2014 - Cigre - Past, Present and Future of Iec PDF

593
Past, Present and Future of IEC

And IEEE High-Voltage and High
Current Testing Standards
Working Group
D1.35
August 2014
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF IEC

AND IEEE HIGH-VOLTAGE AND HIGH
CURRENT TESTING STANDARDS
WG D1.35
Contributors
Y.Li,Convener(AU),J.Hllstrm,Secretary(FI)
W.Larzelere(US),A.Bergman(SE),J.Rickmann(US),W.Hauschild(DE),R.Diaz(AR),F.Garnacho
(EP),T.McComb(CA),S.Okabe(JP),Y.X.Zhang(US),AP.Elg(SE)
Copyright 2014
Ownership of a CIGRE publication, whether in paper form or on electronic support only infers
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or partial reproduction of the publication for use other than personal and transfer to a third
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Disclaimer notice
CIGRE gives no warranty or assurance about the contents of this publication, nor does it
accept any responsibility, as to the accuracy or exhaustiveness of the information. All implied
warranties and conditions are excluded to the maximum extent permitted by law.
ISBN : 978-2-85873-292-0
Past,presentandfutureofIECandIEEEhighvoltageandhighcurrenttestingstandards
Past, present and future of IEC and IEEE

high-voltage and high current testing
standards
Table of Contents
1
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 5
HISTORY OF HIGH-VOLTAGE AND HIGH-CURRENT TEST STANDARDS ......................................... 6

2.1
History of DC high-voltage tests and measurements ............................................................................6
2.1.1
DC high-voltage test and measurement systems ............................................................................ 6
2.1.2
DC high-voltage supplies ................................................................................................................. 7
2.1.3
Future work on DC test and measurement systems ........................................................................ 7
2.2
History of AC test sources and measurement systems......................................................................... 7
2.2.1
2.3
Future work on AC test and measurement systems ........................................................................ 8
History of impulse voltage tests and measurements .............................................................................8
2.3.1
Early history and definition of impulse waveforms ........................................................................... 8
2.3.2
Definitions of lightning impulse peak voltage ................................................................................... 9
2.3.3
Introduction of test voltage function................................................................................................ 10
2.4
Use of sphere-gaps as measurement devices ....................................................................................10
2.5
Reference Measuring Systems ........................................................................................................... 11
2.6
History of IEEE Standard 4 - the sister Standard to IEC 60060 series ............................................... 13
3
OUTLINE OF MAJOR CHANGES MADE IN RECENT EDITIONS OF IEC AND IEEE HIGHVOLTAGE AND HIGH-CURRENT STANDARDS ...........................................................................................14
3.1
IEC 60060-1:2010................................................................................................................................ 14
3.2
IEC 60060-2:2010................................................................................................................................ 15
3.3
IEC 62475:2010 ................................................................................................................................... 15
3.4
IEC 61083-2:2013................................................................................................................................ 15
3.5
IEEE Std 4-2013 .................................................................................................................................. 15
DISCUSSION OF IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS ................................................ 17

4.1
Lightning impulse test voltage and test voltage function .....................................................................17
4.2
Definitions of switching impulse........................................................................................................... 19
4.3
AC test voltage .................................................................................................................................... 21
4.4
Atmospheric correction factor .............................................................................................................. 22
4.4.1
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 22
4.4.2
Formulae of relevant parameters for atmospheric correction factor calculation ............................ 22
4.4.3
The converse iterative procedure ................................................................................................... 23
4.4.4
Iterative procedure for determining atmospheric correction factor at high altitudes ...................... 24
Page 2
4.4.5
4.5
Atmospheric corrections for AC voltages .......................................................................................30
Requirements for measurement systems ............................................................................................ 32
4.5.1
Structure of IEC 60060-2:2010....................................................................................................... 32
4.5.2
Calibration and estimation of measuring uncertainty ..................................................................... 32
4.5.3
System calibration by calibrations of components ......................................................................... 33
4.6
Measurement Uncertainty ................................................................................................................... 34
4.6.1
The approach in IEC 60060-2:2010 ............................................................................................... 34
4.6.2
Uncertainty Requirement Differences between IEC 60060-2:2010 and IEEE Std 4-2013 ............ 34
4.6.3
Relationship between uncertainty and tolerance ........................................................................... 36
5
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LATEST REVISIONS OF IEC60060 SERIES AND IEEE
STD 4 ................................................................................................................................................................ 37
5.1
General structure of IEEE Std 4-2013 ................................................................................................. 37
5.2
Summary of differences ....................................................................................................................... 37
5.2.1
Estimation of uncertainty ................................................................................................................ 37
5.2.2
Definition of AC peak voltage ......................................................................................................... 37
5.2.3
Linearity test ................................................................................................................................... 37
5.2.4
Highest frequency in impulse voltage test circuit ........................................................................... 37
5.2.5
Physical characteristics of reference impulse voltage dividers ...................................................... 37
5.3
6
Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 37
IMPROVEMENTS AND POSSIBLE ADDITIONS IN FUTURE REVISIONS........................................... 38
6.1
DC voltage ........................................................................................................................................... 38
6.2
AC voltage ........................................................................................................................................... 38
6.3
Lightning impulse voltage .................................................................................................................... 39
6.3.1
General considerations .................................................................................................................. 39
6.3.2
Further investigation of the test voltage function for SF6 ............................................................... 40
6.3.3
Further investigation of the test voltage function for oil .................................................................. 40
6.3.4
Further investigation of the test voltage function for air gaps ........................................................ 41
6.3.5
Test voltage function for multiple insulation materials.................................................................... 43
6.3.6
Generation and measurement of UHV lightning impulse ............................................................... 43
6.4
Improvement of atmospheric correction factor calculations ................................................................ 43
6.4.1
General remarks ............................................................................................................................. 43
6.4.2
Differences between IEC standards ............................................................................................... 44
6.4.3
Future work on atmospheric correction factors .............................................................................. 50
6.5
Review of voltage drop, AC and DC for future development .............................................................. 51
6.6
Waveforms of lightning impulse voltage and lightning impulse current............................................... 52
6.6.1
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 52
6.6.2
Observation of atmospheric lightning strike voltage waveforms .................................................... 52
6.6.3
Observation of atmospheric lightning strike current waveforms .................................................... 52
6.6.4
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 53
6.7
Improvement of measurement systems .............................................................................................. 53
Page 3
6.7.1
Calibration of UHV impulse measurement systems ....................................................................... 53
6.7.2
Uncertainty and risk assessment ................................................................................................... 55
6.7.3
Examples of risk assessment ......................................................................................................... 55
6.7.4
Measurement software ................................................................................................................... 58
CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................................................... 58
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 59
Page 4
1 INTRODUCTION
Recently, IEC and IEEE have published a number of revised and new standards for high-voltage and highcurrent testing. These standards include IEC 60060-1:2010, IEC 60060-2:2010, IEC 61083-2:2013,
IEC 62475:2010 and IEEE Std.4-2013. Significant changes and additions have been introduced to these
revised and new standards. Many members of CIGRE WG D1.35 were involved in the revision and
development of these standards as members of IEC TC 42 and IEEE PSIM Subcommittee HVTT,
particularly in the development of the new techniques and new procedures that are now adopted in the
standards. This Guide has been written by members of CIGRE WG D1.35 to give high-voltage test engineers
a broader knowledge of how to apply the latest high-voltage and high-current testing standards.
In the preparation of this Guide, the contributors have tried to point out areas of difficulty in interpretation of
certain clauses of these standards that should be considered for future revisions to make HV testing
standards more clear and user friendly. This Guide first presents a brief account of the history of these
standards with the aim to allow readers to gain a better appreciation of the technical background. The
following sections summarize the major changes made to the standards in their latest revisions to provide a
general picture of the revisions. The individual sections provide detailed information on the important
requirements and procedures that have now been incorporated into the standards. They also describe some
of the specific technical background with a list of published references. Finally, some discussion is given on
the practical implications of these changes. Practical examples are provided to illustrate some of the new
techniques and new procedures. The guide also lists areas of possible improvements to the standards for
future revisions.
Page 5
2 HISTORY OF HIGH-VOLTAGE AND HIGH-CURRENT TEST STANDARDS

2.1 History of DC high-voltage tests and measurements
2.1.1
DC high-voltage test and measurement systems
The requirements for DC test and measurement systems and DC test procedures have not changed
significantly over last few decades. This is because the main objectives of DC tests have not fundamentally
changed. Insulation systems most frequently tested with DC voltages are mass impregnated paper-oil
insulated cables, DC insulators, DC bushings, DC converter assemblies and DC rectifier transformers.
Testing insulators and bushings are performed under dry, wet and polluted conditions whereas most test
objects are tested only under laboratory conditions. Recently, polymeric cables have been introduced for DC
applications and have necessitated an expansion of DC testing capabilities to include partial discharge
measurements. CIGRE WG D1.55 has been formed to study HVDC partial discharge testing. Now we also
see interest in DC testing of Gas Insulated Switchgear and the new CIGRE Joint Working Group
JWG D1/B3.57 has been recently formed (2014).
The main test procedures for DC have remained more or less the same over a long period of time. The tests
include: the withstand voltage test, the disruptive-discharge voltage test and the assured disruptivedischarge voltage test. Withstand tests are used for testing non-self-restoring insulation, such as oil-paper
insulation in a high-voltage cable as well as self-restoring insulation, such as found with the insulating
surfaces of insulators. The other tests are more specifically for self-restoring insulation.
The main technical challenges for DC voltage generation equipment are:
1. To produce a test voltage with sufficiently low ripple voltage to meet the standards. Ripple voltage
magnitude can be more prominent at the higher test voltages due to loading by streamer activity or
high leakage currents.
2. To assure that the measuring system can record the test voltage and the ripple voltage magnitude
accurately when short duration current pulses, or persistent repetitive current pulses from the load,
are present. These current pulses are normally random and recurring and can adversely affect the
voltage stability (i.e. cause voltage dips) of the test equipment supply.
3. To supply sufficiently high current values for charging long lengths of shielded power cable, in
reasonable times, at very high voltages.
4. To supply large test current pulses, containing significant electric charge values (Q), such as those
produced in pollution testing. The issue here is to avoid erroneous test results due to large voltage
drops that may influence the flashover behavior.
5. To supply sufficiently high current when sudden changes of impedance in the test object occur, such
as the sudden decrease of impedance prior to the breakdown of an insulator. The concern is to
avoid excessive voltage drops that could affect the test results.
6. The introduction of polarity reversal tests in short time frames.
7. The introduction of DC partial discharge testing requirements.
Because of the high instantaneous current magnitudes required for some DC voltage tests, the technical
challenge for DC voltage measurement systems is not only its ability to measure the DC voltage with
sufficient accuracy (or sufficiently low uncertainty), but also having adequate accuracy for measuring ripple
and voltage drops due to the sudden change of test object impedance [1].
Unfortunately, the present standards have little to say specifically about how to deal with these problems,
mainly because the current pulse demands are not specified. It should be noted that for most DC testing
systems it is not necessary to have a dedicated ripple voltage measurement system built in if the test
conditions are without corona discharges or time varying currents, such as those found during testing of
polluted insulators. A type test of a new DC test system equipment will show the ripple characteristics for the
steady state load current and if the test current is within the rating of the system for a given ripple voltage
then the standards will be met. This also means that purely resistive dividers are adequate for these test
systems to measure the DC voltage. If the equipment is used for tests where high magnitude, time-varying
current pulses are anticipated and corona from test connections is likely, then a resistive/capacitive divider
with a bandwidth of up to 10 kHz can provide transient data to actually measure voltage drops and ripple
magnitude. The question remains: how much voltage drop for how long a time will affect the test results or
performance of the apparatus being tested? These questions require input from the relevant apparatus
committees who set test voltages and protocols.
Page 6
A DC test with a voltage polarity reversal in a short time has been increasingly performed in recent years for
testing components in HVDC transmission systems since this is a normal operation of some DC links. This
provides a challenge for the DC voltage generation and measurement systems because the energy of the
test object must be discharged quickly and safely, and the sources be configured for the opposite polarity.
This is often done with resistor networks and mechanically inverting diodes in the system. However, no test
procedures and requirements for associated measurement systems have been specified in the latest editions
of IEC 60060 series. Test procedures for polarity reversal tests are given in apparatus standards for
converter transformers, cables and others.
2.1.2
DC high-voltage supplies
DC high-voltage supplies (generators) for high-voltage testing introduced in the early days did not have the
advantage of modern silicon rectifiers, which can be connected in series for producing very high voltages.
DC was produced using mercury vapor electron tubes that acted as diodes or by Kenotron tubes. Since the
tubes required filaments that had to be supplied with power at high voltages, special, cumbersome isolation
transformers had to be fitted to provide power at high voltage levels. This problem led to practical limitations
on how high a voltage could be produced - especially if any significant current was required.
With the introduction of solid-state rectifiers it became possible to make multiplier circuits for higher DC
voltages. Voltage multiplier circuits invented by Heinrich Greinacher in 1914 were originally developed for
physics research. These systems were not particularly well suited for capacitor charging applications or fast
response, voltage regulated power supplies, due to the inherent high impedance of the circuit. Since the
voltage multiplication was via transfer of energy through capacitors, these power supply designs have
current limitations, based on the size of the capacitors used.
In the mid 1970s a new style of DC UHV power supplies was introduced into the market. The inventor was
Stanley G. Peschel and the design was granted a United States Patent [2]. This design uses a cascade of
low impedance transformers feeding a cascade of voltage doublers in series. This design overcame the
limitations of capacitordiode multiplier circuits and could provide stable, well-regulated DC sources at a very
high voltage. This design, first used in high-voltage and high-current electron beam accelerators, has largely
replaced multiplier circuits for HV apparatus testing, where large charging currents are required and they
provide good voltage regulation in the presence of streamers. This use of cascade doubler circuits has the
added advantage of being able to produce relatively low ripple voltages with high overload capacity for
charging large capacitive loads such as installed power cables. Due to the modular nature of the design,
systems for use in the UHV range are possible and are more compact than multiplier designs.
2.1.3
Future work on DC test and measurement systems
Future work now is directed to the following (see Section 6.1 for detailed discussions):
Better characterization of measuring systems for voltage drop and ripple;

Techniques of Measuring partial discharges under DC stress and what impact it has on the source
requirements;
Recommendations of equipment ratings for UHV tests where pollution or wet testing is performed;
Possible revisions of standards for normal dielectric tests in the UHV range.
2.2 History of AC test sources and measurement systems

