ASTM D150-11

Standard Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Permittivity—Insulating materials are used in general in two distinct ways, (1) to support and insulate components of an electrical network from each other and from ground, and (2) to function as the dielectric of a capacitor. For the first use, it is generally desirable to have the capacitance of the support as small as possible, consistent with acceptable mechanical, chemical, and heat-resisting properties. A low value of permittivity is thus desirable. For the second use, it is desirable to have a high value of permittivity, so that the capacitor is able to be physically as small as possible. Intermediate values of permittivity are sometimes used for grading stresses at the edge or end of a conductor to minimize ac corona. Factors affecting permittivity are discussed in Appendix X3.
AC Loss—For both cases (as electrical insulation and as capacitor dielectric) the ac loss generally needs to be small, both in order to reduce the heating of the material and to minimize its effect on the rest of the network. In high frequency applications, a low value of loss index is particularly desirable, since for a given value of loss index, the dielectric loss increases directly with frequency. In certain dielectric configurations such as are used in terminating bushings and cables for test, an increased loss, usually obtained from increased conductivity, is sometimes introduced to control the voltage gradient. In comparisons of materials having approximately the same permittivity or in the use of any material under such conditions that its permittivity remains essentially constant, it is potentially useful to consider also dissipation factor, power factor, phase angle, or loss angle. Factors affecting ac loss are discussed in Appendix X3.  
Correlation—When adequate correlating data are available, dissipation factor or power factor are useful to indicate the characteristics of a material in other respects such as dielectric breakdown, moisture content, degree of cure, and d...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of relative permittivity, dissipation factor, loss index, power factor, phase angle, and loss angle of specimens of solid electrical insulating materials when the standards used are lumped impedances. The frequency range addressed extends from less than 1 Hz to several hundred megahertz.
Note 1—In common usage, the word relative is frequently dropped.  
1.2 These test methods provide general information on a variety of electrodes, apparatus, and measurement techniques. A reader interested in issues associated with a specific material needs to consult ASTM standards or other documents directly applicable to the material to be tested. ,  
1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see 7.2.6.1 and 10.2.1.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2011
• ICS: 83.060 - Rubber
• 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: D150 − 11
Standard Test Methods for
AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric
1
Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D150; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D1082Test Method for Dissipation Factor and Permittivity
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of relative
(Dielectric Constant) of Mica
permittivity, dissipation factor, loss index, power factor, phase
D1531Test Methods for Relative Permittivity (Dielectric
angle,andlossangleofspecimensofsolidelectricalinsulating
Constant) and Dissipation Factor by Fluid Displacement
materialswhenthestandardsusedarelumpedimpedances.The
5
Procedures (Withdrawn 2012)
frequency range addressed extends from less than 1 Hz to
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
several hundred megahertz.
D5032PracticeforMaintainingConstantRelativeHumidity
NOTE 1—In common usage, the word relative is frequently dropped.
by Means of Aqueous Glycerin Solutions
E104Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
1.2 These test methods provide general information on a
variety of electrodes, apparatus, and measurement techniques. by Means of Aqueous Solutions
E197Specification for Enclosures and Servicing Units for
Areaderinterestedinissuesassociatedwithaspecificmaterial
needs to consultASTM standards or other documents directly Tests Above and Below Room Temperature (Withdrawn
2,3 5
1981)
applicable to the material to be tested.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1 Use Terminology D1711 for definitions of terms used
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
in these test methods and associated with electrical insulation
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
materials.
statements, see 7.2.6.1 and 10.2.1.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 capacitance, C, n—that property of a system of
2. Referenced Documents
conductors and dielectrics which permits the storage of elec-
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
trically separated charges when potential differences exist
D374Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu-
between the conductors.
lation (Metric) D0374_D0374M
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Capacitanceistheratioofaquantity, q,
ofelectricitytoapotentialdifference, V.Acapacitancevalueis
1 always positive. The units are farads when the charge is
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
expressed in coulombs and the potential in volts:
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
C 5 q/V (1)
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2011. Published August 2011. Originally
approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D150–98 (2004).
