SIST EN IEC 60270:2025

High-voltage test techniques - Charge-based measurement of partial discharges

IEC 60270:2025 is applicable to the charge-based measurement of partial discharges which occur in electrical apparatus, components or systems when tested with alternating voltages (AC) up to 500 Hz or with direct voltage (DC).
This document:
– defines the terms used;
– defines the quantities to be measured;
– describes the measurement frequencies as well as the test and measuring circuits which may be used;
– defines analogue and digital measuring methods required for common applications;
– specifies methods for calibration and requirements of instruments used for calibration;
– gives guidance on test procedures;
– gives some assistance concerning the discrimination of partial discharges from external interference.
The provisions of this document are used in the drafting of specifications relating to partial discharge measurements for specific power apparatus. It deals with electrical measurements of impulsive (short-duration) partial discharges, but reference is also made to non-electrical methods primarily used for partial discharge location (see Annex F). Diagnosis of the behaviour of specific power apparatus can be aided by digital processing of partial discharge data (see Annex E) and also by non-electrical methods that are primarily used for partial discharge location (see Annex F).
This document is primarily concerned with electrical measurement of partial discharge in terms of apparent charge for specific power apparatus made during tests with alternating voltage, but specific problems which arise when tests are made with direct voltage are considered in Clause 11.
The terminology, definitions, basic test circuits and procedures often also apply to tests at other frequencies, but special test procedures and measuring system characteristics which are not considered in this document may be required. For measurements at higher frequency ranges, see IEC TS 62478.
Annex A provides normative requirements for performance tests on calibrators.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2000, and Amendment 1:2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) Title modified.
b) Use with alternating voltages up to 500 Hz or with direct voltage.
c) Clear focus on charge-based partial discharge measurements.
d) Streamlined performance checks for partial discharge measurement system components.
e) Improved normative Annex A for performance tests on calibrators.
f) Revised and new informative Annexes.
In a future revision, this document will seek horizontal publication status in accordance with IEC Guide 108.

Hochspannungs-Prüftechnik - Ladungsbasierte Messung von Teilentladungen

Techniques des essais à haute tension - Mesures des décharges partielles

L'IEC 60270:2025 s'applique aux mesurages fondés sur les charges pour les décharges partielles (DP) qui se produisent dans les appareillages, composants ou systèmes électriques soumis à des essais sous des tensions alternatives inférieures ou égales à 500 Hz ou sous une tension continue.
Le présent document:
– définit les termes utilisés;
– définit les grandeurs à mesurer;
– décrit les fréquences de mesure, ainsi que les circuits d'essai et de mesure qui peuvent être utilisés;
– définit les méthodes de mesure analogique et numérique exigées pour les applications courantes;
– spécifie les méthodes d'étalonnage et les exigences relatives aux appareils de mesure utilisés pour l'étalonnage;
– fournit des recommandations pour les procédures d'essai;
– donne des conseils pour distinguer les décharges partielles des interférences externes.
Les dispositions du présent document sont utilisées pour élaborer les spécifications relatives aux mesurages de décharges partielles dans le cadre d'appareillages de puissance spécifiques. Le présent document traite des mesurages électriques des décharges partielles impulsionnelles (de courte durée), mais il est également fait référence à des méthodes non électriques, principalement utilisées pour la localisation des décharges partielles (voir l'Annexe F). Les diagnostics concernant le comportement d'appareillages de puissance spécifiques peuvent être facilités par le traitement numérique des données de décharges partielles (voir l'Annexe E), mais également par des méthodes non électriques, utilisées principalement pour la localisation des décharges partielles (voir l'Annexe F).
Le présent document traite essentiellement des mesurages électriques de décharges partielles fondés sur la charge apparente d'appareillages de puissance spécifiques, effectués dans le cadre d'essais sous une tension alternative, mais l'Article 11 traite néanmoins des problèmes particuliers susceptibles de se produire lors d'essais sous une tension continue.
La terminologie, les définitions, les circuits d'essai de référence et les procédures sont souvent utilisés pour les essais à d'autres fréquences de mesure des DP, mais des procédures d'essai et des caractéristiques de systèmes de mesure particulières, qui ne sont pas traitées dans le présent document, peuvent être exigées. Pour les mesurages effectués dans des plages de fréquences supérieures, voir l'IEC TS 62478.
L'Annexe A fournit les exigences normatives relatives aux essais de détermination des caractéristiques des dispositifs d'étalonnage.
Cette quatrième édition annule et remplace la troisième édition parue en 2000 et l'Amendement 1:2015. Cette édition constitue une révision technique.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) modification du titre;
b) utilisation de tensions alternatives inférieures ou égales à 500 Hz ou d'une tension continue;
c) valorisation des mesurages de décharges partielles fondés sur les charges;
d) simplification des contrôles des caractéristiques pour les composants des systèmes de mesure de décharges partielles;
e) amélioration de l'Annexe A normative pour les essais de détermination des caractéristiques des dispositifs d'étalonnage;
f) révision des annexes informatives existantes et ajout d'annexes informatives.
Dans une future révision, ce document cherchera

