ASTM F1505-16(2021)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Insulated and Insulating Hand Tools
Standard Specification for Insulated and Insulating Hand Tools
ABSTRACT
This specification covers the testing and corresponding design and performance requirements for insulated and insulating hand tools used for working on, or in close proximity to, energized electrical apparatus or conductors operating at maximum voltage of 1000 V ac or 1500 V dc. The hand tools covered here are screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, nippers, strippers, cable cutting tools, cable scissors, knives, and tweezers. These tools shall be evaluated via visual and dimensional checks, ambient temperature and extreme low temperature impact tests, dielectric tests, indentation tests, adhesion tests for insulating material coatings, flame resistance tests, and mechanical tests such as bending, torque, and locking tests. Routine tests, acceptance criteria, and quality assurance plan for these tools are considered as well.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
6.1 The performance and durability of the tools covered in this specification are not covered beyond those referenced in the applicable ASME, ANSI, or ISO standards and GGG specifications.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the testing of insulated and insulating hand tools used for working on, or in close proximity to, energized electrical apparatus or conductors operating at maximum voltage of 1000 V ac or 1500 V dc.
1.2 The specific use of these tools is beyond the scope of this specification.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test method portion only, Section 7, 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.
1.5 This specification does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with the use of tools on, or in close proximity to, energized electrical apparatus.
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
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
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.
Designation:F1505 −16 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Insulated and Insulating Hand Tools
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1505; 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* D5025 Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-
Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
1.1 This specification covers the testing of insulated and
D5207 Practice for Confirmation of 20-mm (50-W) and
insulating hand tools used for working on, or in close proxim-
125-mm (500-W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning
ity to, energized electrical apparatus or conductors operating at
Tests on Plastic Materials
maximum voltage of 1000 V ac or 1500 V dc.
2.2 ASME/ANSI Standards:
1.2 The specific use of these tools is beyond the scope of
ASME B18.3-2002 Socket Cap, Shoulder, Set Screws, Hex
this specification.
and Spline Keys
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as ASME B107 Series of Standards for Hand Tools andAcces-
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are sories
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
2.3 IEC Standard:
IEC 60900:2012 (Ed. 3) Live Working – Hand tools for use
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test
up to 1000 V ac and 1500 V dc
method portion only, Section 7, of this specification: This
IEC 61318:2007 (Ed. 3) Live Working – Conformity assess-
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
ment applicable to tools, devices and equipment
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
2.4 ISO Standards:
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
ISO 1174-1:1996 Assembly tools for screws and nuts—
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
Driving Squares—Part 1: Driving squares for hand socket
regulatory limitations prior to use.
tools
1.5 This specification does not purport to address all of the
ISO 5744:2004 Pliers and nippers—Methods of test
safety problems associated with the use of tools on, or in close
2.5 Federal Specification:
proximity to, energized electrical apparatus.
GGG-R-791H (19 July 1994) Rules, Measuring
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3. Terminology
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1 Definitions:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.1 insulated hand tools, n—those covered with insulating
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
material in order to protect the user from electric shock and to
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
minimize the risk of short circuits between parts at different
2. Referenced Documents potentials.
3.1.2 insulating hand tools, n—those made predominantly
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of insulating material, except for metal inserts at the working
D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
head or active part or used for reinforcement but with no
DielectricStrengthofSolidElectricalInsulatingMaterials
exposed metal parts. In either case, to protect the user from
at Commercial Power Frequencies
electric shocks, as well as, to prevent short-circuits between
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
exposed parts at different potentials.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
Subcommittee F18.35 on Tools & Equipment. International Headquarters, Three Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally www.asme.org.
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as F1505-16. DOI: Available from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE),
10.1520/F1505-16R21. 445 Hoes Ln., P.O. Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08854-1331, http://www.ieee.org.
2 5
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1 rue de
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Varembé, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.ch.
Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on AvailablefromDoDASSIST-QuickSearch,DLADocumentServices,Building
theASTM website. 4/D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, http://quicksearch.dla.mil.
*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
F1505−16 (2021)
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 4.7 The insulating material shall adhere securely to the
conductive parts of the tool and any outer layer of the material
3.2.1 acceptance test, n—a contractual test to prove to the
over the temperature range from – 20 to + 70 °C.
customer that the device meets certain conditions of its
specification.
