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Hipot Tester and Hipot Testing Basics

hipot testing
electrical safety
insulation testing
dielectric testing
high voltage

This page describes Hipot testing and Hipot tester basics, mentioning the Slaughter Hipot tester commonly used for these tests.

Hipot stands for High Potential. This term refers to a specific class of test equipment used to evaluate electrical insulation. Just as a continuity tester verifies connectivity between two points in an electronic/electric circuit, a Hipot tester does the opposite.

What is Hipot Testing?

A Hipot tester performs a discontinuity test, essentially checking for a “no current flow” condition between two points. Hipot tests are crucial for identifying any crushing or leakage in the insulation of a device. In contrast to continuity tests that verify good conduction, Hipot tests ensure good isolation.

The Hipot test is also known by other names, such as a dielectric withstand test. The equipment used for this purpose is the Hipot tester. These testers are essential for verifying the insulation integrity of various components, including appliances, PCBs, cables, wires and wire assemblies, electrical motors, and transformers.

Why is Hipot Testing Important?

Poor insulation can lead to electric shock, making Hipot testing essential to prevent such hazards. Typically, a high voltage is applied between two conductors separated by dielectric insulation, and the Hipot tester measures the resulting leakage current.

There are three primary types of Hipot tests:

  • Dielectric Breakdown Test: Determines the voltage at which the insulation fails.
  • Dielectric Withstand Test: Verifies the insulation can withstand a specified voltage for a specific duration.
  • Insulation Resistance Test: Measures the resistance of the insulation material.

Hipot testers can be configured for AC, DC, AC+DC, and AC+DC+IR tests, offering versatility for different testing needs.

Slaughter Hipot Tester

Figure 1 shows a Hipot tester from Slaughter Company Inc.

Slaughter Hipot tester

Slaughter Hipot tester used for Hipot testing

The Slaughter 2900 series Hipot tester offers the following features:

  • Supports both dielectric withstand test mode and insulation resistance test mode.
  • Used for safety testing.
  • Provides automation functionality via PLC control/RS232 interface.
  • Includes a ground continuity test function.
  • Models:
    • 2955: Supports AC hipot testing.
    • 2965: Supports AC and DC hipot testing.
    • 2975: Supports AC and DC hipot testing, as well as insulation resistance testing.