ASTM F2676-09
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining the Protective Performance of an Arc Protective Blanket for Electric Arc Hazards
Standard Test Method for Determining the Protective Performance of an Arc Protective Blanket for Electric Arc Hazards
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method determines the effectiveness of arc protective blankets in suprressing the combined effects of an arc flash and arc blast.
The arc exposure energy is produced from controlled phase-to-ground arc fault. The resulting arc flash and blast energy are intentionally directed onto the test specimen to simulate worst case conditions.
Test results will describe the maximum arc current and product of arc current and cycles at which test specimens block the energy without breakopen, ability to self-extinguish afterflaming, afterflame time and the detection of mechanical attachment failures during testing. Mechanical attachment failure and afterflame time are obtained from visual observations and video recording after each arc exposure.
This test method maintains the arc protective blanket in a vertical position and does not involve movement except that resulting from the arc exposure.
In this test method, test specimens are exposed at three arc current levels to determine the test specimen’s performance.
Note 2—In experimental testing, some blankets increase in protection (in value of kA*cycles to cause breakopen) as the arc current increases and some decrease as shown in Fig. 1. This test method is designed to recognize this behavior and to specify testing over the range of arc current levels including lower levels of 5 kA or 10 kA, or both.
This test method specifies a standard set of exposure conditions. Different exposure conditions may produce different results.
Note 3—In addition to the standard set of exposure conditions, it is permitted to test using other conditions representative of the expected hazard, reported all non-standard test conditions that are used.
FIG. 1 Example of Performance Trend for Different Blankets
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to evaluate the ability of the arc protective blankets to withstand the effects of arc flash and arc blast in a configuration in which the blanket is hung or anchored near energized equipment. Specifically, this test method is used to determine the arc protective blanket’s (1) resistance to breakopen, (2) mechanical strength, and (3) ability to self-extinguish flames following a controlled arc exposure.
1.2 This method is used to determine the performance of arc protective blankets in terms of: maximum arc current level expressed in kA and BTP (BTP) expressed as the product of arc current in kA and arc duration in number of cycles to cause breakopen (kA*cycles). Cycles are on the basis of 60 Hz.
1.3 Blanket test specimens used in this test method are test size blankets of 152 ± 5 cm (60 ± 2 in.) by 122 ± 5 cm (48 ± 2 in.). The test specimen size is for testing purposes only. Commercially available arc protective blankets either larger or smaller than the test specimen size are covered by this standard.
1.4 The arc protective blankets described in this test method are made of flame-resistant materials and are available in varying sizes and configurations based on the application.
1.5 This test method shall be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to incident thermal (convective and radiant) and pressure energies generated by an electric arc under controlled laboratory conditions.
1.6 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversion to inch-pound or other units commonly used for arc testing.
1.7 This standard shall not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire assessment, which takes into account all of the factors, which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsib...
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Designation: F2676 − 09
StandardTest Method for
Determining the Protective Performance of an Arc
1
Protective Blanket for Electric Arc Hazards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2676; 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 be used as elements of a fire assessment, which takes into
account all of the factors, which are pertinent to an assessment
1.1 Thistestmethodisusedtoevaluatetheabilityofthearc
of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
protective blankets to withstand the effects of arc flash and arc
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
blast in a configuration in which the blanket is hung or
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
anchored near energized equipment. Specifically, this test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
method is used to determine the arc protective blanket’s (1)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
resistance to breakopen, (2) mechanical strength, and (3)
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
ability to self-extinguish flames following a controlled arc
precautions, see Section 7.
exposure.
1.2 This method is used to determine the performance of
2. Referenced Documents
arc protective blankets in terms of: maximum arc current level
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
expressedinkAandBTP(BTP)expressedastheproductofarc
D4391 Terminology Relating to The Burning Behavior of
current in kA and arc duration in number of cycles to cause
Textiles
breakopen (kA*cycles). Cycles are on the basis of 60 Hz.
F819 Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equip-
1.3 Blanket test specimens used in this test method are test
ment for Workers
size blankets of 152 65cm(60 6 2 in.) by 122 65cm(48
6 2 in.). The test specimen size is for testing purposes only.
3. Terminology
Commercially available arc protective blankets either larger or
3.1 Definitions:
smaller than the test specimen size are covered by this
3.1.1 arc, n—conductive path in air for the electric current
standard.
caused by ionization of air between two electrodes.
1.4 The arc protective blankets described in this test method
3.1.2 arc induced fragmentation, n—molten metal frag-
are made of flame-resistant materials and are available in
ments or other fragments emitted from an electric arc.
varying sizes and configurations based on the application.
3.1.3 arc protective blanket, n—a flat assembly of fabric(s)
1.5 This test method shall be used to measure and describe
with locations for attachment used to protect workers from the
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
effects of arc flash and arc blast.
to incident thermal (convective and radiant) and pressure
3.1.4 arc protective blanket maximum arc current I ,
max
energies generated by an electric arc under controlled labora-
n—maximum value of RMS arc current that blanket can
tory conditions.
withstand without breakopen for no less than ten cycles of 60
1.6 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as
Hz.
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1.4.1 Discussion—Standard values of the maximum arc
conversiontoinch-poundorotherunitscommonlyusedforarc
current for this test method are 15 kA, 25 kA, or 40 kA.
testing.
3.1.5 arc protective blanket breakopen threshold perfor-
1.7 This standard shall not be used to describe or appraise
mance (BTP) , n—the product of the arc current I, kA and arc
the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies
duration in cycles required for breakopen to occur at this same
under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may
arc current level.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on
2
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Subcommittee F18.65 on Wearing Apparel. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved May 1, 2009. Published June 2009. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
F2676-09. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F2676 − 09
3.1.6 breakopen, n—in electrical arc testing, a material 4.3 Three nominal values of I are established in this test
max
response evidenced by the formation of one or more holes in method: 15 kA, 25 kAand 40 kA. In this te
...
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