IEC 60674-3-3:2023

IEC 60674-3-3
®

Edition 2.0 2023-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Plastic films for electrical purposes –
Part 3: Specifications for individual materials – Sheet 3: Polycarbonate (PC)
films used for electrical insulation

Films plastiques à usages électriques –
Partie 3: Spécifications pour matériaux particuliers – Feuille 3: Films de
polycarbonate (PC) utilisés dans l'isolation électrique
IEC 60674-3-3:2023-08(en-fr)

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IEC 60674-3-3

®


Edition 2.0 2023-08




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME


INTERNATIONALE











Plastic films for electrical purposes –

Part 3: Specifications for individual materials – Sheet 3: Polycarbonate (PC) films

used for electrical insulation



Films plastiques à usages électriques –

Partie 3: Spécifications pour matériaux particuliers – Feuille 3: Films de


polycarbonate (PC) utilisés dans l'isolation électrique












INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE


INTERNATIONALE





ICS 29.035.20  ISBN 978-2-8322-7401-9




Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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– 2 – IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Classification . 6
5 Designation . 7
6 General requirements . 7
7 Dimensions. 7
7.1 Thickness . 7
7.2 Width . 8
7.3 Film length/roll diameter . 8
8 Properties . 8
8.1 Properties not dependent on thickness . 8
8.2 Properties dependent on thickness . 10
8.3 Electric strength (AC test) . 10
8.4 Electric strength (DC test) for type 3 only . 10
8.5 Electrical weak spots for type 3 only . 11
8.6 Thermal endurance . 11
8.7 Burning characteristics. 12
9 Roll characteristics for all types . 12
9.1 Windability (bias/camber and sag) . 12
9.2 Joins . 12
9.3 Difference between the film width and the roll width . 13
9.4 Cores . 13
Bibliography . 14

Table 1 – Type and thickness range . 8
Table 2 – Properties not dependent on thickness for all types . 9
Table 3 – Properties dependent on thickness for all types . 10
Table 4 – Electric strength (AC test) for all types . 10
Table 5 – Electric strength (DC test) for type 3 only . 11
Table 6 – Electrical weak spots for type 3 only . 11
Table 7 – Thermal endurance . 11
Table 8 – Burning characteristics . 12
Table 9 – Windability . 12
Table 10 – Maximum permissible number of joins per 5 000 m length . 12
Table 11 – Difference between the film width and the roll width . 13

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IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

PLASTIC FILMS FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES –

Part 3: Specifications for individual materials –
Sheet 3: Polycarbonate (PC) films used for electrical insulation

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
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4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
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any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
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services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60674-3-3 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 15: Solid electrical insulating
materials. It is an International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1992. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) the title of the standard has been changed to unify the name within the IEC 60674 series;
b) update of the normative references.

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– 4 – IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
15/979/CDV 15/1004/RVC

Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60674 series, published under the general title Plastic films for
electrical purposes, can be found on the IEC website.
Future standards in this series will carry the new general title as cited above. Titles of existing
standards in this series will be updated at the time of the next edition.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.

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IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
This document is one of a series which deals with plastic films for electrical purposes. The
series will consist of three parts:
Part 1: Definitions and general requirements (IEC 60674-1);
Part 2: Methods of test (IEC 60674-2);
Part 3: Specifications for individual materials (IEC 60674-3).
This document contains one of the sheets comprising Part 3, as follows:
Sheet 3: Polycarbonate (PC) films used for electrical insulation

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– 6 – IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023
PLASTIC FILMS FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES –

Part 3: Specifications for individual materials –
Sheet 3: Polycarbonate (PC) films used for electrical insulation



1 Scope
This sheet of IEC 60674-3 gives the requirements for polycarbonate films used for electrical
insulation.
Materials which conform to this specification meet established levels of performance. However,
the selection of a material by a user for a specific application can be based on the actual
requirements necessary for adequate performance in that application and not based on this
specification alone.
Safety warning: It is the responsibility of the user of the methods contained or referred to in this
document to ensure that they are used in a safe manner.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60674-1:1980, Specification for plastic films for electrical purposes – Part 1: Definitions
and general requirements
IEC 60674-2:2016, Specification for plastic films for electrical purposes – Part 2: Methods of
test
IEC 60757, Code for designation of colours
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
4 Classification
The polycarbonate film shall be of the following types:
– Type 1: General purpose amorphous, unstretched;
– Type 2: General purpose amorphous, stretched;
– Type 3: For use as the dielectric of capacitors, partially crystalline and stretched.

