The impulse voltage generator is a high-voltage device capable of generating standard lightning waves, operational waves, and special impulse waves. Its main function is to evaluate the insulation performance of electrical equipment such as transformers, insulators, and lightning arresters under overvoltage conditions. Scope of Application
The application scenarios of the impulse voltage generator cover multiple fields, and the core applicable directions are as follows:
1. Power equipment manufacturing and research
It can be used to verify the insulation performance of various power equipment, including:
Various transformers (power, distribution, dry type, etc.): Verify the withstand ability of main insulation and longitudinal insulation to lightning overvoltage;
High-voltage switchgear (GIS, circuit breakers, disconnectors, etc.): Test the insulation strength of the gap and the insulation of the enclosure;
Power capacitors, reactors, bushings, transformers: Test the insulation performance compliance;
Insulators (ceramic, composite, glass materials) and insulation bushings: Test the flashover voltage and withstand voltage;
Fuses: Measure the residual voltage and protection characteristics under the nominal discharge current, and conduct action load tests.
2. Research and university research
As a basic test equipment to support related field research:
Insulation material research: Analyze the breakdown characteristics of new materials such as nano-composite dielectrics under fast pulse action;
Discharge physics research: Explore physical processes such as long gap discharge and streamer propagation;
Special overvoltage simulation: Study the influence of non-standard impulse waves such as steep wavefronts and oscillating waves on equipment.
3. Power system operation and inspection
It is a key means for the full life cycle inspection of power equipment:
Equipment commissioning and acceptance test: The core verification test before new equipment is put into operation;
Preventive testing / status assessment: For important equipment such as ultra-high voltage transformers, conduct random inspections of impulse withstand capability (combined with other tests to comprehensively judge the equipment status).
4. Other industrial fields
It is extended to be applied in multiple industries for insulation and disturbance resistance tests:
Aerospace: Test the withstand ability of airborne and satellite electrical equipment to lightning-induced voltages (lightning indirect effect test);
Railway transportation: Verify the insulation strength of traction power supply equipment and signal systems;
Military equipment: Test the disturbance resistance of electronic equipment in electromagnetic pulse environments;
Medical equipment: Conduct insulation tests for high-voltage medical equipment such as X-ray machines.
Main standards and regulations
The test procedures related to the impulse voltage generator are based on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Chinese national standards (GB/T), and these two types of standards are highly coordinated and unified at the technical level, divided into basic general standards and specific product test standards.
Core basic standards
These standards clearly define the waveform definition, test methods, procedures, and measurement requirements for impulse tests, and are the basis for all impulse tests:
IEC 60060-1 & GB/T 16927.1 “High Voltage Test Technology – Part 1: General Definitions and Test Requirements” as the core basic standard, clearly defines the parameters of various standard impulse waves:
Standard lightning impulse full wave: 1.2/50 µs (pulse front time / half peak time);
Standard lightning impulse truncated wave: Truncated time 2-5 µs;
Standard operating impulse wave: 250/2500 µs (parameters such as 100/2500 µs can be used in specific scenarios);
It also stipulates the allowable deviation of waveforms, the requirements for measurement systems (such as voltage dividers, oscilloscopes, etc.) and calibration methods.
IEC 60060-2 & GB/T 16927.2 “High Voltage Test Technology – Part 2: Measurement System” further refines the performance verification, calibration factor determination, and uncertainty assessment methods of the impulse measurement system.
Specific product test standards
These standards refer to the above basic standards and clearly define specific requirements for test wiring, test frequency, and qualified criteria for different power equipment:
Power transformers: IEC 60076-3 & GB/T 1094.3 “Power Transformers – Part 3: Insulation Level, Dielectric Test, and External Insulation Air Gap” IEC 60076-4 & GB/T 1094.4 “Power Transformers – Part 4: Guidelines for Lightning Impulse and Operational Impulse Tests”;
High-voltage Switchgear and Controlgear: IEC 62271-1 & GB/T 11022 “Common Technical Requirements for High-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Standards”;
Insulators: IEC 60383 & GB/T 1001 “Overhead Line Insulators with Nominal Voltage Higher than 1000V”; IEC 60797 & GB/T 19519 “Composite Insulators for AC Systems with Nominal Voltage Higher than 1000V”;
Fuses: IEC 60099-4 & GB/T 11032 “AC Non-Interrupting Metal Oxide Fuses”;
Power Capacitors: IEC 60871 & GB/T 11024 “Parallel Capacitors for AC Power Systems with Nominal Voltage Above 1000V”;
Cables and Accessories: IEC 60502 & GB/T 12706 “Power Cables and Accessories with Rated Voltage from 1kV to 30kV and Sheathed Insulation”.
Post time: Dec-12-2025