SIST EN IEC 62217:2026

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 62217:2024
01-februar-2024
Polimerni visokonapetostni izolatorji za notranjo in zunanjo uporabo - Splošne
definicije, preskusne metode in prevzemna merila
Polymeric HV insulators for indoor and outdoor use - General definitions, test methods
and acceptance criteria
Hochspannungs-Polymerisolatoren für Innenraum- und Freiluftanwendung - Allgemeine
Begriffe, Prüfverfahren und Annahmekriterien
Isolateurs polymériques à haute tension pour utilisation à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur -
Définitions générales, méthodes d'essai et critères d'acceptation
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 62217:2023
ICS:
29.080.10 Izolatorji Insulators
oSIST prEN IEC 62217:2024 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 62217:2024
oSIST prEN IEC 62217:2024
36/589/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 62217 ED3
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2023-12-08 2024-03-01
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
36/582/RR
IEC TC 36 : INSULATORS
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
Sweden Mr Dan Windmar
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: PROPOSED HORIZONTAL STANDARD:

Other TC/SCs are requested to indicate their interest, if
any, in this CDV to the secretary.
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the final stage for submitting ISC clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Polymeric HV insulators for indoor and outdoor use - General definitions, test methods and
acceptance criteria
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2027
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
download this electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National
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1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD. 4
4 INTRODUCTION . 6
5 1 Scope . 7
6 2 Normative references . 7
7 3 Terms and definitions . 8
8 4 Identification . 11
9 5 Environmental conditions . 11
10 6 Information on transport, storage and installation . 12
11 7 Classification of tests . 13
12 7.1 Design tests . 13
13 7.2 Type tests . 13
14 7.3 Sample tests . 13
15 7.4 Routine tests . 13
16 8 General requirements for insulator test specimens . 13
17 9 Design tests . 14
18 9.1 General . 14
19 9.2 Tests on interfaces and connections of end fittings . 14
20 9.2.1 General . 14
21 9.2.2 Test specimens . 14
22 9.2.3 Reference voltage and temperature for verification tests . 15
23 9.2.4 Reference disruptive-discharge dry power frequency test . 15
24 9.2.5 Product specific pre-stressing . 15
25 9.2.6 Water immersion pre-stressing . 15
26 9.2.7 Verification tests . 15
27 9.3 Tests on housing material . 17
28 9.3.1 Hardness test . 17
29 9.3.2 Accelerated weathering test . 18
30 9.3.3 Tracking and erosion test – 1 000 h salt fog a.c. voltage test . 18
31 9.3.4 Flammability test . 20
32 9.3.5 Hydrophobicity transfer test . 20
33 9.4 Tests on core material . 21
34 9.4.1 Porosity test (Dye penetration test) . 22
35 9.4.2 Water diffusion test . 23
36 9.4.3 Stress corrosion test . 24
37 9.5 Water diffusion test on core with housing . 24
38 9.5.1 General . 24
39 9.5.2 Test specimens . 24
40 9.5.3 Test procedure . 24
41 9.5.4 Acceptance criteria . 24
42 Annex A (informative) Explanation of the concept of classes for the design tests . 25
43 Annex B (informative) Recommended Test Application . 26
44 Annex C (informative) Test for AC/DC application . 27
45 Annex D (informative) Difference between the tracking and erosion and accelerated
46 ageing test on polymeric insulators . 28
47 Annex E (informative) Consideration of Electric field control . 29
48 Bibliography . 31

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50 Figure 1 –Illustration of the electrodes position and axial length . 16
51 Figure 2- Example of boiling container for the water diffusion test . 17
52 Figure 3 – Examples of test specimen for core material . 22
53 Figure 4 – Example of porosity test sample with certain areas not being allowed to be
54 sealed . 23
55 Figure E.1 Interface description for insulator with housing made by modular assembly
56 and external sealant . 30
57 Figure E.2 Interface description for insulator with housing made by injection molding
58 and overmolded end fitting . 30
60 Table 1 – Normal environmental conditions . 12
61 Table 2 – Initial NaCI content of the water as a function of the specimen dimensions . 19
62 Table 3 – Flammability requirements . 20
63 Table B.1 – Application on interfaces and connections of end fittings . 26
64 Table B.2 – Application on housing materials . 26
65 Table B.3 – Application on core materials . 26
66 Table B.4 – Application on core with housing . 26
67 Table C.1 – Test for AC/DC application . 27
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69 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
70 ____________
72 POLYMERIC HV INSULATORS FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR USE -
73 GENERAL DEFINITIONS, TEST METHODS AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
76 FOREWORD
77 1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
78 all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
79 co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
80 in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
81 Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
82 preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
83 may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
84 with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
85 Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
86 2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
87 consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has repres entation from all
88 interested IEC National Committees.
