[Milsurplus] Wire insulation

[sdaitch at kuw.ibb.gov]

Hutch,

I am not sure a megger test would really answer
the question you are asking.

Granted, some megger test sets do use some higher
voltages but the test voltage isn't a definitive
test of the voltage rating of the insulation, other
than to say if the resistance holds up, obviously
the insulation wasn't damaged by that application
of high voltage.

To really get a feeling for the insulation rating,
high pot testing is a far more definitive test of
insulation.  

Wikipedia has a nice short decent explanation of
high pot testing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipot

or see:

http://www.cirris.com/testing/guidelines/hipot_testing.html

Basically, a high pot tester is a variable high voltage 
power supply with a current meter.  The voltage starts at
zero and increased and the current leakage is monitored 
until it reaches a predefined voltage point or current
leakage.  Under some test requirements, you increase the
voltage to the point where the insulation fails.  
Normally, this is a manufacturing test.  

Out in the field, hi pot testing is done to verify the
integrity of the insulation of an installed cable or 
equipment before the applicaton of operating voltages.

73
Sheldon

----- Original Message -----
From: John Hutchins <olegerityincj at austin.rr.com>
Date: Friday, April 23, 2010 3:01 am
Subject: [Milsurplus] Wire insulation

> All -
> 
> Anyone know what the insulation voltage rating is for  GXT 
> automotive wire?
> Yes the answer could be a bit broad !-}  I hope that some one out 
> there 
> took a megger to a section of this type of wire?
> 
> - Thanks
> Hutch
>