Which statement best describes hipot testing compared to insulation resistance testing?

• A. Hipot tests measure leakage current at low voltage.
• B. Hipot tests energy consumption during startup.
• C. Hipot applies high voltage to test dielectric strength; insulation resistance tests measure leakage at low voltage.
• D. Hipot testing is used to test mechanical strength of insulation.

Answer: (C)

Hipot testing is about dielectric strength: it applies a high voltage across the insulation to push it to its limits and see if it would break down under electrical stress. Insulation resistance testing, on the other hand, uses a low voltage to drive a leakage current through the insulation and measures the resistance, which reflects the condition of the insulation (moisture, contaminants, aging). So the correct statement captures the difference: high-voltage dielectric withstand testing for hipot, versus low-voltage leakage measurement for insulation resistance. The other ideas don’t fit: hipot isn’t about energy use during startup, and it isn’t a test of mechanical strength.