The history of AC test sources and measurement systems dates back to the turn of the 20th century when
high-voltage AC was first used for transmission and distribution of electric energy. In the early days,
conventional transformers of higher voltages than the service voltage were used to proof test AC system
components. Insulation coordination studies over the years developed test levels for various apparatus in the
system and higher safety factors which led to higher test equipment voltage ratings. Over time, increasingly
larger capacitive test loads at higher voltages were produced, especially in the case of polymeric cables.
Whereas early HV cables of paper-oil insulation could be tested with DC voltages due to the reasonably
linear voltage distribution based on resistivity, voltage distribution of plastic cables is mainly dependent on
the permittivity of the insulating materials. For testing these voltages, a variety of measurement devices were
developed including inductive potential transformers, electrostatic voltmeters, capacitive dividers,
compressed gas capacitors and standardized sphere gaps. Over time these devices became the standards
for measurements with traceability established by comparisons or calculations or other low voltage means.
In the late 1960s new test systems were introduced with high power capability and test voltages went up to
cover 800 kV class transmission. For testing equipment, HV sources used some form of inductive reactance
Page 7
in the test system to compensate for the capacitive reactance of the test load and limit test power demands.
Limitations of expanding test transformers to very high voltage and current levels led to modular resonant
systems that are seen everywhere today. Ferranti, LTD of the UK, using moving core inductor designs, first
introduced series resonant systems. Unfortunately these designs had poor efficiency and still required
significant power from the mains to energize a test object. In 1973, all of this changed with the introduction of
the modern, high Q series resonant designs invented by Richard F Schutz and Stanley G Peschel [3].
These modern designs were 5 to 10 times more efficient than earlier designs. Modern variable inductance
series resonant systems were also unique in that they could be constructed with very high voltage and power
ratings. Variable inductance, high Q series resonant systems are now the industry standard for the majority
of production and research testing and are supplied by a number of companies.
Currently, test sources for AC are now being developed using variable frequency with fixed inductors as
compared to variable inductors with fixed frequency. These designs have specific advantages for testing the
new generation of very long installed lengths of high-voltage power cables.
On the measurement side of UHV AC, the ability to make gas capacitors rated up to 1200 kV allowed direct
calibrations for most applications. Use of sphere gaps declined due to inconvenience, insufficient accuracy
for many applications and voltage limitations. Potential transformers are available for relatively high voltages
but are expensive. Capacitive voltage dividers are readily available today and have been proven to be stable
and sufficiently accurate (low uncertainty) for UHV measurements. Today, most AC test systems use
capacitive voltage dividers to measure the voltage.
In parallel with the development of modern AC test systems has been the development of higher voltage
reference measurement systems with stable scale factors and demonstrable linearity.
2.2.1
Future work on AC test and measurement systems
Future work is now directed to the following (see Section 6.2 for detailed discussions):
Calibration of UHV level Reference Measuring Systems;

Calibration of VLF test systems;
Methods to check linearity in the UHV range;
AC source requirements for the UHV range.
2.3 History of impulse voltage tests and measurements

2.3.1
Early history and definition of impulse waveforms
It is generally known that the practice of impulse voltage testing dates back to the early 20th century.
According to HV measurements pioneer Nils Hylten Cavallius [4], the first dielectric tests with high impulse
voltages, were performed by F. W Peek Jr. around 1915 [5]. The first measurement of the impulse shape,
using a continuously pumped oscillograph, was performed by Gabor in 1927 [6]. It is generally considered
correct that testing with simulated lightning and the measuring of voltage and currents that could affect the
transmission system in a negative way were being studied and simulated in laboratories roughly 100 years
ago. F. W Peek Jr. worked in Pittsfield, Massachusetts for General Electric Company and his book, Dielectric
Phenomena in High Voltage Engineering, was first published in 1915. The book was a result of the need to
explain the consequences of naturally occurring lightning on the apparatus being built for power
transmission especially transformers. In his third edition, published in 1929, the author refers to the
tremendous amount of laboratory and field data that had already been accumulated by then and a separate
chapter was devoted just for the benefit of engineers studying lightning phenomena. In Impulse-Voltage
Testing, by W.G Hawley, published in 1959 [7], we find the results of 30 early years of work in studying the
effects of a variety of impulse voltage dividers designs, impulse recorders and the mathematical analysis of
dozens of test circuits. Clearly, much work was done by pioneers in high-voltage technology to determine
how to best measure impulse voltages even in the early days.
The question of standardizing high-voltage testing and measuring techniques, in general, has been
discussed within IEC since 1922. The first work in this area was in connection with insulator testing since
there were failures of these exposed devices and a solution was needed for the problem. In 1934, a
subcommittee was set up to deal with impulse voltage testing leading to first edition of IEC 60, General
specifications for impulse voltage tests. The second edition, High-voltage test techniques, was issued in
1962. The counting of editions was restarted, when the content of IEC 60 was distributed among four parts of
a new IEC 60 series. First edition of part 1 of the series (High-voltage test techniques General definitions
Page 8
and test requirements) was first issued in 1973. Second edition was released in 1989, and now the third one
in 2010.
In the USA, similar work was ongoing and IEEE Std 4, High Voltage Test Techniques, was established to
cover all HV testing. Std. 4 was originally issued by AIEE in 1928 and established guidelines for
measurement and test methods. The later revisions of Std 4 were issued in 1953, 1969, 1978, and the
seventh edition, in 1995. The eighth edition was prepared in parallel with IEC 60060-1 and was published in
2013.
From the 1930s to the early 1960s national standards from Great Britain, Germany, USA, and
internationally from IEC member countries defined different standard (lightning) impulse wave shapes. The
German standards [8, 9] recommended front times 0.5 s, 1 s and 2.5 s, all with time to half-value of
50 s. On the USA side, impulses of 0.5/5 s, 1/10 s and 1.5/50 s were selected, with preference of
1.5/50 s. The method for evaluation of the front time also varied. For example, according to a British
standard [10], the front time was calculated from T1 1.25t 90% t10% , whereas at the same time in the USA
[11] a formula T1 2t 90% t 30% was used [12]. It seems that the IEC document [13] at that time defined T1
as time to peak, i.e., T1 t100% t 0% .
An agreement on the standard lightning impulse voltage shape was found in 1960s, when it was settled to
be 1.2/50 s in the second edition of IEC 60:1962 (High-voltage test techniques), and respectively in
IEEE Std. 4, IEEE Standard Techniques for High Voltage Testing. The front time was essentially set half way
between the German and USA practices, and the present definition for front time, T1 t90% t30% / 0.6 ,
was also introduced in IEC standard. Hyltn-Cavallius gives credit for this consensus to Mr. J. Hagenguth
from USA [4].
Information on the early history of switching impulse is surprisingly scanty, Hyltn-Cavallius states from his
own experience in revising IEC 60 in 1962 that: But we missed at that time that the much longer front times
as occurring in switching impulses were an important factor in the determination of the flashover voltage.
However, the same edition of IEC 60 did have the first definition of switching impulse - with the same time
parameters as today.
2.3.2
Definitions of lightning impulse peak voltage
Over the years IEC HV standards have introduced many new concepts in measuring technique. IEC 60:1962
introduced the idea of removing the oscillations on the front of an impulse by drawing a mean curve
according to graphical (non-mathematical) rules under certain conditions.
The definition of peak value for lightning impulses in IEC 60:1962 reads:
6.1.3
Peak value, alternatively virtual peak value

The peak value is normally the maximum value. With some test circuits oscillations or overshoot may be present on the
voltage. If the amplitude of the oscillations is not greater than 5 per cent of the peak value and the frequency is at least 0.5
MHz (Mc/s), or alternatively, if the amplitude of the overshoot is not greater than 5 per cent of the peak value and the
duration is not longer than 1 s, then for the purpose of measurement a mean curve may be drawn, the maximum value of
which is defined as the virtual peak value. (See Figure 8a, page 83).
The reasoning why the mean curve was introduced has not been documented, but one story has it that a
gentleman from UK came to an IEC meeting with a set of HV test results, and he managed to convince the
Technical Committee to introduce the requirement for a mean curve to remove high frequency oscillations
with the reason that these fast events would not impact the performance of certain apparatus. The text
remained more or less unchanged in the 1973 and 1989 editions of IEC 60-1. This is shown by the green
line of Figure 1, i.e., oscillations with frequencies below 0.5 MHz should be included for evaluation of peak
value and front time, and above that frequency they should be completely ignored. However, problems
began when people found that with oscillations close to 500 kHz, completely different results could be
calculated depending on identifying the frequency as above or below 500 kHz. This was accentuated when
using computer routines, rather than human eye, to evaluate the oscillograms.
The gentleman who proposed the method appeared to have been quite right, as recent experimental studies
have shown that above a certain frequency, for many test objects, there is only small impact of minor high
frequency oscillations on the insulation. The question of the magnitude of "minor" remains aside from the
frequency, however the magnitude is almost always attenuated due to the circuit topology.
Page 9
2.3.3
Introduction of test voltage function
The black dots in Figure 1 show the response of insulation to oscillations superimposed on a lightning
impulse according to a recent study [14]. As a result, the new IEC 60060-1:2010 [15] defines a test voltage
function [16]:
k f 1 1 2.2 f 2 ,
which is shown by the blue line in Figure 1. This formula is used to calculate the effective peak voltage as a
function of the frequency of the oscillation where f is the frequency in MHz. The introduction of this function
removes the problems related to the stepwise change at 0.5 MHz and makes a smooth transition that has a
mathematical definition.
1.2
IEC 60:1962
1
Measured
IEC 60060-1:2010
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.01
0.1
10
f [MHz]
Figure 1: Amplitude calculation factor for a range of oscillation frequencies superimposed

on a lightning impulse, together with the old and new test voltage functions.
Figure 1 shows that for oscillations below 100 kHz, the peak voltage is taken as the actual peak. For
frequencies above 4 MHz, the oscillations are discarded and have no impact on the calculated peak voltage.
The results of this recent experimental work have also led to the development of a well-defined new
procedure for calculating the parameters of impulse test voltage. This procedure has now been adopted by
IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEEE Std 4-2013. A more detailed discussion on this procedure is given in
Section 4.1.
Future work in this area involves proving that the dielectric stress produced by various superimposed
oscillation frequencies on normal wave shapes can be normalized for various apparatus in terms of
insulation performance and that the key parameters can be consistently calculated. See chapter 6.3 for
detailed discussion on future work in this area.
2.4 Use of sphere-gaps as measurement devices

The sphere-gap is a device that has been used for calibrating high-voltage measuring systems for over half a
century [17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23]. However, due to the availability of economical voltage measuring devices
with better measurement repeatability, reduced measurement uncertainty due to influence of atmospheric
conditions and ease of use, the use of sphere-gap has been in decline. A sphere-gap does not provide
sufficiently low values of uncertainty to qualify as a Reference Measurement System. Sphere-gaps also only
give one piece of information peak voltage value. Other measurement systems now provide information
on time parameters of test voltages. There is still an IEC standard (IEC 60052) describing its use but it is
only suited to measurement checks, not the calibration of measurement devices. It is intended that spheregaps will be used primarily as a device for Performance Checks of high-voltage AC and impulse
Page 10
measurement systems approved in accordance with IEC 60060-2:2010 [24]. Sphere-gaps can also be used
for calibrating measurement systems that do not require an uncertainty of voltage measurement of < 3 %,
but today most users must meet this uncertainty requirement and most technical committees reference
IEC 60060-2 for the uncertainty requirement and the requirement is < 3 % for the test voltages in most
cases.
Summary of Sphere Gap Considerations for Voltage Measurement
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Simple to construct but expensive for larger voltage ratings.

Can only be set for one voltage at a time.
Only measures peak voltage.
Requires careful mechanical alignment.
Range of operation for a given sphere size is limited.
Can be influenced by particles in the air.
Uncertainty of measurement > 3 % for AC & LI voltages.
Requires little maintenance over long life time.
Requires more test area space than voltage dividers.
Conclusion and Recommendations

Sphere-gaps are useful devices for checking high-voltage measuring systems or to provide overvoltage
protection as a protective gap during tests, but less convenient for almost any other HV testing needs.
2.5 Reference Measuring Systems

The concept of using a Reference Measuring System for calibration is as old as the concept of
measurement. However, the requirement to use a Reference Measuring System for calibration was not
present in the earlier versions of IE 60 and IEEE Std. 4 before 1994. The calibration of an Approved
Measuring System was primarily based on low-voltage components methods. In case of impulse dividers, as
long as the total response time was less than 200 ns, the standards stated that the dividers would meet the
measurement error requirements for the peak voltage and time parameters. In 1980s several researchers at
different HV laboratories around the world independently found that the total response time had no definite
relationship with the impulse parameter measurement errors. As a result, a few national metrology
laboratories decided to build their own high precision reference dividers and conducted an international
round-robin study with the dividers. The study formed the base of 1994 edition of IEC 60060-2 that required
using reference dividers to calibrate approved impulse measuring system [25, 26, 27, 28]. This standard
specified that the preferred method of calibrating a complete measuring system, including the divider, the
transmission system, any secondary divider/attenuator, the measurement instrument and any measurement
software, is by comparison against a Reference Measuring System. This concept is applicable to impulse,
AC and DC voltages and the standard specified a minimum voltage rating for a reference divider of 20 % of
the rating of the system being calibrated to determine its scale factor. Performance at levels higher than the
calibration level was to be verified by a linearity test.
The measurement uncertainty of a Reference Measuring System is normally significantly lower than that of
an Approved Measuring System used in high-voltage testing. The low value of uncertainty of a Reference
Measuring System is established through measurements traceable to National Standards. Comparisons
among Reference Measuring Systems are also often conducted to ensure their measurement uncertainty
and several international round robins have been conducted to confirm this [28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34].
Prior to the introduction of the requirement for the calibration of a complete measuring system against a
Reference Measuring System, IEC 60-2 allowed the calibration of a high-voltage measuring system to be
performed by calibration of its components. The method of component calibration was kept in the 1994
edition of IEC 60060-2, as well as in the 2010 edition of IEC 60060-2. However, the comparison and
calibration against a Reference Measuring System or Approved Measuring System is specified as the
preferred method of calibration. The Reference Measuring System or Approved Measuring System
comparison calibration is generally much more efficient than evaluation by the component method. It should
be noted that low voltage check methods have also been introduced for Performance Checks of
measurement systems.
The direct comparison calibration method against a Reference Measuring System rated for the full voltage of
a system being calibrated is the best method and it is easier to demonstrate traceability to National
Standards for scale factor and linearity.
Page 11
Table 1 is a summary of the requirements for measurement uncertainties of Reference Measuring Systems,
along with the requirements for measurement uncertainties of Approved Measuring Systems, specified in the
present edition of IEC 60060-2:2010 and IEC 62475:2010 [35].
Table 1: Requirements for measurement uncertainties of Reference Measuring Systems

Uncertainty limit of
Reference Measuring
Systems
Uncertainty limit of
Approved Measuring
Systems
Average value
1%
3%
Peak/2 value
1%
3%
Test voltage (Ut))
1%
3%
Front time (T1)
5%
10 %
Time to-half-value (T2)
5%
10 %
Time to-chopping (Tc)
5%
10 %
Test voltage (Ut)
3%
5%
Time to-chopping (Tc)
5%
10 %
Test voltage (Ut)
1%
3%
Time to-peak (Tp)
3%
10 %
Time to-half-value (T2)
3%
10 %
Peak current value
Not specified
3%
Time parameters
Not specified
10 %
Type of test voltage
Measurement quantity
DC voltage
AC Voltage
Full/Tail chopped
lightning voltage
Front chopped lightning

voltage
Switching impulse
voltage
Impulse Currents
(Exponential and
rectangular)
Future work
Future Work in the area of Reference Measuring Systems should be focused on demonstrating the
uncertainty limits achievable, especially for calibrating equipment for testing in the UHV range.
Page 12
2.6 History of IEEE Standard 4 - the sister Standard to IEC

