Test Procedures

The function of a current-carrying connection in electrical energy technology is demonstrated in standardized procedures under uniform requirements. For almost all test procedures, no proof of lifetime is provided, even if numerous test procedures are sometimes referred to as aging tests. The purpose of testing the function of current-carrying connections is therefore more to meet minimum requirements for current-carrying connections with the same application area. Accordingly, the electrical function of the respective connection is demonstrated application-specifically. The basis for this are reproducible load and uniform evaluation criteria, with which current-carrying connections for an application area but especially from different manufacturers can be comparably tested. The loads of the respective application in operation are the basis for testing the connection. In addition, accelerated aging is often sought in the test compared to the rated operation with the aim of not activating additional aging mechanisms or to force or suppress these inappropriately [2]. Internationally, depending on the type of connection and the corresponding application area, numerous procedures for testing the electrical function of current-carrying connections are standardized. The following chapter therefore first considers the influencing factors in the test procedures and their basic mode of operation with regard to the activated aging mechanisms. In Sect. 7.2, tests according to valid standards are presented as examples and in Sect. 7.3, framework conditions for development-accompanying tests are introduced.