Visokonapetostne preskusne tehnike - Meritve delnih razelektritev na podlagi električnih nabojev

Ta dokument se uporablja za meritve delnih razelektritev na podlagi električnih nabojev v električnih napravah, sestavnih delih ali sistemih med preskušanjem z izmenično napetostjo (AC) do največ 500 Hz ali z enosmerno napetostjo (DC).
Ta dokument:
– opredeljuje uporabljene izraze;
– opredeljuje veličine, ki jih je treba izmeriti;
– opisuje frekvence merjenja ter preskusna in merilna vezja, ki se lahko uporabijo;
– opredeljuje analogne in digitalne merilne metode, potrebne za običajne aplikacije;
– določa metode za kalibracijo in zahteve za instrumente, ki se uporabljajo za kalibracijo;
– podaja smernice o preskusnih postopkih;
– zagotavlja pomoč pri razlikovanju delnih razelektritev od zunanjih motenj.
Določbe tega dokumenta se uporabljajo pri pripravi specifikacij v zvezi z meritvami delnih razelektritev posameznih energetskih naprav. Dokument obravnava električne meritve impulzivnih (kratkotrajnih) delnih razelektritev, vendar se sklicuje tudi na neelektrične metode, ki se uporabljajo predvsem za določanje lokacije delnih razelektritev (glej dodatek F). Obnašanje posameznih energetskih naprav je mogoče lažje diagnosticirati z digitalno obdelavo podatkov o delnih razelektritvah (glej dodatek E) in tudi z neelektričnimi metodami, ki se primarno uporabljajo za določanje lokacije delnih razelektritev (glej dodatek F).
Ta dokument zajema predvsem električne meritve delnih razelektritev z vidika navideznih nabojev za posamezno energetsko napravo, ki se pojavijo med preskusi z izmenično napetostjo, specifične težave, do katerih pride pri preskusih z enosmerno napetostjo, pa so obravnavane v točki 11.
Terminologija, definicije, osnovna preskusna vezja in postopki se pogosto uporabljajo tudi za preskuse pri drugih frekvencah merjenja delnih razelektritev, pri čemer so lahko potrebni posebni preskusni postopki in lastnosti merilnega sistema, ki v tem dokumentu niso obravnavani. Za meritve pri višjih frekvencah glej standard IEC TS 62478 [5]1.
Dodatek A vsebuje normativne zahteve za preskuse delovanja kalibratorjev.
OPOMBA: Ta dokument opredeljuje in zagotavlja smernice za neposredne meritve delnih razelektritev na podlagi električnih nabojev na priključkih preskušane opreme, ki se razlikujejo od drugih metod merjenja in zaznavanja delnih razelektritev (npr. akustične tehnike merjenja delnih razelektritev) ter elektromagnetnih metod, ki se izvajajo pri višjih frekvencah (npr. ultra visoka frekvenca (UHF)).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 31-Jul-2023
• Publication Date: 24-Aug-2025
• ICS: 17.220.20 - Measurement of electrical and magnetic quantities
• ICS: 19.080 - Electrical and electronic testing
• Technical Committee: IVNT - High-voltage testing techniques
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 11-Aug-2025
• Due Date: 16-Oct-2025
• Completion Date: 25-Aug-2025
• Ref Project: EN IEC 60270:2025 - High-voltage test techniques - Charge-based measurement of partial discharges

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 60270:2002 - High-voltage test techniques - Partial discharge measurements
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2025
• Replaces: SIST EN 60270:2002/A1:2016 - High-voltage test techniques - Partial discharge measurements
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2025

Overview - IEC 60270 / SIST EN IEC 60270:2025 (Charge‑based partial discharge measurement)

SIST EN IEC 60270:2025 adopts IEC 60270:2025 and specifies charge‑based measurement of partial discharges (PD) during high‑voltage tests with alternating voltage (AC up to 500 Hz) and direct voltage (DC). The standard defines terminology, measurable PD quantities (apparent charge), test and measuring circuits, analogue and digital measurement methods, calibration procedures and instrument requirements, plus guidance on test procedures and interference discrimination.

