Full Thermal Aging Testing for Electrical Insulation Systems

What is full thermal aging? 

Full thermal aging, often referred to as long-term thermal aging, is designed to monitor the degradation of your electrical insulation system (EIS). Specific details regarding full thermal aging are found in UL 1446, Standard for Safety of Systems of Insulating Materials — General (Section 5 and 6). A typical thermal aging program lasts 12-18 months. Many international standards require testing to be conducted for this timespan.

Full thermal aging testing 

This test is conducted by aging the proposed EIS at three or more elevated temperatures with intermittent dielectric proof testing. After each heat cycle, samples are also subjected to a repeated series of environmental exposures such as cold shock, mechanical stress and humidity. 

At the conclusion of the aging program, test results for the proposed EIS are compared to results from a field-proven control EIS running concurrently. The rating issued to the proposed EIS is relative to the previously established rating of the control EIS.

Reduced test programs are used to evaluate modifications to an existing EIS. Recognition of a modified EIS is usually issued within three to six months of testing, depending on test results.

Why UL Solutions for full thermal aging testing

We have a unique way of evaluating and certifying insulation systems. In addition to assessing insulation materials as individual components, we also evaluate the applicable system as a whole. This allows us to determine if components interact in unsafe ways or react chemically at certain maximum temperatures, which may cause product failure or other hazards to occur.

We are constantly expanding our insulations systems portfolio to better serve component manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Having access to our full-suite of services, along with our technical team, allows you to easily keep pace with the new technological developments in your respective industry. That’s how we help you achieve what’s possible.