ASTM D149-09

Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power Frequencies

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The dielectric strength of an electrical insulating material is a property of interest for any application where an electrical field will be present. In many cases the dielectric strength of a material will be the determining factor in the design of the apparatus in which it is to be used.
Tests made as specified herein are suitable for use to provide part of the information needed for determining suitability of a material for a given application; and also, for detecting changes or deviations from normal characteristics resulting from processing variables, aging conditions, or other manufacturing or environmental situations. This test method is useful for process control, acceptance or research testing.
Results obtained by this test method can seldom be used directly to determine the dielectric behavior of a material in an actual application. In most cases it is necessary that these results be evaluated by comparison with results obtained from other functional tests or from tests on other materials, or both, in order to estimate their significance for a particular material.
Three methods for voltage application are specified in Section 12: Method A, Short-Time Test; Method B, Step-by-Step Test; and Method C, Slow Rate-of-Rise Test. Method A is the most commonly-used test for quality-control tests. However, the longer-time tests, Methods B and C, which usually will give lower test results, will potentially give more meaningful results when different materials are being compared with each other. If a test set with motor-driven voltage control is available, the slow rate-of-rise test is simpler and preferable to the step-by-step test. The results obtained from Methods B and C are comparable to each other.
Documents specifying the use of this test method shall also specify:
Method of voltage application,
Voltage rate-of-rise, if slow rate-of-rise method is specified,
Specimen selection, preparation, and conditioning,
Surrounding medium and temperature du...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for the determination of dielectric strength of solid insulating materials at commercial power frequencies, under specified conditions. ,  
1.2 Unless otherwise specified, the tests shall be made at 60 Hz. However, this test method is suitable for use at any frequency from 25 to 800 Hz. At frequencies above 800 Hz, dielectric heating is a potential problem.  
1.3 This test method is intended to be used in conjunction with any ASTM standard or other document that refers to this test method. References to this document need to specify the particular options to be used (see 5.5).
1.4 It is suitable for use at various temperatures, and in any suitable gaseous or liquid surrounding medium.
1.5 This test method is not intended for measuring the dielectric strength of materials that are fluid under the conditions of test.
1.6 This test method is not intended for use in determining intrinsic dielectric strength, direct-voltage dielectric strength, or thermal failure under electrical stress (see Test Method D3151).  
1.7 This test method is most commonly used to determine the dielectric breakdown voltage through the thickness of a test specimen (puncture). It is also suitable for use to determine dielectric breakdown voltage along the interface between a solid specimen and a gaseous or liquid surrounding medium (flashover). With the addition of instructions modifying Section 12, this test method is also suitable for use for proof testing.
1.8 This test method is similar to IEC Publication 243-1. All procedures in this method are included in IEC 243-1. Differences between this method and IEC 243-1 are largely editorial.
1.9 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 limi...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2009
• 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: D149 − 09 AnAmerican National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of
Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power
1
Frequencies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D149; 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* dielectric breakdown voltage along the interface between a
solid specimen and a gaseous or liquid surrounding medium
1.1 This test method covers procedures for the determina-
(flashover). With the addition of instructions modifying Sec-
tion of dielectric strength of solid insulating materials at
2,3 tion 12, this test method is also suitable for use for proof
commercial power frequencies, under specified conditions.
testing.
1.2 Unless otherwise specified, the tests shall be made at 60
1.8 ThistestmethodissimilartoIECPublication243-1.All
Hz. However, this test method is suitable for use at any
procedures in this method are included in IEC 243-1. Differ-
frequency from 25 to 800 Hz. At frequencies above 800 Hz,
encesbetweenthismethodandIEC243-1arelargelyeditorial.
dielectric heating is a potential problem.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.3 This test method is intended to be used in conjunction
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
with anyASTM standard or other document that refers to this
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
test method. References to this document need to specify the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
particular options to be used (see 5.5).
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific hazard
1.4 It is suitable for use at various temperatures, and in any
statements are given in Section 7. Also see 6.4.1.
suitable gaseous or liquid surrounding medium.
2. Referenced Documents
1.5 This test method is not intended for measuring the
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
dielectric strength of materials that are fluid under the condi-
D374Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu-
tions of test.
lation
1.6 This test method is not intended for use in determining
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
intrinsic dielectric strength, direct-voltage dielectric strength,
D877Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of
or thermal failure under electrical stress (see Test Method
Insulating Liquids Using Disk Electrodes
D3151).
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
1.7 This test method is most commonly used to determine
D2413Practice for Preparation of Insulating Paper and
thedielectricbreakdownvoltagethroughthethicknessofatest
Board Impregnated with a Liquid Dielectric
specimen (puncture). It is also suitable for use to determine
D3151Test Method for Thermal Failure of Solid Electrical
Insulating Materials Under Electric Stress (Withdrawn
5
2007)
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
D3487Specification for Mineral Insulating Oil Used in
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Electrical Apparatus
Subcommittee D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009. Published November 2009. Originally D5423Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory Ov-
approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D149–97a(2004).
ens for Evaluation of Electrical Insulation
DOI: 10.1520/D0149-09.
2
Bartnikas, R., Chapter 3, “High Voltage Measurements,” Electrical Properties
4
of Solid Insulating Materials, Measurement Techniques , Vol. IIB, Engineering For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Dielectrics, R. Bartnikas, Editor, ASTM STP 926, ASTM, Philadelphia, 1987 . contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Nelson, J. K., Chapter 5, “Dielectric Breakdown of Solids,” Electrical Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Properties of Solid Insulating Materials: Molecular Structure and Electrical the ASTM website.
5
Behavior, Vol. IIA, Engineering Dielectrics, R. Bartnikas and R. M. Eichorn, The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Editors, ASTM STP 783, ASTM, Philadelphia, 1983 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