89 3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
90 Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
91 Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
92 misinterpretation by any end user.
93 4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
94 transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
95 any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
96 5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
97 assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
98 services carried out by independent certification bodies.
99 6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
100 7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
101 members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
102 other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
103 expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC Publications.
104 8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
105 indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
106 9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
107 rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
108 International Standard IEC 62217 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 36: Insulators.
109 This third edition of the standard cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 2012.
110 It constitutes its technical revision and introduces the following important changes:
111 a) The scope of the standard is specified to comprise composite insulators with solid and
112 hollow core and resin insulators used for both a.c. and d.c. systems in indoor and outdoor
113 applications of HV overhead lines and substations; hybrid insulators (defined in IEC TS
114 62896) with ceramic core and polymeric housing are also included, while coated insulators
115 (e.g. with Room Temperature Vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber coatings) are not considered
116 in this standard;
117 b) Steep-front impulse voltage test is modified to avoid unwanted flashovers between the leads
118 of the electrodes;
119 c) Differences between HTM and non-HTM housing materials are specified and relevant test
120 methods and acceptance criteria for polymeric insulators with HTM housing are introduced;
121 d) The previous water diffusion test on core materials with or without housing is split into two
122 tests. One is on core materials without housing, the other is core materials with housing.
123 The acceptance criteria are modified;
124 e) Stress corrosion test for core materials is introduced;
125 f) Annex B summarizes the test application for evaluating the quality of interfaces and
126 connections of end fittings, housing materials and core materials;

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127 g) Annex E is introduced to emphasize the need for control of electric fields of polymeric
128 insulators for a.c. The control of electric fields of polymeric insulators for d.c. is still under
129 consideration.
130 The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
CD CC
36/537/CD CC/36/537/CD 62217
132 Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in the
133 report on voting indicated in the above table.
134 This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
135 The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
136 stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
137 the specific document. At this date, the document will be
138 • reconfirmed,
139 • withdrawn,
140 • replaced by a revised edition, or
141 • amended.
143 The National Committees are requested to note that for this document the stability date
144 is 20XX.
145 THIS TEXT IS INCLUDED FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEES AND WILL BE DELETED
146 AT THE PUBLICATION STAGE.
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147 INTRODUCTION
148 Polymeric insulators consist either of one insulating material (resin insulators) or two or several
149 insulating materials (composite insulators). The insulating materials are generally cross -linked
150 organic materials synthesised from carbon or silicon chemistry and form the insulating body.
151 Insulating materials can be composed from organic materials containing various inorganic and
152 organic ingredients, such as fillers and extenders. End fittings are often used at the ends of the
153 insulating body to transmit mechanical loads. Despite these common features, the materials
154 used and the construction details employed by manufacturers may differ significantly.
155 The tests given in this standard are those which are, in general, common to a majority of
156 insulator designs and materials, whatever their final application. Considering the increasing
157 applications of polymeric insulators, the scope of this standard specifies technical requirements
158 for solid core, hollow core and resin insulators used in a.c. and d.c. systems in indoor and
159 outdoor applications of HV overhead lines and substations to ensure proper insulator
160 performance under normal operating conditions. The technical requirements have been
161 regrouped in this standard to avoid repetition of the relevant product standards and drift
162 between procedures as the various product standards are drafted or revised.