4.8 Tools intended for use at extremely low temperatures
(–40 °C) shall be designated “Category C” and shall be
3.2.2 formation of lots or batches, n—the product is as-
designed for this purpose.
sembled into identifiable lots, sub-lots, batches, or in such
other manner as may be prescribed. Each lot or batch, as far as
4.9 Double-ended tools such as box wrenches, keys for
practicable, consists of units of product of a single type, grade,
hexagonal socket screws, double ended socket wrenches,
class, size, and composition, manufactured under essentially
double-head open-end wrenches, etc., are not allowed for
the same conditions and essentially the same time.
insulated tools but are allowed for insulating tools.
3.2.3 major defect, n—defect on product that is likely to
4.10 Tools Capable of Being Assembled:
result in failure, or to reduce significantly the functionality of
4.10.1 Retaining Devices for Tools Capable of Being
the product.
Assembled—Tools capable of being assembled shall have
3.2.4 minor defect, n—defect on product, other than major,
suitableretainingdevicestopreventunintentionalseparationof
that is not likely to reduce significantly the functionality of the
theassembly.Theretainingforcesshallbetestedinaccordance
product.
with 7.9.
4.10.2 Insulation Design for Tools Capable of Being
3.2.5 routine test, n—a test to which each individual device
Assembled—In the case of connecting parts of tools capable of
is subjected during or after manufacture to ascertain whether it
being assembled, the insulation shall be applied in such a
complies with certain criteria.
manner that if any part becomes detached during use, no
3.2.6 sampling test, n—a test on a number of devices taken
conductive part, which may still be live, can be inadvertently
at random from a batch.
touched or cause a disruptive charge.
3.2.7 type test, n—a test of one or more devices made to a
4.10.3 Tools Capable of Being Assembled with Square
certain design to show that the design meets certain specifica-
Drives—Tools capable of being assembled with square drives
tions.
shall have square drives and square sockets in accordance with
ISO 1174-1 (for separating forces, see 7.9.1). To ensure
4. Performance Requirements
compatibility of insulation between different manufacturers,
these tools shall be designated with overlapping elements
4.1 Insulated and insulating tools shall be designed and
described in Fig. 1.Their dimensions and tolerances shall be in
manufacturedinsuchawaythattheydonotconstituteadanger
accordance with Table 1.
for the user or the installation if they are used properly.
4.10.4 Interchangeability of Components Made by Different
4.2 The mechanical specifications for insulated and insulat-
Manufacturers—Tools capable of being assembled and de-
ing hand tools having the same function shall comply with the
signed to be interchangeable between different manufacturers
correspondingANSI or ISO standards. The mechanical perfor-
shallbespecificallymarkedinaccordancewith5.6.5.Thereare
mance of the working parts shall be maintained even after the
considerable difficulties in developing a unified standard for
application of any insulating layer(s). The insulation material
the mechanical joining systems for components and tools for
shall be such that it will adequately withstand the electrical,
different manufacturers. For safety reasons, only mechanically
mechanical, and thermal stresses to which it may be exposed
locked retaining systems shall be used for these kind of tools.
during normal use. Insulating hand tools specially designed for
Manufacturers shall include the following information in the
live working in an environment of live parts at different
instructions for use: To ensure that the complete assembly of
potentials (boxes with electrical equipment, live working on
insulated tool components from different manufacturers will
underground cables, etc.), that generally are used to hold or
withstand separating forces that are expected during the
move live conductors or to cut wires of small section, must
intended use, prior to the use of any assembly the use shall
have adequate mechanical properties to avoid the risk of
ensure, by pulling by hand in a separating direction, that the
breaking and the possible corresponding electrical conse-
retaining devices of all used elements are working efficiently
quences.These tools shall be checked for compliance with 7.8.
and no component gets separated.
4.3 All insulating material shall be flame resistant in accor-
5. Additional Requirements
dance with 7.7.
5.1 Screwdrivers and Wrenches—The following uninsulated
4.4 The insulating coating may consist of one or more
areas on the working head are permissible (see Fig. 2):
layers. If two or more layers are utilized, contrasting colors
5.1.1 Screwdrivers for slotted head screws, cross tip and
shall be employed.
other types, an 18-mm (0.709-in.) maximum length, is permis-
4.5 Thedesignandconstructionofthehandlesshallprovide
sible for the exposed tip.
a secure handhold and prevent unintentional slipping.
