IEC 60255-21-1 Vibration Electrical Relay Testing
IEC 60255-21-1 specifies vibration, shock, bump and seismic requirements applicable to protection equipment. As a certified IEC environmental lab, we realize the importance of IEC 60255 testing. Meeting the environmental and IEC international standard vibration requirements can be difficult. We understand the challenges and guide companies through the process
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Summary of IEC 60255-21-1 Environmental Vibration Testing
The IEC 60255 environmental standard test method is part of a series specifying the vibration, shock, bump and seismic requirements applicable to measuring relays and protection equipment. This may include with or without contacts.
Furthermore, this IEC 60255 standard includes two types of vibration tests. The first test is the vibration response test. The second test is the vibration endurance test. The requirements of this standard are applicable to measuring relays and protection equipment in a new condition.
The effects of the vibrations on the specimen under test is checked during and after the vibration response test and after the vibration endurance test.
Scope of IEC International Environmental Testing
There are three main parameters of the vibration tests. These include frequency range, acceleration, and displacement amplitude below the cross-over frequency.
The specimen is mounted and fastened to the vibration fixture by its normal means of attachment in service so that the gravitational force acts on it in the same relative direction as it would in normal use.
For particular types of measuring relays or protection equipment, the manufacturer may declare different severity classes for the vibration response test and the vibration endurance test. The test severities are classified with respect to the ability of a measuring relay or type of use. Lastly, the packaging of the measuring relay or protection equipment should be designed and implemented so that the severity class parameters will not be exceeded during transportation.
Vibration response test: This test is carried out on a measuring relay or protection equipment. The test equipment is energized under specified conditions and helps determine its response to normal service conditions. The frequency range for this test is 10 Hz to 150 Hz and the cross-over frequency is 58 Hz to 60 Hz.
Vibration endurance test: This vibration test is carried out on a non-energized measuring relay or protection equipment as an accelerated life test to simulate long-term vibration. The test also simulates some transportation conditions. The normal frequency range for this test is also 10 Hz to 150 Hz. However, this test is carried out with constant acceleration.
IEC 60255 Environmental Testing Vibration Procedures
Vibration displacement and acceleration amplitudes are measured at the reference point. This is normally declared by the manufacturer. If the size specimen makes it impracticable to test it as a whole, the item may be tested as functional sub-units.
The IEC 60255 vibration test is carried out on a measuring relay or protection equipment. The sinusoidal vibration tests are also carried out with the following values of energizing quantities and loading applied to the appropriate circuits:
- Auxiliary energizing entities
- Output circuit loadings
- Input energizing quantities
During the vibration response test, the measuring relay or protection equipment will have its operating values at its highest sensitivity. When testing protection equipment which includes several measuring functions, the vibration test is carried out to check only the function most sensitive to vibration.
The vibration endurance test is carried out without energizing quantities or loads connected to the measuring relay.
Acceptance criteria is measured by the equipment maloperating if the normal state of its output circuits have changed more than 2 ms. The equipment must still comply with the performance specification and not show signs of mechanical failure or damage.
Keystone Compliance Offers Expert IEC Environmental Vibration and Electrical Relay Testing
In addition to environmental IEC 60255-21-1 testing, Keystone Compliance has a full scope of expertise including solar radiation, fungus, immersion, and cold chain. Our team strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development instead of testing. Keystone has a full lab of test equipment which permits us to provide short lead times on scheduling.
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