Overview of Standards and Tests Concerning Composite Insulators

This chapter deals with various aspects of standards and tests for composite insulators. The first part lists important IEC standards according to which composite insulators are tested and designed. Since composite insulator strings share functionally-wise many similarities with conventional—especially long rod—insulators, the relevant standards are also listed here for comparative purposes. The second part deals with some testing principles. By using the example of the Inclined Plane Test (IEC 60587), which was initially introduced in 1977 as a material test method for evaluating erosion and tracking resistance, it is possible to show that other properties of polymeric insulating materials can be evaluated using this test principle. The third part discusses analytical methods that can be used to identify the polymeric materials used in a composite insulator. This topic, known as “finger-printing”, is also part of the work currently being undertaken by the corresponding CIGRE Working Group.