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Materials Characterisation Research Facility

More Information

About the Materials Characterisation Research Facility

The Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory has always provided a commercial testing service alongside its research activity. In the process of product development, the characterisation of materials in terms of electrical, mechanical and thermal properties plays an important role. 

Within the laboratory we have the capability to undertake most standard tests and when required we can also access specialist test equipment and expertise from within the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics.  Often with forensic investigation it is necessary to characterise materials and interpret the results in terms of cause or effect of a given problem.

We also perform forensic investigation of bushings that have failed in service - for more details please see Forensics.

If you are considering materials characterisation tests and analysis, please contact us outlining your requirements.

Technical specification

Recently used standards 

  • BS EN 60243-1 IEC 60243-1  - Electrical strength of insulating materials — Test methods — Part 1: Tests at power frequencies 
  • BS EN 60243-2 IEC 60243-2 - Electric strength of insulating materials — Test methods — Part 2: Additional requirements for tests using direct voltage 
  • BS EN 60243-3 IEC 60243-3  - Electrical strength of insulating materials — Test methods — Part 3: Additional requirements for 1,2/50 μs impulse tests 
  • BS 5626-3.5 IEC 554-3-5  -  Cellulosic papers for electrical purposes — Part 3: Specifications for individual materials — Section 3.5 Special papers 
  • BS EN 60554-2  - Cellulosic papers for electrical purposes — Part 2: Methods of test 
  • BS 5620-3.3 IEC 554-3-3 - Cellulosic papers for electrical purposes 
  • BS EN 60811-1-2 IEC 811-1-2 - Common test methods for insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables — Part 1-2: General application — Thermal ageing methods 
  • BS EN 61212-1 - Insulating materials. Industrial rigid round laminated tubes and rods based on thermosetting resins for electrical purposes. Definitions, designations and general requirements 
  • BS EN 61212-2 - Insulating materials. Industrial rigid round laminated tubes and rods based on thermosetting resins for electrical purposes. Methods of test 

 

Contact Us

Contact Us

Building 20, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ 
We’re open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 UK time.
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