ASTM D5288-10
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining the Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials Using Various Electrode Materials (Excluding Platinum)
Standard Test Method for Determining the Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials Using Various Electrode Materials (Excluding Platinum)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Electrical equipment has the potential to fail as a result of electrical tracking of insulating material that is exposed to various contaminating environments and surface conditions. A number of ASTM and other tests have been designed to quantify behavior of materials, especially at relatively high voltages. This method is an accelerated test which at relatively low test voltages, provides a comparison of the performance of insulating materials under wet and contaminated conditions. The Tracking Index—Copper Electrodes test is not related directly to the suitable operating voltage in service.
When organic electrical insulating materials are subjected to conduction currents between electrodes on their surfaces, many minute tree-like carbonaceous paths or tracks are developed near the electrodes. These tracks are oriented randomly, but generally propagate between the electrodes under the influence of the applied potential difference. Eventually a series of tracks spans the electrode gap, and failure occurs by shorting of the electrodes.
As in other tracking test methods, for example, IEC 112 and Test Method D3638, this test method specifies test procedures that are intended to promote the formation of surface discharges which will produce carbon tracks in a reproducible manner. Since these conditions rarely reproduce the actual conditions encountered in service, the results of tracking tests cannot be used to infer either direct or relative service behavior of a material in a specific design application. Tracking tests can be used for screening purposes only. Suitability is verified through testing of the material in actual end use or under conditions that closely simulate actual end use.
The use of copper electrodes in this type of test was developed at the University of Cincinnati, NEMA laboratory. It is felt by the members of the Industrial Laminates Section of NEMA that using copper electrodes gives a more realistic value for a tracking index, related to th...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method was developed using copper electrodes to evaluate the low-voltage (up to 600 V) tracking resistance of materials in the presence of aqueous contaminants.
Note 1—At this time, only industrial laminates have been examined using this method which was developed at the National Manufacturers Electrical Association (NEMA) laboratory located at the University of Cincinnati. It was found that a closer end point (less scatter) was obtained than with platinum electrodes, and materials tested tended to be ranked by resin system.
1.1.1 It is acceptable to consider other electrode materials for use with this test method depending upon the application of the insulating material.
1.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D3638, which determines the comparative tracking index of materials using platinum electrodes to produce the tracking on the specimen surface.
1.3 The values stated in metric (SI) units are the standard. The inch-pound equivalents of the metric units are approximate.
1.4 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.
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Designation: D5288 − 10
StandardTest Method for
Determining the Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating
Materials Using Various Electrode Materials (Excluding
1
Platinum)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5288; 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.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 Thistestmethodwasdevelopedusingcopperelectrodes
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
toevaluatethelow-voltage(upto600V)trackingresistanceof
2
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
materials in the presence of aqueous contaminants.
D3636Practice for Sampling and Judging Quality of Solid
NOTE 1—At this time, only industrial laminates have been examined
Electrical Insulating Materials
using this method which was developed at the National Manufacturers
D3638Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of
Electrical Association (NEMA) laboratory located at the University of
Electrical Insulating Materials
Cincinnati. It was found that a closer end point (less scatter) was obtained
2.2 IEC Publication:
thanwithplatinumelectrodes,andmaterialstestedtendedtoberankedby
resin system. IEC 112Recommended Method for Determining the Com-
parative Track Index of Solid Insulating Materials Under
1.1.1 It is acceptable to consider other electrode materials
4
Moist Conditions, 1971 Second Edition
forusewiththistestmethoddependingupontheapplicationof
the insulating material.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D3638,
3.1 In addition to the definitions listed below, terminology
which determines the comparative tracking index of materials
as defined in Terminology D1711 is assumed.
using platinum electrodes to produce the tracking on the
3.2 Definitions:
specimen surface.
3.2.1 track, n—a partially conducting path of localized
deterioration on the surface of an insulating material.
1.3 The values stated in metric (SI) units are the standard.
The inch-pound equivalents of the metric units are approxi-
3.2.2 tracking, n—the process that produces tracks as a
mate.
result of the action of electric discharges on or close to an
insulation surface.
1.4 This standard is used to measure and describe the
3.2.3 tracking, contamination, n—tracking caused by scin-
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself tillations that result from the increased surface conduction due
to contamination.
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
3.2.4 tracking index, TI, n—an index for electrical insulat-
actual fire conditions.
ingmaterialswhichisarbitrarilydefinedasthenumericalvalue
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe- of that voltage which will cause failure by tracking when the
number of drops of contaminant required to cause failure is
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
conducting these tests. equal to 50.
3.2.4.1 Discussion—This value is obtained from a plot of
the number of drops required to cause failure by tracking
versus the applied voltage.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
3
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2010. Published February 2010. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D5288–97(2004). contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
DOI: 10.1520/D5288-10. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
Mathes, K. N., Chapter 4, “Surface Failure Measurements,” Engineering the ASTM website.
4
Dielectrics, Vol IIB, Electrical Properties of Solid Insulating Materials, Measure- Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3 rue de
ment Techniques , R. Bartnikas, Editor, ASTM STP 926,ASTM, Philadelphia, 1987. Varembé, Case postale 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iec.ch.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5288 − 10
3.2.5 tracking index–copper electrodes, TI-Cu, n—a track-
ing index test using copper electrodes.
3.2.5.1 Discussion—This test is comparable to comparative
tracking index,Test Method D3638, with the following
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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.
An American National Standard
Designation:D5288–97 (Reapproved 2004) Designation:D5288–10
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating
Materials Using Various Electrode Materials (Excluding
1
Platinum)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5288; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method was developed using copper electrodes to evaluate the low-voltage (up to 600 V) tracking resistance of
2
materials in the presence of aqueous contaminants.
NOTE 1—At this time, only industrial laminates have been examined using this method which was developed at the National Manufacturers Electrical
Association(NEMA)laboratorylocatedattheUniversityofCincinnati.Itwasfoundthatacloserendpoint(lessscatter)wasobtainedthanwithplatinum
electrodes, and materials tested tended to be ranked by resin system.
1.1.1Otherelectrodematerialsmaybeconsidered1.1.1 Itisacceptabletoconsiderotherelectrodematerialsforusewiththistest
method depending upon the application of the insulating material.
1.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D3638, which determines the comparative tracking index of materials using
platinum electrodes to produce the tracking on the specimen surface.
1.3 The values stated in metric (SI) units are the standard. The inch-pound equivalents of the metric units are approximate.
1.4This 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.
1.4 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D1898PracticeforSamplingofPlastics3636 PracticeforSamplingandJudgingQualityofSolidElectricalInsulatingMaterials
D3638 Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials
2.2 IEC Publication:
IEC 112,IEC 112 Recommended Method for Determining the Comparative Track Index of Solid Insulating Materials Under
4
Moist Conditions, 1971 Second Edition
3. Terminology
3.1 In addition to the definitions listed below, terminology as defined in Terminology D1711 is assumed.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published March 2004. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as D5288–97. DOI:
10.1520/D5288-97R04.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2010. Published February 2010. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D5288–97(2004). DOI:
10.1520/D5288-10.
2
Mathes, K. N., Chapter 4, “Surface Failure Measurements,” Engineering Dielectrics, Vol IIB, Electrical Properties of Solid Insulating Materials, Measurement
Techniques , R. Bartnikas, Editor, ASTM STP 926, ASTM, Philadelphia, 1987.
3
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
4
Withdrawn.
4
Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3 rue de Varembé, Case postale 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iec.ch.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5288–10
3.2 Definitions:
3.2.1 track, n—a partially conducting path of localized deterioration on the surface of an insulating material.
3.2.2 trackin
...
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