Key features of the 2025 edition:

• Clear focus on charge‑based partial discharge measurement for power apparatus.
• Applicability to AC (≤500 Hz) and DC testing.
• Streamlined performance checks and improved normative Annex A for calibrator performance tests.
• New and revised informative annexes for digital processing and alternative (non‑electrical) detection methods.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Definitions and quantities: Uniform terminology and definition of PD quantities (apparent charge, pulse repetition, etc.).
• Test circuits and measuring systems: Recommended basic circuits for AC and DC PD testing, coupling devices (quadripoles), wide‑band and narrow‑band systems.
• Analogue and digital methods: Requirements for analogue integrators and digital PD instruments, including pulse fidelity, phase and timing acquisition and instrument performance checks.
• Calibration and calibrators: Methods for calibrating the complete test circuit, calibrator types and normative performance tests (Annex A).
• Maintenance and performance checks: Schedules and procedures to maintain calibrator and system characteristics, records of performance.
• Test procedures and uncertainty: Guidance on conditioning, PD inception/extinction voltages, measuring uncertainty, sensitivity and minimum detectable PD magnitudes.
• Interference mitigation: Recommendations for detecting and discriminating PD from external noise; informative Annex G covers disturbance sources and mitigation.
• Digital processing and alternative detection: Annex E discusses digital PD data processing and PRPD patterns; Annex F outlines non‑electrical location methods (acoustic, optical, chemical, EM).

Practical applications and who uses this standard

This standard is essential for:

• High‑voltage test engineers and laboratories performing type and routine PD testing.
• Manufacturers of transformers, switchgear, cables, bushings, capacitors and other power apparatus.
• Utilities and maintenance teams conducting acceptance or diagnostic PD testing.
• Manufacturers of PD measuring instruments and calibrators to ensure compliance and traceability.
• Specification authors and procurement teams drafting PD measurement requirements.

Practical uses include PD acceptance testing, condition assessment, commissioning tests, instrument calibration, and specification of PD measurement methods.

Related standards and references

• IEC TS 62478 - for PD measurements at higher frequency ranges.
• IEC 60060‑2 and other high‑voltage test technique documents referenced in the normative annexes for measuring systems and instrumentation.

Keywords: IEC 60270, SIST EN IEC 60270:2025, partial discharge measurement, charge‑based measurement, high‑voltage test techniques, PD calibration, PD testing AC DC, digital PD instruments.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2025
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 60270:2002
SIST EN 60270:2002/A1:2016
Visokonapetostne preskusne tehnike - Meritve delnih razelektritev na podlagi
električnih nabojev
High-voltage test techniques - Charge-based measurement of partial discharges
Hochspannungs-Prüftechnik - Ladungsbasierte Messung von Teilentladungen
Techniques des essais à haute tension - Mesures des décharges partielles
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60270:2025
ICS:
17.220.20 Merjenje električnih in Measurement of electrical
magnetnih veličin and magnetic quantities
19.080 Električno in elektronsko Electrical and electronic
preskušanje testing
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60270

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM August 2025
ICS 19.080; 17.220.20 Supersedes EN 60270:2001; EN 60270:2001/A1:2016
English Version
High-voltage test techniques - Charge-based measurement of
partial discharges
(IEC 60270:2025)
Techniques des essais à haute tension - Mesurages des Hochspannungs-Prüftechnik - Ladungsbasierte Messung
décharges partielles fondés sur les charges von Teilentladungen
(IEC 60270:2025) (IEC 60270:2025)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2025-07-10. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60270:2025 E
European foreword
The text of document 42/452/FDIS, future edition 4 of IEC 60270, prepared by TC 42 "High-voltage
and high-current test techniques" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN IEC 60270:2025.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2026-08-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2028-08-31
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 60270:2001 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60270:2025 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60034-18-41 NOTE Approved as EN 60034-18-41
IEC 60034-18-42 NOTE Approved as EN 60034-18-42
IEC 60034-27-1 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60034-27-1
IEC 60076-3 NOTE Approved as EN 60076-3
IEC 60137 NOTE Approved as EN 60137
IEC 61558-1 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 61558-1
IEC 62068 NOTE Approved as EN 62068
CISPR 16-1-1:2019 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 55016-1-1:2019 (not modified)
IEC 60567 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60567
IEC 60599 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60599
IEC 61181:2007 NOTE Approved as EN 61181:2007 (not modified)
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60060-2 - High-voltage test techniques - Part 2: EN IEC 60060-2 -
Measuring systems
IEC 60270 ®
Edition 4.0 2025-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
High-voltage test techniques – Charge-based measurement of partial discharges

