There is much discussion in the industry about how to properly electrically test AC stator and wound rotor windings. Topics include test voltage, procedure, frequency and when to perform the various tests. This article describes how the following standards address these questions:

• NEMA MG 1-2011
• (MG1) IEEE 43-2000
• (IEEE 43) IEEE 62.2-2004
• (IEEE 62.2) IEEE 522-2004
• (IEEE 522) IEEE 1068-2009
• (IEEE 1068) ANSI/EASA AR100-2010
• (AR100) CSA C392-2011 (C392)

These standards are regularly reviewed and coordinated, so some of the information may not match the old yellowed reference taped to your toolbox lid. These updated references should replace anything dated previous to the dates indicated on the standard. AR100 Section 4.3.1 lists the recommended tests for stator and wound rotor windings. They are insulation resistance (IR), winding resistance, growler, phase balance, surge comparison, polarity and ball rotation tests. This article covers the IR, winding resistance and surge tests. Noticeably absent from this list is the ever popular high potential (hi-pot) test. Topics covered also include: IR (or megohm) test Polarization index test Winding resistance test Surge comparison test Hi-pot test.