ASTM D2303-13
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Liquid-Contaminant, Inclined-Plane Tracking and Erosion of Insulating Materials
Standard Test Methods for Liquid-Contaminant, Inclined-Plane Tracking and Erosion of Insulating Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 These test methods differentiate among solid electrical insulating materials on the basis of their resistance to the action of voltage stresses along the surface of the solid when wet with an ionizable, electrically conductive liquid contaminant.
4.2 These test methods quantitatively evaluate, in a relative manner, the effects upon an insulating material resulting from the action of electrical discharges upon a material surface. The effects are similar to those that may occur in service under the influence of dirt combined with moisture condensed from the atmosphere.
4.2.1 In the field, the conditions resulting in electrical discharges occur sporadically. Degradation, often in the form of a conducting “track,” develops very slowly until it ultimately bridges the space between conductors thus causing complete electrical breakdown.
4.2.2 In these test methods, the conducting liquid contaminant is continuously supplied at an optimum rate to the surface of a test specimen in such a fashion that essentially continuous electrical discharge can be maintained.
4.2.3 By producing continuous surface discharge with controlled energy it is possible, within a few hours, to cause specimen failure which is similar to failure occurring under long-time exposure to the erratic conditions of service in the field.
4.2.4 The test conditions, which are standardized and accelerated, do not reproduce all of the conditions encountered in service. Use caution when making either direct or comparative service behavior inferences derived from the results of tracking tests.
4.3 The time-to-track a 1-in. (25-mm) distance at a specified voltage between electrodes separated 2 in. (50 mm) has also been found useful in categorizing insulating materials for indoor and protected outdoor applications, such as metal-clad switchgear.
4.4 The initial tracking voltage has been found useful for evaluating insulating materials to be used at high voltages or outdoors and unprotected, a...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the evaluation of the relative tracking and erosion resistance of insulating solids using the liquid-contaminant, inclined-plane test.2 The following test methods also can be used to evaluate the tracking resistance of materials: D2132 (contaminants: dust and fog) and D3638 (contaminant: conductive liquid drops).
1.2 Two tracking and one erosion test procedure are described:
1.2.1 A “variable voltage method” to evaluate resistance to tracking.
1.2.2 A “time-to-track method” to evaluate resistance to tracking.
1.2.3 A method for quantitative determination of erosion (Annex A1).
1.3 While a particular contaminant solution is specified, other concentrations of the same contaminant, or different contaminants are used to simulate different environmental or service conditions.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D2303 − 13
Standard Test Methods for
Liquid-Contaminant, Inclined-Plane Tracking and Erosion of
1
Insulating Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2303; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These test methods cover the evaluation of the relative
D374Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu-
tracking and erosion resistance of insulating solids using the
4
2 lation (Withdrawn 2013)
liquid-contaminant, inclined-plane test. The following test
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
methods also can be used to evaluate the tracking resistance of
D2132Test Method for Dust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion
materials: D2132 (contaminants: dust and fog) and D3638
Resistance of Electrical Insulating Materials
(contaminant: conductive liquid drops).
D3638Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of
1.2 Two tracking and one erosion test procedure are de- Electrical Insulating Materials
scribed: 2.2 IEC Standards:
IEC60587TestMethodsforEvaluatingResistancetoTrack-
1.2.1 A“variable voltage method” to evaluate resistance to
ing and Erosion for Electrical Insulating Materials Used
tracking.
Under Severe Ambient Conditions
1.2.2 A “time-to-track method” to evaluate resistance to
tracking.
3. Terminology
1.2.3 A method for quantitative determination of erosion
3.1 Definitions:
(Annex A1).
3.1.1 erosion, electrical, n—the progressive wearing away
of electrical insulation by the action of electrical discharges.
1.3 While a particular contaminant solution is specified,
3.1.2 erosion resistance, electrical, n—the quantitative ex-
other concentrations of the same contaminant, or different
pression of the amount of electrical erosion under specific
contaminants are used to simulate different environmental or
conditions.
service conditions.
3.1.3 track, n—a partially conducting path of localized
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
deterioration on the surface of an insulating material.
as the standard.
3.1.4 tracking, n—the process that produces tracks as a
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
result of the action of electric discharges on or close to the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
insulation surface.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.5 tracking, contamination, n—tracking caused by scin-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tillations that result from the increased surface conduction due
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
to contamination.
tionary statements are given in Section 8.
3.1.6 tracking resistance, n—the quantitative expression of
the voltage and the time required to develop a track under
specified conditions.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published June 2013. Originally
3
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D2303–97 (2004), For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
which was withdrawn in January 2013 and reinstated in April 2013. DOI: contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
10.1520/D2303-13. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
K. N. Mathes, Chapter 4, “Surface Failure Measurements,” Engineering the ASTM website.
4
Dielectrics, Vol IIB, Electrical Properties of Solid Insulating Materials, Measure- The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
ment Techniques, R. Bartnikas, Editor,ASTM STP926,ASTM, Philadelphia, 1987. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2303 − 13
3.2.1 initial tracking voltage, n—the applied voltage at case,thetime-to-tracktechniqueisused,sincetimeisrequired
which continuous tracking can be initiated in a specified time. to decompose the contaminant solution and build up conduct-
ing residues on the sample surface.
3.2.2 time-to-track, n—the time in which tracking proceeds
a specified distance between the test electrodes at a specified
4.6 Very track-resistant materials, such
...








Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.