Exploring Tracking Test Chamber and Its Application in the Safety Detection of Electronic Products

The upgraded Tracking Test Chamber according to the new standards GB/T4207-2022 can accurately and precisely measure the specific electrical tracking indexes and comparative electrical tracking indexes of actual materials according to standards such as GB 4706.1-2008, GB/T4207-2022, IEC60112-2020 “Determining Method of Solid Insulating Materials’ Electrical Tracking Index and Comparative Electrical Tracking Index”, UL 746A, ASTM D 3638-2007, DIN 53480 and so forth. Moreover, the updated standards pay attention to the influence of material components and surface condition on the measurement results, and delete GB/T17037.1-1997, GB/T7037.3-2003, IEC04, ISO293: 1986 and ISO 295:1991 five normative reference documents.

TTC-1 Tracking Test Chamber

Leakage technology can detect conductive paths in materials or insulating mediums. It is done by applying an alternating voltage, dropping a certain quantity of electrolyte between two electrodes. When the quantity of current is offset, tiny leakage traces form on the sample surface, thus detecting existing leakage paths.

Tracking Test Chamber technique is a nondestructive testing technique that can be applied to detect conductive paths in matters or insulating media. The technique uses applied AC voltage, wherein an electrolyte solution is dripped between two electrodes. When a certain amount of electrolyte solution is dripped, small leakage traces can be formed, thus detecting the existing leakage paths. Leakage Trace Test technique is based on the formation of leakage traces to detect the conductive paths in materials or insulating media and can save a large amount of time and money.

The basic principle of Tracking Test Chamber technique is to support the sample so that its upper surface is almost level. Applied electrical stress between two electrodes and electrolyte solution is dripped continuously between the electrodes until the current device action until continuous combustion or the test passes. Each test duration is short (less than 1h), with platinum electrode spaced 4mm apart, and about 50 or 100 drops (about 20mg per drop) of electrolyte solution dripped at the center point of the two electrodes with AC voltage of 100V-600V. If the medium is corroded or softened, a thicker sample can be re-tested, up to a maximum thickness of 10mm. The presence of leakage traces can be seen with the naked eye. This technique can save a large amount of time and money and provide an effective and reliable method for the detection of insulation quality in materials or media.

Leakage Trace Resistance Test technique is a test method used to evaluate the leakage trace resistance performance of the material surface. With the sample size and process technology determined according to the operation steps, the leakage trace resistance of material surface can be accurately obtained. Liquid will not flow between the testing electrodes, thus using this method does not lose electrolyte solution. A sample size of 20 mm×20 mm is suggested; if no electrolyte solution is lost, a sample size of 15 mm×15 mm can also be used. Each test uses an independent sample. If multiple tests are to be performed on the same sample, the distance between test points may have to be far enough to avoid the flashing or smoke generated by the test points and contamination or affecting other areas to be tested after being corroded.

Purpose of Tracking Test Chamber
The main purpose is to simulate the major safety risks, such as leakage, short-circuit and fire, caused by the deposition of conductive substance on the insulation material surface of different polarity in the actual use of household appliance products. Tracking Test Chamber is an accelerated test conducted to investigate the leakage traces withstood by solid insulation materials in order to ensure the safety of use of this product in a certain environment. It has been found that when the environment is severely polluted, part of the pollutants or moisture will deposit on the surface of insulation materials, resulting in leakage. With time passing, leakage will cause corrosion and reduce the insulation performance of insulation materials. Therefore, leakage trace test is a must.

Application of Tracking Test Chamber
Leakage trace testers are used to measure the resistance of solid insulating materials. It has been widely used in many industries such as lighting equipment, low voltage appliances, household appliances, lathe electrical appliances, motors, power tools, electronic instruments, electrical instruments, information technology equipment, etc. It can be used to measure the resistance of the insulation material surface under the combined action of electric field and pollution medium, as well as to measure the electric trace index (CT1) and the electrical corrosion resistance index (PT1) of insulators. It includes applying voltage on the specified platinum electrodes of the specified size (2mm×5mm) and dropping the specified liquid droplet volume of the pollution liquid (0.1%NH4CL) of the specified height (35mm) at the specified time (30s). Tracking Test Chamber are the preferred testing instruments to evaluate insulation resistance and are important in the insulation materials, engineering plastics, electrical connectors, accessories and other industries.