IEC TR 61857-2:2015
(Main)Electrical insulation systems - Procedures for thermal evaluation - Part 2: Selection of the appropriate test method for evaluation and classification of electrical insulation systems
Electrical insulation systems - Procedures for thermal evaluation - Part 2: Selection of the appropriate test method for evaluation and classification of electrical insulation systems
IEC TR 61857-2:2015(E) gives guidelines to identify the appropriate test method to be used for the evaluation of a proposed Electrical Insulation System (EIS). Some of the standards are for evaluation and classification of the EIS, while other standards identify the appropriate method to evaluate single or multi-factor stresses of a proposed or of an established EIS. This Technical Report is applicable to existing or proposed EIS used in electrotechnical products across a wide range of operating voltages of IEC Standards. The report takes care to select the appropriate standard based on construction and intended operating conditions.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 12-Apr-2015
- Technical Committee
- TC 112 - Evaluation and qualification of electrical insulating materials and systems
- Drafting Committee
- WG 6 - TC 112/WG 6
Relations
- Effective Date
- 10-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 10-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 08-Mar-2024
Overview
IEC TR 61857-2:2015 is an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) technical report that provides comprehensive guidelines for selecting the appropriate test methods for the evaluation and classification of electrical insulation systems (EIS). This standard is relevant for both existing and proposed EIS used in electrotechnical products across various voltage ranges. Its primary objective is to ensure that EIS used in equipment such as motors, transformers, and generators are properly evaluated to meet safety, reliability, and operational requirements under specified operating conditions.
Selecting optimal test procedures is crucial for the effective thermal performance evaluation, long-term reliability, and suitability of electrical insulation systems. This standard assists manufacturers and designers in choosing the most appropriate evaluation strategy based on EIS construction and intended application environments.
Key Topics
- Purpose of Evaluation
- Identifying whether thermal decomposition or multiple stress factors (thermal, electrical, environmental, mechanical) need to be assessed.
- Distinguishing between single-factor (thermal only) and multi-factor test requirements.
- Test Object Types
- Defining test objects: completed products (such as motors or transformers) and laboratory models.
- Guidelines on test objects for various voltage classes (low-voltage up to 600 VAC, and medium/high voltage above 600 VAC).
- Test Methods Selection
- Explains how to align EIS testing with product design, construction, and expected operating conditions.
- Provides reference to various IEC test standards for different scenarios, including new and established EIS, as well as modifications.
- Stresses Considered in EIS Evaluation
- Focus on four main stress categories: thermal, electrical, environmental, and mechanical.
- Emphasis on thermal stresses as the dominant concern but acknowledges applications where multi-factor evaluation is needed.
Applications
IEC TR 61857-2:2015 is relevant across a broad spectrum of electrotechnical applications, including:
- Rotating Machinery
- Evaluation of electrical insulation systems in motors and generators, covering both random-wound and form-wound coil designs.
- Transformers and Coils
- Testing of insulation performance for wire-wound and encapsulated coils used in transformers and solenoids.
- Low-, Medium-, and High-Voltage Equipment
- Applies to EIS used in devices operating below and above 600 VAC, with test methods tailored for each class.
- Modification and Qualification
- Guidance on evaluating changes to established EIS designs, ensuring continued compliance and performance.
- Environmental and Combined Stresses
- Recommendations for environmental compatibility, such as oil-immersed transformers or equipment exposed to repetitive voltage impulses.
By providing structured procedures and referencing applicable IEC standards, the document ensures that products meet international safety and performance benchmarks, supporting product certification and market entry.
Related Standards
IEC TR 61857-2:2015 refers to and supports the use of several related IEC standards for EIS evaluation, including:
- IEC 61857-1: General requirements for thermal evaluation - low-voltage
- IEC 60034-18-21: Thermal evaluation of random-wound winding insulation in rotating machines
- IEC 60034-18-31: Thermal evaluation of form-wound winding insulation in rotating machines
- IEC 61857-21/22: Specific requirements for wire-wound and encapsulated coil models
- IEC 61858-1/2: Evaluation of modifications to established EIS for wire-wound and form-wound windings
- IEC TS 62101: Combined thermal and electrical stress evaluation
- IEC TS 62332-1/2: Thermal assessment for EIS with combined liquid and solid components
- IEC 60505: General guidance on EIS evaluation and qualification
- IEC 62068, IEC 61934: Electrical endurance and measurement of partial discharges under voltage impulses
A thorough understanding and application of IEC TR 61857-2:2015 help ensure that electrical insulation systems are rigorously tested, appropriately classified, and compliant with global electrotechnical standards, supporting reliability and operational safety in demanding environments.
