC 36 to adopt the 1 000 hour salt-fog test as the only standardised test. It
was also decided to draft this Technical Report to reproduce the 5 000 hour and the tracking
wheel test procedures in order to keep the information on the test methods and parameters
available for those wishing to use those tests for research or other purposes.
The tracking and erosion tests given in this technical report are considered as screening t
...