ELTEK International University
ELTEK International University (EIU) provides our customers with a place to obtain accurate and current information about the electrical industry in terms of industry standards for testing and specification, information about electrical insulating materials (EIM), and Electrical Insulation Systems (EIS).
Our university is for material manufacturers and end-product manufacturers. The course content is based on the point of interaction between ELTEK International Laboratories with the electrical industry. ELTEK International University is structured to offer courses on a wide range of topics. Many courses and classes are linked to other courses or classes.
Recently, we’ve made several improvements to EIU. In response to the request of our clients, all EIU courses are now available for individual purchase. You can purchase courses using a major credit card via PayPal.
As an incentive to our clients, we have created the cornerstone course, EIU 101: The Big Picture, downloadable for FREE.
EIU Course 101, Classes 1, 2, and 3: The Big Picture
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Manufacturers of end-products are focused on the application and safety of operation. For companies that manufacture products for households, the applications are expected to be used indoors in a relatively controlled climate. Manufacturers of products for use in heavy-duty earth moving equipment know that the temperature variations and weather conditions, as well as the physical vibrations during operation, will be extreme.
These two markets need and select different groups (systems) of materials for these different applications. In simplified terms, the application determines the selection of(1) materials used, (2) the Electrical Insulation Systems,(3) the design and (4) concerns about compatibility…
FREE download of the complete EIU Course 101 here.
EIU Course 102, Class 1: Introduction to Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
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1.1 What is UL?
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, for-profit product-safety testing and certification organization. Its main purpose is Testing for Public Safety: That is, to test Consumer and Commercial end-products for safe operation. End-products are any type of completely finished and ready-to-use product such as a TV set, kitchen appliances, computers, washing machine, etc…
$50.00
EIU Course 104: Types of Electrical Insulation Materials (EIM)
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Section 1 – General Description
Electrical Insulation Materials (EIM) are any of the materials which are used for the purpose of providing an electrical insulation barrier within a device or end-product. There is no real limit to the range of different materials which can be considered for use as an EIM. Basically any material that is not conductive to electrical energy flow (current) can be considered a potential EIM…
$50.00
EIU Course 105: Types of Non-Electrical Insulation Materials
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Section 1 – General Description
1.1 The categories and terms used in this general category are used in reference to Electrical Insulation Barrier and Electrical Insulation Systems (EIS) only. This general category of materials is not used to imply or refer to the value, benefit or actual purpose of the use of any materials in the end-product. The category of non-electrical insulating materials refers to any material needed for a properly operating end-product but not selected to function as a major electrical insulation barrier. These materials are selected for physical properties, environmental seal, sound quieting or one of many other non-electrical insulation purposes…
$50.00
EIU Course 106: Thermal Classifications General
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Section 1 – General
1.1 Thermal classifications refer to the T portion of the T.E.A.M. concept. EIM can be assigned a thermal classification based on either the generic chemical composition or on actual long-term thermal aging. EIS are assigned a thermal classification based on long-term thermal aging projects only…
$50.00
EIU Course 107: Calibration
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Section 1 – General
1.1 Laboratory Calibration
Every laboratory is concerned about calibration. Calibration covers several aspects from calibration methods, calibration validation, calibration procedures and calibration records. Another part of calibration is the selection and use of Reference Standards and Reference Materials…
$50.00
EIU Course 140: UL Request for Recognition
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Guidelines to Request a Final or Provisional Recognition
Section 1: General
At this time, only Underwriters Laboratories (UL) offers what is referred to as a Provisional Recognition. “Recognition” means a Final or Official Recognition offered by UL, as well as other Certificating Bodies (CB). The following guidelines should make it easier to understand when a request for…
$50.00
EIU Course 200, Class 1: Electrical Insulation Materials
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Section 1 – General
1.1 A material which is identified as an Electrical Insulation Material (EIM) is a material which has low or poor conductance of electrical energy transfer. Poor conductance is another way to express good resistance.
1.2 There is no perfect EIM. All materials used in the industry have some level of energy transfer from the conductor into the material itself, or between layers of insulation materials…
$50.00
EIU Course 200, Class 3: EIM Thermal Index Ratings (TI) vs. Relative Thermal Index Ratings (RTI)
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1.1 There are two types of Long-Term Thermal Aging (LTTA) programs:
- Thermal Index = TI, and
- Relative Thermal Index = RTI.
Both are used for the purpose of comparing materials. Each has advantages and disadvantages. This class is focused on details and a comparison between the two approaches to LTTA.
1.2 The main purpose of either approach is for substitution of an alternate material or component material for the material used in the original application…
$50.00
EIU Course 201, Class 1: Electrical Insulation Systems – General Information
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1.1 Electrical Insulation Systems (EIS) are defined slightly differently within commonly referenced Standards.