5.1.2 The blade insulation of screwdrivers shall be bonded
4.6 The tool shall have an operating temperature range from to the handle. The outer diameter of the insulation, over a
–20to+70°C. length of 30 mm (1.181 in.), in Area C of Fig. 2, shall not
F1505−16 (2021)
NOTE 1—Dimensions in millimetres
FIG. 1Description of the Insulating Overlapping Element and Different Assembly Configurations for Tools Capable of Being Assembled
with Square Drives (see 4.10.3)
A
TABLE 1 Dimensions and Tolerances of the Insulating Overlapping Element
NOTE 1—Dimensions in millimetres.
Nominal size I min I I d d d d
1 2 3 1 2 3 4
+2 +.05 0 +1.5 0 +1.5
0 -.05 -1.5 0 –1.5 0
6.3 19 16 2 12.5 13 18 19
10 19 16 2 17.5 18 23 24
12.5 19 16 2 21.5 22 27 28
20 19 16 2 32 33 38 39
A
I , I , I , d , d , d , and d are described in Fig. 1
1 2 3 1 2 3 4
exceed the width of the blade at the tip by more than 2 mm eter of the retaining device may exceed the dimensions of
(0.079in.).Thisareamaybeparallelortaperedtowardsthetip.
5.1.2. The retaining device shall be made from insulating
5.1.3 Bit Screwdrivers—Bit screwdrivers are regarded as material.
tools capable of being assembled. They shall meet the relevant
5.1.5 Box Wrenches, Socket Wrenches, and T-Wrenches—
requirements. The outer diameter of the insulation may exceed
The working surfaces that contact the fastener.
the dimensions of 5.1.2.
5.1.6 Engineer’s Wrenches—The working surface.
5.1.4 Screwdrivers with Screw Retaining Devices—If a
screwdriver has a screw retaining device, the screwdriver itself
NOTE 1—At the request of the customer, the uninsulated area may be
shall meet the requirements of this standard. The outer diam- extended to the working head.
F1505−16 (2021)
NOTE 1—Dimensions in millimetres.
NOTE 2—a = conductive part,
b = working part,
c = insulation, and
d = contact part.
FIG. 2Illustrations of Insulation of Typical Tools—Examples (see 5.1)
5.2 Folding Rules—Linear measuring instruments con- 5.2.2 Joints, End Tips and Extensions (if included) shall not
structed of fiberglass reinforced plastic or other suitable syn- be constructed of exposed metal.
theticmaterialwithadequatestrengthandrigiditycomprisedof 5.2.3 The movable joints may be constructed using metal
multiple legs and movable joints. pins. These pins shall not extend beyond the ends of the hinge
5.2.1 The legs shall meet the requirements for insulating or above the surface of the joint (see Fig. 4).
tools and pass the dielectric tests detailed in 7.4.4.2 and 7.4.4.3 5.2.4 Markings and Graduations shall be done in a perma-
(see Fig. 3). nent manner and comply with 5.6. In addition, graduations
NOTE 1—Dimensions in millimetres.
FIG. 3 Dielectric Testing Device for Insulating Tools (see 7.4.4.2)
F1505−16 (2021)
FIG. 4 Typical Fiberglass Folding Rule – Outside Reading (see
5.2)
shall be lasered, etched, molded or indented directly into the 5.4 Knives—The minimum length of the insulated handle
surface so that it remains legible throughout the life of the shall be 100 mm (4 in.). The handle shall have a guard on the
product. side (see Fig. 5(b)) toward the blade to prevent the slipping of
thehandontotheconductiveblade.Theminimumheightofthe
5.3 Pliers, Strippers, Cable Cutting Tools, Cable Scissors:
guard shall be 5 mm ( ⁄16 in.).The minimum insulated distance
5.3.1 The handle insulation shall have a guard so that the
between the inner edge of the guard and the non-insulated part
hand is prevented from slipping towards the uncovered metal
shall be 12 mm ( ⁄2 in.) (see Fig. 5(b), letter b). The length of
parts of the head (see Fig. 5(a) as an example). The height of
the uninsulated part of the knife blade shall not be longer than
the guard shall be sufficient to resist slippage of the fingers
65 mm (2 ⁄2-in.) (see Fig. 5(b), letter c).
towards the conductive part during work. For pliers, the
minimum dimensions of the guard shall be 10 mm ( ⁄8 in.) on
5.5 Tweezers (see Fig. 9):
the left and the right side of the pliers positioned on a flat
5.5.1 The total length (l) shall be 130-mm (5-in.) minimum
s
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