Techniques des essais à haute tension – Mesurages des décharges partielles
fondés sur les charges
ICS 19.080, 17.220.20 ISBN 978-2-8327-0398-4

IEC 60270:2025-06(en-fr)
– 2 – IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references. 8
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Test circuits and measuring systems . 14
4.1 General requirements . 14
4.2 Test circuits for alternating voltages . 15
4.3 Measuring systems for apparent charge . 18
4.3.1 General . 18
4.3.2 Coupling device or ‘quadripole’ . 18
4.3.3 Pulse train response of instruments for the measurement of apparent
charge . 18
4.3.4 Wide-band PD measuring systems . 20
4.3.5 Wide-band PD instruments with active integrator . 20
4.3.6 Narrow-band PD instruments . 21
4.4 Requirements for measurements with digital PD-instruments . 21
4.4.1 General . 21
4.4.2 Requirements for measurement of apparent charge q . 22
4.4.3 Requirements for measurement of test voltage magnitude and phase . 22
4.5 Measuring systems for derived quantities . 22
4.5.1 Coupling device . 22
4.5.2 Instruments for the measurement of pulse repetition rate n . 22
4.5.3 Instruments for the measurement of average apparent discharge
current I . 22
4.5.4 Instruments for the measurement of apparent discharge power P . 23
4.6 Instruments for the measurement of the radio disturbance voltage. 23
4.7 Instrumentation for PD detection >1 MHz . 23
5 Calibration of a measuring system in the complete test circuit . 24
5.1 General . 24
5.2 Calibration procedure . 24
6 Calibrators. 26
6.1 General . 26
6.2 Calibrators for the calibration of a measuring system in the complete test
circuit . 27
6.3 Calibrators for performance tests on measuring systems . 28
7 Maintaining the characteristics of calibrators and measuring systems . 28
7.1 General . 28
7.2 Schedule of tests . 28
7.3 Maintaining the characteristics of calibrators . 29
7.3.1 Type tests on calibrators . 29
7.3.2 Routine tests on calibrators . 29
7.3.3 Performance tests on calibrators . 29
7.3.4 Performance checks on calibrators . 29
7.3.5 Record of performance . 30
7.4 Maintaining the characteristics of PD measuring systems . 30
7.4.1 General . 30
7.4.2 Type tests on PD measuring systems . 30

IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025 – 3 –
7.4.3 Routine tests on measuring systems . 31
7.4.4 Performance checks on PD measuring systems . 31
7.4.5 Checks for additional capabilities of digital measuring systems . 32
7.4.6 Record of performance . 32
8 Partial discharge measurements during tests with alternating voltage . 33
8.1 General . 33
8.2 Conditioning of the test object . 33
8.3 Choice of test procedure . 33
8.3.1 General . 33
8.3.2 Determination of the partial discharge inception and extinction voltages . 34
8.3.3 Determination of the partial discharge magnitude at a specified test
voltage . 34
9 Measuring uncertainty and sensitivity . 34
10 External disturbances and interference . 35
11 Partial discharge measurements during tests with direct voltage . 36
11.1 General . 36
11.2 PD quantities . 36
11.3 Voltages related to partial discharges . 37
11.3.1 Partial discharge inception and extinction voltages . 37
11.3.2 Partial discharge test voltage . 37
11.4 Test circuits and measuring systems . 37
11.5 Test procedures with regard to external disturbances . 37
11.5.1 Choice of test procedures . 37
11.5.2 Disturbances . 38
Annex A (normative) Performance tests on calibrators . 39
A.1 General . 39
A.2 Comparison method . 41
A.3 Numerical integration method . 41
A.4 Passive integration method . 43
A.5 Active integration method . 44
Annex B (informative) Test circuits . 46
Annex C (informative) Measurements on test objects with distributed or inductive
characteristics such as cables, gas-insulated switchgear, power capacitors, and on test
objects with windings: alternative methods . 48
C.1 General . 48
C.2 Attenuation and distortion phenomena . 50
C.3 Resonance phenomena, reflections . 51
C.4 Location of discharges . 51
Annex D (informative) The use of radio disturbance (interference) meters for the
detection of partial discharges . 52
Annex E (informative) PD measuring instruments . 54
E.1 General concept . 54
E.2 Correct acquisition of (charge) amplitude and polarity of PD signals . 57
E.3 Recommendations for recording test voltage, phase angle φ and time t of
i i
occurrence of a PD pulse . 58
E.4 Phase-resolved partial discharge (PRPD) pattern display algorithm . 59

