Overview
IEC 60893-2:2023 - Insulating materials - Industrial rigid laminated sheets based on thermosetting resins for electrical purposes - Part 2: Methods of test - is the third edition (2023) of the IEC test-method standard. It defines standardized test procedures for the materials described in IEC 60893-1 (Part 1). This edition cancels and replaces the 2003 edition and is a technical revision that updates normative references (notably replacing the withdrawn IEC 60167:1964 reference with IEC 62631-3-3:2015) while keeping the actual test performance unchanged.
Key topics and requirements
The standard specifies laboratory methods and reporting requirements for mechanical, electrical, thermal and other tests on industrial rigid laminated sheets made with thermosetting resins. Major test areas include:
- Specimen conditioning and dimensions
- Conditioning of test specimens, thickness and flatness measurement procedures.
- Mechanical tests
- Flexural strength and modulus of elasticity in flexure
- Compressive strength
- Impact strength (Charpy and Izod)
- Shear strength parallel to laminations
- Tensile strength
- Electrical tests
- Dielectric strength and breakdown voltage
- Permittivity and dissipation factor (Methods A, B and C: direct measurement, air substitution and two‑fluid immersion)
- Insulation resistance after water immersion
- Comparative and proof tracking indices; tracking and erosion resistance
- Thermal tests
- Thermal endurance and flammability assessments
- Other tests
- Density and water absorption
- Informative annexes
- Modes of capacitance representation and liquids with known permittivity for calibration/reference
The document sets out test specimen dimensions, apparatus examples (electrode systems), measurement sequences and test-report requirements.
Applications and who uses it
IEC 60893-2:2023 is used to ensure reliable, comparable test data for insulating laminated sheets used in electrical equipment and systems. Typical users include:
- Manufacturers of laminated insulating materials and components
- Independent testing and quality control laboratories
- Design and application engineers specifying insulating materials for transformers, switchgear, busbars and electrical supports
- Procurement and compliance teams verifying material conformity and supplier claims
- Certification bodies and standardization committees
Applying these test methods supports material selection, quality assurance, specification compliance and performance validation for electrical insulation and dielectric applications.
Related standards
- IEC 60893-1 - Defines materials and classifications referenced by Part 2.
- IEC 62631-3-3:2015 - Referenced for specific dielectric measurement practices (supersedes the withdrawn IEC 60167:1964).
- Other IEC standards on dielectric and tracking tests may be relevant when integrating test outcomes into product certification and design.