The electrical properties of the insulating materials are essential in the production of compounds for wires and cables. In its pursuit of continual improvement as to the performance of the grades, our company has acquired technical and specific knowledge in the field of electrical measurements. Today we are able, thanks to the studies conducted and the tools purchased, to offer products with increasingly enhanced electrical properties.
Alternating current resistance measurements are carried out with a Keysight E4980AL precision LCR meter. This instrument provides the best combination of accuracy, speed and versatility, allowing us to determine the dielectric constant and the loss factor at different frequencies.
To measure volume and surface resistivity in direct current according to ASTM D257, we utilize a Keysight 16008B Resistivity Cell with a full complement of planar electrodes. Volume resistivity is measured typically at 500 V; the current flow through the sample is recorded and used to calculate the volume resistivity of the specimen. The volume resistivity is reported after 60 seconds of electrification.
In surface resistivity mode, the test method is the same, but the measurement covers the current flowing on the surface of the sample. The resistivity cell is connected with a Keysight B2985A Electrometer/High Resistance Meter, which simplifies the surface and volume resistivity characterization of insulating materials by providing accurate resistance or current versus time information.
We can also perform dielectric breakdown tests in alternating current with the D149-DI Series tester. This instrument is equipped with a new standard embedded firmware controller that is internally programmed to perform the ASTM D149 short-time test, step-by-step test and slow-rate-of-rise test.
