An American National Standard

Designation: D 3426 97

Standard Test Method for

Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of
Solid Electrical Insulating Materials Using Impulse Waves1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3426; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 2.3 IEC Standard:

1.1 This test method covers the determination of dielectric Pub 243-3 Methods of Test for Electric Strength of Solid
strength of solid electrical insulating materials under Insulating MaterialsPart 3: Additional Requirements for
simulated-lightning impulse conditions. Impulse Tests3
1.2 Procedures are given for tests using standard 1.2 by 50 3. Terminology
s full-wave impulses.
1.3 This test method is intended for use in determining the 3.1 Definitions: Reference should be made to Fig. 1 for the
impulse dielectric strength of insulating materials, either using symbols mentioned.
simple electrodes or functional models. It is not intended for 3.1.1 full-impulse-voltage wave, nan aperiodic transient
use in impulse testing of apparatus. voltage that rises rapidly to a maximum value, then falls less
1.4 This test method is similar to IEC Publication 243-3. All rapidly to zero.
procedures in this test method are included in IEC 243-3. 3.1.2 peak value of an impulse voltage wave, n the
Differences between this test method and IEC 243-3 are largely maximum value of voltage.
editorial. 3.1.3 virtual-peak value of an impulse voltage wave, na
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the value derived from a recording of an impulse wave on which
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the high-frequency oscillations or overshoot of limited magnitude
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- may be present. If the oscillations have a magnitude of no more
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- than 5 % of the peak value and a frequency of at least 0.5 MHz,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precaution a mean curve may be drawn, the maximum amplitude of which
statements are given in Section 9. is the virtual-peak value. If the oscillations are of greater
magnitude, the voltage wave is not acceptable for standard
2. Referenced Documents tests.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.1.4 virtual-front time of an impulse voltage wave,
D 149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and nequal to 1.67 times the interval tf between the instants when
Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials the voltage is 0.3 and 0.9 times the peak value (t1, Fig. 1).
at Commercial Power Frequencies2 3.1.5 virtual origin of an impulse voltage wave, nthe
D 374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu- point of intersection O1 with the line of zero voltage of a line
lation2 drawn through the points of 0.3 and 0.9 times the peak voltage
D 2413 Test Methods for Preparation and Electrical Testing on the front of an impulse voltage wave.
of Insulating Paper and Board Impregnated with a Liquid 3.1.6 virtual time to half-value of an impulse voltage wave,
Dielectric2 nthe time interval t2 between the virtual origin O1 and the
2.2 American National Standard: instant on the tail when the voltage has decreased to half the
C 68.1 Techniques for Dielectric Tests (IEEE Standard No. peak value.
4)3
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A series of sets-of-three voltage waves of a specified
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-9 on shape (see 5.3) is applied to the test specimen. The voltage of
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of successive sets is increased in magnitude until breakdown of
Subcommittee D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
Current edition approved March 10, 1997. Published February 1998. Originally
the test specimen occurs.
published as D 3426 75. Last previous edition D 3426 95. 4.2 The procedures for sampling and specimen preparation
2

3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01. are as specified in the material specification or other document
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd St., 13th calling for the use of this test method. The surrounding
Floor, New York, NY 10036.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 3426 97