- UL 1446 defines an EIS as two or more materials with both being EIM.
- The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defines an EIS as two or more materials with one being a conductor and one being an EIM.
There are other definitions but the common factor to all definitions is the inclusion of two or more materials (chemistries) which in combination provide expected performance over time. EIS testing is dominated by thermal stresses and evaluates the long term performance of the collective group composing the EIS…
$50.00
EIU Course 201, Class 3: EIS and Compressor Applications
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1.1 The electrical motors used in compressors operate in a sealed environment. The sealed environment consists of refrigerant and lubricating oil in both a vapor and a liquid stage during operating and off-duty portions of duty cycles. This is not a “standard” environment; the EIS to be used for non-standard application environments require additional evaluation for the specific application…
$50.00
EIU Course 201, Class 4: EIS Substitution Policies
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Section 1 – General
One of the most essential aspects of EIS programs is an understanding of the concepts of Substitutions or Modification to an established Insulation System. The first critical part to understand about this section is the meaning of the two key words (1) Substitution and (2) Modification. This class focuses on Substitutions; a separate course focuses on modifications…
$50.00
EIU Course 202, Class 1: Compatibility Testing
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Section 1 – General
1.1 The purpose of compatibility testing is to evaluate the level of and effect resulting from the chemical interaction between different materials. The materials are those used in the manufacturing of an end-product. For this concept, view the materials in terms of the chemical composition of each. The chemical structures are in intimate contact and can interact, and there can also be interactions between a material and a substance in the environment…
$50.00
EIU Course 203: Fixed Temperature Method vs. Fixed Time Frame Method for Long Term Heat Aging
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Section 1 – General
1.1 Long Term Heat Aging (LTHA) has been utilized for decades to establish the thermal classification of materials used for electrical insulation. The main problem with using the Fixed Temperature Method (FT) is the total calendar time needed to complete most projects.
The other method of aging, Long Term Thermal Aging (LTTA), allows for LTHA projects to be completed within a pre-set time frame. This allows for scheduled introduction of products into the marketplace, controlled cost and efficient usage of laboratory equipment…
$50.00
EIU Course 209: Three Types of Reports
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There are three (3) types, or levels, of reports. Each type has a specific purpose and hence needs to be presented in a manner related to its purpose.
Without an understanding of these three levels, customers often request changes or modifications to a report released at one level, but the request for the change or modification may not be appropriate at the requested level. With the understanding of the three types of reports, request for changes, modifications, or other alterations can be made at the correct level…
$50.00
EIU Course 210, Class 1: Origins of Electrical Insulation Systems Testing
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Section 1– General
1.1 Electrical Insulation Systems are defined slightly differently within different Standards. UL 1446 defines an EIS as two or more materials with both being EIM. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defines an EIS as two or more materials with one being a conductor and one being an EIM…
$50.00
EIU Course 250, Class 1: Introduction to UL 94 Flame Test Sequence
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Section 1 – General Information
1.1 Probably the most commonly referenced flame test for classification of plastic or polymeric materials is UL 94: Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances. This test method has been utilized for evaluation of individual materials and the result of having these ratings has simplified the evaluation of many end-products…
$50.00
EIU Course 270, Class 1: Introduction to UL 1446 – Insulation Systems – General
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Section 1 – Introduction
1.1 As stated in the Introduction of UL 1446, this UL Standard covers the requirements and test procedures used by UL for evaluating Electrical Insulation Systems (EIS) rated at 120C and higher.
1.2 UL 1446 was originally intended for, and limited to, EIS with input operating voltages rated 600 VAC and below. The IEC standard, IEC 61857 Part 1 with its Part 21, covers the same test specimens as are presented in UL 1446. Both UL 1446 and IEC 61857 Part 21 use the technical information from IEEE 117…
$50.00
EIU Course 270, Class 2: Introduction to UL 1446 - UL’s terminology – Major Insulation vs. Minor Insulation
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1. Section 1 – Introduction
1.1 As presented in Class 1, UL 1446 provides an entire section to terms in Section 4. As stated in that class, a material could be defined as being either a major insulation material or a minor insulation material based on the application of that material or based on the end-product design.
1.2 The basic rule to follow when determining if a material should be defined as being major or minor is to answer the question:
Q. Is this material in a position to provide safety or to reduce electrical shock or other risk? …
$50.00
EIU Course 270, Class 4: Introduction to UL 1446 -Substitution Policies
SAMPLE TEXT:
Section 1 – General
1.1 One of the most essential sections of UL 1446 is Section 8 Substitutions or Modification to an Insulation System. The first critical part to understand about this section is the meaning of the two keywords: (1) Substitution and (2) Modification. This class is limited to UL recognized Electrical Insulation Systems (EIS).