163 The majority of these tests have been grouped together as "Design tests", to be performed only
164 once for insulators of the same design. The design tests are intended to eliminate insulator
165 designs, materials or manufacturing technologies which are not suitable for high- voltage (HV)
166 applications. The influence of time on the electrical properties of the complete polymeric
167 insulator and its components (core material, housing, interfaces etc.) has been considered in
168 specifying the design tests in order to ensure a satisfactory lifetime under normal operating and
169 environmental conditions. To ensure quality and reliable long-term performance of insulators,
170 a need to modify some test procedures as well as to introduce new tests were identified.
171 Pollution tests, according to IEC 60507 or IEC TS 61245, are not included in this document.
172 Specific pollution tests for polymeric insulators are under consideration of IEC, indications for
173 pollution design are given in IEC TS 60815-1, IEC TS 60815-3, IEC TS 60815-4.
174 Before the appropriate standard for DC applications will be issued, the majority of tests listed
175 in this document can also be applied to DC insulators. The AC 1000 h salt fog tracking and
176 erosion test is considered as a design test in this standard to reject materials in combination
177 with the design which are inadequate. For the time being, the 1 000 h AC tracking and erosion
178 test is used to establish a minimum requirement for the tracking and erosion resistance, for
179 both AC and DC. For DC applications, a specific DC tracking and erosion test procedure as a
180 design test shall be developed.Further tracking and erosion test methods such as the 5 000
181 hour and the tracking wheel test are described in IEC TR 62730 and can be used for research
182 or other purposes. Tracking and erosion tests are not intended to evaluate long term
183 performance of insulators in harsh environments by the simulation of multiple environmental
184 factors. It is therefore necessary to carry out ageing tests for insulator designs under cumulative
185 service stresses.
186 For polymeric insulators with hydrophobicity transfer property, relevant test procedures are
187 introduced. In the standard the hydrophobicity transfer test is intended to distinguish the
188 hydrophobicity transfer material (HTM) from non-HTM rather than differentiate between
189 different HTMs.
190 The water diffusion test is divided into two tests. The first one is for the core (as earlier), the
191 second one is for the core with housing. The water diffusion test on core with housing addresses
192 the interface between the core and the housing. The acceptance criteria are modified and
193 harmonized for both tests.
194 Stress corrosion test for insulators mainly subjected to tensile load is introduced to minimize
195 risks of brittle fractures.
196 Annex B summarizes the test application for evaluating the quality of interfaces and connections
197 of end fittings, housing materials and core materials.
198 Annex E is introduced to emphasize the need for the control of electric field of polymeric
199 insulators under a.c. voltage.
200 IEC Guide 111 has been followed wherever possible during the preparation of this standard.

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201 POLYMERIC HV INSULATORS FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR USE -
202 GENERAL DEFINITIONS, TEST METHODS AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
204 1 Scope
205 This International Standard is applicable to polymeric insulators for a.c. systems with a nominal
206 voltage greater than 1 000 V (frequency less than 100 Hz) and d.c. systems with a nominal
207 voltage greater than 1 500 V whose insulating body consists of one or various organic materials.
208 Polymeric insulators covered by this standard are intended for use both on HV overhead lines
209 and in substations, in both indoor and outdoor applications. They include composite insulators
210 with solid and hollow core and resin insulators. Hybrid insulators with ceramic core and
211 polymeric housing are also included, while coated insulators (e.g. with RTV silicone rubber
212 coatings) are not included in this standard. Electrical tests described in this standard are done
213 under a.c. voltage and are in general applicable to insulators to be used in d.c. systems too.
214 Tests under d.c. voltage should reflect up-to-date knowledge and experience.
215 The object of this standard is
216 - to define the common terms used for polymeric insulators;
217 - to prescribe common test methods for design tests on polymeric insulators;
218 - to prescribe acceptance or failure criteria, if applicable;
219 These tests, criteria and recommendations are intended to ensure a satisfactory lifetime under
220 normal operating and environmental conditions (see Clause 5). The standard includes design
221 tests intended to reject materials or designs which are inadequate under normal operating and
222 environmental conditions. This standard shall only be applied in conjunction with the relevant
223 product standard.
