IEC TS 62073-2016 PDF

Full title and description

IEC TS 62073:2016 — Guidance on the measurement of hydrophobicity of insulator surfaces. This Technical Specification provides guidance and standardized procedures for measuring the hydrophobicity (wettability) of shed and housing materials of composite and ceramic insulators used on overhead lines, in substations and on electrical equipment; the measured value represents the hydrophobicity at the time of measurement.

Abstract

IEC TS 62073:2016 (2nd edition) describes three methods that can be used to determine the hydrophobicity of insulator surfaces — including contact-angle (sessile-drop / captive-bubble) measurements, surface-tension based methods and a spray method — and gives criteria for assigning hydrophobicity classes. The document is intended for use both in laboratory testing and for evaluation of insulators in service. This edition replaces the 2003 edition and updates terminology and classification criteria.

General information

• Status: Technical Specification (IEC TS), current edition — intended stable until 2030.
• Publication date: 10 February 2016.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 29.080.10 (Insulators).
• Edition / version: 2.0 (second edition, cancels and replaces IEC TS 62073:2003).
• Number of pages: 20.

Scope

The Technical Specification covers methods for measuring the hydrophobicity (ability of water to wet the surface) of the shed and housing materials of composite (polymeric) insulators and of ceramic insulators, whether coated or not. It specifies three alternative approaches for determining hydrophobicity, defines hydrophobicity classes and gives guidance on measurement conditions and reporting so results are comparable and repeatable. The measured value represents the surface condition at the moment of the test and may be used to evaluate service condition or as part of laboratory type/acceptance testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and terminology: use of "hydrophobicity" (replacing older term "wettability") and classification into hydrophobicity classes (HC) with criteria for assignment.
• Method A — contact-angle measurements: static contact angle, and where relevant advancing and receding angles (sessile-drop and captive-bubble techniques), including measurement geometry and reporting.
• Method B — surface-tension (liquid–surface) measurement approach using calibrated liquid mixtures to infer surface tension of the solid surface and correlate to hydrophobicity class.
• Method C — spray method: a controlled spray procedure described in the normative annex to provide a practical assessment and illustration of hydrophobic behaviour on insulator shapes.
• Test reporting and metadata requirements: specimen identification, material/coating status, measurement locations on the insulator, water and liquid quality, environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), and number of repeats to ensure traceability and comparability of results.

Typical use and users

Utility asset managers, test laboratories, insulator manufacturers, research institutes and standards committees use this Technical Specification. Typical uses include acceptance testing of new insulators, condition assessment of insulators in service (maintenance planning, hydrophobicity monitoring), and research or comparative evaluations of housing/coating materials and surface treatments. Laboratories performing contact-angle or surface-tension measurements use the document to ensure measurement procedures and reporting are aligned with IEC guidance.

Related standards

IEC TS 62073 is part of the TC 36 suite of documents addressing insulators and their test methods. Relevant related documents include IEC TR 62039 (hydrophobicity transfer concepts and terminology), IEC 62217 (tests and acceptance criteria for polymeric high-voltage insulators), IEC TS/IS documents on pollution and artificial pollution testing (for example IEC 60507 family and IEC TS 60815 series) and product standards for composite/hybrid insulators (for example IEC TS/IEC 62896 and related product standards). These complementary documents address how hydrophobicity interacts with pollution performance, HTM (hydrophobicity transfer material) behaviour and overall insulator design and type testing.

Keywords

hydrophobicity, wettability, contact angle, sessile-drop, captive-bubble, surface tension, spray method, hydrophobicity class (HC), insulator surfaces, composite insulators, ceramic insulators, HTM (hydrophobicity transfer material), IEC TC 36.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TS 62073:2016 is an IEC Technical Specification giving guidance on measuring the hydrophobicity of insulator surfaces (sheds and housings) for composite and ceramic insulators. It standardizes methods and reporting to improve repeatability and comparability of hydrophobicity measurements.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers three measurement approaches (contact-angle, liquid-surface-tension methods and a spray method), defines hydrophobicity classes and provides measurement, reporting and classification guidance for laboratory and field evaluations. The measured result represents the surface condition at the moment of testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Test laboratories, utilities (asset and maintenance engineers), insulator and coating manufacturers, researchers and certification bodies use the specification for acceptance testing, material evaluation, condition assessment and R&D.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC TS 62073:2016 is the second edition (published 10 February 2016) and cancels/replaces IEC TS 62073:2003. The IEC record shows the document as the current TS with a stability indication extending to 2030. Users should check national or IEC catalogues for any later amendments or replacements beyond the stated stability date.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the body of IEC documents produced by TC 36 (Insulators). It complements product and test standards addressing insulator design, pollution tests, hydrophobicity transfer (TR 62039) and polymeric insulator test methods (for example IEC 62217 and related TS/IS documents). Use of IEC TS 62073 together with those documents gives a fuller view of insulator performance in the field.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Hydrophobicity, contact angle, sessile-drop, captive-bubble, surface tension, spray method, hydrophobicity class, composite insulators, ceramic insulators, HTM.