ASTM_D_2132_-_12.pdf

Designation:D213212Standard Test Method forDust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion Resistance of ElectricalInsulating Materials1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2132;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method is intended to differentiate solid elec-trical insulating materials with respect to their resistance to theaction of electric arcs produced by conduction through surfacefilms of a specified contaminant containing moisture.TestMethods D2302 and D2303 are also useful to evaluate mate-rials.1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are the standard,except in cases where SI units are more appropriate.The valuesin parentheses are for information only.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific precau-tionary statements are given in 12.4.NOTE1There is no equivalent ISO standard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D709 Specification for Laminated Thermosetting MaterialsD1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical InsulationD2302 Method of Test for Differential Wet Tracking Resis-tance of Electrical Insulating Materials with ControlledWater-to-Metal Discharges(Withdrawn 1982)3D2303 Test Methods for Liquid-Contaminant,Inclined-Plane Tracking and Erosion of Insulating Materials3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For definitions pertinent to this test method see Ter-minology D1711.4.High Voltage Hazard4.1 Lethal voltages are a potential hazard during the perfor-mance of this test.It is essential that the test apparatus,and allassociated equipment electrically connected to it,be properlydesigned and installed for safe operation.4.2 Solidly ground all electrically conductive parts which itis possible for a person to contact during the test.4.3 Provide means for use at the completion of any test toground any parts which were at high voltage during the test orhave the potential for acquiring an induced charge during thetest or retaining a charge even after disconnection of thevoltage source.4.4 Thoroughly instruct all operators as to the correctprocedures for performing tests safely.4.5 When making high voltage tests,particularly in com-pressed gas or in oil,it is possible for the energy released atbreakdown to be sufficient to result in fire,explosion,orrupture of the test chamber.Design test equipment,testchambers,and test specimens so as to minimize the possibilityof such occurrences and to eliminate the possibility of personalinjury.NOTE2If the potential for fire exists,have fire suppression equipmentavailable.5.Summary of Test Method5.1 With electrodes mounted as shown in Fig.1,coat testspecimens with a synthetic dust and test in a chamber shown inFig.2.Direct a water spray at the test specimen.After thesurface has been wetted,apply a 60-Hz voltage between theelectrodes.Arcing occurs across localized high-resistance areasproduced by nonuniform evaporation of the water from thecontaminant.These arcs produce high temperatures in theunderlying insulation with resultant carbonization of mostorganic materials.The carbonization concentrates the electricfield.It is possible further carbonization will occur in thedirection of the field.In such cases,a carbon track is formedwhich spans the distance between the electrodes and causesfailure.It is possible that materials that do not track will erode1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 onElectrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D09.18 on Solid Insulations,Non-Metallic Shieldings and Coveringsfor Electrical and Telecommunication Wires and Cables.Current edition approved Jan.1,2012.Published February 2012.Originallyapproved in 1962.Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D213211.DOI:10.1520/D2132-12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 under the action of the arcing.Such erosion usually progressesfrom an upper electrode through the thickness of the specimentowards the underlying electrode.5.2 Rate materials that track in terms of the time required toform a track between the electrodes.5.3 Rate materials that do not track in terms of the timerequired to erode to failure.5.4 Failure