IEC EN 61243-1 Voltage Detectors - Test for Voltages Exceeding KV AC

EUROLAB, with its state-of-the-art accredited laboratories and expert team, provides precise and fast testing services within the scope of IEC EN 61243-1 testing. This standard is applicable to portable voltage detectors with or without built-in power supplies to be used in electrical systems for voltages from 1 kV to 800 kV AC and frequencies of 50 Hz and/or 60 Hz.

This document applies only to capacitive type voltage detectors used in contact with the bare part to be tested, either as a complete device including the insulating element or as a separate device adaptable to an insulating rod not covered as a separate instrument.

Other types of voltage detectors are not covered by this document.

Self-varying voltage detectors (formally "multi-range voltage detectors") are not covered by this document.

Some restrictions or official prohibitions on their use apply in case of switchgear with IEC 62271 series design, overhead line systems of electric railways and systems without neutral reference due to insulation coordination.

For systems without a neutral reference, the insulation level is adapted to the maximum possible voltage to earth (earth).

Products designed and manufactured according to this document contribute to the safety of users, provided that they are used by persons trained for the job in accordance with the hot stick working method and the instructions for use.

Unless otherwise stated, all voltages defined in this document refer to phase-to-phase voltage ratings of three-phase systems. In other systems, the corresponding phase-to-phase or phase-to-earth (earth) voltages are used to determine the operating voltage.

This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2003 and Amendment 1:2009. This edition constitutes a technical revision.

This edition includes the following important technical changes from the previous edition:

• Scope is more precise, this indicates that only bare contact with the part to be tested is reliable for contact voltage detectors. This is because tests on painted or coated conductors give false indications because the non-conductive paint or coating acts as a capacitor of different capacity depending on the thickness. This capacitance has an effect on the threshold voltage.
• A contact probe was introduced as a new type of non-conductive contact electrode.
• A new type of "exclusively outdoor type" has been defined and applied to the requirements and test procedure.
• A selector for voltage and frequency is allowed if foreseeable misuse is excluded.
• Marking has been made more sensitive for voltage detectors with low interference voltage.
• Instrument clusters have been made more precise and requirements and tests have been added for "ready to run" and "standby state".
• Requirements and tests for electromagnetic compatibility have been implemented.
• An example of a good electrical connection is introduced for the tests.

EUROLAB assists manufacturers with IEC EN 61243-1 test compliance. Our test experts, with their professional working mission and principles, provide you, our manufacturers and suppliers, the best service and controlled testing process in our laboratories. Thanks to these services, businesses receive more effective, high-performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.