IEC 62631-2-1-2018 PDF

Full title and description

Dielectric and resistive properties of solid insulating materials — Part 2-1: Relative permittivity and dissipation factor — Technical frequencies (0,1 Hz to 10 MHz) — AC Methods. This IEC standard specifies AC test methods, measurement arrangements and reporting requirements for determining the relative permittivity (dielectric constant) and the dissipation factor (tan δ or loss tangent) of solid insulating materials across the technical frequency range 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz.

Abstract

IEC 62631-2-1:2018 is the first edition of Part 2‑1 in the IEC 62631 series and provides updated, harmonized AC measurement methods for permittivity and dissipation factor of solid dielectric materials. It replaces the older IEC 60250 (1969) and focuses on modern measurement techniques (guard electrodes, specimen preparation, instrument accuracy, calibration and data reporting) appropriate for frequencies from 0.1 Hz up to 10 MHz. The document is bilingual (English/French) and intended for test laboratories, manufacturers and R&D.

General information

• Status: Published / Current edition (first edition: 2018).
• Publication date: 27 February 2018 (IEC publication; various national adoptions published in 2018).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 17.220.99 (other standards related to electricity and magnetism); 29.035.01 (insulating materials in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2018).
• Number of pages: 45 pages (official IEC/national-adoption publications list 45 pages for the IEC edition).

Scope

Specifies AC test methods for determining the relative permittivity and dissipation factor of solid insulating materials across the frequency range 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz. The standard covers specimen preparation, electrode arrangements (including guard rings and liquid or deposited electrodes where applicable), measurement equipment and accuracy, calibration and calculation procedures, environmental and conditioning requirements, and reporting of results. It cancels and replaces IEC 60250 (1969) and represents a technical revision confined to AC measurement methods for technical frequencies.

Key topics and requirements

• Frequency range and measurement methods for AC permittivity and tan δ (0.1 Hz to 10 MHz).
• Specimen types, dimensions and conditioning procedures (including temperature and humidity control).
• Electrode arrangements and guard‑ring techniques to minimise edge effects and leakage paths.
• Equipment performance, resolution and accuracy requirements (instrument calibration, A/D resolution and phase measurement methods).
• Recommended measurement procedures (null methods, bridge/digital phase methods, FFT/digital filtering for harmonic suppression).
• Reporting requirements and recommended information to include in test reports for reproducibility and traceability.

Typical use and users

Used by materials manufacturers, independent test and calibration laboratories, electrical equipment designers (transformers, cables, capacitors, motors), R&D teams studying material ageing or moisture effects, and certification bodies that require standardized permittivity and loss measurements for specification, quality control and compliance. The standard supports both routine quality checks and research-grade dielectric characterisation.

Related standards

References and related documents include earlier IEC 60250 (withdrawn), other parts of the IEC 62631 series (resistive properties, DC methods), and related measurement and conditioning standards such as IEC 60212 (standard conditions), IEC 60216 and other material test standards often cited in dielectric testing procedures. National/adopted EN versions (EN IEC 62631-2-1) exist and may include additional national forewords or translations.

Keywords

permittivity, relative permittivity, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, tan delta, loss tangent, AC methods, dielectric measurement, guard electrode, insulating materials, dielectric testing, 0.1 Hz–10 MHz.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62631-2-1:2018 is an international standard that defines AC test methods for measuring the relative permittivity and the dissipation factor (tan δ) of solid insulating materials over the technical frequency range 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation and conditioning, electrode geometry and guard techniques, measurement equipment and accuracy requirements, measurement procedures (including phase/digital methods), calculation of permittivity and tan δ, and reporting to ensure reproducible, comparable results.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Test laboratories, material manufacturers, electrical-equipment designers, R&D groups studying dielectric behaviour and certification bodies that require standardized dielectric measurements for product specification, quality assurance and comparative studies.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 62631-2-1:2018 is the published first edition (2018) and replaced IEC 60250 (1969). As of the latest available standard-development records, a revision (ED2) was in preparation/balloting in later project stages (development activity visible in 2024–2025 project listings); users who need absolute confirmation of current status should check the IEC catalogue or their national standards body for any edition published after 2018.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2‑1 of the IEC 62631 series (dielectric and resistive properties of solid insulating materials). Other parts of the series cover DC methods and resistive properties; national/adopted EN versions are also available.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Relative permittivity, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, tan δ, AC measurement, guard electrode, dielectric testing, insulating materials, 0.1 Hz–10 MHz.