Ensuring the resilience of electrical relays and protection equipment against electrostatic discharge is critical for maintaining power system reliability and safety. An ESD event, though fleeting, can introduce significant electrical stress that may lead to equipment maloperation or failure if not properly accounted for in the design. This document provides a practical, step-by-step implementation of IEC 255-22-2: Electrical relays – Part 22: Electrical disturbance tests for measuring relays and protection equipment – Section 2: Electrostatic discharge tests. Hereafter, this document will be referred to as “IEC 255-22-2” or “the standard.” It is designed to guide test engineers in achieving standardized, repeatable, and verifiable results in accordance with the standard.

1.1 Purpose

The primary objective of these tests is to confirm that the Equipment Under Test (EUT) does not maloperate when it is energized and subjected to electrostatic discharges.

1.2 Scope

This protocol applies to static measuring relays and protection equipment in new condition. The procedures are applicable whether the equipment is equipped with or without output contacts.

1.3 Key Terminology

The following definitions are essential for the correct application of this test protocol.

To execute these tests correctly, it is vital to first define the specific test parameters and ensure the proper environmental conditions are met.