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D149 − 09
2.2 IEC Standard: streng
...

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:D149–97a (Reapproved 2004) Designation: D149 – 09
Standard Test Method for
Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of
Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power
1
Frequencies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D149; 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 This test method covers procedures for the determination of dielectric strength of solid insulating materials at commercial
2,3
power frequencies, under specified conditions.
1.2 Unless otherwise specified, the tests shall be made at 60 Hz. However, this test method may be used is suitable for use at
any frequency from 25 to 800 Hz. At frequencies above 800 Hz, dielectric heating may be is a potential problem.
1.3 This test method is intended to be used in conjunction with anyASTM standard or other document that refers to this test
method. References to this document shouldneed to specify the particular options to be used (see 5.5).
1.4 It may be usedis suitable for use at various temperatures, and in any suitable gaseous or liquid surrounding medium.
1.5 This test method is not intended for measuring the dielectric strength of materials that are fluid under the conditions of test.
1.6 This test method is not intended for use in determining intrinsic dielectric strength, direct-voltage dielectric strength, or
thermal failure under electrical stress (see Test Method D3151).
1.7 This test method is most commonly used to determine the dielectric breakdown voltage through the thickness of a test
specimen (puncture). It mayis also be usedsuitable for use to determine dielectric breakdown voltage along the interface between
a solid specimen and a gaseous or liquid surrounding medium (flashover).With the addition of instructions modifying Section 12,
this test method may be used for proof testing. , this test method is also suitable for use for proof testing.
1.8 This test method is similar to IEC Publication 243-1.All procedures in this method are included in IEC 243-1. Differences
between this method and IEC 243-1 are largely editorial.
1.9 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. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 7. Also see 6.4.1.
2. Referenced Documents
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D877 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of Insulating Liquids Using Disk Electrodes
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D2413 Practice for Preparation of Insulating Paper and Board Impregnated with a Liquid Dielectric
D3151 Test Method for Thermal Failure of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials Under Electric Stress
D3487 Specification for Mineral Insulating Oil Used in Electrical Apparatus
D5423 Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory Ovens for Evaluation of Electrical Insulation
2.2 IEC 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 MarchOct. 1, 2004.2009. Published March 2004.November 2009. Originally approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 19972004 as
D149–97a(2004). DOI: 10.1520/D0149-97AR04.10.1520/D0149-09.
2
Bartnikas, R., Chapter 3, “High Voltage Measurements,” Electrical Properties of Solid Insulating Materials, Measurement Techniques , Vol. IIB, Engineering
Dielectrics, R. Bartnikas, Editor, ASTM STP 926, ASTM, Philadelphia, 1987 .
3
Nelson, J. K., Chapter 5, “Dielectric Breakdown of Solids,” Electrical Properties of Solid Insulating Materials: Molecular Structure and Electrical Behavior,Vol. IIA,
Engineering Dielectrics, R. Bartnikas and R. M. Eichorn, Editors, ASTM STP 783, ASTM, Philadelphia, 1983.1983
4
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book of A
...