CAN CSA C22.2 No. 61010-2-034-18: Essential Safety Standard for Insulation and Dielectric Test Equipment

CAN CSA C22.2 No. 61010-2-034-18 is a national standard of Canada, adopted from IEC 61010-2-034:2018, which specifies safety requirements for electrical equipment designed for insulation resistance testing and dielectric strength testing. These instruments are critical for verifying the integrity of electrical insulation in cables, transformers, motors, and other high-voltage equipment. As part of the C22.2 series under the Canadian Electrical Code, Part II, this standard establishes mandatory safety criteria to protect operators, equipment, and facilities from electrical hazards during testing.

Scope and Application

This standard applies to equipment intended for measuring insulation resistance and performing dielectric strength tests, including megohmmeters, hipot testers, and similar devices. The operating voltage of these instruments can range from a few hundred volts to tens of kilovolts. CAN CSA C22.2 No. 61010-2-034-18 covers all aspects of safety relevant to such equipment: electrical, mechanical, thermal, and radiation hazards, with particular emphasis on protection against electric shock, arc flash, and high-energy faults. The standard is applicable to both hand-held units and larger bench-top or rack-mounted systems used in laboratories, industrial facilities, and field service.

Technical Requirements

Insulation Resistance Testing

Insulation resistance (IR) measurement involves applying a DC voltage to the equipment under test (EUT) and measuring the resulting leakage current. The standard mandates that IR testers must limit the output current to safe levels during both normal and single-fault conditions. Short-circuit current from the test leads shall not exceed 5 mA at voltages up to 1 kV and must be progressively reduced at higher voltages. Additionally, the standard requires automatic discharge circuitry to safely discharge capacitive loads after testing, with the voltage at the test leads decaying to below 30 V within 1 second.

Dielectric Strength Testing

Dielectric strength (hipot) equipment applies a high AC or DC voltage between live parts and ground to verify insulation withstand capability. CAN CSA C22.2 No. 61010-2-034-18 prescribes that the test voltage must be adjustable and accurately controlled, with a maximum peak overseer of no more than 10% when driving a purely capacitive load. The standard also requires the instrument to include a zero-start interlock so that the output voltage can only be raised from zero, and that an emergency stop function is readily accessible. For DC testers, the ripple in the output voltage must be less than 5% of the nominal value at full load conditions.

Construction and Design

All equipment covered by this standard must comply with the general safety principles of IEC 61010-1 (adopted as CAN CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1). Particular attention is paid to clearance and creepage distances for the high-voltage circuitry. Below is a summary of minimum spacing requirements based on working voltage and pollution degree (typical for Pollution Degree 2, Material Group IIIa):

Table 1: Illustrative clearances and creepage distances for high-voltage circuits (values shall be verified per the latest edition of the standard).

Implementation and Compliance

Manufacturers seeking compliance with CAN CSA C22.2 No. 61010-2-034-18 must perform a comprehensive risk assessment covering all normal operating, single-fault, and reasonably foreseeable misuse conditions. Demonstration of conformity typically involves type testing by an accredited laboratory (e.g., CSA Group, Intertek, or TÜV) with reference to the combined requirements of IEC 61010-1 and this part 2-034. Marking requirements include the manufacturer’s name, model number, electrical ratings, and the appropriate CSA certification mark. The standard also mandates that instructions for safe use and maintenance be provided, including warnings about the hazards of high voltage and capacitive discharge.

Frequently Asked Questions

© 2026 — This article is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the official text of CAN CSA C22.2 No. 61010-2-034-18. Always refer to the current published version for compliance.