224 2 Normative references
225 The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
226 are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
227 undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
228 applies.
229 IEC 60050-471, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Part 471: Insulators
230 IEC 60050-151, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Part 151: Electrical and magnetic
231 devices
232 IEC 60060-1, High-voltage test techniques - Part 1: General definitions and test requirements
233 IEC 60507:2013/COR1:2018, Artificial pollution tests on high-voltage ceramic and glass
234 insulators to be used on a.c. systems
235 IEC 60695-11-10, Fire hazard testing - Part 11-10: Test flames - 50 W horizontal and vertical
236 flame test methods
237 IEC 60721-1, Classification of environmental conditions - Part 1: Environmental parameters and
238 their severities
239 IEC TS 60815-1, Selection and dimensioning of high-voltage insulators intended for use in
240 polluted conditions - Part 1: Definitions, information and general principles
241 IEC TS 60815-3, Selection and dimensioning of high-voltage insulators intended for use in
242 polluted conditions - Part 3: Polymer insulators for a.c. system
243 IEC TS 60815-4, Selection and dimensioning of high voltage insulators intended for use in
244 polluted conditions – Part 4: Insulators for d.c. systems
245 IEC 61109 Insulators for overhead lines – Composite suspension and tension insulators for a.c.
246 systems with nominal voltage greater than 1 000 V – Definitions, test methods and acceptance
247 criteria
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248 IEC TS 61245 Artifical pollution tests on high-voltage insulators to be used on d.c. systems
249 IEC 61462, Composite hollow insulators – Pressurized and unpressurized insulators for use in
250 electrical equipment with rated voltage greater than 1 000 V – Definitions, test methods,
251 acceptance criteria and design recommendations
252 IEC 61952 Insulators for overhead lines – Composite line post insulators for A.C. systems with
253 a nominal voltage greater than 1 000 V – Definitions, test methods and acceptance criteria
254 IEC TR 62039, Selection guide for polymeric materials for outdoor use under HV stress
255 IEC TS 62073, Guidance on the measurement of wettability of insulator surfaces
256 IEC TR 62730, HV polymeric insulators for indoor and outdoor use tracking and erosion testing
257 by wheel test and 5000 h test
258 IEC 62772 Composite hollow core station post insulators for substations with a.c. voltage
259 greater than 1 000 V and d.c. voltage greater than 1 500 V – Definitions, test methods and
260 acceptance criteria
261 IEC TS 62896, Hybrid insulators for a.c. and d.c. high-voltage applications – Definitions, test
262 methods and acceptance criteria
263 ISO 868, Plastics and ebonite - Determination of indentation hardness by means of a durometer
264 (Shore hardness)
265 ISO 3274 Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) — Surface texture: Profile method —
266 Nominal characteristics of contact (stylus) instruments
267 ISO 4287, Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) - Surface Texture; Profile method - Terms,
268 definitions and surface texture parameters
269 ISO 4892-2, Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 2; Xenon-arc
270 sources
271 3 Terms and definitions
272 For the purposes of this document the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-471:2007 and
273 the following apply:
274 ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
275 addresses:
276 • IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
277 • ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
278 3.1
279 high voltage (HV)
280 voltage over 1 000 V a.c. or over 1 500 V d.c. or over 1 500 V peak value
281 3.2
282 polymeric insulator
283 insulator whose insulating body consists of at least one organic based material
284 Note 1 to entry: Polymeric insulators are also known as non-ceramic insulators.
285 Note 2 to entry: Coupling devices may be attached to the ends of the insulating body.
286 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-13]
287 3.3
288 resin insulator
289 polymeric insulator whose insulating body consists of a solid insulator trunk and sheds
290 protruding from the insulator trunk made from only one organic based housing material (e.g.
291 cycloaliphatic epoxy)
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292 3.4
293 composite insulator
294 insulator made of at least two insulating parts, namely a core and a housing, equipped with
295 metal fittings
296 Note 1 to entry: Composite insulators, for example, can consist either of individual sheds mounted on the core,
297 with or without an intermediate sheath, or alternatively, of a housing directly moulded or cast in one or several pieces
298 on to the core.
