In industry practice, low-voltage cables generally refer to power cables with a rated voltage of 1,000 volts or less. Specific standards and specifications govern the withstand voltage testing of such cables. These standards-typically established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), national standards organizations, or industry consortia-provide a unified technical basis for parameters such as test voltage levels, duration, and methodology.
The core of these standards lies in defining the specific test voltage values and their duration. For instance, for common low-voltage cables insulated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), the AC withstand test voltage is typically set at two or more times the rated voltage-with the exact multiplier depending on the cable type and insulation material-while the test duration generally ranges from one to several minutes. Conducting tests in accordance with these standards allows for an effective assessment of the insulation integrity while preventing unnecessary damage to sound insulation that could otherwise be caused by excessively high test voltages or overly long test durations.
