Electrical breakdown strength of paper-oil and polypropylene/film-oil insulation samples was measured under dc, ac and pulsating voltages. The latter was obtained by superimposing ac upon dc volate and provides an attractive method for a simultaneous testing and assessment of the state of insulation of the various parts of HV apparatus in service. The measurements were carried out over a wide range of the pulsation ratio defined as p=Eac/Edc. The results obtained under pulsating voltages follow colsely an experssion which relates the breakdown strength to the sum of arc tangent and arc cotangent function of the parameter p. The study was carried out using dry paper as well as paper containing various degrees of moisture. The presence of moisture showed a pronounced effect upon the breakdown strength which varied with the pulsation parameter p.