299 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-02]
300 3.5
301 hybrid insulator
302 insulator that consists of a ceramic core and a polymeric housing, equipped with one or more
303 metal fittings
305 Note 1 to entry: According to IEC TS 62896.
306 Note 2 to entry: The mechanical functions are mainly characterised by the core, the external electrical functions
307 are mainly characterised by the polymeric housing. The housing may cover the core completely or partly. In the
308 latter case the exposed portions of the ceramic core are usually covered by glaze.
310 3.6
311 composite insulator with fibre reinforced plastic solid core
312 composite insulator with FRP solid core
313 Composite insulators of which the core is made of solid insulating polymeric material reinforced
314 by fibres such as glass fibres. The core is covered by polymeric housing.
315 3.7
316 composite hollow insulator
317 insulator consisting of at least two insulating parts, namely a tube-shaped core, and a housing
318 Note 1 to entry: The housing may consist either of individual sheds mounted on the tube, with or without an
319 intermediate sheath, or directly applied in one or several pieces onto the tube. A composite hollow insulator unit is
320 permanently equipped with fixing devices or end fittings.
321 3.8
322 core
323 central insulating part of an insulator which provides the mechanical characteristics
324 Note 1 to entry: The housing and sheds are not part of the core.
325 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-03]
326 3.9
327 insulator trunk
328 central insulating part of an insulator from which the sheds project
329 Note 1 to entry: Also known as shank on smaller insulators.
330 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-11]
331 3.10
332 housing
333 external insulating part of a composite insulator providing the necessary creepage distance and
334 protecting core from environment

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335 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-09]
336 3.11
337 sheath
338 uniform and continuous tubular covering made of insulating material
339 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-12-41]
340 3.12
341 shed (of an insulator)
342 insulating part, projecting from the insulator trunk, intended to increase the creepage distance
343 Note 1 to entry: The shed can be with or without ribs.
344 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-15]
345 3.13
346 creepage distance
347 shortest distance or the sum of the shortest distances along the surface on an insulator between
348 two conductive parts which normally have the operating voltage between them
349 Note 1 to entry: The surface of cement, or other non-insulating jointing material is not considered as forming part of
350 the creepage distance.
351 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-04, modified]
352 3.14
353 arcing distance
354 shortest distance in air external to the insulator between the metallic parts which normally have
355 the operating voltage between them
356 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-01]
357 3.15
358 interfaces
359 surface between the different materials
360 Note 1 to entry: Various interfaces exist in composite insulators, e.g.:
361 - between housing and end fittings;
362 - between various parts of the housing; e.g. between separately manufactured sheds, or between sheath and sheds;
363 - between core and housing.
364 - between sealant and core
365 - between sealant and end fittings
366 3.16
367 end fitting
368 integral component or formed part of an insulator, intended to connect it to a supporting
369 structure, or to a conductor, or to an item of equipment, or to another insulator
370 Note 1 to entry: Where the end fitting is metallic, the term “metal fitting” is normally used.
371 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-06, modified by the addition of a synonym]
372 3.17
373 connection zone
374 zone where the mechanical load is transmitted between the insulating body and the fixing device
375 3.18
376 coupling
377 part of the end fitting which transmits load to the hardware external to the insulator
378 3.19
379 tracking
380 progressive formation of conductive paths, which are produced on the surface or within a solid
381 insulating material, due to the combined effects of electric stress and electrolytic contamination.
382 Tracking paths are conductive even under dry conditions
383 Note 1 to entry: Tracking usually occurs due to surface contamination.

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384 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-212:2010, 212-11-56, modified (“Tracking paths are conductive even
385 under dry conditions” added)]
386 3.20
387 erosion
388 loss of material by leakage current or electrical discharge.
389 Note 1 to entry: Light surface traces, commonly tree-shaped, can occur on composite insulators as on ceramic
390 insulators, after exposure to surface discharges. When they are conductive they are classified as tracking.
