By sion932 
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has long been at the forefront of formulating international standards for electrical engineering, ensuring the safety, reliability, and interoperability of electrical equipment worldwide. Among its numerous influential standards, IEC 60060-1:2010, titled “High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test requirements”, stands out as a foundational document in the field of high-voltage testing. Published on September 29, 2010, this third edition represents a significant technical revision of the 1989 second edition, refining and optimizing the test framework for high-voltage dielectric performance evaluation. This article provides a comprehensive overview of IEC 60060-1:2010, focusing on its scope, key technical changes, core test requirements, and practical implications.
1. Scope and Application of IEC 60060-1:2010
IEC 60060-1:2010 establishes the general definitions and fundamental requirements for a wide range of dielectric tests, covering alternating voltage dielectric tests, direct voltage dielectric tests, impulse voltage dielectric tests, and combined tests involving any of the above voltage types . A key defining criterion for the application of this standard is the voltage level of the equipment under test: it is specifically applicable to equipment where the highest voltage for equipment (Um) exceeds 1 kV . This scope ensures that the standard targets medium and high-voltage electrical equipment, which are critical components in power generation, transmission, and distribution systems. It should be noted that for equipment with Um above 800 kV, certain specified procedures, tolerances, and uncertainties may not be achievable, requiring relevant technical committees to select appropriate alternative test procedures .
The standard is developed and maintained by IEC Technical Committee 42 (TC 42) on High-voltage and High-current Test Techniques, reflecting the consensus of global experts in the field. Its international applicability is further enhanced by its alignment with the International Classification for Standards (ICS) code 17.220.20, which pertains to the measurement of electrical and magnetic quantities .
2. Key Technical Revisions Compared to the 1989 Edition
As a technical revision, IEC 60060-1:2010 introduces several major changes compared to its 1989 predecessor, aiming to streamline the standard structure, enhance compatibility with other IEC standards, and improve the accuracy and operability of test procedures . The three most significant revisions are as follows:
2.1 Removal of Artificial Pollution Test Procedures
One of the notable changes is the removal of artificial pollution test procedures from IEC 60060-1:2010. These procedures are now comprehensively described in IEC 60507, a dedicated standard for artificial pollution tests on high-voltage insulators . This revision ensures the rational division of labor between standards, avoiding duplication of content and enabling more focused and in-depth regulation of specialized test techniques in separate documents.
2.2 Transfer of Impulse Current Measurement to IEC 62475
The measurement of impulse current, which was part of the 1989 edition, has been transferred to IEC 62475, a newly developed standard specifically addressing current measurement . This transfer reflects the trend of standard specialization, allowing IEC 60060-1:2010 to concentrate on voltage-related test requirements while entrusting current measurement techniques to a dedicated standard. This division enhances the clarity and depth of both standards, facilitating more precise implementation in practice.
2.3 Presentation of Atmospheric Correction Factors as Formulas
A critical technical improvement in IEC 60060-1:2010 is the presentation of atmospheric correction factors in the form of formulas. In the 1989 edition, these factors were likely presented in a descriptive or tabular manner, which could lead to inconsistencies in application. By adopting formulaic expressions, the standard provides a more precise and objective method for calculating atmospheric corrections, ensuring that test results are adjusted accurately based on environmental conditions such as temperature, pressure, and humidity. This revision significantly improves the reproducibility and comparability of test results across different test environments .
3. Core Test Requirements in IEC 60060-1:2010
IEC 60060-1:2010 specifies detailed general requirements for high-voltage dielectric test procedures, covering test object arrangement, atmospheric corrections, wet tests, and direct voltage tests, among other aspects .
3.1 General Requirements for Test Procedures
The standard emphasizes the need for standardized test procedures to ensure reproducible and significant results. It requires that the arrangement of the test object in dry tests be optimized to avoid external interference and ensure uniform electric field distribution . Additionally, the standard specifies the measurement methods for atmospheric parameters (such as temperature, pressure, and relative humidity), which are essential for applying atmospheric correction factors .
3.2 Atmospheric Corrections
Atmospheric conditions have a significant impact on the dielectric performance of air gaps and insulation materials. IEC 60060-1:2010 details the components of atmospheric correction factors and their application methods for both dry and wet tests . For air gaps, the correction factors take into account the effects of air density and humidity, ensuring that test voltages are adjusted to standard atmospheric conditions (20°C, 101.3 kPa, and 11 g/m³ absolute humidity). The formulaic presentation of these factors allows for precise calculation and application, minimizing the influence of environmental variations on test results .
3.3 Wet Test Requirements
Wet tests are designed to simulate the dielectric performance of equipment under rainy conditions. The standard specifies the spray requirements for wet tests, including the water conductivity, spray intensity, and duration . It also provides guidelines for atmospheric corrections in wet tests, ensuring that the test results accurately reflect the equipment’s performance in real-world wet environments .
3.4 Impulse Voltage Test Processing
Although impulse current measurement is transferred to IEC 62475, IEC 60060-1:2010 still plays a crucial role in impulse voltage tests. It defines the test voltage function (k(f) = 1 / (1 + 2.2f²), where f is the frequency in MHz), a low-pass filter used to process impulse voltage waveforms with overshoot . The signal processing procedure specified in the standard involves fitting a double exponential curve to the recorded waveform to obtain the base curve, calculating the residual curve (overshoot information), filtering the residual curve using the test voltage function, and finally obtaining the test voltage curve from which amplitude and time parameters are estimated . This standardized processing method ensures the consistency and accuracy of impulse voltage test results.
4. Practical Implications and Standard References
IEC 60060-1:2010 is widely referenced by other IEC standards and national standards worldwide. For example, it is referenced by IEC 60270 (Partial discharge measurements) and IEC 60060-2 (High-voltage test techniques – Part 2: Measuring systems), forming a complete high-voltage test technology system . In Europe, it has been adopted as a European Standard (EN 60060-1:2010) by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), ensuring its uniform application across European countries .
The standard provides a technical basis for the design, production, testing, and inspection of high-voltage electrical equipment, helping manufacturers improve product quality and reliability, and enabling test laboratories to conduct accurate and consistent tests. It also plays a key role in promoting international trade by harmonizing high-voltage test requirements, reducing technical barriers to trade.
5. Future Development: IEC 60060-1:2025
It is worth noting that IEC 60060-1:2010 has been superseded by the fourth edition (IEC 60060-1:2025), published in April 2025 . The 2025 edition introduces further technical revisions, including updated text for easier use, adjusted tolerance for lightning impulse front duration for Um > 800 kV, revised spray requirements for wet tests, and new annexes on manual calculation procedures and operating impulse front duration . However, IEC 60060-1:2010 remains an important reference for understanding the evolution of high-voltage test techniques and continues to be used in regions and industries that have not yet adopted the 2025 edition.
IEC 60060-1:2010 is a pivotal standard in the field of high-voltage test techniques, providing clear definitions, standardized procedures, and precise requirements for dielectric tests of high-voltage equipment. Its key technical revisions, such as the removal of duplicate content and formulaic presentation of atmospheric correction factors, enhance its clarity, specialization, and operability. By ensuring the reproducibility and comparability of test results, the standard contributes significantly to the safety, reliability, and international interoperability of high-voltage electrical equipment. As the predecessor of the 2025 edition, it lays a solid foundation for the continuous development of high-voltage test technology, making it an essential reference for engineers, researchers, and manufacturers in the electrical power industry.
References
[1] IEC. (2010). IEC 60060-1:2010 High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test requirements. IEC Webstore.
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