1.2 Substitution
In order for a material or component to substitute for another material or component, that category of materials or components must actually be in the EIS in the first place. In other words, you cannot substitute an impregnating resins/varnish if the EIS does not include an impregnating resins/varnish…
$50.00
EIU Course 270, Class 5: Introduction to UL 1446 – Sealed Tube Testing
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Section 1 – General
1.1 One of the most common tests for compatibility is described in UL 1446 and is known as the Sealed Tube test. The sealed tube test is a base level evaluation. It evaluates the interaction between volatile components which out-gas from any material in the group placed into the tube interacting with the magnet wire insulation of the Electrical Insulation System (EIS).
The sealed tube test evaluates the possible interaction of materials or components which a manufacturer of end-products wishes to use with an EIS…
$50.00
EIU Course 301, Class 1: Typical Time Structure for Long Term Thermal Aging Projects
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1.1 Since the actual thermal performance of any candidate (new) Electrical Insulation System (EIS) cannot be known prior to the completion of the actual Long-Term Thermal Aging (LTTA), the structure of any EIS project is based on a few assumptions…
$50.00
EIU Course 301, Class 2: Description of the Scope of an Electrical Insulation System (EIS) Project Tested in Accordance with IEEE 117 / IEC 61857: Parts 1 & 21
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Section 1: General Information
1.1 An EIS evaluation is a Long-Term-Thermal-Aging (LTTA) project. LTTA for an EIS tested to IEEE 117 or to IEC 61857 requires a minimum of 5,000-hours of thermal exposure at the lowest thermal aging temperature. However, there are several steps to a LTTA project which are in addition to the actual thermal aging…
$50.00
EIU Course 301, Class 3: Description of the Materials Needed for a Project in Accordance with EIS Test to IEEE 117 / IEC 61857 Parts 1 and 21
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Section 1: General Information
1.1 The details for the construction of the test specimens in accordance with IEEE 117 and IEC 61857 Part 1 and 21 are in EIU 301 Class 1.
This class relates to the amount and size of materials needed for the construction of the test specimens…
$50.00
EIU Course 302, Class 1: Typical Time Structure for Long Term Thermal Aging Projects for RTI and TI Ratings of EIM
SAMPLE TEXT:
Section 1: General Information
1.1 Since the actual thermal performance of any candidate (new) Electrical Insulation Material (EIM) cannot be known prior to the completion of the actual Long-Term Thermal Aging (LTTA), the structure of any such project is based on a few assumptions…
$50.00
EIU Course 302, Class 2: Description of the Scope of an RTI Project in Accordance with UL 746-B
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Section 1: General Information
1.1 An RTI project is a Long Term Thermal Aging (LTTA) type of material evaluation. LTTA means the project is intended to require a minimum of 5,000-hours of thermal aging at one or more of the aging temperatures selected. 5,000-hours of continual thermal aging is 30-weeks, or a minimum of approximately eight months…
$50.00
EIU Course 302, Class 3: Description of the Materials – Test Specimens of an RTI Project in Accordance with UL 746-B
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Section 1: General Information
1.1 The details for the construction or preparation of the needed test specimens are found within the individual standard test method selected. The collection of all materials needed and the preparation of all test specimens is the responsibility of the customer…
$50.00
EIU Course 401: EIS IEEE 117/IEC 61857 Part 21 – Help Guide
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The two references, IEEE and IEC, provide two pathways to the same test methodology. This test methodology is focused on the evaluation of Low Voltage, Random-Wound applications. The key is more on random windings than to the voltage reference.
$250.00
EIU Course 415: IEEE C57.12.60 Help
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This Help document is intended to provide more detailed instructions for projects to be tested at ELTEK Labs using the ELTEK Labs approach. The ELTEK Labs approach is to make every attempt to design a single Test Procedure and Protocol (TP&P) which can cover a range of production models within a single test project. To achieve this, the test design is based on a survey of production models.
$250.00
EIU Course 420: IEEE 1776 Help
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In IEEE 1776, the test specimen is referred to as a Formette. One formette is aged and evaluated at each aging temperature. The construction of the test specimens consists of two main parts:
The metal frame: The essential materials used in manufacturing to electrically insulate the conductor from other coils, the metal frame (laminated stack) and/or difference phases.
IEEE 1776 states that the formette test specimen should be made to embody all of the essential elements (materials) representing a complete winding system.
This statement means that the formette is to have more than just the Electrical Insulation Materials (EIM) as are evaluated when the test is conducted in accordance with the low voltage test method of IEEE 117…..
$250.00
