ASTM F968-93(2002)

Standard Specification for Electrically Insulating Plastic Guard Equipment for Protection of Workers

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers plastic guard equipment and guard systems used by workers for temporary insulation on electric power circuits.
1.2 Plastic guard equipment covered by this specification is rated for momentary, or brush contact only. Maximum-use voltages are covered in Annex A1.
1.3 Typical guards covered include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.3.1 Conductor guards and connecting covers as follows:
1.3.1.1 Line guards,
1.3.1.2 Line guard connectors,
1.3.1.3 Insulator covers,
1.3.1.4 Dead end covers,
1.3.1.5 Bus guards, and
1.3.1.6 Bus "T" guards.
1.3.2 Structure and apparatus covers as follows:
1.3.2.1 Pole guards,
1.3.2.2 Ridge pin covers,
1.3.2.3 Switch-blade covers,
1.3.2.4 Arm guards,
1.3.2.5 Cutout covers, and
1.3.2.6 Cross arm guard.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jan-1993
• ICS: 13.260 - Protection against electric shock. Live working
• Technical Committee: F18 - Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Drafting Committee: F18.25 - Insulating Cover-Up Equipment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F968-93(1998) - Standard Specification for Electrically Insulating Plastic Guard Equipment for Protection of Workers
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-1993
• Replaced By: ASTM F968-93(2002)e1 - Standard Specification for Electrically Insulating Plastic Guard Equipment for Protection of Workers (Withdrawn 2008)
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-1993

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: F 968 – 93 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Specification for
Electrically Insulating Plastic Guard Equipment for
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Protection of Workers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 968; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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1. Scope D 570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
F 712 Test Methods for Electrically Insulating Plastic
1.1 This specification covers plastic guard equipment and
4
Guard Equipment for Protection of Workers
guard systems used by workers for temporary insulation on
2.2 IEEE Standard:
electric power circuits.
978 Guide for In-Service Maintenance and Electrical Test-
1.2 Plastic guard equipment covered by this specification is
5
ing for Live-Line Tools
rated for momentary, or brush contact only. Maximum-use
2.3 UL Standard:
voltages are covered in Annex A1.
94 Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in
1.3 Typical guards covered include, but are not limited to,
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Devices and Appliances
the following:
1.3.1 Conductor guards and connecting covers as follows:
3. Terminology
1.3.1.1 Line guards,
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3.1.2 Line guard connectors,
3.1.1 insulating plastic guards—devices for temporary in-
1.3.1.3 Insulator covers,
stallation on structures or energized electric power circuits for
1.3.1.4 Dead end covers,
electrical protection of personnel or equipment, or both.
1.3.1.5 Bus guards, and
3.1.2 self extinguishing—relates to a property of a plastic
1.3.1.6 Bus “T” guards.
material compounded so as to cease combustion on removal of
1.3.2 Structure and apparatus covers as follows:
the source that caused ignition.
1.3.2.1 Pole guards,
1.3.2.2 Ridge pin covers,
4. Significance and Use
1.3.2.3 Switch-blade covers,
4.1 This specification covers the minimum electrical,
1.3.2.4 Arm guards,
chemical, and physical properties designated by the manufac-
1.3.2.5 Cutout covers, and
turer and the detailed procedures by which such properties are
1.3.2.6 Cross arm guard.
to be determined. The purchaser has the option to perform or
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
have performed any of these tests and may reject equipment
as the standard.
that fails to meet the standard criteria. Claims concerning
failure to meet the specification are subject to verification by
2. Referenced Documents
the manufacturer.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 Plastic guard equipment is used for protection against
D 149 Test Methods for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
accidental brush contact by the worker. A margin of safety shall
Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials
2 be provided between the maximum voltage at which they are
at Commercial Power Frequencies
used and the proof-test voltage at which they are tested. This
D 150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Per-
relationship is shown in Table A1.1. The equipment is designed
mittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulat-
2
only for phase-to-ground or coveredphase-to-covered-phase
ing Materials
exposure.
D 256 Test Methods for Determining the Pendulum Impact
3
Resistance of Notched Specimens of Plastics
NOTE 1—Rubber insulating equipment is realistically limited to Class 4
material in the design specification standards. Plastic guard equipment has
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of
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Subcommittee F18.25 on Insulating Cover-up Equipment. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.03.
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Current edition approved Jan. 15, 1993. Published March 1993. Originally Available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 345 E. 47th
published as F 968 – 85. Last previous edition D 968 – 90. St., New York, NY 10017.
2 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01. Available from Underwriters Laboratories, 333 Pfingsten Rd., Northbrook, IL
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. 60062.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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F 968 – 93 (2002)
been designed to go beyond these voltages and provide a satisfactory NOTE 2—A typical ordering description is as follows: 100 Line Guards,
degree of worker protection. Major differences exist in use criteria ASTM Specification F 968, Type I, Grade 1, Class 3A, 4.5-ft long.
between the rubber and the plastic guard equipment. Each glove, sleeve, NOTE 3—It is expected that manufacturers will publish catalog data
or other article of rubber insulating
...