Whenever we apply a potential from the megger to test the IR value, initially the needle of the megger will go to low value of the resistance. This is due the capacitance effect of the insulation material and after some seconds the needle will start moving towards the higher value. Because in the insulating material there is strain on the molecules when the potential is applied. Polarization of the molecules occurs and they form a Di – pole. The negative charges are attracted to positive terminal and positive charges are attracted to negative terminal. So there is a strain on the insulation molecules and they align themselves parallel. This aligning may take more time. This test is done to know the condition of insulating material.
If the insulation is good the graph is as shown as B and if there is dirt, moisture the graph will flatten early as shown in A. After the test terminals to be discharged so that molecules may return to their unstressed state.