This International Standard describes many of the factors involved in voltage endurance tests on electrical insulating materials and systems. It describes the voltage endurance graph, lists test methods illustrating their limitations and gives guidance for evaluating the sinusoidal a.c. voltage endurance of insulating materials and systems from the results of the tests. This International Standard is applicable over the voltage frequency range 20 Hz to 1 000 Hz. The general principles can also be applicable to other voltage shapes, including impulse voltages. The terminology to be used in voltage endurance is defined and explained.