60060 series
IEEE Std 4-1995 was the previous version of the general IEEE standard dealing with High Voltage Testing
and Measurement Techniques. This standard was built on the work done by pioneers in the field of HV
testing: Pete Bellaschi, Frank Creed, Nils Hylten Cavalius, Kurt Feser, Gianguido Carrara to name a few.
The current revision, published in 2013, is the eighth edition of this document as a separate standard. The
subject had been addressed in the earliest Standardization Report of the American Institute of Electrical
Engineers (AIEE) in 1889 and had been substantially elaborated upon in the subsequent reports issued from
1902 to 1933. In 1922 it was decided to issue separate sections for measurement of test voltages by AIEE.
The first edition of IEEE Std 4 was published in 1928. It is interesting that as we are going to higher
transmission voltages for UHV many of technical problems solved for lower voltage systems must be
investigated again for UHV.
In the years prior to the last revision of the IEEE Std 4, which is referred to by many North American
apparatus committees in their HV testing standards, much has changed in the global marketplace with
respect to the power equipment manufacturing industry. Testing has become more automated, more precise
and more informative about the quality of the insulation systems being evaluated. In addition, more
awareness of the corresponding IEC standards has developed, namely IEC 60060 parts 1 and 2, Highvoltage Test Techniques. Now it is common for North American manufacturers to use both IEC and IEEE
standards in testing their products, many of which enter the global marketplace. Increasingly data taken in
one location may be instantly transmitted electronically to other facilities continents away for analysis and
review. The need for standardization has never been more important to the reliability of components of the
electrical grid.
In preparing the latest revision for IEEE Standard 4, the committee members took every effort to try to align
the revised technical content with the revised technical content of IEC 60060 parts 1 and 2 and the new
standard IEC 62475 for High-current test techniques. This has been a difficult task as the three IEC
standards (four including IEC on-site testing) have been evolving simultaneously with the IEEE revision.
Fortunately, IEC revisions are now fixed and the two standards are aligned for the most critical requirements.
Despite close relationships between IEEE and IEC organizations, there are still several small differences
between IEEE and IEC that are noted in later sections.
Page 13
3 OUTLINE OF MAJOR CHANGES MADE IN RECENT EDITIONS OF IEC

AND IEEE HIGH-VOLTAGE AND HIGH-CURRENT STANDARDS
This section outlines the major changes in recent editions of high-voltage and high-current test standards.
Some of these changes are described in detailed in Section 4.
The relevant standards for this discussion are:
IEC 60060-1 Ed. 3.0 (2010), High-voltage test techniques Part 1: General definitions and test
requirements.
IEC 60060-2 Ed. 3.0 (2010), High-voltage test techniques Part 2: Measuring systems.
IEC 61083-2 Ed. 2.0 (2013), Instruments and software for measurement in high-voltage and high-current
tests Part 2: Requirements for software for impulse test.
IEC 62475 Ed. 1.0 (2010), High-current test techniques - Definitions and requirements for test currents and
measuring systems.
IEEE Std 4-2013 High Voltage Test Techniques.
3.1 IEC 60060-1:2010

The definitions for basic lightning impulse voltage parameters, Up, T1 and T2, have not changed. The
test voltage function (sometimes known as the k-factor) as described in the literature published in the
period leading up to the approval of the standard, has been introduced to enable more accurate and
consistent determination of the test voltage and time parameters of lightning impulses with
superimposed oscillations of any frequency content. A number of new definitions related to this new
procedure have been added, e.g., test voltage function, extreme value, relative overshoot and
average rate of rise.
The peak value of an alternating voltage is now defined as half of the peak-to-peak voltage. The
earlier definition, maximum value, could lead to misinterpretation for cases where even harmonics
of the test source are present. This harmonic distortion may lead to different positive and negative
peak values. A maximum value of 2 % is allowed for the difference between positive and negative
peak values. The test voltage value is the peak value divided by 2.
No changes in the definition of switching impulse voltage parameters have been introduced in
IEC 60060-1:2013, and the previous definition of time to peak has been retained, i.e. time interval
from the true origin to the time of maximum value of a switching-impulse voltage.
IEEE Std 4-2013 and IEC 60060-1:2010 differ slightly on evaluation of switching impulse. For the
case of a standard switching impulse, with the time to peak being 250 s 50 s, IEC identifies a
simplified method using a mathematical formula adopted from IEEE Std. 4-1995. This method is also
given by IEEE Std 4-2013, but is stated as the definition.
For non-standard switching impulses, IEC clearly states that other methods of evaluation should be
used, e.g. For non-standard impulses, the time to peak can be determined by various methods of
digital curve fitting dependent on the actual shape.
Formulae have been introduced for the parameters of the atmospheric correction factor to make the
computer calculation of the correction factor feasible.
The iterative procedure for calculating the atmospheric correction factor of a test voltage is
introduced, and is intended for voltage withstand tests. This procedure is intended to reduce the
error of the correction factor due to the error in the estimated U50 (50 % probability breakdown
voltage) that is needed for the calculation. The error becomes significant when the correction is
significant.
Only one wet test procedure has been retained.
Test procedures for combined and composite voltages have been elaborated more in details.
AC and DC Artificial pollution test procedures are removed as they are now specified in IEC 60507.
Page 14
3.2 IEC 60060-2:2010
Estimation of common components of uncertainties in high-voltage measurements are now specified

in more details.
Requirements on voltage linearity tests are more clearly specified.
New requirements on dynamic performance, i.e., frequency response of power frequency AC voltage
measurement systems, have been added.
Step response parameter evaluation methods for characterization of voltage dividers and current
shunts have been moved into an informative annex, with a number of definitions related to the step
response measurement having been revised.
An informative annex on evaluation of the dynamic performance of impulse measurement system by
the convolution method has been added
The standard sphere-gap is no longer accepted as a Reference Measuring Device but can still be
used for Performance Checks.
Calibration procedure for DC -systems using a rod/rod gap is removed.
Measurement of impulse currents has been transferred to a new standard IEC 62475:2010, Highcurrent test techniques Definitions and requirements for test currents and measuring systems.
3.3 IEC 62475:2010
The current measurement part of this standard covers more applications than the relevant sections
in the obsolete 60060-2:1994, which covered only measurement of impulse current waves as used in
arrestor testing.
The new standard also covers requirements for testing with any type of high current as well as giving
the requirements for a high-current measurement system.
The types of high currents which have been added now include: steady-state direct current, steadystate alternating current, short-time direct current, short-time alternating current, and impulse current.
The standard also covers current measurement in high-voltage dielectric testing.
The standard has adopted a similar structure to that of IEC60060-2:2010
Estimation of measurement uncertainties is specified similarly to that in IEC 60060-2:2010.
3.4 IEC 61083-2:2013

IEC 61083 part 2 has been updated with a new Test Data Generator (TDG) to evaluate impulse
measuring system software.
The new version provides more impulse voltage waveforms, and includes waves with different
overshoot amplitudes and frequencies. Frequencies are selected to prove performance around the
transition frequency of 500 kHz. The new TDG helps users prove that their software is making
correct evaluations of the key parameters in a consistent and comparable way.
Reference values of lightning impulse waveforms have also been revised according to the new
definition of the impulse test voltage in IEC 60060-1:2010
Waveforms of impulse currents are added to the TDG to represent a range of those used for arrestor
testing that have been added over the last few years. More current waveforms, including lightning
current impulses, are now included, in order to cover the range of current waveforms used in the
new standard IEC 62475:2010.
An annex on estimation of uncertainty contribution of software (waveform parameter calculation) has
been added.
3.5 IEEE Std 4-2013
IEEE Std 4-2013 continues to cover both the requirements for testing and the requirements for
measurement systems, which are covered separately by IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEC 60060-2:2010.
Efforts have been made to harmonize IEEE Std 4-2013 with the two parts of IEC 60060, in terms of
principles and fundamental requirements. Minor differences, however, still exist. A summary of the
differences is given in Section 5.2.
The new edition of IEEE Std 4 still contains a significant amount of tutorial information to give
practical suggestions to the test engineer.
Page 15
The readers are also drawn to the attention of a closely related standard, IEC 60060-3:2006 [36] for on-site
high-voltage testing. Many of techniques and procedures are similar to those specified in the above
standards, but with variations to suit conditions and limitations of on-site tests.
Page 16
4 DISCUSSION OF IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

This chapter discusses important definitions and requirements that have either undergone significant
changes or deserve close attentions of users for correct interpretation and better use of the standards.
4.1 Lightning impulse test voltage and test voltage function

As discussed in earlier sections, the impulse analysis procedure provided in IEC 60060-1:2010 and
IEEE Std 4-2013 allows determination of impulse parameters without subjective determination of the
existence or characteristics of overshoot and its frequency. The new procedure in the standards is also more
precisely specified in order to eliminate discrepancies of impulse parameters obtained by different software
packages. A summary of the major steps of the procedure is given in Figure 2.
Evaluation of tail chopped impulse parameters requires the knowledge of the waveform of a full impulse
taken in the same circuit configuration. This is because double exponential curve fitting will not produce a
correct base curve for chopped impulses since the front is not really a perfect exponential and the tail does
not exist on a chopped wave. A full impulse waveform is therefore needed to aid in the calculation. A full
impulse from the same test circuit at a reduced voltage level is usually available in the impulse test of most
apparatus before the tail chopped impulses. Therefore, for evaluation of tail chopped impulses, steps 1 and 2
in Figure 2 are performed using this full reference impulse; the base curve obtained is then scaled or
normalized to match the amplitude of the tail chopped curve for the remaining steps of the procedure.
For a front chopped lightning-impulse voltage, the test voltage curve is the recorded curve without further
processing of the waveform.
An integral part of requirements for impulse voltage tests in IEC 60060-1:2010 are the requirements for
software specified in IEC 61083-2:2013, Instruments and software used for measurement in high-voltage
and high-current tests - Part 2: Requirements for software for impulse tests. The Test Data Generator (TDG)
of IEC 61083-2:2013 is a software package for generation of test data. The TDG produces digital records of
a number of different impulse waveforms for testing an impulse measurement software package.
IEC 61083-2:2010 specifies the reference values of test impulses generated from the TDG. The
IEC 61083-2:2013 also provides error limits for acceptance of software being evaluated for measuring
different types of impulses.
After the new Test Voltage Function (k-factor) was proposed, a number of evaluation software programs
were tested in round-robin tests. The work was first performed within CIGRE WG D1.33, but later the activity
gradually moved to IEC TC 42 Maintenance Team (MT) 07. The main task of the latest work was to revise
the original Test Data Generator to include more wave shapes for more comprehensive testing of impulse
voltage and impulse current evaluation algorithms. Annex B and Annex C of IEC 60060-1:2010 are two of
the products of MT07 work.
120
120
100
100
80
80
60
60
U [kV]
1. Data starting
from 20% on the
front to 40% on
the tail (pink) of
the measured
data (blue) are
taken for curve
fitting.
U [kV]
In addition to LI and SI impulse shapes in the TDG, IEC 61083-2:2013 also includes data sets for Oscillating
Lightning Impulse waveforms (OLI) and Oscillating Switching Impulse waveforms (OSI) in accordance with
IEC 60060-3:2006 (High-voltage test techniques - Part 3: Definitions and requirements for on-site tests) [36].
Impulse current waveforms defined in IEC 62475:2010 (High-current test techniques Definitions and
requirements for test currents and measuring systems) have been added to the TDG too.
40
20
40
20
-20
-20
-10
10
20
30
40
50
60
t [s]
-2
4
t [s]
Page 17
120
120
100
100
80
80
60
60
U [kV]
2. Double
exponential base
curve (green) is
fitted to the data
selected in step 1
(pink).
U [kV]
40
20
40
20
-20
-20
-10
10
20
30
40
50
60
-2
120
120
100
100
80
80
60
60
40
20
-20
-20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
-2
100
80
80
60
60
U [kV]
U [kV]
120
100
40
20
20
-20
-20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
-2
2
t [s]
120
120
100
100
80
80
60
60
U [kV]
U [kV]
40
t [s]
40
20
40
20
-20
-20
-10
10
20
30
40
50
60
-2
t [s]
t [s]
120
120
100
100
80
80
60
60
U [kV]
U [kV]
4
t [s]
120
-10
6. Test voltage
curve (red) is
shown together
with the
measured curve
(blue). Up, T1 and
T2 are calculated
from the test
voltage curve.
20
t [s]
5. Filtered
residual curve
(brown) is added
back to the base
curve (green) to
get the test
voltage curve
(red).
40
-10
4. Residual curve
(orange) is
filtered according
to the test voltage
function to get
the filtered
residual curve
(brown).
4
t [s]
U [kV]
3. Residual curve
(orange) is
obtained by
subtracting the
base curve
(green) from the
measured curve
(blue).
U [kV]
t [s]
40
40
20
20
0
-20
-20
-10
10
20
30
40
50
60
t [s]
-2
2
t [s]
Figure 2: Evaluation of the test voltage curve according to IEC 60060-1:2010.
Page 18
4.2 Definitions of switching impulse

The definition of time to peak for switching impulse in IEC 60060-1:2010 is time interval from the true origin
to the time of maximum value of a switching-impulse voltage. It has been found that it is often difficult to
determine this time to-peak value, Tp, even from digital records of impulses with low uncertainty, due to the
fact that the digitally recorded voltage values in the impulse peak region can be approximately equal for a
long period of time, and many data points of the same amplitude will be found around the peak. To
overcome the problem of calculating the Tp value, the empirical formula introduced in the previous edition of
IEEE Std 4 and retained in IEEE Std 4-2013, is now included in IEC 60060-1:2010 for evaluation of switching
impulses that conform to the standard waveform.
The formula takes the following form:
Tp = KTAB
(1)
where K is a dimensionless constant given by