3.2.2 dissipation factor, (D), (loss tangent), (tan δ), n—the
DOI: 10.1520/D0150-11.
ratioofthelossindex(κ")totherelativepermittivity(κ')which
2
R. Bartnikas, Chapter 2, “Alternating-Current Loss and Permittivity
is equal to the tangent of its loss angle (δ) or the cotangent of
Measurements,” Engineering Dielectrics, Vol. IIB, Electrical Properties of Solid
Insulating Materials, Measurement Techniques, R. Bartnikas, Editor, STP 926,
its phase angle (θ) (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
ASTM, Philadelphia, 1987.
3 D 5 κ"/κ' (2)
R. Bartnikas, Chapter 1, “Dielectric Loss in Solids,” Engineering Dielectrics,
VolIIA,ElectricalPropertiesofSolidInsulatingMaterials:MolecularStructureand 3.2.2.1 Discussion—a:
Electrical Behavior, R. Bartnikas and R. M. Eichorn, Editors, STP 783, ASTM
D 5 tan δ 5 cotθ 5 X /R 5 G/ωC 51/ωC R (3)
p p p p p
Philadelphia, 1983.
4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
*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 ----------------------
D150 − 11
FIG. 4 Series Circuit
FIG. 1 Vector Diagram for Pa
...

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:D150–98 (Reapproved 2004) Designation:D150–11
Standard Test Methods for
AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric
1
Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D150; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 Thesetestmethodscoverthedeterminationofrelativepermittivity,dissipationfactor,lossindex,powerfactor,phaseangle,
andlossangleofspecimensofsolidelectricalinsulatingmaterialswhenthestandardsusedarelumpedimpedances.Thefrequency
range that can be coveredaddressed extends from less than 1 Hz to several hundred megahertz.
NOTE 1—In common usage, the word relative is frequently dropped.
1.2 These test methods provide general information on a variety of electrodes, apparatus, and measurement techniques. TheA
reader should alsointerested in issues associated with a specific material needs to consult ASTM standards or other documents
2,3
directly applicable to the material to be tested.
1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see 7.2.6.1 and 10.2.1.
2. Referenced Documents
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D1082 Test Method for Dissipation Factor and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Mica
D1531 Test Methods for Relative Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) and Dissipation Factor by Fluid Displacement Procedures
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D5032 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity by Means of Aqueous Glycerin Solutions
E104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity by Means of Aqueous Solutions
5
E197 Specification for Enclosures and Servicing Units for Tests Above and Below Room Temperature
3. Terminology
3.1Definitions:
3.1.1Terminology
3.1 Definitions
3.1.1 Use Terminology D1711 for definitions of terms used in these test methods and associated with electrical insulation
materials.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 capacitance, C, n—that property of a system of conductors and dielectrics which permits the storage of electrically
separated charges when potential differences exist between the conductors.
1
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD09onElectricalandElectronicInsulatingMaterialsandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommittee
D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
Current edition approved MarchAug. 1, 2004.2011. Published March 2004.August 2011. Originally approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 19982004 as
D150–98R04. DOI: 10.1520/D0150-98R04.10.1520/D0150-11.
2
R. Bartnikas, Chapter 2, “Alternating-Current Loss and Permittivity Measurements”,” Engineering Dielectrics, Vol. IIB, Electrical Properties of Solid Insulating
Materials, Measurement Techniques, R. Bartnikas, Editor, STP 926, ASTM, Philadelphia, 1987.
3
R. Bartnikas, Chapter 1, “Dielectric Loss in Solids”,Solids,” Engineering Dielectrics, Vol IIA, Electrical Properties of Solid Insulating Materials: Molecular Structure
and Electrical Behavior, R. Bartnikas and R. M. Eichorn, Editors, STP 783, ASTM Philadelphia, 1983.
4
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
5
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*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 ----------------------
D150–11
3.1.1.1
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Capacitance is the ratio of a quantity, q, of electricity to a potential difference, V. A capacitance value is
always positive. The units are farads when the charge is expressed in coulombs and the potent
...