The test procedure represents the methodical execution phase of the compliance verification process. Strict adherence to these procedural steps is non-negotiable for achieving a valid and defensible test outcome in accordance with the IEC 255-22-2 standard.

The protocol begins with the selection of appropriate test points. Points chosen for discharge application must be those that are accessible to an operator under normal service conditions. This includes features such as knobs, push-buttons, switches, and terminals. The manufacturer is responsible for specifying the exact test points used, a requirement that ensures the test can be precisely reproduced by any testing body.

The discharge application must follow a clear, step-by-step sequence:

1. The test shall be performed using single discharges.
2. Each selected test point must be subjected to at least 10 single discharges with positive polarity and 10 single discharges with negative polarity.
3. The recommended time interval between successive discharges is 1 second.
4. To ensure the highest degree of repeatability in test results, the discharge generator must be held perpendicular to the surface to which the discharge is applied.

Distinct procedures are required for different surface types. For a conducting surface covered by an insulating coating, such as paint, the tip of the generator must penetrate the coating to make direct contact with the conducting substrate. However, where the coating is declared by the manufacturer as insulating, the contact discharge test shall not be applied to such surfaces.

The execution of these procedures leads directly to the final evaluation of the equipment’s performance against the acceptance criteria.