The object of this standard is to lay down the conditions and procedure for carrying out impulse tests on cables and their accessories, with a view to rationalizing the practice in different laboratories, and thus to facilitate valid comparisons between the results obtained on cables made to different specifications. This standard applies solely to the methods of carrying out the tests as such, independently of the problem of selecting the test levels to be specified. It is applicable to high-voltage cables of all types. The standard is divided into three sections. In Section One, the characteristics and state of the test installation and those parts of the procedure which are common to withstand tests and tests above the withstand level are described. Section Two describes the procedure for carrying out withstand tests. Section Three of this standard describes the procedure for carrying out tests above the withstand level and is intended for research purposes.