The Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) is used to measure the electrical breakdown (tracking) properties of an insulating material. Tracking is an electrical breakdown on the surface of an insulating material wherein an initial exposure to electrical arcing heat carbonizes the material. The carbonized areas are more conductive than the pristine insulator, increasing current flow, resulting in increased heat generation, and eventually the insulation becomes completely conductive.
Detailsedit
A large voltage difference gradually creates a conductive leakage path across the surface of the material by forming a carbonized track. Testing method is specified in IEC standard 60112 and ASTM D3638.
To measure the tracking, 50 drops of 0.1% ammonium chloride solution are dropped on the material, and the voltage measured for a 3 mm thickness is considered representative of the material performance. Also term PTI (Proof Tracking Index) is used: it means voltage at which during testing on five samples the samples pass the test with no failures.
Performance Level Categories (PLC) were introduced to avoid excessive implied precision and bias.
The CTI value is used for electrical safety assessment of electrical apparatus, as for instance carried out by testing and certification laboratories. The minimum required creepage distances over an insulating material between electrically conducting parts in apparatus, especially between parts with a high voltage and parts that can be touched by human users, is dependent on the insulator's CTI value. Also for internal distances in an apparatus by maintaining CTI based distances, the risk of fire is reduced.
Creepage distance requirement depends on the CTI. Material which CTI is unknown are classified in IIIb group. There are no CTI requirement for glass, ceramic, and other inorganic material which do not breakdown on the surface.[citation needed]
The better the insulation, the higher the CTI (positive relationship). In terms of clearance, a higher CTI value means a lower minimum creepage distance required, and the closer two conductive parts can be. [1]
Tracking Index (V)
PLC
600 and Greater
0
400 through 599
1
250 through 399
2
175 through 249
3
100 through 174
4
< 100
5
In design of medical products, the CTI is treated differently. Material groups are classified as shown below, per IEC 60601-1:2005, International Standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC):
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Material Group
600 ≤ CTI
I
400 ≤ CTI < 600
II
175 ≤ CTI < 400
IIIa
100 ≤ CTI < 175
IIIb
The test method does not work well for voltages below 125VAC as the solution does not evaporate between successive drops. The test method has an upper limit of 600VAC; higher voltages result in air breakdown between the electrodes and not along the surface of the specimen under test. Other test methods should be sought if the objective is to differentiate specimens with CTI values above 600VAC.
Referencesedit
^"Tech Brief Comparative Tracking Index" (PDF). Retrieved January 29, 2018.
IEC 60112 Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking indices of solid insulating materials [2]
IEC 60601-1 Medical electrical equipment - Part 1: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance [3]
December 15, 2023
comparative, tracking, index, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, march, 2017, l. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Comparative Tracking Index CTI is used to measure the electrical breakdown tracking properties of an insulating material Tracking is an electrical breakdown on the surface of an insulating material wherein an initial exposure to electrical arcing heat carbonizes the material The carbonized areas are more conductive than the pristine insulator increasing current flow resulting in increased heat generation and eventually the insulation becomes completely conductive Details editA large voltage difference gradually creates a conductive leakage path across the surface of the material by forming a carbonized track Testing method is specified in IEC standard 60112 and ASTM D3638 To measure the tracking 50 drops of 0 1 ammonium chloride solution are dropped on the material and the voltage measured for a 3 mm thickness is considered representative of the material performance Also term PTI Proof Tracking Index is used it means voltage at which during testing on five samples the samples pass the test with no failures Performance Level Categories PLC were introduced to avoid excessive implied precision and bias The CTI value is used for electrical safety assessment of electrical apparatus as for instance carried out by testing and certification laboratories The minimum required creepage distances over an insulating material between electrically conducting parts in apparatus especially between parts with a high voltage and parts that can be touched by human users is dependent on the insulator s CTI value Also for internal distances in an apparatus by maintaining CTI based distances the risk of fire is reduced Creepage distance requirement depends on the CTI Material which CTI is unknown are classified in IIIb group There are no CTI requirement for glass ceramic and other inorganic material which do not breakdown on the surface citation needed The better the insulation the higher the CTI positive relationship In terms of clearance a higher CTI value means a lower minimum creepage distance required and the closer two conductive parts can be 1 Tracking Index V PLC600 and Greater 0400 through 599 1250 through 399 2175 through 249 3100 through 174 4 lt 100 5In design of medical products the CTI is treated differently Material groups are classified as shown below per IEC 60601 1 2005 International Standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission IEC Comparative Tracking Index CTI Material Group600 CTI I400 CTI lt 600 II175 CTI lt 400 IIIa100 CTI lt 175 IIIbThe test method does not work well for voltages below 125VAC as the solution does not evaporate between successive drops The test method has an upper limit of 600VAC higher voltages result in air breakdown between the electrodes and not along the surface of the specimen under test Other test methods should be sought if the objective is to differentiate specimens with CTI values above 600VAC References edit Tech Brief Comparative Tracking Index PDF Retrieved January 29 2018 External links editUnderwriters Laboratory definition of CTI 1 IEC 60112 Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking indices of solid insulating materials 2 IEC 60601 1 Medical electrical equipment Part 1 General requirements for basic safety and essential performance 3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Comparative Tracking Index amp oldid 1093119603, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
