Insulation failures cause electrical shocks, equipment fires, and costly product recalls. MiCOM Labs delivers accredited electrical insulation testing to verify that your products meet safety standards before they reach the market.
Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory provides dielectric strength testing, insulation resistance evaluation, ground bond testing, leakage current testing, and comprehensive verification of safety compliance for manufacturers in the electronics, medical devices, and industrial equipment sectors.
Electrical insulation protects users from dangerous voltages. When insulation degrades or fails, current flows where it shouldn’t. This creates shock hazards.
Testing applies controlled high voltage to insulation barriers. The process reveals weaknesses before products ship. Standards such as IEC 61010-1, IEC 62368-1, and UL requirements specify test voltages and acceptance criteria.
Products that pass testing demonstrate proper isolation between hazardous circuits and user-accessible parts. This verification protects both end users and manufacturers from liability.
From dielectric strength to leakage current, these are the key services that protect users and equipment.
| Service | Purpose | Test Method / Voltage Range | What It Verifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dielectric Strength Testing (Hipot) | Applies high voltage between live conductors and grounded parts to verify insulation withstand capability. | Typically 1000V to 6000V, depending on product rating. Measures leakage current during voltage application. AC and DC methods are available. | Confirms that insulation can withstand operational stress and meet defined safety margins. Pass criteria: no insulation breakdown and no arcing. |
| Insulation Resistance Measurement | Measures resistance between conductors using a lower voltage than hipot testing. | Results are displayed in megohms. Non-destructive compared to full dielectric stress testing. | Verifies insulation quality and detects moisture, contamination, and gradual degradation. |
| Ground Continuity Verification | Confirms low-resistance path between exposed metal parts and system ground. | Uses currents up to 40 A depending on protective earth rating. Resistance must stay ≤0.2 Ω for non-detachable cords and ≤0.1 Ω for detachable cords. | Ensures a safe path for fault current, preventing hazardous touch voltages. |
| Leakage Current Analysis | Measures current flow during both normal and abnormal device conditions, including earth faults and reversed polarity. | Evaluates AC-powered device leakage through insulation capacitance. Limits vary by product category (stricter for medical devices). | Confirms compliance with safety standards and protects users from harmful exposure. |
MiCOM Labs conducts testing to international safety standards:
Testing parameters, including voltage levels, dwell times, and pass/fail criteria, follow standard specifications. Our A2LA accreditation (Certificate #2381.01) confirms that test methods meet recognized quality requirements.
| Industry | Key Testing Focus | Compliance / Safety Support |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Device Manufacturers | Rigorous insulation testing for devices that contact patients. Verification of isolation between power circuits and applied parts. Type B, BF, and CF classifications require specific leakage limits. | Confirms compliance prior to regulatory submission and ensures patient safety. |
| Consumer Electronics | Safety verification for products such as power supplies and household appliances. Prevents shock hazards under normal and single-fault conditions. | Identifies insulation issues during development and production. Requirements vary by class and voltage rating. |
| Industrial Equipment | Testing for motors, drives, and control systems operating at various voltages. Prevents insulation breakdown that could cause downtime. | Validates workplace safety and supports OSHA compliance documentation. |
| Telecommunications Equipment | Insulation verification for network infrastructure and communications devices. Prevents failures in critical systems. | Supports FCC certification and equipment safety requirements. |
Each phase of our workflow is designed to deliver defensible results and full compliance documentation.
| Phase | Key Activities | What You Receive / Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | Review product specifications and applicable standards. Identify required test methods based on regulatory targets. Develop a detailed test plan with voltage levels, test points, and acceptance criteria. | Clear, pre-approved test plan before testing begins. |
| Sample Preparation | Submit representative production samples (typically 1–3 units depending on requirements). Non-destructive tests allow the return of samples; destructive testing requires additional units. | Proper sample intake aligned with test requirements. |
| Test Execution | Technicians perform testing per approved procedures. Real-time visibility via the MiTest platform. All equipment is calibrated and traceable to national standards. Environmental conditions are monitored and recorded. | Accurate, standards-traceable measurements with progress visibility. |
| Results Documentation | Detailed reports including applied voltages, measured leakage currents, resistance values, test point locations, and calibration data. | Comprehensive test report supporting certification submissions and internal quality records. |
| Platform Access | Access results through the MiCMS platform. Download provisional results during testing. Retrieve final reports and certificates upon completion. | Ongoing access to documentation for audits and recertification needs. |
Our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation (Certificate #2381.01) confirms technical competence, with A2LA recognition supporting global regulatory acceptance of test data. Accreditation covers electrical safety testing, and ongoing surveillance ensures quality standards are met. As a direct certification body in the US, Canada, EU, UK, and Japan, MiCOM Labs streamlines testing and approval to reduce time to market.
Our automated MiTest platform accelerates testing and reporting while providing real-time visibility into progress. Clear report formatting helps engineers review results efficiently. We also support nine APEC MRA Phase I economies, as well as Mexico, giving manufacturers broad access to global markets.
Our equipment handles test voltages from low-voltage verification to several kilovolts. Specific capabilities depend on product requirements. Share your voltage ratings to confirm capability.
Basic insulation testing is typically completed within days. Complex products that require multiple test configurations may require additional time. Expedited service is available.
Yes. Development-phase testing identifies insulation issues before investing in tooling. Early testing reduces redesign costs.
Samples should represent production intent. Functional products allow a complete safety evaluation. Non-functional prototypes can undergo limited testing.
When products fail testing, we can investigate failure mechanisms. This helps identify root causes and corrective actions.
For our direct certification markets (US, Canada, EU, UK, Japan), testing integrates with certification processing. This single-source approach streamlines approvals.
Verify your products meet safety requirements before market entry. Contact MiCOM Labs to discuss testing needs. Our team provides technical guidance on applicable standards, test methods, and certification pathways.
| Industry | Examples of Equipment |
|---|---|
| Medical Devices |
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| Healthcare Facilities |
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| Laboratory Equipment |
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| Home Healthcare Devices |
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