ASTM F2320-18

Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Sheeting

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the acceptance testing of insulating rubber sheeting that are used as a covering for the personal protection of workers from accidental contact with live electrical conductors, apparatus, or circuits. The sheeting shall be made from any elastomer or combination of elastomeric compounds of natural or synthetic origin. Two types of sheeting, differing in chemical and physical characteristics, are provided and are designated as: Type I, non-resistant to ozone; and Type II, resistant to ozone. Six classes of sheeting, designated as Classes 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, are assigned according to electrical protection characteristics. Styles of sheeting are designated in accordance to construction characteristics, namely: Style A, sheeting free of any reinforcements; and Style B, sheeting incorporated with reinforcement(s). When evaluated in accordance with the test procedures detailed herein, the sheeting shall adhere to the following property requirements: electrical properties such as phase-phase maximum use voltage, AC and DC proof-test voltages, AC and DC dielectric breakdown test voltages, and AC and DC clearances; and physical and chemical properties such as ozone resistance, moisture absorption, and oil resistance, tensile strength, tension set, elongation, drape stiffness, flex stiffness, bursting strength, low temperature resistance, tear resistance, resistance to accelerated heat aging, flame resistance, shore hardness, and puncture resistance.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers testing of rubber insulating sheeting for use as a covering for the protection of workers from accidental contact with live electrical conductors, apparatus, or circuits.  
1.2 Two types of sheeting, differing in chemical and physical characteristics, are provided and are designated as Type I, non-resistant to ozone and Type II, resistant to ozone.  
1.3 Three classes of sheeting, differing in electrical protection characteristics are provided and designated as Class 00, Class 0, and Class 1.  
1.4 Two styles of sheeting, differing in construction characteristics, are provided and are designated as Style A and Style B.  
1.5 The follow safety hazards caveat applies only to the test method portion, Sections 17 – 19, of this specification. 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: Rubber Insulating Sheeting should remain flexible for use through normal temperature ranges.
Note 2: Rubber as used in this specification is a generic term that includes elastomers and elastomeric compounds, regardless of origin.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2018
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: F18 - Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Drafting Committee: F18.25 - Insulating Cover-Up Equipment

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:F2320 −18
Standard Specification for
1
Rubber Insulating Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2320; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers testing of rubber insulating
D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
sheeting for use as a covering for the protection of workers
DielectricStrengthofSolidElectricalInsulatingMaterials
from accidental contact with live electrical conductors,
at Commercial Power Frequencies
apparatus, or circuits.
D412 Test Methods forVulcanized Rubber andThermoplas-
1.2 Two types of sheeting, differing in chemical and physi-
tic Elastomers—Tension
cal characteristics, are provided and are designated as Type I,
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
non-resistant to ozone and Type II, resistant to ozone.
D518 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface
3
Cracking (Withdrawn 2007)
1.3 Three classes of sheeting, differing in electrical protec-
tion characteristics are provided and designated as Class 00, D570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
Class 0, and Class 1.
D1048 Specification for Rubber Insulating Blankets
1.4 Two styles of sheeting, differing in construction
D1149 Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration—Cracking in
characteristics, are provided and are designated as StyleAand
an Ozone Controlled Environment
Style B.
D1388 Test Method for Stiffness of Fabrics
1.5 The follow safety hazards caveat applies only to the test
D2136 Test Method for Coated Fabrics—Low-Temperature
method portion, Sections17–19, of this specification. This
Bend Test
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
D2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hard-
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
ness
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
2.2 Other Standards:
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
MVSS 302 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302 Flammabil-
4
regulatory limitations prior to use.
ity of Interior Materials
UL214 Standard for Tests for Flame-Propagation of Fabrics
NOTE 1—Rubber Insulating Sheeting should remain flexible for use
5
and Films
through normal temperature ranges.
ANSIC84.1 VoltageRatingsforElectricPowerSystemsand
NOTE 2—Rubber as used in this specification is a generic term that
6
includes elastomers and elastomeric compounds, regardless of origin.
Equipment (60 Hz)
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3. Terminology
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1 Definitions:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org.
1 4
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th Street SW,
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of Room 6111, Mail Code: NSA-30, Washington, DC 20590.
5
Subcommittee F18.25 on Insulating Cover-Up Equipment. Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Corporate Progress, 333
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally Pfingsten Rd., Northbrook, IL 60062.
6
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F2320–11. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/F2320-18. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2320−18
3.1.1 user—the entity employing the actual worker(s) uti- 4.3.1 Itiscommonpracticeandtheresponsibilityoftheuser
lizing the equipment; if no separate employer, then the indi- of this type of protective equipment to prepare complete
vidual. instructions and regulations to govern the correct and safe use
of such equipment.
3.1.2 voltage, maximum use—the ac voltage (rms) classifi-
cation of the protective equipment that designates the maxi-
5. Classification
mum nomina
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2320 − 11 F2320 − 18
Standard Specification for
1
Rubber Insulating Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2320; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers testing of rubber insulating sheeting for use as a covering for the protection of workers from
accidental contact with live electrical conductors, apparatus, or circuits.
1.2 Two types of sheeting, differing in chemical and physical characteristics, are provided and are designated as Type I,
non-resistant to ozone and Type II, resistant to ozone.
1.3 SixThree classes of sheeting, differing in electrical protection characteristics are provided and designated as Class 00, Class
0, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4.and Class 1.
1.4 Two styles of sheeting, differing in construction characteristics, are provided and are designated as Style A and Style B.
1.5 The follow safety hazards caveat applies only to the test method portion, Sections 17 – 19, of this specification. 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the applicability
of regulatory requirementslimitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—Rubber Insulating Sheeting should remain flexible for use through normal temperature ranges.
NOTE 2—Rubber as used in this specification is a generic term that includes elastomers and elastomeric compounds, regardless of origin.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at
Commercial Power Frequencies
D412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
3
D518 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface Cracking (Withdrawn 2007)
D570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
D1048 Specification for Rubber Insulating Blankets
D1149 Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration—Cracking in an Ozone Controlled Environment
D1388 Test Method for Stiffness of Fabrics
D2136 Test Method for Coated Fabrics—Low-Temperature Bend Test
D2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F18.25 on Insulating Cover-Up Equipment.
Current edition approved May 1, 2011Nov. 1, 2018. Published June 2011November 2018. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 20032011 as
F2320–03.–11. DOI: 10.1520/F2320-11.10.1520/F2320-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2320 − 18
2.2 Other Standards:
4
MVSS 302 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302 Flammability of Interior Materials
5
UL 214 Standard for Tests for Flame-Propagation of Fabrics and Films
6
ANSI C84.1 Voltage Ratings for Electric Power Systems and Equipment (60 Hz)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 user—the entity employing the actual worker(s) utilizing the equipment; if no separate employer, then the individual.
3.1.2 voltage, maximum use—the ac voltage (rms) classification of the protective equipment that designates the maximum
nominal design voltage of the energized system that may be safely worked. The nominal design voltage is equal to phase-to-phase
voltage on multiphase circuits.
...