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IEC TR 61857-2:2015 - Electrical insulation systems - Procedures for thermal evaluation - Part 2: Selection of the appropriate test method for evaluation and classification of electrical insulation systems Released:4/13/2015
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Frequently Asked Questions
IEC TR 61857-2:2015 is a technical report published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its full title is "Electrical insulation systems - Procedures for thermal evaluation - Part 2: Selection of the appropriate test method for evaluation and classification of electrical insulation systems". This standard covers: IEC TR 61857-2:2015(E) gives guidelines to identify the appropriate test method to be used for the evaluation of a proposed Electrical Insulation System (EIS). Some of the standards are for evaluation and classification of the EIS, while other standards identify the appropriate method to evaluate single or multi-factor stresses of a proposed or of an established EIS. This Technical Report is applicable to existing or proposed EIS used in electrotechnical products across a wide range of operating voltages of IEC Standards. The report takes care to select the appropriate standard based on construction and intended operating conditions.
IEC TR 61857-2:2015(E) gives guidelines to identify the appropriate test method to be used for the evaluation of a proposed Electrical Insulation System (EIS). Some of the standards are for evaluation and classification of the EIS, while other standards identify the appropriate method to evaluate single or multi-factor stresses of a proposed or of an established EIS. This Technical Report is applicable to existing or proposed EIS used in electrotechnical products across a wide range of operating voltages of IEC Standards. The report takes care to select the appropriate standard based on construction and intended operating conditions.
IEC TR 61857-2:2015 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION; 29.080.30 - Insulation systems. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
IEC TR 61857-2:2015 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 61857-31:2017, EN IEC 61857-32:2019, IEC TR 61857-2:2025. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
IEC TR 61857-2:2015 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
IEC TR 61857-2 ®
Edition 1.0 2015-04
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Electrical insulation systems – Procedures for thermal evaluation –
Part 2: Selection of the appropriate test method for evaluation and classification
of electrical insulation systems
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IEC TR 61857-2 ®
Edition 1.0 2015-04
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Electrical insulation systems – Procedures for thermal evaluation –
Part 2: Selection of the appropriate test method for evaluation and classification
of electrical insulation systems
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.080.30 ISBN 978-2-8322-2594-3
– 2 – IEC TR 61857-2:2015 © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 General information . 6
4.1 Purpose of the evaluation . 6
4.2 Test objects . 7
4.3 Test stresses . 7
5 Design and development of the scope of work for the EIS evaluation. 7
6 Test methods for the evaluation and classification of EIS . 7
Table 1 – Evaluation for thermal stresses in air . 9
Table 2 – Standards for the modification of an established EIS . 10
Table 3 – Standards for special environmental applications . 10
Table 4 – For evaluation prior to the start of long-term thermal ageing . 10
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
ELECTRICAL INSULATION SYSTEMS –
PROCEDURES FOR THERMAL EVALUATION –
Part 2: Selection of the appropriate test method for evaluation
and classification of electrical insulation systems
FOREWORD
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The main task of IEC technical committees is to prepare International Standards. However, a
technical committee may propose the publication of a technical report when it has collected
data of a different kind from that which is normally published as an International Standard, for
example "state of the art".
IEC TR 61857-2, which is a technical report, has been prepared by IEC technical committee
112: Evaluation and qualification of electrical insulating materials and systems.
– 4 – IEC TR 61857-2:2015 © IEC 2015
The text of this technical report is based on the following documents:
Enquiry draft Report on voting
112/312/DTR 112/318/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this technical report can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61857 series, published under the general title Electrical insulation
systems – Procedures for thermal evaluation, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.
ELECTRICAL INSULATION SYSTEMS –
PROCEDURES FOR THERMAL EVALUATION –
Part 2: Selection of the appropriate test method for evaluation
and classification of electrical insulation systems
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61857 gives guidelines to identify the appropriate test method to be used for
the evaluation of a proposed Electrical Insulation System (EIS). Some of the standards are for
evaluation and classification of the EIS, while other standards identify the appropriate method
to evaluate single or multi-factor stresses of a proposed or of an established EIS.
This Technical Report is applicable to existing or proposed EIS used in electrotechnical
products across a wide range of operating voltages of IEC Standards. The report takes care
to select the appropriate standard based on construction and intended operating conditions.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60034-18-21, Rotating electrical machines – Part 18-21: Functional evaluation of
insulation systems – Test procedures for wire-wound windings – Thermal evaluation and
classification
IEC 60034-18-31, Rotating electrical machines – Part 18-31: Functional evaluation of
insulation systems – Test procedures for form-wound windings – Thermal evaluation and
classification of insulation systems used in rotating machines
IEC 60505, Evaluation and qualification of electrical insulation systems
IEC 61857-1, Electrical insulation systems – Procedures for thermal evaluation – Part 1:
...




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