ASTM_F_712_-_06_2011.pdf

Designation:F71206(Reapproved 2011)Standard Test Methods and Specifications forElectrically Insulating Plastic Guard Equipment forProtection of Workers1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F712;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of originaladoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 These test methods cover three electrical tests on plasticguards and assembled guard systems.They are:1.1.1 Method AWithstand voltage proof test,1.1.2 Method BFlashover voltage,and1.1.3 Method CLeakage current.1.1.4 This specification covers plastic guard equipment andguard systems used by workers for temporary insulation onelectric power circuits.1.1.5 Plastic guard equipment covered by this specificationis rated for momentary,or brush contact only.Maximum-usevoltages are covered in Table 1 and Table 2.1.2 These test methods cover,but are not limited to,thefollowing typical guards:1.2.1 Conductor Guards and Connecting Covers as follows:1.2.1.1 Line guards,1.2.1.2 Line guard connectors,1.2.1.3 Insulator covers,1.2.1.4 Dead-end covers,1.2.1.5 Bus guards,and1.2.1.6 Bus“T”guards.1.2.2 Structure and Apparatus Covers as follows:1.2.2.1 Pole guards,1.2.2.2 Ridge pin covers,1.2.2.3 Switch blade covers,1.2.2.4 Arm guards,1.2.2.5 Cutout covers,1.2.2.6 Structural barriers,and1.2.2.7 Cross arm guard.1.3 It is common practice for the user of this equipment toprepare instructions for the correct use and maintenance.1.4 The use and maintenance of this equipment is beyondthe scope of these test methods.1.5 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.1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage andDielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materialsat Commercial Power FrequenciesD256 Test Methods for Determining the Izod PendulumImpact Resistance of PlasticsD570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics2.2 IEEE Standard:3IEEE 978 Guide for In-Service Maintenance and ElectricalTesting for Live-Line Tools2.3 ANSI Standard:4C39.5 Safety Requirements for Electrical and ElectronicMeasuring and Controlling Instrumentation2.4 UL Standard:594 Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts inDevices and Appliances3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 insulating plastic guardsdevices for temporary in-stallation on structures or energized electric power circuits forelectrical protection of personnel or equipment,or both.1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 onElectrical Protective Equipment for Workers and are the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee F18.25 on Insulating Cover-Up Equipment.Current edition approved Nov.15,2011.Published November 2011.Originallyapproved in 1981.Last previous edition approved in 2006 as F712 06.DOI:10.1520/F0712-06R11.2For 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.3Available from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,Inc.(IEEE),445 Hoes Ln.,P.O.Box 1331,Piscataway,NJ 08854-1331,http:/www.ieee.org.4Available from American National Standards Institute(ANSI),25 W.43rd St.,4th Floor,New York,NY 10036,http:/www.ansi.org.5Available from Underwriters Laboratories(UL),333 Pfingsten Rd.,North-brook,IL 60062-2096,http:/.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.1.2 self extinguishingrelates to a property of a plasticmaterial compounded so as to cease combustion on removal ofthe source that caused ignition.4.Significance and Use4.1 All three tests may be used for product design qualifi-cation.4.2 This specification covers the minimum electrical,chemical,and physical properties designated by the manufac-turer and the detailed procedures by which such properties areto be determined.The purchaser has the option to perform orhave performed any of these tests and may reject equipmentthat fails to meet the standard criteria.Claims concerningfailure to meet the specification are subject to verification bythe manufacturer.4.3 Plastic guard equipment is used for protection againstaccidental brush contact by the worker.Amargin of safety shallbe provided between the maximum voltage at which they