10/12/2014

Dielectric Strength ASTM D149, IEC 60243

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Dielectric Strength ASTM D149, IEC

60243

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Dielectric Strength is a measure of the electrical
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strength of a material as an insulator. Dielectric strength is defined as the
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maximum voltage required to produce a dielectric breakdown through the material
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and is expressed as Volts per unit thickness. A higher dielectric strength represents
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a better quality of insulator.
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Test Procedure:
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Dielectric Strength ASTM D149, IEC

60243

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A-Z

There are three basic procedures that can be used to determine the dielectric
strength of an insulator. These procedures are the short-time method, the slow
rate-of-rise method and the step-by-step method. Each of these three methods has
the same basic set-up, which consists of the test specimen placed between two
electrodes in air or oil.

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For the most common test, the short-time method, voltage is applied across the two electrodes and raised
from zero to dielectric breakdown at a uniform rate. Breakdown is when an electrical burn-through punctures
the sample, or decomposition occurs in the specimen. The rate of voltage rise is determined by the time it
takes the sample to reach dielectric breakdown.
The slow-rate-of rise method starts at 50% of the breakdown voltage as determined by the short-time-method
and is increased at a uniform rate.
The step-by-step method starts at 50% of the short-time-test then voltage is increased at equal increments for
a specified time period until breakdown. The test is sometimes performed in oil to prevent arcing from the
electrode to the ground.
Specimen size:
The recommended specimen type for this test is a 4 inch plaque or larger. Any specimen thickness can be
used; however the most common thickness is between 0.8 to 3.2 mm (0.032 to 0.125 inch). Specimens over 2
mm thick are typically tested in oil to decrease the chance of flashover before breakdown.
Data:
Dielectric strength is calculated by dividing the breakdown voltage by the thickness of the sample. The data is
expressed in Volts/mil. The location of the failure is also recorded. A higher dielectric strength represents a
better quality of insulator.
**Please note that this test description is intentionally generic in nature and aimed at providing a descriptive
summary to enhance test understanding. Due to copyright restrictions, we are not able to provide copies of
standards. Standards can be obtained from appropriate standards authorities.
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Dielectric Constant and Dissipation Factor
Surface Resistivity, Volume Resistivity, ASTM D257, IEC 60093
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