ASTM D2132-23

Standard Test Method for Dust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion Resistance of Electrical Insulating Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
6.1 Method—It is possible that electrical insulation in service will fail as a result of tracking, erosion, or a combination of both, if exposed to high relative humidity and contamination environments. This is particularly true of organic insulations in outdoor applications where the surface of the insulation becomes contaminated by deposits of moisture and dirt, for example, coal dust or salt spray. This test method is an accelerated test that simulates extremely severe outdoor contamination. It is believed that the most severe conditions likely to be encountered in outdoor service in the United States will be relatively mild compared to the conditions specified in this test method.  
6.2 Test Results—Materials can be classified by this test method as tracking-resistant, tracking-affected, or tracking-susceptible. The exact test values for these categories as they apply to specific uses will be specified in the appropriate material specifications, but guideline figures are suggested in Note 4. Tracking-resistant materials, unless erosion failure occurs first, have the potential to last many hundreds of hours (Note 5). Erosion, though it is possible that it will progress laterally, generally results in a failure perpendicular to the specimen surface. Therefore, compare only specimens of the same nominal thickness for resistance to tracking-induced erosion. Estimate the extent of erosion from measurements of the depth of penetration of the erosion. Place materials that are not tracking-susceptible in three broad categories—erosion-resistant, erosion-affected, and erosion-susceptible. When the standard thickness specimen is tested, the following times to failure typify the categories (Note 6):    
Erosion-susceptible  
5 h to 50 h  
Erosion-affected  
50 h to 200 h  
Erosion-resistant  
over 200 h
Note 4: Tracking-susceptible materials usually fail within 5 h. Tracking-affected materials usually fail before about 100 h.
Note 5: This information is derive...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is intended to differentiate solid electrical insulating materials with respect to their resistance to the action of electric arcs produced by conduction through surface films of a specified contaminant containing moisture. Test Methods D2302, D2303, D3638, and D5288 are also useful to evaluate materials.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are the standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: There is no equivalent ISO standard.  
1.4 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2023
• ICS: 29.035.01 - Insulating materials in general
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.07 - Electrical Insulating Materials

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: D2132 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Dust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion Resistance of Electrical
1
Insulating Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2132; 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* tance of Electrical Insulating Materials with Controlled
3
Water-to-Metal Discharges (Withdrawn 1982)
1.1 This test method is intended to differentiate solid elec-
D2303 Test Methods for Liquid-Contaminant, Inclined-
trical insulating materials with respect to their resistance to the
Plane Tracking and Erosion of Insulating Materials
action of electric arcs produced by conduction through surface
D3638 Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of
films of a specified contaminant containing moisture. Test
Electrical Insulating Materials
Methods D2302, D2303, D3638, and D5288 are also useful to
D5288 Test Method for Determining Tracking Index of
evaluate materials.
Electrical Insulating Materials Using Various Electrode
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are the standard.
Materials (Excluding Platinum)
The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only.
The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact 3. Terminology
equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the
3.1 Definitions:
standard, each system shall be used independently of the other,
3.1.1 For definitions pertinent to this test method see Ter-
and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
minology D1711.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. High Voltage Hazard
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Warning—Lethal voltages are a potential hazard during
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
the performance of this test. It is essential that the test
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
apparatus, and all associated equipment electrically connected
to it, be properly designed and installed for safe operation.
NOTE 1—There is no equivalent ISO standard.
4.2 Solidly ground all electrically conductive parts which it
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
is possible for a person to contact during the test.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.3 Provide means for use at the completion of any test to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ground any parts which were at high voltage during the test or
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
have the potential for acquiring an induced charge during the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
test or retaining a charge even after disconnection of the
voltage source.
2. Referenced Documents
4.4 Thoroughly instruct all operators as to the correct
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
procedures for performing tests safely.
D709 Specification for Laminated Thermosetting Materials
4.5 When making high voltage tests, particularly in com-
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
pressed gas or in oil, it is possible for the energy released at
D2302 Method of Test for Differential Wet Tracking Resis-
breakdown to be sufficient to result in fire, explosion, or
rupture of the test chamber. Design test equipment, test
chambers, and test specimens so as to minimize the possibility
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
of such occurrences and to eliminate the possibility of personal
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials.
injury.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published September 2023. Originally
NOTE 2—If the potential for fire exists, have fire suppression equipment
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D2132 – 19. DOI:
10.1520/D2132-23. available.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
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 19428-295
...

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: D2132 − 19 D2132 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Dust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion Resistance of Electrical
1
Insulating Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2132; 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 is intended to differentiate solid electrical insulating materials with respect to their resistance to the action
of electric arcs produced by conduction through surface films of a specified contaminant containing moisture. Test Methods D2302,
D2303and, D2303D3638, and D5288 are also useful to evaluate materials.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are the standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only. The values
stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall
be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—There is no equivalent ISO standard.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D709 Specification for Laminated Thermosetting Materials
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D2302 Method of Test for Differential Wet Tracking Resistance of Electrical Insulating Materials with Controlled Water-to-
3
Metal Discharges (Withdrawn 1982)
D2303 Test Methods for Liquid-Contaminant, Inclined-Plane Tracking and Erosion of Insulating Materials
D3638 Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials
D5288 Test Method for Determining Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials Using Various Electrode Materials
(Excluding Platinum)
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
D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2019Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2019September 2023. Originally approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 20182019
as D2132 – 12 (2018).D2132 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/D2132-19.10.1520/D2132-23.
2
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.
3
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

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D2132 − 23
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions pertinent to this test method see Terminology D1711.
4. High Voltage Hazard
4.1 LethalWarning—Lethal voltages are a potential hazard during the performance of this test. voltages are a potential hazard
during the performance of this test. It is essential that the test apparatus, and all associated equipment electrically connected to it,
be properly designed and installed for safe operation.
4.2 Solidly ground all electrically conductive parts which it is possible for a person to contact during the test.
4.3 Provide means for use at the completion of any test to ground any parts which were at high voltage during the test or have
the potential for acquiring an induced charge during the test or retaining a charge even after disconnection of the voltage source.
4.4 Thoroughly instruct all operators as to the correct procedures for performing tests safely.
4.5 When making high voltage tests, particularly in compressed gas or in oil, it is possible for the energ
...