ASTM D1524-15

Standard Test Method for Visual Examination of Used Electrical Insulating Liquids in the Field

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 By use of this test method and Test Methods D1500 or D2129 the color and condition of a test specimen of electrical insulating liquid may be estimated during a field inspection, thus assisting in the decision as to whether or not the sample should be sent to a central laboratory for full evaluation. Cloudiness, particles of insulation, products of metal corrosion, or other undesirable suspended materials, as well as any unusual change in color may be detected.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method for visual examination is applicable to electrical insulating liquids that have been used in transformers, oil circuit breakers, or other electrical apparatus as insulating or cooling media, or both.  
1.2 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2015
• ICS: 29.040.10 - Insulating oils
• Technical Committee: D27 - Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases
• Drafting Committee: D27.07 - Physical Test

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D1524 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Visual Examination of Used Electrical Insulating Liquids in
1
the Field
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1524; 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 5. Apparatus
1.1 This test method for visual examination is applicable to
5.1 Sample Container—The sample vessel from a color
electrical insulating liquids that have been used in
comparitor, or a container in which light can be projected from
transformers, oil circuit breakers, or other electrical apparatus
the bottom into the sample.
as insulating or cooling media, or both.
5.2 Light—Alight source such as a pen light with a No. 222
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
bulb.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.3 Cloth—Photographer’s focusing cloth.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 6. Procedure
6.1 Tyndall Beam Examination—Project a narrow focused
2. Referenced Documents
light beam from the pen light upward through the sample
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
container, using the photographic focusing cloth to exclude
D1500 Test Method forASTM Color of Petroleum Products
extraneous light. Carefully examine the test specimen by
(ASTM Color Scale)
means of this light. A test specimen of good insulating liquid
D2129 Test Method for Color of Clear ElectricalInsulating
will appear clean and bright. Haziness or cloudiness usually
Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
denotes moisture in suspension or sludge. If the dielectric
strength is satisfactory, the cloudiness may be caused by
3. Summary of Test Method
oxidation products, in which case the neutralization number
3.1 The condition of the test specimen is estimated by
will probably be high and the interfacial tension low. Particles
observation of cloudiness, foreign particles, or suspended
of metals, insulation, carbon, and other matter will show up
matter in the sample by reflected light.
very markedly by reflected light. Report the electrical insulat-
ing liquid as failing the test if the appearance of any condition
4. Significance and Use
other than clear and bright is observed.
4.1 By use of this test method and Test Methods D1500 or
7. Report
D2129 the color and condition of a test specimen of electrical
insulating liquid may be estimated during a field inspection,
7.1 Report the following information:
thus assisting in the decision as to whether or not the sample
7.1.1 Type of insulating liquid,
should be sent to a central laboratory for full evaluation.
7.1.2 Pass or fail, and the description of any deviation from
Cloudiness,particlesofinsulation,productsofmetalcorrosion,
perfectly clear and bright,
or
...

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: D1524 − 94 (Reapproved 2010) D1524 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Visual Examination of Used Electrical Insulating Oils of
1
Petroleum Origin Liquids in the Field
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1524; 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 for visual examination is applicable to mineral oils of petroleum origin electrical insulating liquids that
have been used in transformers, oil circuit breakers, or other electrical apparatus as insulating or cooling media, or both.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.2 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
D2129 Test Method for Color of Clear ElectricalInsulating Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 The color of the test specimen is estimated by visually comparing the color of a specified thickness of the sample with a
series of artificial standard color disk filters in a specified comparator.
3.1 The condition of the test specimen is estimated by observation of cloudiness, foreign particles, or suspended matter in the
sample by reflected light.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 By use of this test method and Test Methods D1500 or D2129 the color and condition of a test specimen of oil electrical
insulating liquid may be estimated during a field inspection, thus assisting in the decision as to whether or not the sample should
be sent to a central laboratory for full evaluation. Cloudiness, particles of insulation, products of metal corrosion, or other
undesirable suspended materials, as well as any unusual change in color may be detected. For precise determination of color in
the laboratory, Test Method D1500 should be used.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Color ComparatorSample Container——A color comparator suitable for estimating the color of petroleum products on the
ASTM Color Scale, and for the examination of the test specimen by reflected light (Tyndall beam effect).The sample vessel from
a color comparitor, or a container in which light can be projected from the bottom into the sample.
5.2 Light—A light source such as a pen light with a No. 222 bulb.
5.3 Cloth—Photographer’s focusing cloth.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D27 on Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D27.07
on Physical Tests.
Current edition approved May 1, 2010Oct. 1, 2015. Published May 2010October 2015. Originally approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 20042010 as
D1524 – 94 (2004).D1524 – 94 (2010). DOI: 10.1520/D1524-94R10.10.1520/D1524-15.
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.
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D1524 − 15
6. Preparation of Apparatus
6.1 Open the front cover of the comparator housing, and place the center of the color disk on the ring with the number plates
facing the operator. Close the cover. As the disk is rotated, the number plates representing ASTM Color Numbers can be read
through the upper opening on the right-hand side of the front cover. The alignment is such that only one figure is visible when a
glass color standard is completely in the field of view.
6.2 The observation fields for colorimetric comparison can be seen through the two central openings. Through the prism
attachment, they are seen as half-fields. The right-hand field is produced by the test specimen in a tube which is placed in the
opening at the right of the instrument, while the left
...