Description

Glow wire test machine

The Tracking Index Apparatus IEC60112 is used for the determination of comparative tracking indices of solid electrical insulating materials on pieces taken from parts of electrical and electronic equipment and on plaques of material using alternating voltages. In normal use, components made of insulating material may become moist and dirty. If the impurities are electrically conducting, current will flow between parts of different voltage potentials creating a track. As a result, small flashovers may occur, which cause thermal stresses to the surface of the insulating material. The visual result of thermal decomposition of the insulating material caused by the tracking current is called the track. The interconnecting formation of carbonized material forms a tracking path, by which a lasting current conducting connection results. Thereafter the component cannot fulfill its intended electrical function in the majority of cases and parts may catch fire. The resistance of an insulating material to track formation is called the tracking resistance.

Glow wire test machine

The Tracking Index Apparatus IEC60112 is a fully automatic instrument contained in its own cabinet to maximize the safety of the operator. Inside the well lit cabinet, a test specimen is placed on a glass plate and two platinum electrodes are lowered onto the top surface. A gauge block is supplied with the instrument to ensure the electrodes have the proper distance between them. The table height is easily adjustable to ensure the proper angle of the electrodes and height of drops. The rest of the test is controlled from outside the test chamber with the door closed. The voltage, limiting current, drip rate and number of drips are all set on the control panel. An operator should observe the test to see if a flame ignites. The instrument sounds an alarm if there is a tracking failure of at least two seconds.

IEC60112 Proof tracking tester/Glow wire tester ASTM D 3638
Features
•Self contained cabinet with large viewing window and internal light
•Easy access to testing area during setup
•Built in exhaust fan
•Control panel has all controls in easy reach including lighting and exhaust
•Platinum Electrodes 99.5% minimum purity
•Alarm sounds if tracking failure occurs for more than 2 seconds.
•Safety interlock on door halts test if the door is opened
•Easy adjustment to test table height