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IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 7 –
These three types are available in regular and in flame-retardant types.
5 Designation
The plastic film shall be identified by the following designation:

Any colour abbreviation shall comply with IEC 60757, where applicable. Non-standard colours
shall be written out in full.
EXAMPLE 1 nc = natural colour.
The last letter of the designation shall indicate whether it is flame-retardant or regular.
EXAMPLE 2 f = flame-retardant; r = regular.
6 General requirements
The material shall be made from bisphenol-A-polycarbonate.
Flame-retardant grades shall be made from a blend of bisphenol-A-polycarbonate and
brominated bisphenol-A-polycarbonate.
The material shall be a flexible, self-supporting film. All types shall conform to the general
requirements laid down in IEC 60674-1.
For certain applications, additives to the base material can be present (e.g. thermal or UV
stabilisers, dyes, or pigments for identification purposes).
Where such additives are used, they shall not affect the requirements for any of the properties
listed for that type, unless otherwise specified.
7 Dimensions
7.1 Thickness
The film thickness shall be measured by a gravimetric method in accordance with the
requirements of 4.3.2 of IEC 60674-2:2016.
There are no requirements for thickness in this document, but preferred thicknesses are as
follows:
2 µm; 3 µm; 4 µm; 5 µm; 6 µm; 7 µm; 8 µm; 10 µm; 12 µm; 15 µm; 20 µm; 25 µm; 30 µm; 40 µm;
50 µm; 60 µm; 75 µm; 80 µm; 100 µm; 120 µm; 125 µm; 150 µm; 180 µm; 200 µm; 250 µm;
380 µm; 500 µm and 760 µm.
The thicknesses described in Table 1 are commonly available.

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– 8 – IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023
Table 1 – Type and thickness range
Thickness range for all types
Type
µm
1 20 to 760
2 20 to 100
3 2 to 60

The thickness tolerance shall comply with the requirements in 4.1 of IEC 60674-1:1980, unless
otherwise specified in the purchase contract.
7.2 Width
The film width shall be measured in accordance with the requirements of Clause 6 of
IEC 60674-2:2016.
Preferred widths cannot be given on account of the great variety of applications.
The tolerance on the width shall comply with the requirements in 4.2 of IEC 60674-1:1980.
7.3 Film length/roll diameter
There are no requirements in this document for film lengths or diameters of rolls. These should
be subject to purchase contract.
8 Properties
8.1 Properties not dependent on thickness
See Table 2.

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IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 9 –
Table 2 – Properties not dependent on thickness for all types
Property Type Unit Requirement Test method Remarks
1 and 2 1 200 ± 20
3
Density - regular kg/m
This method is only suitable
3 1 210 ± 20
ISO 1183-2:2019
for film thickness > 12 µm.
Density - flame-
3
a)
1, 2 and 3 kg/m

retardant
Under
Melting point 3 °C ISO 11357-3:2018 DSC method
consideration
Relative permittivity  Use evaporated metal
electrodes or non-contacting
23 °C, 48 Hz to 62 Hz 3,0 ± 0,1
IEC 60674-2:2016, electrodes
b)
18.2 (18.2.4 of IEC 60674-2:2016
1, 2 and 3 –
or 18.2.5 of
23 °C, 1 kHz 3,0 ± 0,1
IEC 60674-2:2016).
Dissipation factor  Use evaporated metal
electrodes or non-contacting
23 °C, 48 Hz to 62 Hz < 0,002 0
IEC 60674-2:2016, electrodes
b)
(18.2.4 of IEC 60674-2:2016
18.2
1 and 2 –
or 18.2.5 of
23 °C, 1 kHz < 0,002 2
IEC 60674-2:2016).
23 °C, 48 Hz to 62 Hz < 0,001 2
IEC 60674-2:2016,
3 – Wound capacitor method
18.3
23 °C, 1 kHz < 0,001 5
14
1
≥ 1 × 10
IEC 60674-2:2016,
The test voltages are 100 V
Volume resistivity Ω·m
Clause 17
15
2 and 3 for thicknesses > 10 µm and
≥ 1 × 10
10 V for thicknesses ≤ 10
IEC 60674-2:2016,
µm.
15
Surface resistivity 1, 2 and 3 Ω
≥ 1 × 10
Clause 16
Electrolytic corrosion  Not corrosive
Visual test – A1
Tensile strength test
1, 2 and 3 IEC 60426:2007
Corrosion liability % ≤ 3
factor
Dimensional change

for shrinkage
Machine direction < 3
1
Transverse direction < 3
Machine direction > 25 IEC 60674-2:2016,
2 % 160 °C, 30 min
Transverse direction < 3 Clause 25
Machine direction < 14
3
Transverse direction < 3
Dimensional change
1 and 2 > 145
IEC 60674-2:2016,
under tension with °C
Clause 26
3 > 220
rising temperature
Dimensional change 1 and 2 > 175
IEC 60674-2:2016,
under pressure with °C
Clause 27
3 > 180
rising temperature
a)
The nominal density shall be as specified in the purchase contract. Typical values for nominal densities are
3 3
in the range of 1 260 kg/m to 1 440 kg/m . The actual density shall not differ from the nominal density by
3
more than ±20 kg/m .
b)
Measurement conditions: (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity after at least 24 h exposure.

