High Voltage (HV) Testing is a diagnostic and quality control method used to validate the insulation strength of electrical equipment by
applying a voltage higher than its rated level.
High voltage testing is essential for quality assurance and safety in power systems. Proper voltage selection, duration, and method ensure reliability, prevent failures, and meet compliance standards. The hipot test, derived from the term High Potential Test, is a direct application of a high voltage to a unit under test. The test voltage is usually much higher than the usual operating voltage in order to stress the dielectric properties of the device under test.
Various applications in electrical engineering and applied physics require different types of high voltages, including direct current (D.C.), alternating current (A.C.), and impulse voltages. For example, high D.C. voltages of at least 100 kV are needed for electron microscopes and X-ray units, while electrostatic precipitators and particle accelerators require D.C. voltages of several kilovolts or even megavolts.