Discharge dependent voltage break-down definition and significance

Tests on insulating materials have several purposes: 1. To provide a basis for commercial acceptance or rejection. 2. To provide engineering design data. 3. To develop scientific knowledge and understanding. These purposes are related in some ways. For example, it may be desirable in acceptance testing to control properties important in engineering design. However, it must be recognized that in most respects tests to meet the purposes above must differ in fundamental ways. Acceptance testing should be rapid and reproducible. In contrast, tests to determine the "life" of electrical insulation will be long and involve many ambient conditions characteristic of use.