Hi-Pot Testing

The term hi-pot testing is a contraction for high potential, which means high voltage testing. Hi-pot testing has more commonly been further shortened to hipot testing which become a widely accepted term for the process for applying high voltage to a device in order to determine the status of its electrical insulation. Although hi-pot is a commonly used word, there are many it has many terms with similar or identical meanings. Voltage withstand testing, dielectric strength testing and insulation breakdown testing and are popular terms synonymous with hi-pot testing.

Hi-pot testing uses either an AC or DC stimulus voltages dependent on the test specification. The hi-pot test is the most popular form of electrical safety testing. Products which operate from line voltage, often require production line hi-pot testing on a 100% basis. Besides hi-pot testing, ground bond testing and insulation resistance testing are also often required. The test voltage for hi-pot testing is usually specified by the applicable safety standard. As a general rule, the hi-pot test voltage is twice the line voltage plus 1000 volts. Typically hi-pot testing is conducted for a specified time period, for example 1 minute. Many times standards will permit a reduction of the hi-pot testing period, to as little as one second, when the test voltage is increased.