BS EN 60885-3:2015

What is BS EN 60885-3 – Partial discharge tests about? 

BS EN 60885-3 is a European Standard on electric cables —medium/high voltage which is the third part of multi-series that specifies the test methods for partial discharge (PD) measurements on lengths of extruded power cable, but does not include measurements made on installed cable systems. 

Reference is made to IEC 60270 which gives the techniques and considerations applicable to partial discharge measurements in general. 

Who is BS EN 60885-3 - Partial discharge tests for? 

BS EN 60885-3 on test methods for partial discharge is relevant to: 

• Power cable manufacturers  
• Manufacturers of industrial applications such as transformers, inductors, etc  
• Product engineers  
• Electrical engineers  
• Quality testing team 

Why should you use BS EN 60885-3 - Partial discharge tests? 

Partial discharge testing, also known as PD testing, is performed to assess electrical insulation health. PD is best described as a failure of part of an insulation system to withstand the electrical field applied to it. 

BS EN 60885-3 provides you specifications on partial discharge tests, determination of characteristic properties of the test circuit, measurement procedures, general requirements And test procedure that ensures measurements on lengths of extruded power cables. With obedience and compliance to BS EN 60885-3, you can assess the quality of the cables.  BS EN 60885-3 will help you to efficiently conduct the test methods for partial discharge measurements. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 60885-3:2015 replaces the first edition, published in 1988, and constitutes a technical revision. 

• The definition of sensitivity as twice the background noise level has been removed and replaced by a practical assessment of sensitivity based on the minimum level of detectable discharge 
• References to measurements of pulse heights in mm on an oscilloscope have been replaced by measurements of partial discharge magnitude in PC.