391 3.21
392 crack
393 internal fracture or surface fissure of depth greater than 0,1 mm
394 3.22
395 puncture
396 permanent loss of dielectric strength due to a disruptive discharge passing through the solid
397 insulating material of an insulator
398 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-471:2007, 471-01-14, modified to define puncture as the result of a
399 discharge, rather than the discharge itself]
400 3.23
401 Hydrophobicity
402 surface of a solid insulating material characterized by its capacity to repel water or aqueous
403 electrolyte solutions;
404 Note 1 to entry: Hydrophobicity of a polymeric insulating material is, in general, a volume property by means of the
405 chemical composition of a material at its surface.
406 Note 2 to entry: Nonetheless, hydrophobicity is strongly affected by surface effects such as:
407 • surface structure (i. e. roughness);
408 • chemical interaction between water and the solid surface (adsorption, absorption, swelling of the solid
409 material in contact with water);
410 • an accumulated pollution layer.
411 Note 3 to entry: Furthermore, the conditions during an evaluation of hydrophobicity (temperature, pressure,
412 humidity), and the method for cleaning or electrostatic charges can affect the measured degree of hydrophobicity.
413 3.24
414 hydrophobicity transfer
415 hydrophobicity transfer is the phenomenon of a transfer of hydrophobicity from the bulk of the
416 housing material to pollution layer on its surface
417 3.25
418 hydrophobicity transfer material (HTM)
419 polymeric material which exhibits hydrophobicity and the capability to transfer hydrophobicity
420 onto the layer of pollution, which is a combined dynamic behaviour of retention and transfer of
421 hydrophobicity specific to different insulator materials
422 Note to entry: See IEC TS 60815-4 3.1.4.
423 4 Identification
424 The manufacturer’s drawing shall show the relevant dimensions and information necessary for
425 identifying and testing the insulator in accordance with this International Standard and the
426 applicable IEC product standard(s). The drawing shall also show applicable manufacturing
427 tolerances.
428 Each insulator shall be marked with the name or trademark of the manufacturer and the year of
429 manufacture. In addition, each insulator shall be marked with the rated characteristics specified
430 in the relevant IEC product standards. These markings shall be legible, indelible and their
431 fixings (if any) weather- and corrosion-proof.
432 5 Environmental conditions
433 The normal environmental conditions to which insulators are submitted in service are defined
434 according to Table 1. Terms are defined as follows:

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435 • Indoor environment: installation within a building or other construction where the insulators
436 are protected against wind, rain, snow, periodical fast-built pollution deposits, abnormal
437 condensation, ice and hoar frost.
438 • Outdoor environment: installation in open air outside any building or shelter, where the
439 insulators are capable to withstand wind, rain, snow, periodical fast-built pollution deposits,
440 high condensation, ice and hoar frost.
441 If service conditions of polymeric insulators deviate significantly from the parameters in Tab le
442 1, the insulator is to be designed or evaluated according to agreement between the customer
443 and manufacturer. Alternatively, if positive service experience is available for a specific
444 environment and specific insulator design (including material and profile), the insulator can be
445 used for this specific environment, deviating from normal conditions.
446 Table 1 – Normal environmental conditions
Indoor insulation Outdoor insulation
Maximum ambient air Does not exceed 40 °C and its average value measured
a
temperature over a period of 24 h does not exceed 35 °C
Minimum ambient air
-25 °C -40 °C
b
temperature
Vibration Negligible vibration due to causes external to the
c
insulators or to earth tremors .
d 2
Solar radiation Not applicable Up to a level of 1120 W/m
No significant pollution by Pollution by dust, smoke,
dust, corrosive gases, vapors or
e
Site pollution severity smoke, corrosive and/or salt occurs. Pollution does
flammable gases, vapors, or not exceed “heavy” as
salt. defined in IEC TS 60815-1.
f
Humidity No rain, snow, abnormal Rain, snow, abnormal humidity,
humidity, condensation, ice condensation, ice and hoar frost
and hoar frost occur.
a
If exceeded, follow the recommendations of IEC TR 62039 for the core and adhesive
materials (like glue) in “glass transition temperature” section.
b
In general, temperatures below -40 °C are non-critical for service. However, for handling
and installation the crystallization temperature of the polymeric housing is to be considered.
