Recommendations for impulse voltage testing

Much of the data on impulse voltage testing of insulators and insulation which has been given out in the past has been obtained on a basis that renders it of little value for purposes of comparison and coordination. To clarify this situation the lightning and insulator subcommittee of the A.I.E.E. power transmission and distribution committee has conducted a study, the results of which are reported in this article. In this report the committee: outlines the present status of impulse voltage characteristic data for insulation; recommends a set of preferred test waves for laboratory use, discussing the use of these waves and test procedure with a view to obtaining comparable and coordinated characteristics of insulation; points out some of the limitations in securing impulse voltage characteristic data, and in the effective use of this data; and indicates the necessity for obtaining impulse data on a logical, accurate, and common basis, pointing out the benefits to be derived therefrom.