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– 10 – IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023
8.2 Properties dependent on thickness
See Table 3.
Table 3 – Properties dependent on thickness for all types
Requirement
IEC 60674-2:2016
Nominal thickness
Property Type Unit Test method
µm
Clause
< 5 ≥ 5, < 100 ≥ 100
Tensile strength
Machine direction ≥ 80 ≥ 60
1 –
Transverse direction ≥ 80 ≥ 60
a)
MPa 12
Machine direction ≥ 130
2 – –
Transverse direction ≥ 80
Machine direction No ≥ 180
3 –
Transverse direction requirement ≥ 60
Elongation at break
Machine direction ≥ 100 ≥ 80
1 –
Transverse direction ≥ 100 ≥ 80
a)
%
12
Machine direction ≥ 40
2 – –
Transverse direction ≥ 100
Machine direction No ≥ 40
3 –
Transverse direction requirement ≥ 100
a)
Rate of extension 100 mm/min, reference lines 100 mm apart.

8.3 Electric strength (AC test)
See Table 4.
Table 4 – Electric strength (AC test) for all types
Nominal Minimum electric
IEC 60674-2:2016
thickness strength
Test method
Subclause
µm V/µm
6 260 20.1
Using 6 mm diameter electrodes in air
15 260
20 250
30 250
40 190
60 160 20.1
100 100 Using 6 mm diameter electrodes in
transformer oil
150 80
200 70
250 60
380 60
760 60

8.4 Electric strength (DC test) for type 3 only
See Table 5.

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IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 11 –
Table 5 – Electric strength (DC test) for type 3 only
Nominal Breakdown voltage Not more than two of Not more than one of IEC 60674-2:2016
thickness the 21 results shall the 21 results shall Test method
Minimum
be below be below Subclause
central value
µm V V V
8 1 000 500 400 20.2
10 1 500 800 500
12 2 400 1 500 700
15 2 700 2 000 800
20 2 800 2 400 1 500

8.5 Electrical weak spots for type 3 only
When measured according to 21.4 of IEC 60674-2:2016 with a test voltage of 110 V/µm based
on the nominal thickness of the film, the number of faults counted shall not exceed the numbers
given in Table 6.
Table 6 – Electrical weak spots for type 3 only
Nominal thickness Number of faults
2
µm
count/m
3 5
4 4
5 2
6 2
8 0,8
10 0,3
12 0,2

8.6 Thermal endurance
Thermal endurance given in Table 7 shall be measured according to Clause 30 of
IEC 60674-2:2016.
The end point criterion shall be 50 % retention of the original elongation at break value.
Table 7 – Thermal endurance
Type TI
1
≥ 130
2
3 No requirement

The recommended ageing temperatures are 140 °C, 160 °C, 180 °C, 200 °C.
This test need not be repeated unless the manufacturer has made a significant change in the
composition or method of production of the material.

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– 12 – IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023
8.7 Burning characteristics
Burning characteristics given in Table 8 shall be measured according to Clause 31 of
IEC 60674-2:2016.
Table 8 – Burning characteristics
Nominal thickness
Type Burning characteristics
µm
Regular type No requirement
> 250 Not applicable
Flame-retardant type
20 to 250 VTF 0

9 Roll characteristics for all types
9.1 Windability (bias/camber and sag)
Windability given in Table 9 shall be measured according to Clause 7 of IEC 60674-2:2016.
Table 9 – Windability
IEC 60674-2:2016
Maximum
Film width Bias/camber Test method Remarks
extension
Subclause
mm mm
< 150 < 10 – 7.3 (Method A)
There is no requirement for film
≥ 150 – 0,1 % 7.4 (Method B)
thicknesses greater than 20 µm.

9.2 Joins
Where joins (splices) are permitted, their construction shall conform to the requirements given
in 3.3 of IEC 60674-1:1980.
Breaks (unjoined pieces) are not allowed.
The number of joins per 5 000 m length in each roll shall not exceed the values given in Table 10.
Table 10 – Maximum permissible number of joins per 5 000 m length
Nominal thickness Maximum permissible
number of joins per
µm
5 000 m length
< 3 5
3 4
4 4
5 3
8 3
10 2
15 2
> 15 1

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IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 13 –
9.3 Difference between the film width and the roll width
The film width shall be measured according to Clause 6 of IEC 60674-2:2016. The roll width is
the distance between roll end faces measured between the outermost points of each end face.
The difference between the film width and the roll width shall be according to Table 11.
Table 11 – Difference between the film width and the roll width
Requirement
Nominal film width
Maximum difference
mm mm
< 150 0,5
150 to 300 1,0
> 300 2,0

9.4 Cores
The preferred core inside diameters are 76 mm and 152 mm.

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– 14 – IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023
Bibliography
IEC 60674-3 (all parts), Plastic films for electrical purposes – Part 3: Specifications for
individual materials
IEC 60426:2007, Electrical insulating materials – Determination of electrolytic corrosion caused
by insulating materials – Test methods
ISO 1183-2:2019, Plastics – Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics –
Part 2: Density gradient column method
ISO 11357-3:2018, Plastics – Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) – Part 3: Determination
of temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization

___________

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– 16 – IEC 60674-3-3:2023 © IEC 2023
SOMMAIRE
AVANT-PROPOS . 17
INTRODUCTION .
...