The platinum electrodes are a pair, which have a rectangular cross-section of (5±0.1)mm* (2±0.1)mm, with one end chisel-edged with an angle (30±2)°. The platinum electrodes are applied for comparative tracking test (CTI) and proof tracking test (PTI) in accordance with IEC 60112.
What is tracking index test?
The tracking index test is an accelerated experiment to simulate the conductive substances deposited on the surface of the solid insulating material of household appliances, and assess if conducting paths formed gradually will cause the creepage on the surface of insulating materials, breakdown short circuit and fire hazard. Research has found that when environmental pollution is severe, some dirt or moisture will be deposited on the surface of the insulating material, then causing leakage. Time passes, the leakage will also cause corrosion and reduce the insulation performance of the insulating material.
What is tracking index test apparatus?
The tracking index test apparatus is an equipment to conduct the comparative tracking test and proof tracking test. Support the test specimen by a platform and make its upper surface is almost horizontal. On the surface of the test specimen, the extension end of electrodes should be symmetrically arranged in a vertical plane with an angle of 60°, and separate the platinum ends along with the surface of the test specimen in 4mm. Apply a certain voltage (100V to 600V) between the platinum electrodes, and drops the pollution liquid (0.1% NH4CL) with specified volume and quantity (about 500 or 100 drops ) in fixed height (35mm) for 30s, then to evaluate the resistance of the surface of solid insulating materials under the combined action of electric stress and electrolytic contamination, and its comparative tracking index (CTI) and proof tracking index (PTI) are determined. The duration of each test is less than 1h, but erosion is visible during the test, so the tracking index test is very meaningful to evaluate the composition of the material as well as the surface of the material being evaluated.
The material of electrodes
It is worth noting that the purity of platinum in platinum electrodes should be no less than 99%. Because platinum is the most inert material, it interacts least with the electrolyte and insulating materials. However, considering the cost issue, materials such as copper, brass, stainless steel, gold and silver can instead of platinum to evaluate the tracking characteristics of the particular electrode metal and insulating material combinations. These electrode material interact to varying degrees both with the electrolytes used and the insulating materials, and thereby influence the test results.
The tracking index test apparatus produced by PEGO is equipped with platinum electrodes, and the purity of the platinum is higher than 99%.
