Pulse Dielectric Test
Make sure your insulated wire can withstand overvoltage stress
A pulse dielectric test is a high‑voltage insulation test where the magnet wire under test is exposed to short voltage pulses (often with a defined peak, rise time, and waveform) to check whether its insulation can withstand transient overvoltages without breaking down. It is essentially a type of dielectric withstand test focused on simulating real‑world surge or impulse conditions rather than only steady AC or DC stress.
What the test is
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A pulse dielectric (or impulse/withstand) test applies high‑voltage pulses to the insulation between live parts, between circuits, or between live parts and ground, and monitors leakage current or breakdown events such as flashover, arcing, or insulation puncture.
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The pulse characteristics (peak kV, waveform shape, polarity, repetition, and duration) are chosen to represent the overvoltage stresses that might occur in service, such as lightning surges, switching spikes, or other transient phenomena.
Why it is used
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Safety verification: It confirms that the enamel insulation has sufficient dielectric strength so that, under abnormal but plausible overvoltage (surge) conditions, there is no dangerous breakdown that could lead to electric shock or fire.
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Reliability and design validation: By stressing the insulation with pulses, the test reveals weak spots, defects, or ageing‑related degradation that might not appear at normal operating voltage, helping validate materials, clearances, and creepage distances.
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Compliance with standards: Many insulation‑coordination and safety standards (e.g., IEC 60664‑1 and related product standards) require impulse or pulse withstand tests as part of type testing to show the product can handle specified overvoltage categories.
Why it is preferred over simple AC/DC tests
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When the primary concern is transient overvoltage (lightning, switching surges) rather than continuous overvoltage, pulse testing better mimics real service conditions than steady AC/DC hipot.
For more specific information read our datasheet here
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