K = 2.42 2.08x10-3TAB + 1.51 x 10-4 T2
where TAB and T2 are in microseconds and TAB = t90 t30 (see Figure 3) and the numerical constants 2.08
and 1.51 have dimension s-1.
The difference between the Tp values calculated from formula (1) and the true Tp as defined in Clause 8.1.3
of IEC 60060-1:2010 for the standard switching impulse waveform of 250/2500 s is negligible. Taking the
TDG waveform SI-A1 of IEC 60183-2:2013 as an example, the difference between the value calculated
using formula (1) and the reference value given by IEC 60183-2:2013 is less than 0.85 % (see Table 2). The
reference values given in IEC 60183-2:2013 were determined by averaging the Tp values obtained in a
round-robin test, by different software packages that calculate the Tp values in accordance with Clause 8.1.3
of IEC 60060-1:2010, i.e. the Tp value that corresponds to the maximum voltage of the impulse waveform. If
the impulse parameters remain within the tolerance ranges of the standard switching impulse, i.e. Tp remains
between 200 s and 300 s, and T2 remains between 1000 s and 4000 s, the maximum deviation of Tp
values calculated, using formula (1), from the reference Tp value is less than 3 %, which is negligible for the
purposes of high-voltage testing.
However, since formula (1) was defined for standard switching impulses only, if the waveform deviates
significantly from the standard switching impulse, the deviation of Tp values can be significantly larger that
the permitted measurement uncertainty of Tp, which is 10 % and for those cases other methods of
evaluation must be used. However, for most testing situations this is not an issue.
U
1,0
0,9
Td
0,5
0,3
0
t
TAB
T2
Figure 3: Illustration of defined switching impulse voltage parameters.
Page 19
Table 2: T p values given by TDG of IEC61083-2: 2010 and those calculated using formula (1)
TDG Case No.
IS-A1
SI-A2
SI-A3
SI-A5
TDG Tp
(s)
250.7
19.89
43.1
218
TDG T2
(s)
2512
1321
3987
2407
Formula (1) Tp
(s)
248.8
15.30
35.99
221.8
Tp Error
(% of TDG Tp)
-0.76
-23.1
-16.5
+1.8
Note that waveforms S1-A2 and S1-A3 are non- standard switching impulses
The errors of Tp values obtained by using formula (1) for some practical waveforms are shown in Figure 4
and Table 3. The reference values are obtained according to the definition in Clause 8.1.3 of
IEC 60060-1:2010, using double exponential fitting to find the peak.
Results in Table 2 and Table 3 show that when the standard switching impulse voltages are used,
formula (1) is sufficiently accurate for meeting the uncertainty requirement of high-voltage testing.
Table 3: T p values obtained using formula (1) as compared to T p values by doubleexponential fitting
Waveform No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Tp by fitting
(s)
174.71
212.51
237.13
287.93
288.55
312.51
T2 by fitting
(s)
2481.95
1491.09
3998.58
4032.71
1504.95
2546.15
Formula (1) Tp
(s)
169.66
210.84
238.21
291.34
285.00
308.06
Tp Error
(% of fitted Tp)
2.9
0.8
0.5
1.2
1.2
1.4
Figure 4: Errors of T p values of practical waveforms obtained using formula (1) with the T p
values of fitted waveforms as the references.
Page 20
It has been found, however, that errors of Tp values obtained by other methods, for example, by curve fitting,
would not be significantly lower, in some cases could be higher than those of formula (1). A number of curve
fitting methods have been tested by various laboratories. One method was to fit the complete waveform from
the origin of the impulse to a double exponential function. Another method [37] is to fit from the instant of
85 % of the peak value on the front to the instant of 95 % of the peak value on the tail (denoted as top fit). It
was found that the difference in the Tp values obtained by these two fitting method for the last waveform in
Table 3 is 1.7 %. Furthermore, when the time parameters are within the tolerance range of the standard
switching impulse, the maximum errors of Tp values obtained by the fitting methods for the TDG waveforms
are of similar magnitude to that of the formula (1), with reference to the reference values as given in
IEC 61083-2:2013. Table 4 shows the errors of the two fitting methods.
Table 4: T p errors of two fitting methods for standard switching impulses
TDG Case No.
TDG Tp
(s)
IS-A1
SI-A5
250.7
218.0
Error of Tp
(complete fit)
(% of TDG Tp)
+0.52
+3.2
Error of Tp
(top fit)
(% of TDG Tp)
+0.53
-4.7
Error of Tp
(Formula (1))
(% of TDG Tp)
-0.76
+1.8
In conclusion, the difference of Tp values of standard switching impulses obtained by the fitting methods in
accordance with Clause 8.1.3 of IEC 60060-1:2010 and the formula given in Clause 8.2.3.1 of
IEC 60060-1:2010 and Clause 8.1 of IEEE Std 4-2013 are not significant for the purposes of high voltage
testing. Therefore, for standard switching impulse measurement, formula (1) is recommended due to the
simplicity of its implementation as no complicated nonlinear curve fitting and the related software
development are needed.
Non-Standard Switching Impulse Wave shapes
The calculation errors using formula (1) can be significant for calibration of the measurement system
systems using the non-standard switching impulses. For the non-standard switching impulses given in
IEC 601083-2, the formula yields Tp values outside the acceptance limits of the reference values. Fitting
methods may be utilized for these special waveforms by agreement between parties. In any case, these
waveforms would generally not be acceptable for apparatus testing by relevant apparatus committees that
reference IEC 60060 for standard wave shapes and their evaluation is left to those relevant apparatus
committees to define.
4.3 AC test voltage

A change in the new standards is for a new definition of the AC peak voltage. As mentioned earlier the AC
peak voltage is now defined in IEC 60060-1:2010 as the average of the magnitudes of the positive and
negative peak values, as opposed to, the maximum value in the 1989 edition.
The definition of peak voltage in IEEE Std 4-2013, remains the same as in its previous version,
IEEE Std 4-1995, which is essentially identical to the corresponding definition in IEC 60060-1:1989.
The practical impact of the difference between IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEEE Std 4--2013 is insignificant in the
vast majority of AC tests, where the AC voltage waveforms are symmetrical to the zero voltage level.
In rare cases, when the voltage waveform becomes unsymmetrical, e.g., with the presence of even
harmonics produced by power electronics voltage sources, if a peak voltmeter is used to measure voltage,
the difference between the peak voltage reading from a voltmeter that detects the maximum of the AC
voltage and that from a voltmeter that reads the average of the positive peak and the negative peak can be
different. IEC 60060-1:2010 requires that the difference between the positive peak and negative peak values
shall be less than 2 %.
For voltage sources that meet this 2 % requirement, the maximum difference in the measured peak voltage
between IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEEE Std 4-2013 would be 1 % if there was an non-symmetrical AC shape
due to electronic converter loads. Nearly all High-voltage AC testing produces symmetrical waveforms so
this is not an issue for most testing.
Page 21
The requirement for the crest factor, which is defined as the ratio of the peak voltage to the rms value,
remains the same for the new editions of both IEC 60060-1 and IEEE Std 4. The ratio between peak and rms
should be within 5 % of 2.
The crest factor has been used for some time as a determinant of waveform distortion especially in the peak
area of the test voltage. With modern instruments being capable of more accurately measuring harmonics,
the value of total harmonic distortion, THD, can now be easily measured. It is tempting to use this parameter
to characterize the wave-shape, but it must however be considered, that THD does not directly relate to
changes in the crest value and that THD is not a suitable measure of crest distortion.
A voltage drop of up to 20 % is still considered acceptable in the revised standard during the AC tests such
as the disruptive voltage test, the pollution test and the wet test.
4.4 Atmospheric correction factor

4.4.1
Introduction
The atmospheric correction factor is used for correcting the disruptive discharge voltage of insulation under a
particular test atmospheric condition to a voltage under the standard atmospheric conditions. This section
describes in detail some of the additions and changes in relation to atmospheric correction factor as defined
in IEC 60060-1:2010.
This chapter also lists the newly introduced formulae in IEC 60060-1:2010 that replaced the graphs in
IEC 60060-1:1989. These formulae facilitate calculation of atmospheric correction factors by computer
software.
The atmospheric corrections defined in IEC 60060-1:2010 are valid for air-gaps and clean insulators. If
atmospheric corrections are to be calculated for surface discharge tests, the results obtained with the
method in IEC 60060-1:2010 have to be treated with caution.
In IEEE Std 4-2013, two methods of calculating atmospheric correction factor are used. Method 1 is the
same as IEC 60060-1:2010, and is recommended for new equipment. Method 2 has been used in the past
and may be valuable for repeated tests on existing equipment designs.
4.4.2
Formulae of relevant parameters for atmospheric correction factor calculation
A number of formulae have been introduced for convenient implementation of computer calculation of
atmospheric correction factor values. Changes have also been made to a few formulae as a result of the
latest revision of IEC 60060-1. These changes are highlighted here to help users to make necessary
changes to their calculation procedures.
4.4.2.1 Formulae of Exponents for air density correction and humidity correction
In IEC 60060-1:1989, the value of the exponent for air density correction, m, and the value of the exponent
for humidity correction, w, needed to be obtained from graphs. In IEC 60060-1:2010, formulae of these two
exponents, as functions of parameter g, have been included to facilitate atmospheric correction factor
calculations by computer programs. The formulae are especially useful when the iterative procedure (see
4.4.3 and 4.4.4) has to be used. The relationship between g and m, and that between g and w, are both
described by piecewise functions listed in Table 1 of the IEC 60060-1 Ed.3.0, which is reproduced below as
Table 5.
Table 5: Values of exponents, m for air density correction and w for humidity correction,
as a function of the parameter g
Table 1 of IEC 60060-1:2010

m
<0,2
0,2 to 1,0
1,0 to 1,2
1,2 to 2,0
>2,0
g(g-0,2)/0,8
1,0
1,0
1,0
g(g-0,2)/0,8
1,0
(2,2-g)(2,0-g)/0,8
0
Page 22
The definitions for g, m and w in IEC 60060-1:2010 remain the same as in IEC 60060-1:1989. The graphs for
m and w are however still given for those who still want to use them.
4.4.2.2 The voltage type parameter k
The parameter for voltage type, k, in the case of direct voltage, was expressed a linear function of h/ in
IEC 60060-1:1989 (See Figure 3 of IEC 60060-1:1989), where h is the absolute humidity of ambient air and
is the air density. However, the function k in the direct voltage is slightly non-linear. The non-linear
function has now been adopted in IEC 60060-1:2010.
The other change is that the applicable range of humidity for k has been extended for the DC case and the
impulse case. The extension of the humidity range was largely based on consensual decisions, with
considerations given to the historical experimental data, practical issues and impact on the validity of the
corrected test voltage.
The changes related to parameter k are summarized below:
IEC 60060-1:1989 Ed. 2.0:
Direct voltage:
k= 1 + 0,014(h/ 11) , for 1 g/m 3 < h/ < 13 g/m 3
Impulse voltage:
k= 1 + 0,010(h/ 11) , for 1 g/m 3 < h/ < 15 g/m 3
IEC 60060-1:2010 Ed. 3.0:

DC:
for 1 g/m 3 < h/ < 15 g/m 3
k= 1 + 0,014(h/ 11) 0,00022(h/ 11) 2
Impulse:
for 1 g/m 3 < h/ < 20 g/m 3
k= 1 + 0,010(h/ 11)
In the AC voltage case, k remains unchanged.

AC:
for 1 g/m 3 < h/ < 15 g/m 3
k= 1 + 0,012(h/ 11)
4.4.2.3 Air humidity

The calculation of the atmospheric correction factor requires determination of the absolute humidity of air, h.
The value of h can be determined by the reading of a dry bulb thermometer and the reading of a wet bulb
glass thermometer. However, IEC 60060-1:2010 also includes a conversion formula that allows calculation of
the absolute humidity of air, h, from the relative humidity and the air temperature. This allows convenient
measurement of h using electronic sensors measuring relative humidity.
h
where
17 , 6t
243 t
6,11 R e
,
0,4615 ( 273 t )
h is the absolute humidity in g/m3,

R is the relative humidity in percent and
t is the ambient temperature in C.
The uncertainty of measurement of R using electronic sensors would normally be 1 % to 2 % relative

humidity, and hence at least the same uncertainty in the value of h. Determination of absolute humidity using
wet and dry thermometers is not expected to alter the uncertainty significantly (neglecting the uncertainty of
the temperature measurement). The sensitivity of the uncertainty of atmospheric correction factor (and hence
the corrected test voltage) to the uncertainty of h is low (see D.7.1.3 of IEEE Std 4-2013). As shown in Table
D.2 (IEEE Std 4-2013), an uncertainty of 1 g/m3 in h would only lead to a relative uncertainty of the corrected
test voltage of 1.1/559, which is approximately 0.2 %.
4.4.3
The converse iterative procedure
The atmospheric correction factor, Kt, is used for both breakdown tests of given breakdown probability and
withstand tests. In most cases of product testing, atmospheric correction is performed for voltage withstand
tests, with AC, DC, lightning impulse or switching impulse voltage, at an altitude less than the service altitude
of the equipment under test.
Page 23
The procedure in IEC 60060-1:2010 is derived from experimental data of 50 % probability flashover voltage,
however the correction often needed is for the corrected test voltage to be applied in a withstand test. The
withstand test voltage is defined as the voltage with 10 % probability of disruptive discharge, U10.
IEC 60060-1:2010 assumes the same correction factor applies to both U50 and U10.
The calculation of the atmospheric correction factor requires a known value of U50 of the insulation under
test. In a flashover test, U50 can be determined and therefore the value of U50 does not cause significant error
in the correction factor if the experiment is performed correctly. However, U50 is usually unknown in a
withstand test and has to be estimated for calculation of the correction factor. The iterative procedure
introduced in IEC 60060-1:2010 (Annex E) is to reduce the error in the correction factor, hence the corrected
test voltage, due to the error of the estimated U50. The error in the calculated correction factor is often
significant in comparison with the required tolerance of the test voltage in cases where the correction is
large, i.e., where the correction factor deviates from unity by more than the tolerance of the specified test
voltage. The iterative procedure in IEC 60060-1:2010 recalculates U50 and U10 until both converge to constant
values, and hence reduce the error caused by the initially estimated U50.
Atmospheric corrections lately attracted more attention due to the introduction of UHV AC and DC systems,
of which some are located at high altitudes. The corrections are necessarily large for test voltages to be used
at high altitudes.
The examples in section 4.4.4 give the calculated correction factors using the standard procedure, where a
measured 50 % probability disruptive-discharge voltage in given conditions may be converted to the value
which would have been obtained under standard reference atmospheric conditions. Calculations by the
converse iterative procedure are also given to show the differences of the calculated correction factors to
those obtained in accordance with standards used for insulation coordination or apparatus standards.
It should be noted that the iterative procedure always leads to the lowest value in altitude correction factor
(=1/Kt), which are closer to the altitude correction factors calculated using the methods of the other
standards, IEC 60071-2:1996 (Insulation coordination: Application Guide) and IEC 61869-1:2007 (Instrument
Transformers, General requirements). It should also be noted that for lightning impulse tests on some
equipment, such as instrument transformers, no atmospheric corrections are to be applied according to the
relevant standards.
4.4.4
Iterative procedure for determining atmospheric correction factor at high altitudes
When the converse procedure is used for determining the atmospheric correction factor, where a withstand
test voltage is specified for standard reference atmosphere (Clause 4.3.1, IEC 60060-1:2010) and must be
converted into the equivalent value under the test conditions, an iterative procedure described in
IEC 60060-1:2010 may need to be used. The application of the iterative procedure is necessary if the
correction factor Kt is lower than e.g. 0.95, for reducing the error of calculated correction factor for a high
altitude test site. In the iterative calculation procedure, the correction factor Kt is calculated by iteration until it
converges to be within a predetermined limit, i.e.:
(i) = 1.1
with
(i-1) = 1.1
(i-1)
being the specified test voltage.
The iteration is continued until