– 4 – IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025
Annex F (informative) Alternative methods of PD detection . 61
F.1 General . 61
F.2 Electromagnetic detection . 61
F.3 Acoustic detection . 61
F.4 Chemical detection . 61
F.5 Optical detection . 62
Annex G (informative) Disturbances – Interference and noise . 63
G.1 Sources of disturbances . 63
G.2 Detecting disturbances . 63
G.3 Disturbance levels . 64
G.4 Suggestions for reducing disturbances . 64
G.4.1 Basic earthing, bonding, and filtering . 64
G.4.2 Balanced circuits . 64
G.4.3 Electronic signal processing . 65
G.5 Further interference mitigation methods . 66
Annex H (informative) Evaluation of PD test results during tests with direct voltage . 67
Bibliography . 69

Figure 1 – Basic partial discharge test circuits . 16
Figure 2 – Test circuit for measurement at a bushing tap . 17
Figure 3 – Test circuit for measuring self-excited test objects . 17
Figure 4 – Correct relationship between amplitude and frequency to minimize
integration errors for a wide-band system . 19
Figure 5 – Connections for the calibration of the complete test arrangement . 25
Figure 6 – Output waveform of the calibrator step voltage generator . 26
Figure 7 – Minimum realistic specified PD magnitude versus noise level . 35
Figure A.1 – Measurement of calibrator characteristics . 39
Figure A.2 – Indicative range of applicability for different methods . 40
Figure A.3 – Performance test of calibrator using the numerical integration method . 41
Figure A.4 – Calibration pulses u (t) of a typical calibrator using integration
m
resistances R = 33 Ω and R = 200 Ω respectively (q = 100 pC) . 42
m m
Figure A.5 – Performance test of calibrator using the passive integration method . 43
Figure A.6 – Performance test of calibrator using the active integration method . 44
Figure C.1 – Partial discharge measurements in different test objects versus frequency . 49
Figure D.1 – CISPR radio disturbance meter readings . 53
Figure E.1 – Block diagram of an analog PD instrument equipped with an electronic
integrator . 54
Figure E.2 – Block diagrams of digital PD instruments . 55
Figure E.3 – Conceptual diagram of phase-resolved PD pattern (PRPD) . 56
Figure E.4 – Detection of PD pulse amplitude and polarity . 58
Figure E.5 – Examples of some phase-resolved PRPD patterns . 60
Figure H.1 – Display modes of apparent pulses against measuring time . 67
Figure H.2 – Histograms of PD pulse count n against apparent charge intervals . 68

IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025 – 5 –
Table 1 – Pulse train response of PD instruments . 19
Table 2 – Tests required for calibrators . 30
Table 3 – Tests required for measuring systems . 32
Table A.1 – Three methods for determining PD calibrator output charge . 40
Table C.1 – PD measurement application areas with selected references. 49

– 6 – IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
HIGH-VOLTAGE TEST TECHNIQUES – CHARGE-BASED
MEASUREMENT OF PARTIAL DISCHARGES

FOREWORD
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shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60270 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 42: High-voltage and high-current
test techniques. It is an International Standard.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2000 and
Amendment 1:2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Title modified.
b) Use with alternating voltages up to 500 Hz or with direct voltage.
c) Clear focus on charge-based partial discharge measurements.
d) Streamlined performance checks for partial discharge measurement system components.
e) Improved normative Annex A for performance tests on calibrators.
f) Revised and new informative Annexes.

IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025 – 7 –
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
42/452/FDIS 42/456/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
In a future revision, this document will seek horizontal publication status in accordance with
IEC Guide 108.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
– 8 – IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025
HIGH-VOLTAGE TEST TECHNIQUES – CHARGE-BASED
MEASUREMENT OF PARTIAL DISCHARGES

1 Scope
This document is applicable to the charge-based measurement of partial discharges which
occur in electrical apparatus, components or systems when tested with alternating voltages
(AC) up to 500 Hz or with direct voltage (DC).
This document:
– defines the terms used;
– defines the quantities to be measured;
– describes the measurement frequencies as well as the test and measuring circuits which
may be used;
– defines analogue and digital measuring methods required for common applications;
– specifies methods for calibration and requirements of instruments used for calibration;
– gives guidance on test procedures;
– gives some assistance concerning the discrimination of partial discharges from external
interference.
The provisions of this document are used in the drafting of specifications relating to partial
discharge measurements for specific power apparatus. It deals with electrical measurements of
impulsive (short-duration) partial discharges, but reference is also made to non-electrical
methods primarily used for partial discharge location (see Annex F). Diagnosis of the behaviour
of specific power apparatus can be aided by digital processing of partial discharge data (see
Annex E) and also by non-electrical methods that are primarily used for partial discharge
location (see Annex F).
This document is primarily concerned with electrical measurement of partial discharge in terms
of apparent charge for specific power apparatus made during tests with alternating voltage, but
specific problems which arise when tests are made with direct voltage are considered in
Clause 11.
The terminology, definitions, basic test circuits and procedures often also apply to tests at other
PD measurement frequencies, but special test procedures and measuring system
characteristics which are not considered in this document may be required. For measurements
at higher frequency ranges, see IEC TS 62478 [5] .
Annex A provides normative requirements for performance tests on calibrators.
NOTE This document defines and provides guidance for charge-based direct electrical PD measurements at the
terminals of the equipment under test, differentiating from other PD measurement and detection methods, e.g.
acoustic PD techniques or electromagnetic methods in elevated frequency ranges, e.g. ultra-high frequency (UHF).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
___________
Numbers in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.

IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025 – 9 –
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60060-2, High-voltage test techniques – Part 2: Measuring systems
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
partial discharge
PD
localized electrical discharge that only partially bridges the insulation between conductors and
which can occur adjacent to a conductor
Note 1 to entry: Partial discharges are in general a consequence of local electrical stress concentrations in the
insulation or on the surface of the insulation. Generally, such discharges appear as pulses having a duration of much
less than 1 μs. More continuous forms can, however, occur, such as the so-called pulse-less discharges in gaseous
dielectrics. This kind of discharge will normally not be detected by the measurement methods described in this
document.
Note 2 to entry: "Corona" is a form of partial discharge that occurs in gaseous media around conductors which are
remote from solid or liquid insulation. "Corona" should not be used as a general term for all forms of PD.
Note 3 to entry: Partial discharges are accompanied by emission of acoustic transients (sound), electromagnetic
waves, optical signals (light), heat, and associated chemical reactions. For further information, see Annex F.
3.2
partial discharge pulse
PD pulse
signal produced by a partial discharge occurring within the object under test, measured using
suitable detector circuits introduced into the test circuit
Note 1 to entry: A partial discharge which occurs in the test object produces a current pulse at its origin. A detector
in accordance with the provisions of this document produces a current or a voltage signal at its output proportional
to the charge of the PD pulse.
3.3
quantities related to partial discharge pulses
3.3.1
apparent charge
q
charge which, if injected between the terminals of the test object in a specified
test circuit, would result in the same reading on the measuring instrument as the PD pulse itself,
typically expressed in units of picocoulombs (pC) or nanocoulombs (nC)
Note 1 to entry: The apparent charge is not equal to the amount of charge locally involved at the site of the
discharge, which cannot be measured directly.

