What Is Tracking?
The tracking test is a test in which voltage is applied while a conductive solution is dripped onto the insulation surface, evaluating whether a conductive track forms on the surface. It is defined in IEC 60112.
Purpose of Tracking
The purpose is to verify that the insulation surface does not become conductive and no short circuit forms in contaminated, moist environments.
Which Products Is Tracking Applied To?
- Insulation materials and sheets
- Terminal-block and connector housings
- Printed-circuit-board carriers
- Outdoor electrical equipment
In Which Sectors Is Tracking Used?
Standards Related to Tracking
- IEC 60112
- IEC 60664-1
- ASTM D3638
Tracking Conditions
- Electrolyte
- Ammonium chloride solution defined in the standard (Solution A or B)
- Electrode
- Platinum electrodes and position defined in the standard
- Drop interval
- Defined in the standard; typically at 30 s intervals
- Number of drops
- Generally 50 drops
Equipment for Tracking
- Tracking tester (CTI test set)
- Dripping and voltage-control rig
- Electrode set
- Current monitoring
Sample Requirements for Tracking
- The specimen surface must be flat and clean
- Thickness must meet the minimum value defined in the standard
- Material description must be recorded
- Generally five specimens
Duration of Tracking
Depends on the number of drops; typically half a working day.
Tracking Procedure
- 1The specimen surface is cleaned and the electrodes are placed.
- 2The test voltage is applied.
- 3The electrolyte is dripped at the defined interval.
- 4A conductive track on the surface, or exceeding the current threshold, is monitored.
- 5The result is recorded.
Tracking Acceptance Criteria
The acceptance criterion is given in the product standard as the required minimum CTI value.
Evaluation of Results
Formation of a conductive track, or exceeding the defined current threshold, is counted as failure. The result is expressed as a CTI/PTI value.
Tracking Report
- Standard applied
- Electrolyte type and drop parameters
- Test voltage
- Result and CTI value
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- LVD 2014/35/EU
Electrical Safety — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Tracking test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Electrical safety testing shows that a device poses no risk of electric shock, fire or injury to the user in normal use and under foreseeable fault conditions. This family is the test group most often requested when a product enters the market; almost every electrically operated product passes through this gate.
The logic of the field rests on a single assumption: FAULTS WILL HAPPEN. Insulation will age, a component will short, a cable will break, the user will misuse the device. Standards therefore test not only normal operation but also single fault conditions. The sentence "the device works correctly" is not evidence in this field; the evidence is that the device stays safe when it fails.
Assessment addresses three layers together. In the constructional layer, insulation distances (creepage and clearance), protective barriers, earthing continuity, enclosure strength and component selection are examined — this layer is largely a matter of inspection and measurement rather than testing. In the electrical layer, dielectric strength, leakage current, insulation resistance and behaviour under fault conditions are measured. In the thermal layer, temperature rise in normal and abnormal operation is monitored; an overheating component is both a fire risk and a risk of insulation breakdown.
Which standard applies is determined by WHAT THE PRODUCT IS, and that decision affects the entire outcome. Household appliances fall under the IEC 60335 series, information technology and audio/video products under IEC 62368-1, measurement and laboratory equipment under IEC 61010-1, and medical devices under IEC 60601-1. A report obtained under the wrong standard is not accepted in the file even if the measurements it contains are correct.
Component conformity is often overlooked in this field. The safety of the device rests on the conformity of the transformer, optocoupler, fuse, switch and power supply it uses. The list of critical components and the certification status of each is part of the technical file; a change of component reopens the safety assessment.
Method groups in this field
Constructional examination
Insulation distances, barriers, earthing arrangement, accessibility and selection of critical components are examined. It comes before testing and many non-conformities are caught here.
Dielectric strength
It is verified that the insulation withstands the defined voltage. It must not be confused with the routine test on the production line; the type test is more severe.
Leakage current and earthing
The current that could reach the user is measured; the continuity and resistance of the protective earthing path are verified.
Heating tests
Temperatures of components, windings and accessible surfaces are measured in normal and abnormal operation.
Fault condition tests
Components are deliberately short-circuited or open-circuited; the appliance is expected not to cause a fire and not to make a hazardous part accessible.
Mechanical and enclosure tests
Impact, drop, strain relief, IP protection and the safety of moving parts are assessed.
Commonly confused in this field
- A CB certificate is not a CE declaration. CB is the output of a mutual recognition arrangement that eases national certification; the CE declaration is made by the manufacturer under its own responsibility.
- A part of IEC 60335 is not sufficient on its own; it is applied together with Part 1.
- IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065 have been withdrawn. Old certificates based on these codes cannot be used in a current file.
- Separate certification of the adapter does not cover the conformity of the device; the device is assessed as the system it forms together with its power supply.
- A change of critical component (transformer, fuse, optocoupler supplier) is not a silent change; it requires the safety file to be reviewed.
Which decisions these results support
- CE declaration under the Low Voltage Directive
- IECEE CB certificate and entry into national certification schemes
- Assessing the safety impact of design changes
- Establishing and maintaining the critical component list
- Responding to market surveillance requests
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Tracking
According to which standard is Tracking made?
Tracking is executed in scope IEC 60112, IEC 60664-1 and ASTM D3638. The limit values and acceptance criteria to be applied are defined in the product standard; The version valid for your product is confirmed in writing at the offer stage.
Which products does Tracking apply to?
Mainly applied to Insulation materials and sheets, Terminal-block and connector housings, Printed-circuit-board carriers and Outdoor electrical equipment. Whether your product is included in the scope is determined by examining its technical specifications and intended use.
Under what conditions is Tracking done?
The determining parameters are: Electrolyte — Ammonium chloride solution defined in the standard (Solution A or B), Electrode — Platinum electrodes and position defined in the standard and Drop interval — Defined in the standard; typically at 30 s intervals. The full terms are in the "Test Conditions" section on the page and vary depending on the product standard.
What kind of sample is needed for Tracking?
The specimen surface must be flat and clean, Thickness must meet the minimum value defined in the standard and Material description must be recorded. The number of samples is determined according to the product standard and the scope to be reported.
How long does Tracking take?
Depends on the number of drops; typically half a working day. This duration belongs to the experiment itself; sample preparation, queuing and reporting are also evaluated. A realistic schedule for your product is given in the offer.
What is the Tracking result called "appropriate"?
The acceptance criterion is given in the product standard as the required minimum CTI value.