, where i is the number of the iteration.
Figure 5 to Figure 8 show atmospheric correction factors Kt, calculated with the non-iterative procedure and
the iterative procedure, keeping the humidity correction factor to unity. These results are then essentially the
inverse of the values of the altitude correction factor used in the insulation coordination standard
(IEC 60071-2:1996) and some equipment standards such as IEC 61689-1.
The calculations were performed for AC, lightning impulse (LI) and switching impulse (SI) voltages with gap
distances of 3800 mm and 2000 mm and for DC voltage for 4000 mm and 2000 mm. The first number in the
legend denotes the gap distance with the 2nd number being the specified test voltage level in kilovolt. For the
2000 mm gap, 806 kV is the AC flashover voltage level (the voltage level of assured disruptive discharge)
and 651 kV is the AC withstand test voltage level. For the 3800 mm gap, 1245 kV is the AC flashover voltage
level and 1047 kV is the AC withstand test voltage level.
For AC (Figure 5) and switching impulse (Figure 8) voltages, the iterative procedure yields higher values of
the atmospheric correction factor than the standard procedure. The atmospheric correction factors for tests
Page 24
at the withstand level are larger than those for tests at the flashover level. The atmospheric correction factors
with the larger gap distance (3800 mm) are larger than those with the smaller gap (2000 mm).
For DC voltages (Figure 6) the iterative procedure yields larger altitude correction factor values for tests only
at the withstand voltage level. The other results are very similar.
For lightning impulse voltages (Figure 7) the correction factors are the same irrespective of the altitude and
the calculation procedures for the smaller gap (2000 mm). For the larger gap (3800 mm), the correction
factors for tests at the flashover voltage level are the same for both calculation procedures and are the same
as those of the smaller gap, only the correction factor at the withstand level obtained from the iterative
procedure is larger.
Page 25
Figure 5: Atmospheric correction factors K t for AC voltage, obtained with the non-iterative
procedure and the iterative procedure.
Page 26
Figure 6: Atmospheric correction factors K t for DC voltage, obtained with the non-iterative
procedure and the iterative procedure.
Page 27
Figure 7: Atmospheric correction factors K t for lightning impulse voltage, obtained with the
non-iterative procedure and the iterative procedure.
Page 28
Figure 8: Atmospheric correction factors K t for switching impulse voltage, obtained with the
non-iterative procedure and the iterative procedure.
Page 29
In most cases of applying atmospheric corrections, these are used for withstand testing of either AC, DC,
lightning impulse or switching impulse of equipment at an altitude less than the altitude the equipment will be
used in service. Here the iterative procedure always leads to the lowest altitude correction factor (1/Kt).
4.4.5
Atmospheric corrections for AC voltages
Note 3 of clause 4.3.3 Application of correction factors in IEC 60060-1:2010 points out that the peak value
has to be used in correcting power frequency voltages, because the discharge behavior is based on the
peak value. Apparatus standards however specify RMS values based on the system voltage for which the
equipment is to be used. If the specified RMS test voltage is not converted into the peak value, the
calculation of the correction factors becomes erroneous and not consistent.
Figure 9Figure 9 shows the effect of using the RMS value instead of the peak value when calculating
atmospheric corrections using the standard procedure. The RMS voltage value of 570 kV and 460 kV
correspond to a peak voltage value of 806 kV and 651 kV respectively for the 2000mm gap, 880 kV and 740
kV correspond to 1245 kV and 1047 kV respectively for the 3800 mm gap.
For smaller gaps the atmospheric correction curves for the peak values of withstand and breakdown voltage
converge at an altitude of 2500 m, but the difference between the correction factor using the peak value and
the correction factor using the RMS value can be as large as 19 % at 4000 m. For larger gaps the correction
factors become much larger when using the RMS value. The difference can be as large as 30 % as is the
case for the 3800 mm gap at withstand level for an altitude of 4000 m; even at an altitude of 2000 m the
difference is 8 %. For the iterative procedure at withstand level the trend is similar with smaller deviations,
from 6 % at 2000 m to 12 % at 4000 m.
This is an important note in IEC 60060-1:2010, which can easily be missed.
Page 30
Figure 9: Atmospheric correction factors K t for AC voltage, comparison of Peak voltage to

RMS voltage.
Page 31
4.5 Requirements for measurement systems

4.5.1
Structure of IEC 60060-2:2010
Requirements for measurement systems are specified in IEC 60060-2:2010. The main structure of
IEC 60060-2:2010 is similar to that of the previous edition IEC 60060-2:1994, although there have been
significant additions of contents to some clauses, for example, the additional requirements in Clause 5 on
estimation of measurement uncertainties. Table 6 compares the main clauses of Edition 2.0 and Edition 3.0
of IEC 60060-2. Term AMS in Table 6 denotes Approved Measuring System and RMS denotes
Reference Measuring System. Both terms are defined in IEC 60060-2.
Table 6: Comparison of the main clauses of editions 2.0 (1994) and 3.0 (2010)
IEC 60060-2:1994, Ed. 2.0
IEC 60060-2:2010, Ed. 3.0
3.
4.
Definitions and symbols

Qualification of AMS
3.
4.
Terms and definitions

Qualification of AMS
5.
6.
Acceptance tests on components

Performance tests on AMS
5.
Tests and test requirements for AMS,

including the uncertainty estimation
7.
8.
9.
10.
Measurement of DC voltage
Measurement of AC voltage
Measurement of LI voltage
Measurement of SI voltage
6.
7.
8.
9.
Measurement of DC voltage
Measurement of AC voltage
Measurement of LI voltage
Measurement of SI voltage
11.
Measurement of impulse currents
12.
Reference Measuring Systems (RMS)
Annex A:
Annex B:
Transferred to IEC 62475
Accreditation systems
Record of performance
10.
Reference Measuring Systems (RMS)
Transferred to 4.1 and 4.4
Amendment 1/Annex H: Uncertainty estimation
Annex A: Uncertainty estimation (GUM)

Annex B: Example for uncertainty calculation
Annex C:
Step response measurement
Annex C: Step response measurement

Annex D: Convolution
Annex D:
Annex E:
Annex F:
Temperature rise of resistors

RMS bibliography
Summary of tests
Tables transferred to chapters 6 to 9
The two old clauses on acceptance and performance tests have been combined into the new Clause 5. This
new clause gives detailed requirements on the determination of the measuring uncertainty. The summary
tables for approving the HV measuring systems of different types of test voltages have been transferred from
the old Annex F to the relevant clauses on individual voltage types. The old chapter on impulse current
measurement has been transferred to the new standard IEC 62475:2010.
The content of six of the seven annexes of the old standard have been, where appropriate, transferred to the
main text of the new standard. Only the annex on step response measurement (Annex F, now C) remains
and is complemented by an informative annex (Annex D) on convolution.
4.5.2
Calibration and estimation of measuring uncertainty
It is strongly expressed in IEC 60060-2:2010 that the preferred calibration procedure is the comparison
method using a Reference Measuring System to qualify an Approved Measuring System. This often means
that a calibration is performed by a certified calibration laboratory.
The calibration procedure starts with the determination of the scale factor by which the recorded reading is
multiplied to arrive at the actual test value. It also requires that the estimation of measurement uncertainty
should follow ISO/IEC Guide 98-3, Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (also referred to
Page 32
as GUM in literature). Two new Annexes, annex A and annex B are added to IEC 60060-2:2010 to provide
additional practical information and examples of uncertainty estimation in high-voltage measurements.
Required measurement uncertainty limits for all types of voltages, for the purposes of high-voltage tests as
specified in IEC 60060-1:2010, remain unchanged. An expanded measuring uncertainty of UM 3 % is
required for the test voltage, whereas for time parameters of the full lightning impulse and the switching
impulse, a value UM 10 % is required. For Reference Measuring Systems the values are UM 1 % for the
test voltage and UM 5 % for time parameters. Only the voltage measurement of front-chopped LI impulse
voltage is specified with higher uncertainties, with UM 5 % for an Approved Measuring System and for
UM 3 % for a Reference Measuring System.
Calibration by comparison should normally be performed at several voltage levels. When the rated voltage of
the Reference Measuring System is sufficient to cover the assigned measurement range of the Approved
Measuring System under calibration, then the number of voltage levels should be equal to or greater than 5
levels. In cases where a Reference Measuring System with sufficient operating voltage is not available,
IEC 60060-2:2010, like the previous edition, allows the comparison calibration be performed with the highest
calibration voltage being as low as 20 % of the assigned measurement range of the Approved Measuring
System. In such cases, a voltage linearity test must be performed in addition to the comparison calibration or
determination of scale factor. Several methods for determining linearity for various types of measurement
systems are given for voltages up to the levels for 800 kV class equipment testing.
It should be noted that specific information on suitable linearity test for DC is not given and may pose a
problem. Recent development has however extended the DC calibration voltage available in the world to
1000 kV [38, 39]. IEC 60060-2:2010 provides specific requirements for the calibration and these are given in
Clause 5.2.1.3, Comparison over limited voltage range and Clause 5.3, Linearity test, of the standard. The
graphical illustration of this approach is given in Clause 5.2.1.3 and is reproduced in Figure 10 below. As
can be seen from Figure 10, the total number of test levels for checking scale factor and linearity, should be
at least 6. The lowest voltage level of the linearity test should be performed at the scale factor calibration
voltage, which should be at least 20 % of the highest voltage of use for the Approved Measuring System.
Figure 10: Calibration over a limited voltage range

4.5.3
System calibration by calibrations of components
IEC 60060-2:2010 still retains the approach of calibration of a measuring system by calibrations of its
components, with the requirements given in Clause 5.2.2. This approach is provided as the alternative
method to the method of comparison of the complete measuring system with a Reference Measuring
System, which is specified as the preferred method. When planning the calibrations and combining the
results for the complete system, the interactions between the components and the influence of the
transmission system (measurement cables), have to be considered to arrive at the correct values.
Page 33
4.6 Measurement Uncertainty

4.6.1
The approach in IEC 60060-2:2010
The uncertainty calculation has been significantly revised in the latest edition of IEC 60060-2:2010. The
reasons for this major revision are mainly two fold.
First, the revision is to provide testing personnel a simple and practical method of estimating measurement
uncertainties that is consistent with ISO 98-3, Guide on Uncertainty of Measurement (ISO GUM). The
method is intended to cover most common cases of high-voltage testing.
Second, the approach described in the previous edition of IEC 60060-2 (Appendix H in IEC 60060-2:1994) is
no longer considered consistent with the current edition of ISO Guide on Uncertainty of Measurement. That
approach categorizes the uncertainty contributions as either systematic or random. Appendix H of
IEC 60060-2:1994 also assumes that all systematic contributions can be covered by two types of
distributions, the rectangular distribution and the Gaussian distribution. It also implies that systematic
contributions can be considered to have infinite degrees of freedom. In fact, the use of degrees of freedom
is omitted in Appendix H. These assumptions and omissions are now considered not adequate for many
practical applications. Appendix H also omitted the concept sensitivity coefficient, another important
concept that is used in the current ISO GUM and that has now been adopted in IEC 60060-2:2010.
The major change advocated in the ISO GUM is to provide realistic estimates of measurement uncertainties,
moving away from treating measurement uncertainty as a safe error limit, that is, treating measurement
uncertainty as an estimate of maximum error that can possibly be expected for the measurement. By
adopting the latest ISO GUM approach, it is possible to achieve measurement uncertainties that fit a specific
testing purpose with less costly equipment and less time consuming procedures.
In the 1994 edition of 60060-2, specified fixed limits were given for individual uncertainty components, for
example, a 1 % limit was specified for non-linearity of voltage measurement systems. Fixed numbers of
repeated measurements were also specified. An example of this is that the number of repeated applied
impulses during an impulse voltage calibration was specified to be at least 10. With the adoption of the
ISO GUM approach in the 2010 edition, these limits are no longer specified as long as the total expanded
uncertainty (expanded uncertainty is a defined term) is within the required limit. The removal of these limits
becomes possible because of the adoption of the statistically more rigorous approach of the ISO GUM.
The 2010 edition of IEC 60060-2 also adopts an approach that is intended to provide practical help to users
of the standard to better adapt to the new method of estimating measurement uncertainties.
The latest IEC 60060-2 lists typical sources of uncertainty contributions in measuring systems. It also added
two completely new Annexes, Annex A and Annex B, dedicated to the topic of measurement uncertainty.
Annex A aims to provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the ISO GUM, assuming that a simplified
procedure of the ISO GUM can be used for estimating measurement uncertainties for high-voltage tests in
most cases. Annex B gives three examples of uncertainty calculation, all with the assumption the type B
components often having high degrees of freedom. This practice is mainly for practical efficiency. It should
be pointed out, type B components often do have low degrees of freedom and the quality of their estimates
is often low. However, the degrees of freedom of individual components do not make a significant difference
in the final calculated uncertainties. IEEE Std 4-2013 gives detailed explanation and examples how the
degrees of freedom and sensitivity coefficients are determined and used.
4.6.2
Uncertainty Requirement Differences between IEC 60060-2:2010 and IEEE Std 4-2013
Table 7 below is a summary of the differences between the earlier editions and the latest editions of the
standards in relation to estimation of measurement uncertainties. It should be emphasized that the
differences in the two editions of IEC 60060-2 are significant, not only in details, but also in the general
approach. The IEC 60060-2:2010 is very much harmonized with ISO Guide 98-3, while Annex H of
IEC 60060-2:1994 was written before ISO Guide 98-3 was published and hence was not fully compatible
with it. IEEE Std 4-2013 is also harmonized with ISO Guide 98-3. The main difference from
IEC 60060-2: 2010 is that its uncertainty calculation examples contain more details.
Page 34
Table 7: Uncertainty estimation in two editions of IEC60060-2 and IEEE Std 4-2013
IEC 60060-2:1994
IEC 60060-2:2010
IEEE Std 4-2013
Uncertainty
definition
Clause H.2: preISO/GUM of

uncertainty is used.
The general term uncertainty as

defined in IEC 60050 is given in
3.6.
The general term uncertainty is not

given. This makes no impact to the
uncertainty calculation.
Types of
uncertainty
contributions
H.2.1: Systematic
contributions H.2.2:
Random contributions
3.6.8: type A evaluation
Type A uncertainty and Type B

uncertainty, as defined in ISO GUM is
given in D2.
Term for
uncertainty
result
H.3: Overall uncertainty
3.3.6 Expanded uncertainty (ISO

Guide 98-3)
In D2, and interpreted definition of

Expanded Uncertainty as in ISO
Guide 98-3 is given.
Other relevant
terms and
definitions
Terms are used without

being defined in the
standard
Defined in 3.3.1 to 3.3.11,

Including ISO/IEC definitions,
such as error, standard
uncertainty, coverage factor
and traceability.
Definitions and terms similar to those in

IEC 60060-2:2010 are given in Annex D
3.6.9: type B evaluation
Terms, such as sensitivity

coefficient, model function and
effective degrees of freedom
are described in Annex A and
Annex B
Calculation
procedures
Annex H.1 to H.5
5.2 to 5.11, estimation of

uncertainty components from
contributions such as calibration,
dynamic performance,
temperature effects, linearity and
proximity effects.
Detailed procedure described in D.2 to

