The importance of British Standards in the application of electrical insulation

In an earlier article(1) the relationship between the Electrical Research Association (E.R.A.) and the British Standards Institution (B.S.I.) regarding the production of standards for insulating materials was outlined. Briefly the arrangement is that preparatory research work on methods of test, and the acceptable level of performance required, are done by the E.R.A. and the resulting proposals are then considered by the B.S.I, and published as a British Standard after a draft has been issued to industry for comment and any adverse comments resolved. This comment stage is the nearest approach in the United Kingdom to the A.S.T.M. practice of issuing a tentative method. This close association between the production of standards and research work means that information produced in the course of investigations of problems encountered by industry influences standards quickly and so disseminates the results of research throughout industry (perhaps without industry fully understanding the benefits it is receiving).