FIG. 1 Full-Impulse Voltage Wave

medium (air or other gas, or oil or other liquid) is also as 5.3 The standard wave shape is a 1.2 by 50-s wave,
specified if it differs from the medium in which the specimens reaching peak voltage in approximately 1.2 s and decaying to
are finally conditioned for test. 50 % of peak voltage in approximately 50 s after the
beginning of the wave. This wave is intended to simulate a
5. Significance and Use lightning stroke that may strike a system without causing
5.1 Insulating materials used in high-voltage equipment failure on the system.
may be subjected to transient voltage stresses, resulting from 5.4 For most materials, the impulse dielectric strength will
such causes as nearby lightning strokes. This is particularly be higher than either its power frequency alternating voltage or
true of apparatus such as transformers and switchgear used in its direct voltage dielectric strengths. Because of the short time
electrical-power transmission and distribution systems. The involved, dielectric heating and other thermal effects are
ability of insulating materials to withstand these transient largely eliminated during impulse testing. Thus, the impulse
voltages is important in establishing the reliability of apparatus test gives values closer to the intrinsic breakdown strength than
insulated with these materials. do longer time tests. From comparisons of the impulse dielec-
5.2 Transient voltages caused by lightning may be of either tric strength with the values obtained from longer time tests,
positive or negative polarity. In a symmetrical field between inferences may be drawn as to the modes of failures under the
identical electrodes, the polarity has no effect on the break- various tests for a given material. Appendix X1 of Test Method
down strength. However, with dissimilar electrodes there may D 149 should be referred to for further information on this
be a pronounced polarity effect. It is common practice when subject.
using dissimilar electrodes, to make negative that electrode at
which the higher gradient will appear. When asymmetrical 6. Apparatus
electrodes are used for testing materials with which the tester 6.1 Impulse Generator, capable of applying to the test
has no previous experience or knowledge, it is recommended specimen a standard 1.2 by 50-s wave of either positive or
that he make comparative tests with positive polarity and negative polarity. The virtual front time shall be 1.2 s6 30 %
negative polarity applied to the higher gradient, or smaller and the virtual time to half value 50 s 6 20 %. The maximum
electrode, to determine which polarity produces the lower voltage and the energy-storage capability must be sufficient to
breakdown voltage. provide impulse waves of the proper shape to any specimen to

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 D 3426 97
be tested up to the breakdown voltage (or specified proof charge even after disconnection of the voltage source. Thor-
voltage) of the material. The electrical characteristics (particu- oughly instruct all operators as to the correct procedures for
larly capacitance) of the test specimen may have a significant performing tests safely. When making high voltage tests,
effect on the magnitude and shape of the applied voltage wave, particularly in compressed gas or in oil, it is possible for the
especially when using generators having low energy-storage energy released at breakdown to be suffcient to result in fire,
capability. In such cases, provisions must be made for moni- explosion, or rupture of the test chamber. Design test equip-
toring and adjusting the voltage wave shape. ment, test chambers, and test specimens so as to minimize the
6.2 Voltage-Measurement Equipment, meeting the require- possibility of such occurrences and to eliminate the possibility
ments of ANSI C68.1. of personal injury. If the potential for fire exists, have fire
6.3 Electrodes: suppression equipment available.
6.3.1 Electrodes shall be as defined in the specification or 9.2 Voltage Application:
method in which reference is made to this test method. If no 9.2.1 Place the specimen between the electrodes and apply
electrodes are specified, one of the types listed in Table 1 of waves of the polarity specified. The initial peak voltage shall be
Test Method D 149 should be used when testing materials as approximately 70 % of the expected breakdown voltage.
listed in Table 1 of Test Method D 149. 9.2.2 Apply the impulse waves in sets of three waves, each
6.3.2 The surfaces of the electrodes must be polished and set at successively increasing voltage levels until breakdown
free of projecting irregularities resulting from previous tests. occurs. Each level of peak voltage shall be higher than the
6.4 Surrounding Medium, as specified for the material being preceding level by from 5 to 10 % of the crest voltage of the
tested. If the surrounding medium is not specified, refer to 8.2 initial level.
and 8.3 and to the section on Surrounding Medium in Test 9.2.3 The minimum time between successive voltage appli-
Method D 149 for guidance. cations is dependent upon the charging time-constant of the
generator and should be three times the time constant.
7. Sampling 9.2.4 A valid test is one in which impulse waves are applied
7.1 Sample in accordance with the requirements given in the for at least two levels without breakdown before breakdown
document in which this test method is specified. occurs at the third or some higher voltage level.
7.2 Sample in such a manner as to permit preparation of test 9.3 Criteria of Breakdown:
specimens that are representative of the lot or other unit of 9.3.1 Observation of actual rupture, either visually or audi-
material being evaluated. bly, may be the most immediate indication of failure. For some
7.3 Handle and store the samples (and specimens prepared specimen configurations, observation of the impulse wave on
from the samples) in a manner to prevent alteration of the an oscilloscope may be the most sensitive indication. A
properties of the material due to such handling and storage. collapse of the voltage wave at any point is an indication of
failure either by puncture or surface creepage.
8. Test Specimens 9.3.2 The impulse dielectric breakdown voltage is the peak
voltage that the wave causing breakdown would have reached
8.1 Prepare specimens of sufficient number and size to
had breakdown not occurred.
permit making five valid tests (see 9.2.4).
9.4 Thickness Measure the average thickness of the speci-
8.2 Prepare the specimens for test using procedures as
men in the area between the electrodes, using procedures given
specified in the material specification. (In general, materials
in Test Methods D 374 for the material being tested.
should be tested in the medium in which they are to be used,
after conditioning in a manner representative of the manufac- 10. Calculation
turing methods to which they will be subjected.)
10.1 Calculate the impulse-withstand strength using the
8.3 When testing specimens in a surrounding medium other
specimen thickness and the value for the maximum level of
than air, do not remove them from that surrounding medium
impulse voltage that did not cause failure of the specimen.
subsequent to final conditioning for test until after completion
10.2 Calculate the impulse-breakdown dielectric strength
of the test. As a specific example, when conditioning speci-
using the specimen thickness and the value for impulse
mens for testing in oil by vacuum-impregnation with oil do not
dielectric breakdown voltage.
remove the specimen from oil even momentarily prior to
testing. 11. Report
9. Procedure 11.1 Report the following:
11.1.1 Identification of test sample,
9.1 Warning Lethal voltages are a potential hazard 11.1.2 For each specimen:
during the performance of this test. It is essential that the test 11.1.2.1 Average thickness,
apparatus, and all associated equipment electrically connected 11.1.2.2 Maximum impulse-withstand voltage,
to it, be properly designed and installed for safe operation. 11.1.2.3 Impulse dielectric breakdown voltage,
Solidly ground all electrically conductive parts which it is
possible for a person to contact during the test. Provide means NOTE 1It may in some cases be desirable to report which of the three
for use at the completion of any test to ground any parts which impulse waves at the breakdown level resulted in failure.
were at high voltage during the test or have the potential for 11.1.2.4 Impulse-withstand strength,
acquiring an induced charge during the test or retaining a 11.1.3 For each sample:

