Insulator Laboratory
Insulators are essential for preventing electrical currents from leaking into unintended paths, ensuring the safe operation of high-voltage transmission lines and equipment. ERDA provides thorough testing services for a range of insulators, including porcelain, glass, and composite insulators, ensuring they meet safety and performance standards.
Electrical Research and Development Association
01
2400 kVp, 120 kJ Impulse Voltage Test system
700 kV,500 mA cascade High Voltage Test system
900 kV, 3A Series Resonance Test system
Artificial Rain Fall Test system
5000 Hrs. Multiple Stress Test Facility
1000 Hrs. Tracking & Erosion Test Facility
Thermo-Mechanical Pre Stress Test Facility up to 300 kN
Vibration Test Facility
Brittle Fracture Test up to 200 kN
Bend Test Machine for PIN insulator up to 20 kN
Bend Test up to 3m height and 20 kN load
Water Immersion Test
Torsional Test up to 22 kNm
Porosity Test
Coating Thickness for Galvanizing from 30 to 950 Micron
Infrastructure
02
List of Test
Electrical Test:
Dry Lightning Impulse Voltage Withstand & Flashover Test
Dry Power Frequency Voltage Withstand & Flashover Test
Wet Switching & Power Frequency Impulse Voltage Withstand Test
Wet Power Frequency Voltage Withstand Test
Reference Dry Power Frequency Test
Steep Front Impulse Voltage Test
RIV & Visible Corona Test
Power Frequency Puncture & Voltage Distribution Test
Tracking And Erosion Test-1000 Hrs. Salt Fog Test
5000 Hrs. test (Test at Multiple Stress)
Mechanical Test:
Tests on interfaces and connections of metal fittings
Assembled core load time test
Damage limit proof test and test of tightness of interface between end fittings and insulator housing
Verification of Dimensions, Locking System, tightness of interface and specified mechanical load
Temperature Cycle Test up to 33 kV rating
Tensile Test
Thermal-mechanical Performance Test
Galvanizing Test (coating mass & uniformity of zinc coating)
Bend test (For Pin type insulator)
Electro-mechanical failing load test on Porcelain disc insulator
Mechanical Strength Test on Guy insulator
Mechanical failing load test on LT Shackle insulator
02
Products evaluated at Laboratory
| Product | Reference standard |
|---|---|
| Porcelain (Ceramic) Insulator |
IS 731, IEC 60383-1:1993, IEC: 60168:2001, IEC: 61211-2004, IEC: 60437 – 2023 |
| Polymeric Composite Insulator | IEC 61109:2008/2025, IEC 62217:2012, IEC: 62231 – 2006, |
| Hollow Insulator Porcelain/Polymeric Insulator |
IEC: 62155 – 2003 |
| Long Rod Insulator Porcelain/Polymeric Insulator |
IEC 62217:2012, IEC 60168:2001, IEC: 60383 – 1 – 2023, IEC: 60383 – 2 – 1993 |
| Epoxy Insulator | IEC : 60660 - 1999 |
02
Range of insulators can be tested:
up to 765 kV Class
02
Glass fiber composite material analysis using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
(DMA) and Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS)
Acid resistance of silicone rubber compound
Performance analysis of silicone rubber compound using corona endurance test
Degradation mechanism of composite insulators
Root cause analysis of failed insulators
R&D and Expert Services
(DMA) and Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS)
Contact Person
Mr. Anil Suthar
Head of Section
anil.suthar@erda.org