BDV test requirements are defined through standardized test methods that specify electrode geometry, gap, voltage rise rate, sample preparation, and number of breakdowns recorded. Utilities often cite IEC based or ASTM based test procedures and then set acceptance limits in their own specifications. The chosen method matters because results can vary if sampling, temperature, or electrode cleanliness is poor. In practice, compliance includes using calibrated BDV equipment, following the correct method precisely, and reporting results with test conditions so they are comparable over time and across laboratories.
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