D.6 of Annex D (informative).
No procedure is given in the main text
Requirements
for uncertainty
components
Limits of individual
components are
specified, such as 1%
for voltage linearity,
proximity effect and
effect of interference,
with overall uncertainty
also being specified.
No limits specified for individual

components as long as the
expanded uncertainty is within
the specified value, e.g., 3% for
test voltage and 10% for impulse
time parameters. Also
calculation with one dominant
component is acceptable.
No limits specified for components as

long as the expanded uncertainty is
within the specified value, e.g., 3% for
test voltage and 10% for impulse time
parameters. Also, there should be at
least 3 dominant components of
comparable magnitude for achieving
reasonable effective degrees of
freedom for the expanded uncertainty.
Number of
repeated
measurements
No. of Measurements is
specified for
performance test
Not specified, as long as the

expanded uncertainty is within
the specified value, with the type
A uncertainty achieved
Not specified, as long as the expanded

uncertainty is within the specified value,
with the type A uncertainty achieved
Principles
Limited information
Annex A: An informative annex

explaining principles and
concepts of ISO GUM
Terms are described Annex D
coverage factor
determination
Assume to be 2
calculating coverage factor from

effective degrees of freedom,
assuming high degrees of
freedom for individual type B
components
Effective degrees of freedom for

calculating coverage factor, estimating
realistic degrees of freedom for
individual type B components
Calculation
examples
Annex H: two examples

in H.6
Annex B: three detailed

examples given.
Two very detailed examples in Annex

D, demonstrating the uncertainty
calculation steps and how intermediate
values, such as standard uncertainty,
degrees of freedom (type B component
in particular), combined standard
uncertainty, effective degrees of
freedom and coverage factor, are
determined.
Page 35
4.6.3
Relationship between uncertainty and tolerance
Tolerance and uncertainty are different concepts that are specified in the standards for high-voltage and
high-current testing.
Uncertainty is a statistical quantity used to estimate the accuracy of measurements. The uncertainty depends
in the first instance on the metrological quality of the measuring system, and often a range of other factors
that influence the measurement. According to IEC 60060-2:2010 the uncertainty of a high-voltage
measurement shall be expressed as an expanded uncertainty with a coverage probability of approximately
95 %, corresponding to a coverage factor k=2 under the assumption of a normal distribution.
According to IEC 60060-1:2010, the tolerance constitutes the permitted difference between the measured
value and the specified value.
According to IEC 60060-1:2010, the uncertainty interval and the tolerance interval are considered separately.
This is stated in terms 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 and associated notes. Typical tolerance is 3 %, and the required
expanded measurement uncertainty of test voltage for most high-voltage tests is 3 %. As long as both the
tolerance and the uncertainty requirements are met, the test is considered valid. For example, an applied test
voltage of 97.1 kV is considered just as valid as an applied voltage of 100.0 kV, for a test with a specified test
voltage of 100 kV, as long as the expanded measurement uncertainty of the applied test voltage is within
3 % of the applied test voltage.
The tolerance of the test voltage is necessary because it is not possible to set the test voltage exactly at the
specified value due to technical and operational limitations. For example, the peak impulse voltage at a given
charging voltage may vary to some extend depending on the individual impulse generators. During a
60 second AC voltage withstand test, the output voltage may vary around the initially set voltage due to
fluctuation of the input voltage to the high-voltage test transformer.
Every effort should be made to set the test voltage to the specified level as closely as possible. An operator
should not purposely set the test voltage at the lower limit of the tolerance band.
In the case of the tolerance of impulse voltage time parameters, it is considered good practice to use time
parameter values that provide efficient testing with available wave shaping components, as long as the time
parameters are within the specified tolerance limits. For example, the tolerance limits for the lightning
impulse front time are 0.84 s to 1.56 s. The true value of a time parameter may fall outside the tolerance
limits, for example, the true front time value for a measured front time of 0.85 s with an uncertainty of 5 %
may be less than 0.84 s, however, the front time of the applied impulse is still considered meeting the
requirements of IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEC 60060-2:2010.
Page 36
5 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LATEST REVISIONS OF IEC60060 SERIES

AND IEEE STD 4
5.1 General structure of IEEE Std 4-2013
IEEE Std 4 is the single standard equivalent of the combined IEC 60060 parts 1 and 2 and is used in North
America and several other countries. This format and the practice of including tutorial sections have been
kept in the 2013 edition. The current revisions of all these three standards were on-going in parallel for some
years. While every attempt has been taken to make the standards compatible with IEC counterparts, there
are some minor differences between them. The tutorial information included in this standard is to serve as a
knowledge bridge between the novice engineer users and the experienced technical experts.
5.2 Summary of differences

The following is a brief summary of the fundamental differences between the current versions of IEC and
IEEE versions of High Voltage Testing Standards. There are many other differences such as the inclusion of
treatment of methods for dielectric loss measurements in IEEE that do not appear in IEC. This list refers to
items that overlap.
5.2.1
Estimation of uncertainty
Although IEEE uses the new term uncertainty there are still minor differences in implementation. For
example, IEEE Std 4-2013 in Clause 5.7.6.8 does not make a distinction between uncertainty of the
calibration and uncertainty in the situation of use. This relates to expanded uncertainty correlation and could
result in some increased uncertainties in some cases by using the IEEE method of simplification but the
differences should be small. The differences in uncertainty treatment are described in Section 4.6.2 of this
document in more details.
5.2.2
Definition of AC peak voltage
Clause 6.1 of IEEE Std 4-2013 differs from IEC 60060-1:2010 definition in that it calls the peak the highest
value. This is a small issue with IEC as it does not consider polarity of the highest value that could affect
measurements in rare cases.
5.2.3
Linearity test
In Clauses 6.5.3.1 and 6.5.3.2 of IEEE Std 4-2013, there are slight differences from IEC 60060-2:2010
method, where linearity is covered in the calibration range. Extension of linearity from the upper limit of the
calibration range is then done as a separate test.
5.2.4
Highest frequency in impulse voltage test circuit
IEEE Std 4-2013 still uses in Clause 8.3.3 the geometrical method for finding the highest frequency to be
recorded in an impulse circuit. This has been modified in IEC but is retained in IEEE. In practice this has little
effect since most users arbitrarily establish the lower level of oscillation frequency measurement especially
for circuits of large physical dimensions. This area requires more research for UHV measurement systems to
balance the realistic performance of a large voltage divider and the need to detect small defects in insulation.
5.2.5
Physical characteristics of reference impulse voltage dividers
IEEE still contains the actual physical characteristics of a reference impulse voltage divider. Such a divider
constructed to the requirements specified in the standard constitutes a reference divider without having
actual high-voltage calibration of it performed at a National Measurement Institute.
5.3 Conclusion
As can be seen above, the technical differences are relatively minor. The main changes for all of these
standards relate to uncertainty measurements and new methods for calculating the values from impulse
wave shapes. On these fundamental issues IEEE and IEC are in agreement and this will lead to easy
harmonization of global testing.
Page 37
6 IMPROVEMENTS AND POSSIBLE ADDITIONS IN FUTURE REVISIONS

6.1 DC voltage
As energy transmission using high voltage DC increases, testing for this application will become ever more
important, leading to need of enhancement of test methods and measurements. Voltage levels have also
been increasing to cope with the needs to support rapid urbanization in the world.
DC testing, be it applied under clean and dry conditions but at high voltage, or under wet or polluted
conditions at any voltage, will suffer from rapid dynamic load changes due to discharge phenomena. The
limited available power in generators for DC will lead to transient voltage dips (voltage drops), which may
lead to erroneous test results. The problem is two-fold, first to determine what limits on magnitude and
duration of voltage dips that can be accepted, and secondly to define parameters for DC measuring systems
that will ensure that the dips are properly assessed.
The need for recommended ratings for DC test equipment will become more accentuated as the test
voltages increase, especially for wet tests. The needs for pollution testing are more severe, but this is not in
the domain of the IEC 60060 series.
During the last revision of IEC 60060 Parts 1 and 2 and IEEE Std 4, it was found that there was some
controversy about the definitions of test source suitability and questions about whether these current
definitions could assure users of the ability to achieve the goal of performing repeatable tests in different test
facilities.
The partial discharge processes under DC are however less well understood and require further research.
Work is currently under way in IEC TC 42 to codify present knowledge in this field in an amendment to
IEC 60270, High-voltage test techniques - Partial discharge measurements. Further development is however
expected in this field.
Methods to investigate linearity of DC measuring systems are poorly described in the standards. Lately,
however, facilities for calibration up to 1000 kV at high accuracy have been developed in Europe and in
Australia. More work is needed on the extension of linearity measurements for extremely high DC voltage
Questions for future work:
Is it necessary to define the shape and amplitude of current pulses we expect to see during DC
dielectric and wet tests?
Should requirements on DC measuring systems also have an option covering the needs of recording
transient voltage drops?
Is there a need to record of transient events during DC testing?
Can we define the bandwidth of the measurement system for dielectric tests and wet tests and for
tests to assure that voltage drop is controlled even in the face of massive corona discharges? Can
we define the value of DC voltage drop that will result in correct testing?
Why do we have different values of allowable AC and DC voltage Drop (20 % and 10 %)? Is there a
technical reason?
Is better characterization of measuring systems for voltage drop and ripple necessary?
How to measure partial discharges under DC stress and what impact it has on the source
requirements?
Shall we recommend equipment ratings for UHV tests where pollution or wet testing is performed?
Are the standards sufficient for normal dielectric tests in UHV range?
6.2 AC voltage
Also for testing with AC voltages, concerns are found relating to voltage stability under clean and dry
conditions but with high voltage, or under wet or polluted conditions at any voltage, due to rapid dynamic
load changes caused by discharge phenomena. The limited available power in generating circuits will lead to
transient voltage dips (or voltage drops), which may lead to erroneous test results. The problem is two-fold,
first to determine what limits on magnitude and duration of voltage dips can be accepted, and secondly to
define parameters for measuring systems for DC that will ensure that the dips are properly assessed.
For calibration of UHV systems, presence of corona in the test circuit may change the scale factor of the
Approved Measuring System, but can also affect the methods for proving linearity. E.g. a capacitive sensor
Page 38
relies on the size of the high voltage electrodes being precise. Corona activity will release ions into the air,
which may distort the electrical field.
Test and measurement standards on AC VLF (Very Low Frequency) may also need to be improved and
expanded. VLF test systems at 1 Hz or lower were first developed to test primarily long length of cables.
Because of the low frequency used, the requirement for the power supply is significantly lower than that for
normal AC test source. Therefore, the test equipment is much smaller and lighter. VLF technique has also
been used by utilities as a useful onsite diagnostic tool for cable and generator dielectric dissipation factor,
power factor, and PD tests. Although some aspects of VLF test requirements have already been specified in
IEC 60060-3:2006 [36] and a number of IEEE Standards [40,41], further standardization work is likely to be
required to expanded test requirements to cover a wider range of equipment and test conditions as more
research results become available. CIGRE working group D1.48 (Properties of Insulating Materials under
VLF Voltages) is actively working in this area.
Questions for future work:
Is it necessary to define the shape and amplitude of current pulses we expect to see during AC
dielectric and wet tests?
Is it necessary to define the bandwidth of the measurement system for dielectric tests and wet tests
to assure that voltage drop is measured ?
technical reason?
Is there a need to revise on-site test techniques as set out in IEC 60060-3?
Is there a need to develop requirements on testing at Very Low Frequency today given in
IEC 60060-3?
How to calibrate UHV level Reference Measuring Systems?
How to check linearity in the UHV range?
What are the requirements for AC source in the UHV range?
6.3 Lightning impulse voltage

Future work in this area involves proving that the dielectric stress produced by various superimposed
oscillation frequencies on normal wave shapes can be normalized for various apparatus in terms of
insulation performance and that the key parameters can be consistently calculated.
6.3.1
General considerations
The advent of ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission systems, i.e. over 800 kV, necessitates testing at very
high lightning impulse voltages. Both test methods and measurement techniques will have to be further
studied. Issues are also open on applicability of calibration methods for UHV lightning impulse measuring
systems. This work is largely the responsibility of the relevant apparatus committees
Annex D of IEC 60060-1:2010 describes the technical background of the Test Voltage Function (k-factor) for
evaluation of impulses with superimposed oscillations on the crest. The majority of tests for establishing that
the Test Voltage Function had a basis in the physics of breakdown of different insulation systems were
performed at voltages around 100 kV in the first European Project [42]. The tests studied various real test
objects with a variety of real impulses with superimposed oscillations that could be adjusted. Additional tests
to obtain the test voltage function (or k-factor function) for higher voltages than those used in [42] were
carried out in recent research projects such as those conducted at TEPCO and LCOE [43, 44, 45, 46, 47,
48]. The aim of these research programs is to validate and improve the applicability of the test voltage
function for future revision of the standards. Details of the test program and presentation of results is being
prepared as Technical Brochure in CIGRE from Working Group D1.36. An overview is however presented
below.
Three different insulation systems, namely: SF6 gas insulation, oil insulation, and air insulated electrode
gaps, have been studied using test voltages up to 1.8 MV. The test voltage function verification process is
ongoing and improvements now relate to how the function can be fine-tuned for use with complex insulation
systems for improved validity. Slight differences in the formulae can more closely track test data depending
on the insulation type and the composition of multiple dielectric materials. The focus of the standards to date
has been to have a single function definition for all test objects while it is clear that different frequencies of
overshoot and oscillation can have different effects on the insulation system being used. This is due to the
wide variation in the physical characteristics of those insulation systems. The sections below confirm that for
Page 39
simple geometries and for single dielectric media, the currently published test voltage function (k-Factor)
gives correct results. However, it is hoped that through further research in this area, a new universal test
voltage function can be determined to suit testing of most insulation systems.
6.3.2
Further investigation of the test voltage function for SF 6
To investigate if the test voltage function in IEC 60060-1:2010 is applicable to a SF6 gas insulated dielectric
medium at test voltages above 100 kV, a set of lightning impulse tests using quasi-homogenous field
( 0,45) were performed with negative polarity and test voltages, Ut, up to -1.0 MV. The parameters of
these experiments are test voltage, Ut, oscillation frequency, f, of superimposed overshoot and relative
overshoot amplitude, , according to [15] and the field uniformity according to Schwaiger coefficient, =
Emean/Emax. The results were reported in [43, 44, 47] to compare with the k-factor values obtained earlier [42].
Figure 11 shows the compatibility between the results for SF6 dielectric medium obtained by the E.P. Project
[42] and by TEPCO-Japan [43, 44, 47] up to -1.0 MV (symbols in color).
It was concluded from the results that the experimental test voltage function values obtained for SF6 quasihomogenous field up to -1000 kV agreed with the earlier results of the European Project [42]. Overall, the
results of SF6 obtained so far indicate that the test voltage function of IEC 60060-1:2010 is sufficiently
accurate for the purposes of high-voltage testing, i.e.:
k( SF6 )
1
1 2.2 f 2
Figure 11: Experimental or test voltage function curve determined in the European Project
for SF 6 gas insulation dielectric medium with quasi-homogenous field and further
experimental test voltage function (k-factor) values at voltages up to -1000 kV.
6.3.3
Further investigation of the test voltage function for oil
Insulation oil samples with quasi-homogenous field configurations were also tested [43, 44] with lightning
impulse, at voltages up to 1000 kV. Impulse voltages of 150 kV and 250 kV were also applied to the
practical apparatus models . The parameters of these experiments are test voltage, Ut, oscillation frequency,
f, of superimposed overshoot and relative overshoot amplitude, , according to IEC 60060-1:2010 and field
uniformity according to Schwaiger coefficient, = Emean/Emax. For the oil samples, = 1 was used, whereas
for the practical apparatus models, no unique could be established. The results (Figure 12) support the
use of the test voltage function defined in IEC 60060-1: 2010.
47
Page 40
Figure 12: Experimental test voltage curve (k-factor) determined in the European Project for
oil dielectric medium and complementary experimental values for voltages up to -1.0 MV.
6.3.4
Further investigation of the test voltage function for air gaps
Lightning impulse tests at very high voltages are usually performed to prove performance of internal
insulation, and therefore the need to evaluate for the characteristics of large air gaps is limited. In those
cases switching impulse is usually the decisive test stress. However, for the cases where the external air
insulation needs to be verified for lighting impulse performance, the test voltage function is important.
Furthermore, at UHV voltage levels, physical size of the test circuits will limit the frequency of overshoot, with
the result that the filtering effect of the test voltage function is small.
A set of lightning impulse tests were performed with positive polarity for air gaps up to 1.8 MV. Tests with
negative polarity were not considered because of the disruptive voltage level is higher than the level for
positive polarity. The parameters of these experiments are test voltage, Ut, oscillation frequency, f, of
superimposed overshoot and relative overshoot amplitude, , according to IEC 60060-1:2010 and field
uniformity according to Schwaiger coefficient, , or according to air gap K factor of IEC 60071-2.
Air gaps with homogenous field
Figure 13 shows the comparison between the results for different air gaps; all of them with a quasihomogenous field obtained by the E.P. Project [42] and recently by LCOE [46] at voltages up to +0.8 MV.
The overshoot frequency was limited to 0.25 MHz. Figure 13 shows the compatibility between the test
voltage function of the present IEC 60060-1 standard and all the results for air gaps with homogenous field.
The experimental test voltage function values are in agreement with the test voltage function of
IEC 60060-1:2010.
k( AIR homogeneous
field )
Page 41
1
1 2.2 f 2
Figure 13: Experimental test voltage function (k factor) for air dielectric medium in a
homogenous field determined in the European Project (+98,5 kV) and the complementary
experimental k-factor values obtained for voltages up to +800 kV.
Air gaps with non-homogenous field
Experimental test voltage function (k-factor) values obtained for air gap spacings with non-homogenous field
determined by the E.P. Project [42] and results recently obtained by TEPCO [43, 48] and LCOE [44] are
shown in Figure 14. The test voltage functions (k-factor) for air gaps with a non-homogenous field depend
on the air gap spacing, d, and on the non-homogeneity field given by the air-gap K factor parameter defined
in IEC 60071-2.
It is obvious from the test results that the test voltage function for air gaps can conceivably be quite different
depending on the gap geometry. The applicability of one single test voltage curve may be questionable.
Further research is on-going in CIGRE Working Group D1.36 and will be reported in a forthcoming Technical
Brochure.
Page 42
k-factor; K=1
EP
0.15m
0.5m
0.8
k (pu)
1.0m
2.0m
2.5m
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
3
10
10
10
10
10
10
f (Hz)
Figure 14: Family of the test voltage function (k-factor) curves for rod plate configuration
(K=1) for different air gap distances.
6.3.5
Test voltage function for multiple insulation materials
When multiple insulation media are involved in the same testing object the most restrictive test voltage
function should be chosen in order to ensure that the equipment passes the lightning impulse test (e.g. the
oil test voltage function should be used when both oil and SF6 insulations are involved in the test).
6.3.6
Generation and measurement of UHV lightning impulse
The impulse generator and associated circuits grow in size when the test voltage increases to UHV levels.
From this follows that inductances in the circuit will increase. It is also observed that the capacitance of some
test objects like cables, increase with the voltage level. Together these two physical realities mean that a
standard waveform with a front time of 1.2 s 30 % becomes difficult or even impossible to achieve. This
matter is currently under study in CIGRE Working Group D1.36 and will be presented in a forthcoming
Technical Brochure. Preliminary findings do however indicate that it will be necessary to relax the tolerance
requirement on front.
Also, the large circuit dimensions also limit the performance of UHV voltage dividers. A fundamental limit of
the bandwidth of large devices may preclude their ability to measure standard lighting impulses. It is
suspected, but not proven, that UHV dividers may be difficult to use in measurement of impulses
approaching the lower tolerance limit for front time. Further research in this area is needed.
6.4 Improvement of atmospheric correction factor calculations

