Hipot Testing
Hipot Testing
Hipot Testing
W h y T e s t ?
High Potential Cable Testing
AC Hipot Testing
There are no widely accepted test standards for AC hipot testing of cables and power frequency AC hipot testing of cable systems is rarely performed. This is primarily due to the availability of other test methods and the high levels of power consumption and the large, heavy units required for AC hipot testing.
DC Hipot Testing
Methods for using DC hipot testing of cables were developed in the early 1900s, primarily for testing laminated cable systems such as paper insulated lead covered cable types. A DC hipot unit is relatively easy to control, provides accurate leakage current data, and is relatively small and light weight. Current standards provide for the use of DC hipot testing for acceptance testing of cables with extruded (e.g. cross-linked polyethylene [XLP] or ethylene propylene rubber [EPR] insulation or laminated construction (such as paper insulated lead covered [PILC]). But most industry standards, especially the IEEE 400 standard, no longer recommend DC hipot testing for maintenance testing of field aged XLP or EPR cables. This standard states that DC hipot testing of field aged XLP and EPR cables may not provide meaningful information, and in fact may cause damage. ICEA standards do not provide for testing XLP or EPR cables after they have been in service for 5 years. The IEEE 400 standard does provide for DC hipot testing of field aged PILC cable types.
(REV: 8.16.07)