IEC TR 61243-6:2017

IEC TR 61243-6 ®
Edition 1.0 2017-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Live working – Voltage detectors –
Part 6: Guidelines on non-contact voltage detectors (NCVD) for use at nominal
voltages above 1 kV AC
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IEC TR 61243-6 ®
Edition 1.0 2017-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Live working – Voltage detectors –

Part 6: Guidelines on non-contact voltage detectors (NCVD) for use at nominal

voltages above 1 kV AC
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 13.260; 29.240.20; 29.260.99 ISBN 978-2-8322-3903-2

– 2 – IEC TR 61243-6:2017 © IEC 2017
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 The principles of an NCVD . 11
4.1 NCVD designed to work at a distance without any contact . 11
4.2 NCVD designed to work with reference points . 13
4.2.1 General . 13
4.2.2 NCVD designed to work with one reference point . 14
4.2.3 NCVD designed to work with two reference points . 15
5 Different designs of non-contact voltage detectors . 17
6 Limitations and recommendations of use for each type of NCVD . 19
6.1 Principal limitations . 19
6.2 Recommendations for the selection, calibration and use of NCVD . 19
6.2.1 Selection of the appropriate type of NCVD . 19
6.2.2 Calibration of the selected device . 20
6.2.3 Use of the selected device . 20
7 Recommended requirements . 21
7.1 General . 21
7.2 Recommended general requirements . 21
7.2.1 Safety . 21
7.2.2 Indication . 21
7.2.3 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 21
7.3 Recommended functional requirements . 22
7.3.1 Clear indication . 22
7.3.2 Clear perceptibility . 25
7.3.3 Temperature and humidity dependence of the indication . 26
7.3.4 Frequency dependence . 26
7.3.5 Response time . 26
7.3.6 Power source dependability . 26
7.3.7 Testing element . 26
7.3.8 Non response to DC voltage (static electric field) . 27
7.3.9 Immunity to electrostatic discharges . 27
7.3.10 Time rating . 27
7.4 Electrical requirements . 27
7.4.1 Insulating material . 27
7.4.2 Protection against bridging for Type 3 only . 27
7.4.3 Resistance against sparking . 28
7.4.4 Resistive (impedance) element of Type 5 only . 28
7.5 Recommendations for mechanical performance . 28
7.5.1 General . 28
7.5.2 Design . 28
7.5.3 Dimensions and construction . 28

7.5.4 Degree of protection provided by enclosure . 30
7.5.5 Grip force and deflection. 30
7.5.6 Vibration drop and shock resistance . 31
7.6 Markings . 31
7.7 Instructions for use . 31
Annex A (informative) General considerations about voltage detection . 32
A.1 General . 32
A.2 Principles of functioning of voltage detectors . 32
A.2.1 Basic analysis. 32
A.2.2 Voltage detection with two contact electrodes (bi-polar detectors) . 32
A.2.3 Voltage detection with one contact electrode . 33
A.2.4 Voltage detection without contact electrode . 34
Annex B (informative) Instructions for use . 36
Annex C (informative) In-service care . 37
C.1 General . 37
C.2 Maintenance . 37
Annex D (informative) Suitable for live working; double triangle . 38
Bibliography . 39

Figure 1 – NCVD working at a distance without any contact . 12
Figure 2 – Effect of the relative position of the non-contact voltage detector . 13
Figure 3 – NCVD working at a distance with one reference point . 14
Figure 4 – Non-contact voltage detector with a reference point making contact with the
cable insulation covering an insulated conductor . 15
Figure 5 – Non-contact voltage detector working with two reference points making
contact with the cap and pin of an insulator . 16
Figure 6 – Non-contact voltage detector working with two reference points on an
underground cable . 16
Figure 7 – Directional properties of NCVD working at distance. 25
Figure 8 – Examples of designs of NCVDs . 29
Figure A.1 – Bi-polar voltage detection principle . 33
Figure A.2 – Capacitive unipolar voltage detection principle . 34

Table 1 – Types of non-contact voltage detector . 18
Table 2 – Limitations for use . 19
Table 3 – Specific recommendations for use . 20
Table 4 – Examples of values of the radius of the cone of detection as a function of
the directional properties angle . 24
Table 5 – Climatic categories . 26
Table 6 – Minimum length of the insulating element or of the insulating stick (L ) . 30
i
Table C.1 – Recommended checking points for in-service care . 37

– 4 – IEC TR 61243-6:2017 © IEC 2017
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LIVE WORKING – VOLTAGE DETECTORS –

Part 6: Guidelines on non-contact voltage detectors (NCVD)
for use at nominal voltages above 1 kV AC

FOREWORD
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