IEC 60255-21-1 Electrical Relays - Part 21: Vibration Tests on Measuring Relays and Protection Equipment (Sinusoidal)

EUROLAB laboratory provides testing and compliance services within the scope of the IEC 60255-21-1 standard. This part of the IEC 60255-21 standard is part of a series that specifies the vibration, shock, impact and seismic requirements applicable to measuring relays and protection equipment (with or without contacts).

This standard includes two types of vibration testing: vibration response testing and vibration endurance testing and is generally based on IEC 68-2-6. The requirements of this standard are only applicable to measuring relays and protection equipment in new condition. The tests specified in this standard are type tests.

The IEC 60255 environmental standard test method is part of a series that specifies vibration, shock, impact and seismic requirements applicable to measuring relays and protection equipment. This can include with or without contacts.

The effects of vibrations on the specimen under test are checked during and after the vibration response test and after the vibration endurance test.

Vibration tests have three main parameters. These include the frequency range, acceleration and displacement amplitude below the crossover frequency.

The specimen is mounted and fixed in the vibration fixture by normal attachment means while in service, so that the gravitational force acts in the same relative direction as in normal use.

For certain types of measuring relays or protection equipment, the manufacturer may declare different severity classes for vibration response testing and vibration endurance testing. Test intensity is classified according to the capability or type of use of a measuring relay. Finally, the packaging of the measuring relay or protection equipment must be designed and implemented so that the severity class parameters are not exceeded during transport.

Vibration response test: This test is performed on a measuring relay or protection equipment. The test equipment is energized under specified conditions and helps determine its response to normal service conditions. The frequency range for this test is 10 Hz to 150 Hz and the crossover frequency is 58 Hz to 60 Hz.

Vibration endurance test: This vibration test is performed on a de-energized measuring relay or protection equipment as an accelerated life test to simulate prolonged vibration. The test also simulates some transport conditions. The normal frequency range for this test is also 10 Hz to 150 Hz. However, this test is performed with constant acceleration.

The vibration displacement and acceleration amplitudes are measured at the reference point. This is normally declared by the manufacturer. If the dimensional sample makes testing as a whole impossible, the product may be tested as functional subunits.

The IEC 60255 vibration test is performed on a measuring relay or protection equipment. Sinusoidal vibration tests are also performed with the following energizing amounts and loading values ​​applied to the appropriate circuits:

• Auxiliary energizing entities
• Output circuit loads
• Enter the energizing amounts

During the vibration response test, the operating values ​​of the measuring relay or protection equipment will be of the highest precision. When testing protection equipment that includes several measuring functions, vibration testing is done to check only the function that is most sensitive to vibration.

Vibration endurance testing is performed without energy quantities or loads connected to the measuring relay.

Acceptance criteria are measured by malfunction of the equipment if the normal state of the output circuits has changed for more than 2 ms. Equipment must still meet performance specifications and show no signs of mechanical failure or damage.

EUROLAB, with its more than 25 years of experience, state-of-the-art accredited laboratories and expert team, helps you get precise and fast results. Do not hesitate to contact our laboratory for your testing and certification requests.