Arc Tracking Test 18 from NASA-STD-6001

1
Arc TrackingTest 18 from NASA-STD-6001

• Purpose Determine ability of wire insulation
  materials or constructions to resist arc tracking
  and access damage caused by initial arcing and
  restrike events
• Phenomena whereby an arc between two or more
  wires, once initiated, will sustain itself
  through a conductive path provided by degradation
  of the insulation for a measurable length

2
Arc TrackingTest in Progress

• Typical Specimen
• 7 wire bundle 46 cm in length
• Arc Initiation
• Short circuit of conductor ends by dry graphite
  powder
• Test Conditions
• Worst-case environment
• 5 kW, 400 Hz, 3-phase, 200 volt/ 50 amps RMS
• Acceptance Criteria
• Wire configuration is resistant to arc tracking
  if it does not exhibit arc propagation on either
  initial or reapplication of power