The content you provided provides a clear explanation around the leakage trace tester. If you want to make the content more in line with the actual testing scenarios of the industry and the data more rigorous, you can further optimize and improve it by combining industry standard details and practical points. The following is the optimized version:
In the field of electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing, insulation materials are the core defense line to block current leakage and ensure stable operation of equipment. However, insulating materials such as plastics and ceramics are prone to absorbing water vapor and dust on their surfaces in humid or polluted environments, forming conductive media. When high-voltage leakage occurs, a conductive path gradually forms, and this "marking" phenomenon can directly cause insulation failure, leading to equipment failure and even fire. According to relevant data from IEC standards, about 15% of electrical fires worldwide are related to insufficient electrical trace resistance of insulation materials. Such problems not only threaten the safety of users' lives and property, but also cause significant losses to enterprises such as product recalls and damage to brand reputation. Therefore, it is crucial to use standardized leakage tracing tests to evaluate material performance. This article will break down the core principles of the experiment in detail, share instrument selection tips, and explain the selection logic with qualified product cases.

Leakage tracing test is a standardized test to evaluate the leakage resistance of solid insulation materials under the combined action of electric field, moisture, and polluted media. The core is to determineTracking resistance index (PTI)andCompared to the Tracking Index (CTI)Among them, PTI is used to measure the core ability of materials to resist the formation of surface conductive pathways. This experiment strictly follows IEC 60112 and the corresponding GB/T 4207 standard in China. The testing process achieves accurate detection of material properties by simulating real working conditions. The core parameters and practical details are as follows:
Voltage applicationAdopting an adjustable AC power supply of 100-600V, the electrodes are made of platinum material that is resistant to high temperature and corrosion. The distance between the two electrodes is controlled at 4.0 ± 0.1mm, and the force on the surface of the sample is maintained at 1.0 ± 0.05N. The trace reaction is triggered by gradually increasing the voltage to simulate the leakage scenario of equipment at different voltage levels.
Electrolyte actionThe test medium is not ordinary water, but a standard ratio of 0.1% ammonium chloride solution, which can accurately simulate pollutants in humid environments. Add the solution to the middle of the two electrodes from a height of 35mm using a dropper device at a frequency of 1 drop every 30 seconds to accelerate the formation of a conductive path.
-
Measurement and Failure DeterminationWhen the current in the test circuit reaches 0.5A and lasts for more than 2 seconds, the equipment will automatically cut off the power and determine that the sample has failed. PTI stands for the maximum voltage that a material can withstand before failure; If there is no failure after 50 or 100 drops of solution, the corresponding voltage value should also be recorded as the evaluation basis.
This type of testing instrument is widely used for insulation material testing of household appliances, power tools, electronic instruments, and other products. It is also a key equipment for quality control in industries such as engineering plastics and electrical connectors. Accurately controlling test parameters is the key to avoiding errors, such as electrolyte concentration deviation, electrode position deviation, etc., which may lead to misjudgment of material safety levels.
When selecting instruments, it is necessary to consider the experimental principles, industry standards, and actual laboratory needs, and focus on evaluating the following five core dimensions to ensure accurate test results and safe and efficient operation:
Accuracy and reliabilityPriority should be given to devices with an accuracy label of ± 1% F.S, as these devices have small full-scale errors and can ensure the reliability of test data. At the same time, attention should be paid to the quality of the electrodes. Although platinum electrodes are expensive, they are corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant, which can avoid errors caused by frequent electrode replacement; In addition, it is necessary to confirm whether the equipment has the function of electrolyte concentration calibration and adaptation to prevent the test results from being affected by changes in solution concentration.
Control mode and automation levelEquipment controlled by PLC or touch screen is preferred as it can achieve automated operation of the testing process. It is recommended to choose a model with pre-set test times (such as 1-9999 times) and equipped with an electronic counting automatic drip device, which can meet the needs of batch testing and reduce parameter deviations such as drip speed and drip volume caused by human operation. Some models also have automatic data recording function, which can further improve testing efficiency.
Safety and durabilityIn high-voltage testing scenarios, the safety protection design of equipment is essential. It is necessary to check whether the equipment has functions such as overcurrent alarm and short circuit protection to avoid danger caused by sudden failures during the test. For device driving components such as mini cylinders, it is recommended to choose models with stable stroke; The fuselage material shall have the characteristics of high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance. The combination of foam and wooden box shall be used for packaging to reduce the risk of damage during transportation and adapt to the long-term high-frequency use needs of the laboratory.
Power and energy efficiency adaptationPriority should be given to equipment with a power specification of AC220V 50Hz, which does not require additional dedicated power supply devices and is suitable for the conventional power supply environment in domestic laboratories. In terms of power, models with a power output of around 1000W have balanced energy efficiency, which can meet the test power requirements and avoid the increase in usage costs caused by high energy consumption.
Compliance with standards and ease of maintenanceIt is necessary to confirm that the instrument complies with core standards such as IEC 60112 and GB/T 4207 to ensure that the test results have industry recognition and comparability. Priority should be given to domestic compliant brands, as the supply of accessories for such equipment is more timely and the after-sales maintenance response is faster; At the same time, paying attention to the cleaning convenience of the equipment, such as detachable drip devices, easy to wipe sample trays, etc., can reduce the workload of daily maintenance.

The electric trace resistance index testing equipment of the Hong Kong brand has become the preferred product for many laboratories due to its adaptability to industry needs and adherence to the core selection criteria. Its performance parameters and selection standards are as follows:
Accurate and controllable, reliable dataThe device adopts a PLC control system combined with a touch screen operation, with a measurement accuracy of ± 1% F.S. It can accurately control key parameters such as electrode spacing and droplet frequency, avoiding human operation errors. The configuration of platinum electrodes ensures the stability of long-term testing, and can still maintain detection accuracy after multiple tests, meeting the requirements of batch quality inspection for data consistency.
Adaptation of automation level to batch testingSupport preset test times from 1 to 9999, the drip device adopts the principle of pump pressure suction, which can achieve automatic drip and drip counting, meet the batch testing needs of enterprise production lines and quality inspection departments, greatly improve testing efficiency while reducing labor costs.
Safe and durable, suitable for laboratory scenariosAdopting a mini cylinder driven drip mechanism, the stroke is stable and the durability is strong; Equipped with overcurrent alarm and short circuit protection functions, it can quickly cut off the power supply when the current is abnormal. The weight of the equipment is about 26kg, which not only ensures the stability of the body, but also makes it easy to move and place in the laboratory. Custom foam reinforced wooden boxes are used for packaging, which is not easy to be damaged during transportation.
-
Strong adaptability and easy maintenanceThe power specification is AC220V 50Hz, with a power of 1000W, and no special power supply modification is required. In the experiment, standard 0.1% ammonium chloride solution can be directly used. The equipment's drip needle, electrode and other vulnerable parts have strong universality, easy procurement and replacement, and the domestic after-sales team can quickly respond to maintenance needs, reducing the risk of equipment shutdown.
The core advantage of this device lies in its high combination of precision, safety, and practicality,coverThe routine testing requirements for insulation materials also provide clear references for the selection of other similar equipment.