6.4.1
General remarks
Atmospheric corrections are performed for several purposes in high-voltage engineering.
To correct the disruptive discharge voltage of insulation under a particular test atmospheric condition
to a voltage under the standard atmospheric conditions.
To calculate test voltage levels to be utilized in testing when the testing is performed at an altitude
significantly different from the site where the equipment will be installed.
To provide altitude correction for correct choice of external insulation distances.
These calculations have evolved under different Technical Committees in Standardization and may lead to
non-compatible corrections. As will be shown in the following sections, these differences tend to escalate
Page 43
with higher voltage and/or higher altitudes. The inevitable conclusion is that these methods have to be reexamined and coordinated to provide reliable and compatible results
6.4.2
Differences between IEC standards
Atmospheric corrections are also performed for purposes such as insulation coordination defined in
IEC 60071-2 and for altitude correction. The purpose is the determination of the insulation distance of
equipment in relation to the altitude of its installation. An example of equipment altitude correction is the use
of correction factor k in IEC 61968 1 (Instrument transformers, General requirements), where the required
insulation distance is corrected for the service altitude using factor k. In these cases, only the correction due
to altitude (hence the atmospheric pressure) is considered, while temperature and humidity are not
considered in the correction factor.
For example, the altitude correction factor in the insulation coordination standard IEC 60071-2- is defined as:

where
H is the altitude above sea level (in meters) and the value of m is as follows:
m = 1.0 for lightning impulse voltages
m = values as defined in Figure 15 (re-produced from Figure 9 of IEC 60071-2) for switching impulse
withstand voltages
m = 1.0 for short duration power-frequency withstand voltages of air-gaps and clean insulators
Figure 15: A reproduction of Figure 9 of IEC 60071-2.

In IEC 61869-1:2007, it is specified that for installation at an altitude higher than 1000 m, the arcing distance
under the standardized reference atmospheric conditions shall be determined by multiplying the withstand
voltages required at the service location by a factor k in accordance with its Figure 1, reproduced in
Figure 16 below.
Page 44
Figure 16: A reproduction of Figure 2 of IEC 61869-1:2007.

In earlier international standards preceding IEC 61869-1:2007, such as IEC 186, the correction was
performed by adding 10 % arcing distance per 1000 m increase in altitude for altitudes greater than 1000 m.
Some IEEE standards specify the increase in the arcing distance by applying a dielectric strength correction
factor of -0.1 per 1000 m for altitudes greater than 1000 m.
In the first Edition of IEC 60060 1 published in 1973, the following formula for calculating the withstand
voltages at higher altitudes was given

with b0 = 101.3 kPa, being the average air pressure at the sea level.
The corresponding withstand voltage at the higher altitudes was given by

with Uwo the withstand voltage at pressure b0.

The coefficient m is defined to be 1 for direct and lightning impulse voltages of any gap configuration and
polarity, as well as for homogenous gaps with any kind of voltage. For larger gap distances, with
approximate rod-rod and rod-plane gaps under AC voltage and switching impulse voltage, the coefficient m
was defined as a function of the gap length shown in Figure 17.
Page 45
Figure 17: The coefficient m in the air density correction factor versus gap spacing d
(IEC 60060-1:1973).
Based on these definitions, the inverse of the atmospheric correction factor curves (1/kt) derived from
IEC 60060-1:2010 presented above were compared with the altitude correction curves derived from these
standards and the corrections derived using the correction method in the first edition of IEC 60060-1. The
factor m for switching impulse voltages were taken for the different gaps, voltages and standards as
following:
m = 0.6 for 1300 kV, m = 0.64 for 1175 kV for 3800 mm gap distance and
m = 0.78 for 800 kV, m = 0.83 for 700 kV for 2000 mm gap distance (IEC 60071-2)
m = 0.88 for 3800 mm gap distance and m = 0.64 for 2000 mm gap distance (IEC 60060-1:1973)
The curves calculated for IEC 60044 and IEEE were adjusted to 1000 m using the correction factor of
IEC 60071-2 at 1000 m for the respective voltage.
Figure 18 to Figure 20 show the comparison of the four different standards and the calculations according to
the first edition of IEC 60060 1 for AC, LI and SI voltages, for withstand and flashover voltages of the
2000 mm and 3800 mm gaps. The curves for DC calculated using IEC 60060-1:2010 were not compared to
IEC 60071-2, IEC 61869-1:2007 and the IEEE apparatus standards, since these standards do not define a
method for DC voltages. Only comparisons to the values achieved with the iterative procedure in
IEC 60060-1:2010 are shown, differences to the standard procedure for withstand voltages are shown in
Table 8.
Figure 18 and Table 8 show that for AC test voltages IEC 60060-1: 2010 will always give lower correction
factors. The correction factors derived using the iterative procedure in IEC 60060-1:2010 result in larger
differences to factors calculated using IEC 60071-2 and IEC 61869-1:2007. Above 1000 m the method in
IEC 61869-1:2007 gives lower results than those derived from IEC 60071-2 due to the deduction of the first
1000 m from the actual altitude. The IEEE apparatus standards, which would correspond to the older
procedure in IEC standards, give typically lower correction factors than IEC 60071 2 and IEC 61869-1:2007,
but would still give larger correction factors than IEC 60060-1:2010. The correction method defined in
IEC 60060-1:1973 gives results, which lay between the results derived with the methods of
IEC 61869-1:2007 and some IEEE apparatus standards for the shorter gap but is closer to the results of
IEC 60060-1:2010 for withstand levels at the longer gap. For longer gaps the differences of
IEC 60060-1:2010 to the other standards are in general larger than for the shorter gap.
Page 46
Figure 18: Comparison of Atmospheric correction factors 1/K t for AC voltage, calculated
according to different standards.
Page 47
Figure 19 gives the results for the calculated correction factors for LI voltages and shows good agreement
between IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEC 60071-2, except for withstand levels for the 3800 mm gap. The
correction factors derived using IEC 61869-1:2007 give the same results as for AC voltages. For apparatus
design either the AC withstand voltage for shorter gaps, lower system voltages with Um < 300 kV, or the SI
withstand voltage for larger gaps, higher system voltages with Um 300 kV, are relevant for the design of the
external insulation distance. For testing of apparatus no correction for atmospheric conditions for lightning
impulse testing is permitted, therefore these differences can be neglected. The correction factors used in
IEEE standards typically give lower correction factors.
Figure 19: Comparison of Atmospheric correction factors 1/K t for LI voltage, calculated
Page 48
The calculated correction factors for SI voltages shown in Figure 20, have the results using the iterative
procedure of IEC 60060-1:2010 as the boundaries between which the results of IEC 60071-2 and
IEC 61869-1:2007 lie, the correction factors for flashover values being the upper limit and the correction
factors for withstand levels giving the lower limit.
The correction factors derived with the IEEE method and the corresponding older approach in IEC give in
general higher correction factors than derived from the newer IEC standards.
Figure 20: Comparison of Atmospheric correction factors 1/K t for SI voltage, calculated
Page 49
For higher voltages, IEC 61869-1:2007 gives larger correction factors than IEC 60071-2:1996 since the fixed
exponent m of 0.75 used in IEC 61869-1:2007 is larger than the one calculated for the two voltages
according to IEC 60071-2, m = 0.6 for 1300 kV, m = 0.64 for 1175 kV. For lower voltages the exponent m is
smaller for IEC 61869-1:2007, thus the calculated correction factors are smaller than for IEC 60071-2:1996.
Table 8: largest calculated % differences in correction factors for AC and SI withstand
voltages between the standards considered
AC
2000 mm gap
3800 mm gap
IEC 60060-1 to IEC 60071-2
-5.2 %
-10.5 %
IEC 60060-1(iterative) to IEC 60071-2
-14.9 %
-20.5 %
IEC 60060-1 to IEC 61869-1: 2007
-4.7 %
-9.2 %
IEC 60060-1(iterative) to IEC 61869-1: 2007
-11.7 %
-17.5 %
IEC 60060-1 to IEC 60071-2
+8.6 %
+19.3 %
IEC 60060-1(iterative) to IEC 60071-2
-4.4 %
-2.6 %
IEC 60060-1 to IEC 61869-1: 2007
+14.6 %
+16.6 %
IEC 60060-1(iterative) to IEC 61869-1: 2007
-2.6 %
-3.4 %
SI
Table 8 shows as a summary the largest calculated % difference between correction factors derived with
IEC 60060-1:2010, IEC 60071-2:1996 and IEC 61869-1:2007 for AC and Switching Impulse voltage. For AC
voltages the difference varies between -4.7 % comparing the results for the standard procedure in
IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEC 61869-1:2007 for the 2000 mm gap and -20.5 % comparing results for the
iterative procedure in IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEC 60071-2:1996 for the 3800 mm gap. For Switching Impulse
voltages this difference varies between +19.3 % comparing the results for the standard procedure in
IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEC 60071-2:1996 for the 3800 mm gap and -2.6 % comparing the results for the
iterative procedure in IEC 60060-1:2010 and IEC 60071-2:1996 for the same gap. The iterative procedure in
IEC 60060-1:2010 gives in principle smaller correction factors than the standard procedure, which get closer
to the correction factors of both IEC 60071-2:1996 and IWC 61869-1:2007 for Switching Impulse voltages
but the difference to these standards, gets larger for AC voltages when using the iterative procedure.
6.4.3
Future work on atmospheric correction factors
The differences and inconsistencies between standards shown above lead to the question of the correct
procedure. Even though IEC 60071-2:1996 is related to insulation coordination and IEC 60060-1:2010 to
testing of equipment, and therefore fulfills different purposes, the physical background for the correction
factors is the same, the reduction in insulation strength of air insulation due to higher altitude respectively
lower pressure. In order to further analyze these differences and determine atmospheric correction factors
(temperature, pressure, absolute humidity) a JWG of IEC TC 28, TC 42, TC 36 and TC 115, JWG 22
Atmospheric and altitude correction and a new CIGRE WG D1.50 Atmospheric and altitude correction
factors for air gaps and clean insulators were established. The results of these two groups may have an
influence on the procedure to calculate correction factors in IEC 60060-1:2010.
There is also a need to extend the humidity range of the atmospheric correction factors, Experimental results
of a recent research work can be found in [49].
Page 50
6.5 Review of voltage drop, AC and DC for future development

The current IEEE and IEC standards for HV Testing include some details about the allowable voltage drop
due to the interaction of the test object, the test circuit and the test source. These conditions are for normal
dry or wet test situations but do not cover the specific demands of artificial pollution tests, which are covered
by IEC 60507.
Summary of IEC Requirements for AC and DC testing
Test voltages for tests longer than 1 minute should be within 3 %