– 10 – IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025
3.3.2
pulse repetition rate
n
ratio between the total number of PD pulses recorded in a selected time interval and the duration
of this time interval
Note 1 to entry: In practice, only pulses above a specified magnitude or within a specified range of magnitudes are
considered.
3.3.3
pulse repetition frequency
N
number of partial discharge pulses per second, in the case of equidistant pulses
3.3.4
phase angle φ and time t
i i
given by
φ = 360 (t /T)
i i
where:
t is the time measured between the preceding positive going zero crossing of the test voltage
i
and the partial discharge pulse, and
T is the period of the test voltage, with the phase angle being expressed in degrees (°)
3.3.5
average apparent discharge current
I
derived quantity consisting of the sum of the absolute values of individual apparent charge
magnitudes q during a chosen reference time interval T divided by this time interval:

i ref
I qq+++. q
( )
12 i
T
ref
Note 1 to entry: Average apparent discharge current is generally expressed in coulombs per second (C/s) or in
amperes (A).
3.3.6
apparent discharge power
P
derived quantity consisting of the average pulse power fed into the terminals of the test object
due to apparent charge magnitudes q during a chosen reference time interval T :
i ref
P q u+ q u++. qu
( )
11 2 2 ii
T
ref
where u , u . u are the instantaneous values of the test voltage at the instants of occurrence
1 2 i
t of the individual apparent charge magnitudes q ;
i i
Note 1 to entry: The sign of the individual values shall be observed
Note 2 to entry: Apparent discharge power is generally expressed in watts (W).
=
=
IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025 – 11 –
3.3.7
radio interference
radio disturbance meter
specialized measurement receiver utilizing weighted quasi-peak RF measurements on
frequency B in accordance with CISPR 16-1
Note 1 to entry: This type of instrument was commonly known as ‘RIV’ or ‘radio interference voltage’ or ‘radio
influence voltage’ meter in earlier times, having been applied to search for HV equipment producing high levels of
corona which in turn would interfere with LW and MW broadcast transmission.
3.3.8
radio disturbance voltage
U
RDV
output reading of a radio interference meter
Note 1 to entry: See 4.6 and Annex D.
Note 2 to entry: Radio disturbance voltage is generally expressed in µV.
3.4
largest repeatedly occurring PD magnitude
Q
IEC
value recorded by a measuring system which has the pulse train response as specified in 4.3.3,
commonly realized by a quasi-peak detector or a digital emulation of such a circuit, applicable
for AC voltages
3.5
peak apparent charge
Q
pk
largest value recorded by a PD measuring system, commonly realized by a peak detector or a
digital emulation of such circuit, applicable for DC voltages
3.6
specified partial discharge magnitude
largest magnitude of any quantity related to PD pulses permitted in a test object at a specified
voltage following a specified conditioning and test procedure
Note 1 to entry: For alternating voltage tests, this is the largest repeatedly occurring apparent charge Q
IEC
Note 2 to entry: The magnitude of any PD pulse quantity can vary stochastically in successive cycles and also show
a general increase or decrease with time of voltage application. The specified PD magnitude, the test procedure and
also the test circuit and instrumentation should therefore be appropriately defined by the relevant equipment
committee(s).
3.7
background noise and interference/disturbances
extraneous signals detected during PD tests, which are not of interest because they are not
signals caused by PD originating in the test object
Note 1 to entry: Background or electrical noise is defined as originating in the PD measurement equipment itself,
e.g. thermal, shot, 1/f noise in resistors and amplifiers.
Note 2 to entry: Interference or disturbances can originate from external sources such as motor drives, thyristor
control circuits, terrestrial AM broadcast stations, etc. Moreover, external interference can also arise due to partial
discharges external to the test object; such PD-like interference can be extremely challenging to differentiate from
PD signals within the test object. Refer to Annex G for further information.
3.8
test voltages related to partial discharge pulse quantities
Note 1 to entry: Voltages as defined in e.g. IEC 60060-1.