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 D 3426 97
11.1.3.1 Average impulse-withstand strength, 12.2 Tests made by one operator in a single laboratory,
11.1.3.2 Average impulse dielectric breakdown strength, using one test set over a period of 18 months, on 15 sets of 5
11.1.3.3 Indication of variability, preferably the standard randomized specimens from a single reference sample, resulted
deviation, from the average dielectric strengths, in a repeatability within6 5 %. The sample was 0.002-in
11.1.4 Conditioning or specimen preparation, (50-m) thick high-density capacitor tissue. The specimens
were made up of three layers and were impregnated with oil
11.1.5 Ambient atmospheric temperature,
prior to test in accordance with Test Methods D 2413. The
11.1.6 Surrounding medium, specimens were tested under oil, using Type 1 electrodes. The
11.1.7 Test temperature, average impulse breakdown strength for the 15 sets of speci-
11.1.8 Impulse wave polarity, mens ranged from 4200 to 4600 V/mil (165 to 181 kV/mm).
11.1.9 Initial voltage level and magnitude of voltage steps, 13. Keywords
and
13.1 dielectric breakdown; dielectric breakdown criteria;
11.1.10 Date of test.
dielectric breakdown voltage; dielectric strength; full-impulse-
voltage wave; impulse dielectric strength; impulse generator;
12. Precision and Bias impulse waves; lightning strokes; peak value; simulated-
12.1 The precision and bias for this test method have not lightning impulse; solid insulating material; virtual front time;
been established. virtual origin; virtual peak value; virtual time to half-value

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