ASTM D5288-14

Standard Test Method for Determining Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials Using Various Electrode Materials (Excluding Platinum)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 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.  
5.2 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.  
5.3 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.  
5.4 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 i...
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.2  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2014
• ICS: 29.035.01 - Insulating materials in general
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.12 - Electrical Tests

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: D5288 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Determining Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials
1
Using Various Electrode Materials (Excluding 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
1.1 Thistestmethodwasdevelopedusingcopperelectrodes 2.1 ASTM Standards:
toevaluatethelow-voltage(upto600V)trackingresistanceof D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
2
materials in the presence of aqueous contaminants. D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
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
Cincinnati. It was found that a closer end point (less scatter) was obtained
Electrical Insulating Materials
4
thanwithplatinumelectrodes,andmaterialstestedtendedtoberankedby
2.2 IEC Publication:
resin system.
IEC 60112Standard Method for the Determination of the
1.1.1 It is acceptable to consider other electrode materials
Proof and the Comparative Tracking Indices of Solid
forusewiththistestmethoddependingupontheapplicationof
Insulating Materials, 2003
the insulating material.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D3638,
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
which determines the comparative tracking index of materials
method and associated with electrical and electronic insulating
using platinum electrodes to produce the tracking on the
materials, use Terminology D1711.
specimen surface.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 The values stated in metric (SI) units are the standard.
3.2.1 track, n—a partially conducting path of localized
The inch-pound equivalents of the metric units are approxi-
deterioration on the surface of an insulating material.
mate.
3.2.2 tracking, n—the process that produces tracks as a
1.4 This standard is used to measure and describe the
result of the action of electric discharges on or close to an
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
insulation surface.
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
3.2.3 tracking, contamination, n—tracking caused by scin-
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
tillations that result from the increased surface conduction due
actual fire conditions.
to contamination.
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
3.2.4 tracking index, TI, n—an index for electrical insulat-
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
ingmaterialswhichisarbitrarilydefinedasthenumericalvalue
conducting these tests.
of that voltage which will cause failure by tracking when the
number of drops of contaminant required to cause failure is
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
equal to 50.
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
3
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2014. Published December 2014. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D5288–10. DOI: contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
10.1520/D5288-14. 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 − 14
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.
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 co
...

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: D5288 − 10 D5288 − 14
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. 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 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) 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D3636 Practice for Sampling and Judging Quality of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials
D3638 Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials
4
2.2 IEC Publication:
IEC 11260112 RecommendedStandard Method for Determining the Comparative Track Indexthe Determination of the Proof and
the Comparative Tracking Indices of Solid Insulating Materials Under Moist Conditions, 1971 Second EditionMaterials, 2003
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—In addition to the definitions listed below, terminology as defined in For definitions of terms used in this test
method and associated with electrical and electronic insulating materials, use Terminology D1711 is assumed. .
3.2 Definitions:Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
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 Jan. 15, 2010Nov. 1, 2014. Published February 2010December 2014. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20042010
as D5288 – 97D5288 – 10.(2004). DOI: 10.1520/D5288-10.10.1520/D5288-14.
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
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.
4
Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3 rueRue 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 − 14
3.2.1 track, n—a partially conducting path of localized deterioration on the surface of an insulating material.
3.2.2 tracking, n—the process that produces tracks as a result of the action of electric discharges on or close to an insulation
surface.
3.2.3 tracking, contamination, n—tracking caused by scintillations that result
...