This HD collates and specifies the test methods to be used for testing polymeric insulated and sheathed electric cables, of rated voltage up to and including 20,8/36 kV, intended for public distribution systems, and for use in power generating plants and sub-stations.Test methods in this HD are additional to those already harmonized, e.g. EN 60332-1 series and EN 60811 series, and are used for testing cable types specified in HD 603, HD 604, HD 620, HD 622, HD 626 and HD 627. In each case, these HDs give complementary information needed for the practical application to each specific type. Therefore the present HD as such is not sufficient for carrying out and evaluating the tests on electric cables.Full test conditions (e.g. temperatures, durations) and/or test requirements are not specified in this HD. Such data needed to carry out the tests is given in the particular sections.NOTE The words 'particular section' refer throughout to the section of HD 603 or HD 604, or other HD to which HD 605 applies, in which a particular cable type is specified.