IEC TR 61243-6:2017

Live working - Voltage detectors - Part 6: Guidelines on non-contact voltage detectors (NCVD) for use at nominal voltages above 1 kV AC

IEC TR 61243-6:2017(E) is applicable to portable non-contact voltage detectors (NCVD) with built-in power source, to be used to indicate the presence or the absence of the operating voltage on electrical systems for nominal voltages above 1 kV AC and frequencies of 16 2/3 Hz, 50 Hz and/or 60 Hz. This document describes only devices, and their behaviour, using electric field and voltage gradient detection principles even if other principles could be used. It provides performance guidelines, recommendations for use and recommended minimum criteria for selection.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 02-Mar-2017
• ICS: 13.260 - Protection against electric shock. Live working
• ICS: 29.240.20 - Power transmission and distribution lines
• ICS: 29.240.99 - Other equipment related to power transmission and distribution networks
• Technical Committee: TC 78 - Live working
• Drafting Committee: PT 61243-6 - TC 78/PT 61243-6
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 22-Feb-2017
• Completion Date: 03-Mar-2017

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC TR 61243-6 ®
Edition 1.0 2017-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Live working – Voltage detectors –
Part 6: Guidelines on non-contact voltage detectors (NCVD) for use at nominal
voltages above 1 kV AC
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IEC TR 61243-6 ®
Edition 1.0 2017-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Live working – Voltage detectors –

Part 6: Guidelines on non-contact voltage detectors (NCVD) for use at nominal

voltages above 1 kV AC
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 13.260; 29.240.20; 29.260.99 ISBN 978-2-8322-3903-2

– 2 – IEC TR 61243-6:2017 © IEC 2017
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 The principles of an NCVD . 11
4.1 NCVD designed to work at a distance without any contact . 11
4.2 NCVD designed to work with reference points . 13
4.2.1 General . 13
4.2.2 NCVD designed to work with one reference point . 14
4.2.3 NCVD designed to work with two reference points . 15
5 Different designs of non-contact voltage detectors . 17
6 Limitations and recommendations of use for each type of NCVD . 19
6.1 Principal limitations . 19
6.2 Recommendations for the selection, calibration and use of NCVD . 19
6.2.1 Selection of the appropriate type of NCVD . 19
6.2.2 Calibration of the selected device . 20
6.2.3 Use of the selected device . 20
7 Recommended requirements . 21
7.1 General . 21
7.2 Recommended general requirements . 21
7.2.1 Safety . 21
7.2.2 Indication . 21
7.2.3 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 21
7.3 Recommended functional requirements . 22
7.3.1 Clear indication . 22
7.3.2 Clear perceptibility . 25
7.3.3 Temperature and humidity dependence of the indication . 26
7.3.4 Frequency dependence . 26
7.3.5 Response time . 26
7.3.6 Power source dependability . 26
7.3.7 Testing element . 26
7.3.8 Non response to DC voltage (static electric field) . 27
7.3.9 Immunity to electrostatic discharges . 27
7.3.10 Time rating . 27
7.4 Electrical requirements . 27
7.4.1 Insulating material . 27
7.4.2 Protection against bridging for Type 3 only . 27
7.4.3 Resistance against sparking . 28
7.4.4 Resistive (impedance) element of Type 5 only . 28
7.5 Recommendations for mechanical performance . 28
7.5.1 General . 28
7.5.2 Design . 28
7.5.3 Dimensions and construction . 28

7.5.4 Degree of protection provided by enclosure . 30
7.5.5 Grip force and deflection. 30
7.5.6 Vibration drop and shock resistance . 31
7.6 Markings . 31
7.7 Instructions for use . 31
Annex A (informative) General considerations about voltage detection . 32
A.1 General . 32
A.2 Principles of functioning of voltage detectors . 32
A.2.1 Basic analysis. 32
A.2.2 Voltage detection with two contact electrodes (bi-polar detectors) . 32
A.2.3 Voltage detection with one contact electrode . 33
A.2.4 Voltage detection without contact electrode . 34
Annex B (informative) Instructions for use . 36
Annex C (informative) In-service care . 37
C.1 General . 37
C.2 Maintenance . 37
Annex D (informative) Suitable for live working; double triangle . 38
Bibliography . 39

Figure 1 – NCVD working at a distance without any contact . 12
Figure 2 – Effect of the relative position of the non-contact voltage detector . 13
Figure 3 – NCVD working at a distance with one reference point . 14
Figure 4 – Non-contact voltage detector with a reference point making contact with the
cable insulation covering an insulated conductor . 15
Figure 5 – Non-contact voltage detector working with two reference points making
contact with the cap and pin of an insulator . 16
Figure 6 – Non-contact voltage detector working with two reference points on an
underground cable . 16
Figure 7 – Directional properties of NCVD working at distance. 25
Figure 8 – Examples of designs of NCVDs . 29
Figure A.1 – Bi-polar voltage detection principle . 33
Figure A.2 – Capacitive unipolar voltage detection principle . 34

Table 1 – Types of non-contact voltage detector . 18
Table 2 – Limitations for use . 19
Table 3 – Specific recommendations for use . 20
Table 4 – Examples of values of the radius of the cone of detection as a function of
the directional properties angle . 24
Table 5 – Climatic categories . 26
Table 6 – Minimum length of the insulating element or of the insulating stick (L ) . 30
i
Table C.1 – Recommended checking points for in-service care . 37

– 4 – IEC TR 61243-6:2017 © IEC 2017
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LIVE WORKING – VOLTAGE DETECTORS –

Part 6: Guidelines on non-contact voltage detectors (NCVD)
for use at nominal voltages above 1 kV AC

FOREWORD
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