[TowerTalk] Hi Pot testing Effects..

[Tom Rauch]

> Can/Does a properly designed HI-Pot tester test,
permanently damage a HV
> capacitor if there is arc-over?

It can if there is a dielectric punch through. It will make
a pin hole in the dielectric even at very low current.

> i.e.  when if the HI Pot punctures the dielectric, is the
the resulting arc
> damage permanent?

Yes. Unless it is a fluid, air, or vacuum dielectric

> If testing a vacuum variable, and you have an arc-over,
(as I did once) does
> the arc do any machanical damage to the soft, precsion
aligned and formed
> copper plates?

No. Not with a proper high pot.