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We have the ability to carry out testing in a range of conditions. For aerospace and automotive applications there is often a need to understand the electrical performance of systems at pressures down to approximately 0.1bar (equivalent to 50,000ft altitude). As such, we have chambers with high voltage feed throughs that allow us to carry out our testing at low pressure. This complement a number of ovens in which we can carry out thermal testing. We also have a vibration shaker as detailed below that allows us to expose equipment to the levels of vibration expected in a typical application – this is often an essential part of understanding whether the embrittlement of insulation systems along with vibration can cause significant damage.
We have the capability to thermally age samples at temperatures of up to 600oC with higher temperature capability being available on request. We can also thermally cycle samples. Thermal ageing can be combined with partial discharge and breakdown testing / microscopy to understand the impact of ageing on the electrical performance of the test object. Typically, samples are aged at multiple temperatures with functional measurements of dielectric performance being taken at regular times during the ageing cycle. When measured values of parameters like withstand voltage fall below a specific level, the sample is typically assumed to have failed.
Thermal cycling tests are useful where components are at risk of damage from differential thermal expansion. We regularly carry out thermal cycling tests where samples are rapidly changed in temperature. Unlike conventional testing that is carried out in a thermal shock chamber, we usually use a different approach when joule heating of the sample is possible. We pass an electrical current through a sample in a manner that carefully controls the temperature rise of the sample from a low value to something in the order of 200oC. After this, the sample is rapidly cooled using our specialist chiller that delivers air at temperatures as low as -55oC.
Our vibration shaker is able to support both sine-wave and random testing. The vibration shaker is generally used as stand-alone system following thermal ageing testing of insulation as part of lifetime analysis campaign. We are able to generate a maximum force of approx. 1.5kN and 100g maximum acceleration with a 5kHz maximum frequency.