COMPARATIVE TRACKING INDEX (CTI)

OF
ELECTRICAL INSULATION TAPES

What is CTI ?
CTI is an index used for electrical insulating materials which is defined as the
numerical value of that voltage which will cause failure by tracking during
standard test. Tracking is the process that produces a partially conducting path
of localized deterioration on the surface of an insulating material as a result of
the action of electric discharges on or close to an insulation surface.

Why is CTI important ?

By considering the CTI value, we can easily determine the minimum width of
marginal (barrier) tapes used in transformer. Owing to electrical safety
reasons, UL has regulation on high frequency power transformers, that a
minimum creepage distance is required. Therefore, the size of a transformer
has been a bottle neck of minimization of electrical/electronic products
especially in the information technology fields such as PC. However, in the
new version of UL1950 or IEC 950, CTI values can be used as a standard of
choosing the insulating materials used in the creepage distance. With a higher
CTI value insulating material, the minimum creepage distance can be made
smaller, and subsequently a smaller transformer. Based on this new standard
and regulations, P. LEO has developed a barrier tape (marginal tape) with a
high CTI value. Approved by UL, this tape is graded as Class I insulating
material. With this tape, the size of a transformer may be reduced as much as
30%. Or, as the space for winding is increased, an engineer can use magnet
wire with larger size to reduce the resistance and hence the heat generated.
This technology is a breakthrough in manufacturing of high frequency power
transformers and the related components such as power supplies and monitors.
One of the examples is the creepage distance in transformer. Due to the
existence of the creepage distance (the shortest path between two conductive
parts measured along the surface of the insulation), the size of this electrical
device cannot be too small.

Using the Comparative Tracking Index

Test Speciments: 50mm(2 in.) or 100-mm (4 in.) diameter disks or any other similar sha
Minimum thickness is 2.5mm(0.100in)
At least five specimens of each sample be tested
Electrode: Platinum Electrodes
Power Source: 0~1kVA,60 Hz
Aqueous Contaminant: 0.1% Ammonium Chloride Solution
395 ohm-cm resistivity at room temperature.

Test Sequence

1.Set the power source to a particular value

 2.Place the electrodes on the surface of the test specimen with a distance of
4mm(.16 in) apart.
3.Add the drops of the electrolyte by situating the hypodermic needle
40mm(1.6in) above the surface.

o The drop size: 20 +5-0 mm3 (0.0015 in3 / 0.0246cc).

o The drop rate: 1 drop per 30 sec.

4. Continue dropping until tracking occurs.

5. Plot the number of drops of electrolyte at the breakdown versus voltage. On
the curve note the voltage which corresponds to 50 drops. This is the
comparative track index (CTI)

supplies tapes with high CTI values, which may reduce the size of a
transformer. For insulating materials used in the creepage distance, as
indicatedin the UL1950 or IEC950 standards, CTI can be used as a criterion of
choice. The higher the CTI value of an insulating material used, the smaller
the creepage distance can be. For example, 's tape 1H860,1H86A,1H866,
1H818 approved by UL, is classified as a Group I material (see table below).
Using this tape as a barrier tape (marginal tape) the size of a transformer can
be reduced as much as to 30%. This technology is suitable to be used in the
manufacturing of high frequency power transformers and the related
electrical/electronic equipment such as power supply and monitor. The file
no.of tape is E126174.

IEC-950 CTI value

Comparative Minimum Creepage
Electrical Insulation Tape
Tracking Index Distance at 300V
1H860,1H86A,1H866,
Group I CTI -> 600 3.2mm
1H818 etc
Group II 400 <- CTI
4.4mm ----
<-600
Group IIIa 175 <- CTI
6.4mm ordinary tape
<- 400
Group IIIb 100 <- CTI
6.4mm ----
<- 175

Creepage Distance
Use insulating tapes with CTI value can reduce the creepage distance in transformers

Thickness Tensile Breakdown CTI

(mm) Length Elongation Adhesion
Part No. Strength Voltage Subject to
1H860
Total (m) (%) (kg/25mm)
(kg/25mm) (kV) UL 746A
Backing

(1 0.16 > or =
90 14 70 1.2 5.5
Layer) 0.122 600
 (2 0.32
45 28 70 1.1 10.6 "
Layer) 0.244
(3 0.48
30 42 70 1.1 17 "
Layer) 0.366
The numerical data above are obtained in laboratory, and make no warranty or
guarantee of the result.