AC Transient voltage drops can be up to 20 %
DC Transient voltage drops can be up to 10 %
Bandwidth guidelines are given for voltage measurement systems but actual frequency values are not.
Questions for future Revision of High Voltage Testing Standards with respect to dynamic load
Can we define the shape and amplitude of current pulses we expect to see during AC and DC
dielectric and Wet Tests? Is this information important?
Can we measure the current pulses accurately? Does it matter if we can do this as long as we
require adequate measurement systems to record the transient voltage drop?
Can we define the bandwidth of the measurement system for dielectric tests and wet tests and for
tests where users allow massive corona discharges in their test circuits to assure that voltage drop is
controlled?
Can we define the value of AC and DC voltage drop that will result in correct testing?
technical reason?
Questions for Future Revision of High-voltage Testing Standards
Shall we specify a maximum voltage drop during AC and DC dry and wet tests of less than 10 % for
transients of more than 1 second or 2 seconds for AC and more than 1 second or 2 seconds for DC?
Or should we choose other time durations that relates to errors in testing?
Shall we specify the upper frequency limit of the voltage measurement system for AC tests where
streamers or wet conditions are anticipated to be greater than 7 times the fundamental frequency?
Or should we choose a measurement bandwidth based on the source frequency?
Shall we specify the time constant of voltage measurement systems for DC tests where streamers or
wet conditions are anticipated to be less than 0.25 seconds? Or should we choose some other time
period that relates to errors in testing.
Shall we specify the voltage record length of tests with streamers or wet conditions to be equal to the
withstand test time? Or should we sample intervals and compare sequential intervals?
In the end, the relevant apparatus committees have to decide how much deviation from the test
voltage can be accepted before the performance of the device being tested is in question.
For dry testing indoors of normal proof or withstand tests, if the percentage of voltage cycles that
have more than 10 % lower peak value are less than a few percent of the total test cycles, we can
demonstrate compliance with a standard. For DC this could be a percentage of the time-on vs. the
time where voltage drops are more than 10 %. Since there is no peak to evaluate, the dip will have
to be more than a certain time, such as the charging cycle of the DC generator.
For wet testing or pollution testing the same method could be used. With digital recorders it is
possible to check each voltage cycle or in the case of DC each recharge period time of the DC
generator and compare to the duration of the test for a percentage of time the peak voltage is down
by 10 % or less.
Page 51
6.6 Waveforms of lightning impulse voltage and lightning

impulse current
6.6.1
Introduction
The present standard waveforms of the lightning voltage and current impulses were derived based on
lightning surge waveforms measured in the field many decades ago. Present power systems and equipment
are characterized by various new factors, compared to those from the past. These factors include the wide
use of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) in substations, installation of overhead ground wires, use of highperformance surge arresters with improved characteristics, increase in ground electrostatic capacitance
associated with a higher voltage and larger equipment capacity, and variation in the distance between
substations. Because of the widespread changes it is necessary to re-assess the lightning impulse
waveforms that are relevant to the modern electric power network.
Observed results of studying lightning phenomena may differ depending on the country and regional
situation. Papers [50-54] reported the recent observation results of lightning surges in the actual fields at
some specific facilities.
6.6.2
Observation of atmospheric lightning strike voltage waveforms
The lightning strike voltages were observed at 10 substations, namely eight GIS substations and two airinsulated (AIS) substations of 500 kV and UHV designed (500 kV operation) transmission lines [50,51,52,53]
for the purpose of setting the lightning current waveform and crest value in the lightning surge calculation
reasonably and more accurately when calculating the lightning failure rate of transmission lines.
On the basis of the observed data [52], Figure 21 presents the characteristics of the direct lightning strike
waveforms observed at Switching Substations, denoted N- and M-, where UHV designed transmission lines
are connected and at the Switching Substation denoted S-, where 500 kV transmission lines are connected.
The parameters analyzed are the crest value vs. front time and the crest value vs. time to half-value. Here,
the crest value indicates that of the lightning surge component, disregarding the power frequency
component.
800
700
N-Switching Substation
M-Switching Substation
S-Switching Substation
700
600
Voltage (kV)
600
Voltage (kV)
800
N-Switching Substation
M-Switching Substation
S-Switching Substation
500
400
300
500
400
300
200
200
100
100
10
100
1000
(a) Crest value - front time relationship
10
100
1000
Time (s)
Time (s)
(b) Crest value - time to half-value relationship
Figure 21: Characteristics of the direct lightning surge waveform parameters.

The 50 % value of the cumulative frequency of the crest values is 240 kV. For the front time and the time to
half-value, the 50 % values of the cumulative frequency are 5.9 s and 36 s, respectively. Even within the
present measurement, some waveforms are characterized depending on the measurement locations due to
the differences in insulation voltage classes and system conditions.
6.6.3
Observation of atmospheric lightning strike current waveforms
The lightning strike current waveforms were also observed at the top of 60 towers of 500 kV and UHV
designed (500 kV operation) transmission lines between 1994 and 2004 and 120 sets of data were obtained,
including three cases exceeding 100 kA [54]. Figure 22 shows the cumulative occurrence frequency
distribution of the front time and the time to half-value. The 50 % value of the front time was 4.8 s and the
Page 52
50 % value of the time to half-value was 37 s. Large numbers of lightning current waveforms were
previously observed and summarized in CIGRE paper [55].Even though that data was observed over a wide
region, the observation results in Figure 22 showed good agreement.
99.9
Cumulative Probability(%)
Probability (%)
Cumulative
Cumulative Probability(%)
Probability (%)
Cumulative
99.9
99
95
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
99
95
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
5
10
5
0.1
0.1
10
10
Front duration(s)
Front time (s)
100
1000
Stroke duration(s)
Time to half-value (s)
(a) Front time
(b) Time to half-value
Figure 22: Cumulative frequency distribution of front time and time to half value of
lightning current waveforms [54].
6.6.4
Conclusion
These measurement results indicate that future standards for high-voltage and high-current testing may need
to include the waveforms with these longer front times that have been observed in these modern power
networks. This could be useful especially for UHV systems were it is difficult to generate short duration
waveforms due to the large dimensions of the test equipment, test loop and test object.
6.7 Improvement of measurement systems

6.7.1
Calibration of UHV impulse measurement systems
More and more power apparatus at the ultra-high-voltage (UHV) level are being tested due to rapid
expansion of UHV transmission network. There have been reported difficulties in establishing and
documenting voltage linearity that is a required part of the calibration of the high-voltage dividers for impulse
voltage testing [24]. The traditional and most efficient method of assessing the voltage linearity of impulse
voltage dividers has been comparing the peak impulse voltage against the DC charging voltage of an
impulse generator. However, it has been found that this method often does not yield satisfactory results
although the divider may in fact be linear. The non-linearity of the impulse generator vs. charging voltage can
be due to several factors: non-linearity of the DC charging voltage measurement, non-linearity of the
generator output due to internal corona discharges, non-linearity of large moving sphere gaps with varying
arc resistance, external corona, or voltage coefficient of the wave shaping resistors or capacitors. Figure 23
shows an example of non-linearity measured with this method. In this case, non-linearity exceeded the 3 %
expanded uncertainty limit of the complete measurement system specified IEC 60060-2: 2010 [24]. There is
also evidence that the change of the time parameters with voltage could reach the 10 % uncertainty limit
specified in the standard (see Figure 24). It should be noted that not all impulse circuits have these problems
and impulse generators with good linearity can be produced.
New methods, such as field probes, need to be investigated. Field probes have been experimented with in
the past and also have disadvantages and advantages. The main problem is sensitivity to discharge currents
due to corona in the high-voltage circuit.
Page 53
The voltage linearity test of UHV impulse measurement systems is one of the topics that are considered by
IEC TC42 WG 19, which was set up to accomplish the task of Adaptation of TC 42 standards to UHV test
requirements.
Figure 23: Voltage linearity test of the 2800 kV divider with positive lightning impulse,
with gradient of the line being the first ratio R 1.
Figure 24: Deviation of the time parameters from their values at the lowest test voltage,
2800 kV divider and impulse of positive polarity.
Page 54
6.7.2
Uncertainty and risk assessment
IEC Publication 60060-2:2010 is based on GUM and defines the uncertainty as the expanded uncertainty
corresponding to a 95 % level of confidence that the true value can be found within the range given by the
measured value the expanded uncertainty. The conditions for the practical distribution to correspond to a
normal distribution are given in IEC 60060-2, Clause 4.6 and when these conditions are fulfilled then the
expanded uncertainty factor is twice the standard uncertainty. Satisfactory methods of determining
contributions to the uncertainty and determining the standard uncertainty and the expanded uncertainty are
given in IEC 60060-2, Clause 5.
Risk assessment is outside the scope of IEC 60060-2 and users are referred to the relevant standards (e.g.,
ISO 31000:2009 Risk management Principles and guidelines, and IEC 60050-903 (2013) International
Electrotechnical Vocabulary Part 903: Risk assessment). Users wishing to perform risk assessment should
also take account of differences between measured values and the specified test value: these differences
are required to be within the tolerances stated in IEC 60060-1. Note that the permitted tolerances should not
be used but the actual differences between measured values and the specified test value.
6.7.3
Examples of risk assessment
When comparing a measurement result, with its associated uncertainty, with an acceptance criterion there
are different possible evaluations, where the two most important can be denoted positive proof and the
other shared risk.
Positive proof poses very strict requirements on the measurement result, leading to very high confidence in
the verdict, but it has the disadvantage that there is a risk that potentially good results are disqualified.
Shared risk is so termed because the measurement provider and the equipment purchaser share the risk
that the verdict may be wrong in the cases where the uncertainty overlaps the tolerance limit.
6.7.3.1 Important terms
uncertainty (of measurement)
parameter, associated with the result of a measurement, that characterizes the dispersion of the values that
could reasonably be attributed to the measurand.
error
discrepancy between a measured value and the true, specified or theoretically correct value.
tolerance
constitutes the permitted difference between the measured value and the specified value.
Comment: Errors should be corrected for. In cases where this is not practical, a corresponding uncertainty
contribution should be identified.
Page 55
6.7.3.2 Positive proof

Let the measured value be V, its expanded uncertainty UV and the pass limits for the tolerance band be
W a.
Case 1: Non-compliance proved - the measured value and both uncertainty limits lie outside the
tolerance band.
W-a
W+a
V
V-UV
V+UV
Case 2: Non-compliance not proved - the measured value and both uncertainty limits lie inside the
tolerance band.
W-a
W+a
V
V-UV
V+UV
Case 3: Compliance not proved - the measured value lies inside the tolerance band, but the
uncertainty lies outside.
W-a
W+a
V
V+UV
V-UV
Case 4: Compliance proved - the measured value lies outside the tolerance band, and the uncertainty
lies inside.
W-a
W+a
V
V-UV
V+UV
Page 56
6.7.3.3 Shared risk

The risk of an incorrect decision can however be shared on a more equal basis between buyer and seller by
accepting also values where uncertainty crosses the tolerance limit. With the same designations as above
we have:
Case 5: Non-compliance proved - the measured value and both uncertainty limits lie outside the
tolerance band.
W-a
W+a
V
V-UV
V+UV
Case 6: Non-compliance proved on basis of shared risk - the measured value lies outside the
tolerance band, but one uncertainty limit lies inside.
W-a
W+a
V
V-UV
V+UV
Case 7: Compliance proved on basis of shared risk - the measured value lies inside the tolerance
band, but one uncertainty limit lies outside.
W-a
W+a
V
V+UV
V-UV
Case 8: Compliance proved - the measured value and both uncertainty limits lie inside the tolerance
band.
W-a
W+a
V
V-UV
V+UV
Page 57
Case 9: Verdict not possible - the measured value lies clearly inside the tolerance limit, but the
uncertainty limits both fall outside. It is recommended to require the measurement uncertainty to be
low, e.g. less than 1/3rd of the tolerance limit in order to reduce the number of the cases where verdict
is not possible.
W-a
W+a
V
V-UV
6.7.4
V+UV
Measurement software
Currently, requirements for software used for impulse measurement are specified in IEC 61083-2. This is the
only IEC standard on software in the area of high-voltage test and measurement. However, more and more
digital instruments equipped with measurement software are being used in all types of high-voltage tests,
including AC and DC tests. These digital measurement systems have many advantages over the traditional
analogue systems in that they allow measurement of not only the DC or AC signal, but also other high
frequency signals, such as fast voltage changes and transient voltage drops due to pre-discharges in a
pollution test. Since software is an important part of a measuring system, systematic testing of software to
ensure its reliability and performance is often necessary. In light of this situation, IEC technical committee 42
is currently drafting a new standard on the requirements for software used for DC and AC measurements.
This new standard is likely to be assigned as IEC61083-4
7 CONCLUSION
Significant improvements have been made in the recently revised IEC and IEEE standards for high-voltage
and high-current tests and measurements. These improvements reflect the change of industry needs, such
as the testing in the UHV range, as well as advancement of technologies, such as digital measurement
techniques. A much higher degree of harmonization has also been achieved between the corresponding IEC
and IEEE standards, which would no doubt bring benefits to the power industry. Revision of standards is a
continuing process. A number of areas that future revision of the standards should consider have also been
identified in this document.
Page 58
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Past, Present and Future of IEC

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF IEC

Past, present and future of IEC and IEEE

HISTORY OF HIGH-VOLTAGE AND HIGH-CURRENT TEST STANDARDS ......................................... 6

History of DC high-voltage tests and measurements ............................................................................6

DC high-voltage test and measurement systems ............................................................................ 6

DC high-voltage supplies ................................................................................................................. 7

Future work on DC test and measurement systems ........................................................................ 7

History of AC test sources and measurement systems......................................................................... 7

Future work on AC test and measurement systems ........................................................................ 8

History of impulse voltage tests and measurements .............................................................................8

Early history and definition of impulse waveforms ........................................................................... 8

Definitions of lightning impulse peak voltage ................................................................................... 9

Introduction of test voltage function................................................................................................ 10

Use of sphere-gaps as measurement devices ....................................................................................10

Reference Measuring Systems ........................................................................................................... 11

IEC 62475:2010 ................................................................................................................................... 15

IEEE Std 4-2013 .................................................................................................................................. 15

DISCUSSION OF IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS ................................................ 17

Lightning impulse test voltage and test voltage function .....................................................................17

Definitions of switching impulse........................................................................................................... 19

AC test voltage .................................................................................................................................... 21

Atmospheric correction factor .............................................................................................................. 22

Formulae of relevant parameters for atmospheric correction factor calculation ............................ 22

The converse iterative procedure ................................................................................................... 23

Atmospheric corrections for AC voltages .......................................................................................30

Requirements for measurement systems ............................................................................................ 32

Structure of IEC 60060-2:2010....................................................................................................... 32

Calibration and estimation of measuring uncertainty ..................................................................... 32

System calibration by calibrations of components ......................................................................... 33

Measurement Uncertainty ................................................................................................................... 34

The approach in IEC 60060-2:2010 ............................................................................................... 34

Relationship between uncertainty and tolerance ........................................................................... 36

General structure of IEEE Std 4-2013 ................................................................................................. 37

Summary of differences ....................................................................................................................... 37

Estimation of uncertainty ................................................................................................................ 37

Definition of AC peak voltage ......................................................................................................... 37

Linearity test ................................................................................................................................... 37

Highest frequency in impulse voltage test circuit ........................................................................... 37

Physical characteristics of reference impulse voltage dividers ...................................................... 37

Lightning impulse voltage .................................................................................................................... 39

General considerations .................................................................................................................. 39

Further investigation of the test voltage function for SF6 ............................................................... 40

Further investigation of the test voltage function for oil .................................................................. 40

Test voltage function for multiple insulation materials.................................................................... 43

Generation and measurement of UHV lightning impulse ............................................................... 43

Improvement of atmospheric correction factor calculations ................................................................ 43

General remarks ............................................................................................................................. 43

Differences between IEC standards ............................................................................................... 44

Future work on atmospheric correction factors .............................................................................. 50

Review of voltage drop, AC and DC for future development .............................................................. 51

Waveforms of lightning impulse voltage and lightning impulse current............................................... 52

Observation of atmospheric lightning strike voltage waveforms .................................................... 52

Observation of atmospheric lightning strike current waveforms .................................................... 52

Improvement of measurement systems .............................................................................................. 53

Calibration of UHV impulse measurement systems ....................................................................... 53

Uncertainty and risk assessment ................................................................................................... 55

Examples of risk assessment ......................................................................................................... 55

Measurement software ................................................................................................................... 58

2 HISTORY OF HIGH-VOLTAGE AND HIGH-CURRENT TEST STANDARDS

DC high-voltage test and measurement systems