For line installations during winter time with temperatures below -20 °C, special steel
grades with low ductile transition temperature can be specified.
c
Vibration due to external causes can be dealt with in accordance to IEC 60721-1.
d 2
For outdoor application, the influence of deviation from the assumed level of 1120 W/m
depends on the insulator material. If service conditions of polymeric insulators deviate
significantly from the parameters in Table 1, the insulator is to be designed/evaluated
taking into account relevant service experience. In the absence of significant service
experience, special tests simulating the solar radiation condition of the installation area
have to be carried out.
e
In general, pollution is not an issue for indoor insulators. In particular cases, such as DC
indoor conditions, the insulators can accumulate some contamination due to DC electrical
field. However, the pollution flashover phenomena cannot develop when the humidity is
controlled. For outdoor conditions the requirements of IEC 62217 are specified for stresses
arising in relatively harsh but not extreme environments (see e. g. for hydrophobicity
verification and tracking and erosion tests for which criteria are provided in IEC 62039).
f
Insulator for indoor applications can also be used in presence of limited deviations from
the above conditions if sufficient proven field experience is available and condensation
occurs only occasionally. To limit condensation-related phenomena, the average value of
the, measured over a period of 24 h does not exceed 95 % and measured over a period of
one month does not exceed 90 %. Exceeding these values is considered as abnormal
humidity condition.
447 6 Information on transport, storage and installation
448 Manufacturers of insulators shall provide appropriate instructions and information covering
449 general conditions during transport, storage and installation of the insulators. These instructions

oSIST prEN IEC 62217:2024
IEC CDV 62217 © IEC 2023 13 36/589/CDV

450 can include recommendations for cleaning or maintenance and correct positioning and
451 installation of the corona rings.
452 7 Classification of tests
453 The tests are divided into four groups as follows:
454 7.1  Design tests
455 The design tests are intended to verify the suitability of the design, materials and method of
456 manufacturing (technology).
457 A polymeric insulator design is generally defined by:
458 • materials of the core, housing and manufacturing method;
459 • material of the end fittings, their design, and method of attachment;
460 • layer thickness of the housing over the core (including a sheath where used).
461 Additional parameters defining design may be given in the relevant product standard.
462 When changes in the design of a polymeric insulator occur, re-qualification shall be carried out
463 according to the prescriptions of the relevant product standard. Typically, only part of the tests
464 is repeated. Explanation of the concept of classes for the design tests is provided in Annex A.
465 When a polymeric insulator is submitted to the design tests, it becomes a parent insulator for a
466 design class and the results shall be considered valid for the whole class. This tested parent
467 insulator defines a design class of insulators which have the following characteristics:
468 • same materials for the core and housing and same manufacturing method;
469 • same material of the end fittings, the same design and the same method of attachment;
470 • same or greater minimum layer thickness of the housing over the core (including a sheath
471 where used).
472 Additional parameters defining a class of design may be given in the relevant product standard.
473 7.2  Type tests
474 The type tests are intended to verify the main characteristics of a polymeric insulator, which
475 depend mainly on its shape and size. Type tests shall be applied to polymeric insulators
476 belonging to an already qualified design class. The type tests shall be repeated only when the
477 type of the polymeric insulator is changed. The parameters defining a type of polymeric insulator
478 are given in the relevant product standard.
479 The applicable type tests are given in the relevant product standard.
480 7.3  Sample tests
481 The sample tests are intended to verify the characteristics of polymeric insulators which depend
482 on the quality of manufacture and on the materials used. They are made on insulators taken at
483 random from lots offered for acceptance.
484 The applicable sample tests are given in the relevant product standard.
485 7.4  Routine tests
486 These tests are intended to eliminate polymeric insulators with manufacturing defects. They are
487 carried out on every insulator to be supplied.
488 The applicable routine tests are given in the relevant product standard.
489 8 General requirements for insulator test specimens
490 Insulator test specimens for tests of polymeric insulators shall be checked prior to
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