The standard is a technical guide titled "Selection and dimensioning of high-voltage insulators intended for use in polluted conditions – Part 2: Glass and porcelain insulators." It provides specific rules for choosing and sizing ceramic and glass insulators based on the environmental pollution levels they will face. Key Content of IEC 60815-2
: Organizations like ANSI (US), BSI (UK), or DIN (Germany) often sell localized versions of the IEC text.
Determine the environmental conditions (e.g., coastal salt, industrial dust, or desert sand). Determine SPS Class:
If an insulator profile fails to meet these geometric optimization ratios, a correction factor ( Kacap K sub a iec 60815-2 pdf
Profiles are categorized by top (α) and bottom (β) angles, typically 14° - 24° for the top and 8° - 16° for the bottom in modern designs.
This standard must be used in conjunction with Part 1 (IEC 60815-1), which establishes the general principles and definitions for assessing pollution levels. Core Methodology for Insulator Selection
Judge the effectiveness of different shed shapes—such as standard, open, anti-fog, or alternating profiles—against specific types of environmental contaminants like salt or industrial dust. The standard is a technical guide titled "Selection
Published by the International Electrotechnical Commission, this Technical Specification provides critical mathematical guidelines to prevent contamination-induced flashovers. Outdoor grid operators rely heavily on this framework to specify the necessary creepage distances of electrical infrastructure in marine, industrial, and desert areas. Core Structure of the IEC 60815 Series
: It defines the minimum creepage distance per unit of voltage (mm/kV) required to prevent flashovers.
: Often contains practical tools like a questionnaire for evaluating polluted areas and information on maintenance practices like greasing and washing. Relationship to Other Parts Determine SPS Class: If an insulator profile fails
By strictly adhering to the formulas laid out in the official IEC 60815-2 documentation, utilities can drastically reduce pollution-related outages, optimize maintenance washing schedules, and guarantee grid resilience over decades of service.
For engineers and technical professionals working on high‑voltage AC transmission systems, is an indispensable reference. This technical specification provides the foundation for selecting and dimensioning ceramic and glass insulators that must operate reliably in polluted outdoor environments. In this comprehensive article we examine exactly what IEC 60815‑2 covers, how its two editions differ, where you can obtain an official copy, and why understanding this standard is critical for modern power‑grid design.