What is Hipot Testing?
Hipot is short for High Potential, i.e. high voltage. HiPot is a simple test involving the use of two isolated conductors. A technician creates very high voltage passing through the conductors and, using instruments, measures the current as it flows between the two points.
HiPot Testing Procedures:
Many people are familiar with the concept of a continuity test. A continuity tests answers the question: does a current flow from point A to point B? HiPot testing can be thought of as the polar-opposite of continuity testing. The premise of this type of assessment is to specifically find “good isolation” of electrical flow within the insulation of the cable. Under high levels of resistance and voltage, the cable should ideally pass if there are no contaminants or corrosive materials within the structure. Any anomalies cause cable failure. Examples of contaminants include:
Resized, nicked, or crushed insulation
Stray wire strands or braiding
Conductive or corrosive material
Terminal spacing problems
Skin oils or moisture of any kind
Solder flux
Tolerance errors
Failed HiPot tests are most likely caused by an outside contaminant forcing the current to jump to the flawed portion of cable attracting all the electricity. The successful continuity test can be misleading because the good connection was actually made by a contaminant.
For more information on HiPot Testing and why it’s important, contact
L&S Electric.
