DIELECTRIC VOLTAGE-WITHSTAND TEST -

Dielectric voltage-withstand Test (High Voltage Test) is carried out by applying a significantly higher than operating voltage to the device under test. The Dielectric Withstand Test (also known as hipot test) consists in measuring the current leak of a device under test, while phase and neutral are short-circuited together. The measure result of a Dielectric Withstand Test is a current value, which has to be lower than the indicated limit from the international standards. In this test, the insulation of a product, stressed to a greater extent than normal operating conditions, should not breakdown for the product to pass this test. During type testing, i.e. testing during designing a product or for double-insulated product, however, much larger voltage may be applied for performing high voltage test.

For all electrical products, high voltage test is a 100% routine test, i.e – every unit should pass high voltage test before it can be shipped.

Dielectric voltage-withstand Test is performed in AC or DC with voltages varying from some hundred volts to several tens of kilovolts. The choice of the nature and value of the test voltage is determined by standards, which apply to the product tested.

In the absence of standards, the following rule of thumb is used - the test is always performed with a voltage of same nature than that under which the sample operates.