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3.8.1
partial discharge inception voltage
U
i
applied voltage at which repetitive partial discharges are first observed in the test object, after
being gradually increased from a lower value at which no partial discharges are observed
Note 1 to entry: In practice, the lowest applied voltage at which the magnitude of a PD pulse quantity becomes
equal to or exceeds a specified minimum value
Note 2 to entry: For tests with direct voltage, special considerations are necessary for the determination of U . See
i
Clause 11.
3.8.2
partial discharge extinction voltage
U
e
applied voltage at which repetitive partial discharges cease to occur in the test object, after
being gradually decreased from a higher value at which PD pulse quantities are observed
Note 1 to entry: In practice, the applied voltage at which the magnitude of a chosen PD pulse quantity becomes
equal to, or less than, a specified low value
Note 2 to entry: For tests with direct voltage, special considerations are necessary for the determination of U . See
e
Clause 11.
3.8.3
partial discharge test voltage
specified voltage, applied in a specified partial discharge test procedure, during which the test
object shall not produce PD exceeding a specified partial discharge magnitude
Note 1 to entry: Partial discharges are usually measured at AC sinusoidal waveform. In real conditions, the test
voltage also contains harmonics that modify the shape of the voltage waveform and can thus be considered as a
disturbance affecting the PD pulse parameters and PD phase-resolved patterns. Such disturbances should be taken
into account and documented during PD measurements. See Annex G for further information.
3.9
partial discharge measuring system
coupling device, a transmission system and a partial discharge measuring instrument
3.10
measuring system characteristics
3.10.1
transfer impedance
Z(f)
ratio of the output voltage amplitude to a constant input current amplitude as a function of
frequency f when the input is sinusoidal
3.10.2
lower and upper limit frequencies
f and f
1 2
frequencies at which the transfer impedance Z(f) has fallen by 6 dB from the peak pass-band
value
3.10.3
mid-band frequency
f
m
given by:
ff+
f =
m
IEC 60270:2025 © IEC 2025 – 13 –
3.10.4
mid-band frequency bandwidth
∆f
given by:
∆f = f – f
2 1
3.10.5
superposition error
error caused when successive PD pulses overlap one another due to the time interval between
successive pulses being less than the duration (settling time) of a single pulse response
Note 1 to entry: Superposition error is also known as 'pulse pile-up'. See Annex E.
Note 2 to entry: Superposition errors can be additive or subtractive depending on the pulse repetition rate of the
incoming pulses in combination with the transient response of the detector circuit elements. In practical circuits, both
types will occur due to the random nature of the pulse repetition rate. However, since measurements are based on
the largest repeatedly occurring PD magnitude, usually only the additive superposition errors will be measured
Note 3 to entry: Superposition errors can attain levels of 100 % or more depending on the pulse repetition rate and
the characteristics of the measuring system.
3.10.6
pulse resolution time
t
res
shortest time interval between two consecutive PD pulses within which the PD measurement
instrument is still able to resolve two separate pulses and for which the peak value of the
resulting response does not change by more than 10 % of the value for a single pulse
Note 1 to entry: The pulse resolution time t is an indication of the PD measuring system's ability to resolve
res
successive PD pulses and is inversely proportional to the lower cut-off frequency f of the PD measurement
bandwidth.
Note 2 to entry: It is recommended that the pulse resolution time be measured for the whole test circuit, as well as
for the measuring system, as superposition errors can be caused by the test object, for example reflections from
cable ends. Specifying the procedure for handling superposition errors and particularly, the allowable tolerances
including their signs, is the responsibility of the relevant equipment technical committee(s).
3.10.7
dead time
t
DT
time period following successful digital acquisition of a PD pulse during which the instrument
does not accept or acquire signals or neglect detected pulses
Note 1 to entry: Dead time is closely related to pulse resolution time.
Note 2 to entry: Especially for strongly oscillatory input signals, dead time is introduced in order to avoid false or
repeat triggering on successive oscillatory remnants of the same pulse.
3.10.8
noise modulation
superimposition of an actual PD pulse with a simultaneously occurring noise signal leading to
an incorrect registering of the peak amplitude of the PD signal
Note 1 to entry: Such noise modulation occurs when calibrating and measuring low amplitude PD pulses close to
the noise floor and can cause apparent non-linearities in such cases.

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3.10.9
integration error of apparent charge measurement
error which occurs when the upper frequency limit of the PD current pulse amplitude-spectrum
is lower than:
• the upper cut-off frequency of a wideband measuring system; or
• the mid-band frequency of a narrow-band measuring system
See Figure 4.
Note 1 to entry: If required for a special type of apparatus, the relevant equipment committee(s) are urged to specify
more restrictive values for f and f to minimize the integration error.
1 2
3.11
digital partial discharge instruments
digital signal processing techniques used for acquisition and evaluation of PD pulses
Note 1 to entry: See Annex E.
3.12
scale factor
k
factor by which the value of the instrument reading is to be multiplied to obtain the value of the
input quantity
Note 1 to entry: In modern digital PD measurement instruments, the scale factor is usually automatically calculated
and set internally. After calibration, the instruments display the result of the multiplicat
...