Followings are electrical insulating tapes classified in material group

1 (CTI > or = 600):

Thickness Tensile Breakdown CTI

(mm) Length Elongation Adhesion
Strength Voltage Subject to
Part No.
Total (m) (%) (kg/25mm)
(kg/25mm) (kV) UL 746A
Backing

0.175 > or =
1G130 55 77.27 8 0.852 2.5
0.125 600
0.420
1H818 30 25.00 100 1.60 6 "
0.390
0.125 --
1H850 55 15.91 50 0.994 5 "
---
0.162 --
1H86A 55 15.91 50 0.994 5 "
---
0.140
1H866 82 14.00 30 1.20 5.5 "
0.11
0.062 0.852 -
1P700 66 10.45 100 5 "
0.025 1.136
0.062 0.852 -
1P701 66 10.45 100 5 "
0.025 1.136
0.087
1P702 66 22.73 100 0.852 5 "
0.05
0.055
1P717 66 10.45 100 0.994 5 "
0.025
0.055
1P707 66 10.45 100 0.994 5 "
0.025
0.165
1PG880 55 136.36 6 0.994 5 "
0.125
0.165
1PG887 55 136.36 6 0.994 5 "
0.125
0.200
1PN820 33 45.45 35 0.852 1 "
0.125
0.200
1PN828 33 45.45 35 0.852 1 "
0.125
The numerical data above are obtained in laboratory, and make no warranty or
guarantee of the result.
 Refer to UL 840, the minimum acceptable creepage distances at different
voltages are shown below:

Creepage distance for equipment subject to long-term stress, mm

Pollution
Pollution degree Pollution degree 3
Operating degree 1 Pollution degree 4
Voltage
2 Material grp
All material Material grp Material grp
volts ac grp
rms or dc I II
I II I II III a IIIa
IIIa,b IIIb

0.40 0.40
0.40
0.42 0.42
0.42
0.45 0.46
0.45
0.48 0.48
0.48
0.50 0.50
10 0.080 0.50 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.60 1.60 1.60
12.5 0.090 0.53 0.53 1.00 1.06 1.05 1.05 1.60 1.60 1.60
16 0.100 0.53 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.60 1.60 1.60
20 0.110 0.56 0.80 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.60 1.60 1.60
25 0.125 1.10 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.70 1.70 1.70
32 0.140 0.60 0.85 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.80 1.80 1.80
40 0.150 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 1.80 1.90 2.40 3.00
50 0.180 0.63 0.90 1.50 1.70 1.90 1.90 2.00 2.50 3.20
63 0.200 1.25 1.60 1.80 2.00 2.00 2.10 2.60 3.40
80 0.220 0.67 0.95 1.70 1.90 2.10 2.10 2.20 2.80 3.50
100 0.250 1.30 1.80 2.00 2.20 2.20 2.40 3.00 3.80
125 0.280 0.71 1.00 1.90 2.10 2.40 2.40 2.50 3.20 4.00
160 0.320 1.40 2.00 2.20 2.50 2.50 3.20 4.00 5.00
200 0.420 0.75 1.05 2.50 2.80 3.20 3.20 4.00 5.00 6.30
250 0.560 1.50 3.20 3.60 4.00 4.00 5.00 6.30 8.00
320 0.750 0.80 1.10 4.00 4.50 5.00 5.00 6.30 8.00 10.00
400 1.000 1.60 5.00 5.60 6.30 6.30 8.00 10.00 12.50
500 1.300 1.00 1.40 6.30 7.10 8.00 8.00 10.00 12.50 16.00
630 1.800 2.00 8.00 8.00 10.00 10.00 12.50 16.00 20.00
1.25 1.80
2.50
1.60 2.20
3.20
2.00 2.80
4.00
2.50 3.50
5.00
3.20 4.50 6.30

Pollution degree based on the presence of contaminants and possibility of

condensation or moisture at the creepage distance are as follows:
 a) Pollution Degree 1 -- No pollution or only dry, nonconductive pollution.
The pollution has no influence.

b) Pollution Degree 2 -- Normally, only nonconductive pollution.

However, a temporary conductivity caused by condensation may be
expected.

c) Pollution Degree 3 -- Conductive pollution, or dry, nonconductive

pollution that becomes conductive due to condensation that is expected.

d) Pollution Degree 4 -- Pollution that generates persistent conductivity

through conductive dust or rain and snow.

Back to Previous Page

® is P. Leo & Co.,(B.C.) Ltd. trade mark.

For more informations, contact us by e-mail at market@pleo.com

Copyright © 1996-2000 P. Leo & Co., (B.C.) Ltd. All rights reserved.