ASTM D4388-20

Standard Specification for Nonmetallic Semi-Conducting and Electrically Insulating Rubber Tapes

ABSTRACT
This specification covers nonmetallic semi-conducting and electrically insulating rubber tapes designed for the splicing and repair of electrical wire and cables operating at specified phase to phase voltages. The tapes, which are classified into five types (Types I, II, III, IV, and V), shall conform to physical property requirements such as tensile strength, elongation at break, dielectric strength, dissipation factor, permittivity, volume resistivity, behavior during fusion test, ozone resistance, heat exposure, and UV resistance.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers nonmetallic semi-conducting and electrical insulating tapes designed for the splicing and repair of electrical wire and cables operating at voltages up to 325 kV, phase to phase.  
1.2 The SI values are the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information purposes only.  
1.3 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-2020
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.07 - Electrical Insulating Materials

Relations

• Referred By: ASTM D4325-20 - Standard Test Methods for Nonmetallic Semi-Conducting and Electrically Insulating Rubber Tapes
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020

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:D4388 −20
Standard Specification for
Nonmetallic Semi-Conducting and Electrically Insulating
1
Rubber Tapes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4388; 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* phaseindrylocationswithconductortemperaturesupto80°C
(176 °F) for continuous operation, up to 95 °C (203 °F) for
1.1 This specification covers nonmetallic semi-conducting
emergency overload conditions, and up to 150 °C (302 °F) for
and electrical insulating tapes designed for the splicing and
short-circuit conditions. For outdoor use, protect the tape from
repair of electrical wire and cables operating at voltages up to
ozone attack and ultraviolet radiation by the use of a suitable
325 kV, phase to phase.
overwrap. Apply the tape to the wire or cable within an
1.2 The SI values are the standard. The values stated in
ambient temperature range of−10 and 40 °C (14 and 104 °F).
inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information
4.1.2 Type II—A medium voltage, ozone-resistant, rubber
purposes only.
insulating tape designed for use with wires and cables operat-
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
ing up to 35 000 V phase to phase in either wet or dry
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
locationswithconductortemperaturesupto90°C(194°F)for
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
continuous operation, up to 130 °C (266 °F) for emergency
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
overloadconditions,andupto250°C(482°F)forshort-circuit
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
conditions when installed in accordance with the manufactur-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
er’s instruction. For wet or dry outdoor use, protect the tape
from ultraviolet radiation by the use of a suitable overwrap.
2. Referenced Documents
Apply the tape to the wire or cable within an ambient
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
temperature range of−10 and 40 °C (14 and 104 °F).
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
4.1.3 Type III—A high voltage, ozone-resistant, rubber in-
D4325Test Methods for Nonmetallic Semi-Conducting and
sulating tape designed for use with wires and cables operating
Electrically Insulating Rubber Tapes
up to 138 000 V phase to phase in either wet or dry locations
with conductor temperatures up to 90 °C (194 °F) for continu-
3. Terminology
ous operation, up to 130 °C (266 °F) for emergency overload
3.1 Definitions:
conditions, and up to 250 °C (482 °F) for short-circuit
3.1.1 Use Terminology D1711 for definitions of terms used
conditions when installed in accordance with the manufactur-
in these test methods and associated with electrical or elec-
er’s instructions. This tape is suitable for wet or dry outdoor
tronic insulation materials.
use. Apply the tape to the wire or cable within an ambient
temperature range of−10 and 40 °C (14 and 104 °F).
4. Classification
4.1.4 Type IV—A nonmetallic semi-conducting tape de-
4.1 Types:
signed for shielding various portions of joints and terminations
4.1.1 Type I—Alowvoltagerubberinsulatingtapedesigned
in electrical wires and cables operating at any voltage under
for use on wires and cables operating up to 2000 V phase to
wet or dry conditions with conductor temperatures up to 90 °C
(194°F)forcontinuousoperation,orupto130°C(266°F)for
1
emergencyoverloadconditions.Thistapeissuitableforwetor
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
dry outdoor use.Apply the tape to the wire or cable within an
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials.
ambient temperature range of−10 and 40 °C (14 and 104 °F).
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
4.1.5 Type V—A higher voltage, ozone-resistant, rubber
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4388–13. DOI:
10.1520/D4388-20.
insulating tape designed for use with wires and cables operat-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ing up to 325 000 V phase to phase in either wet or dry
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
locationswithconductortemperaturesupto90°C(194°F)for
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Docume
...

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: D4388 − 13 D4388 − 20
Standard Specification for
Nonmetallic Semi-Conducting and Electrically Insulating
1
Rubber Tapes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4388; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers nonmetallic semi-conducting and electrical insulating tapes designed for the splicing and repair of
electrical wire and cables operating at voltages up to 325 kV, phase to phase.
1.2 The SI values are the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information purposes only.
1.3 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:
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D4325 Test Methods for Nonmetallic Semi-Conducting and Electrically Insulating Rubber Tapes
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Use Terminology D1711 for definitions of terms used in these test methods and associated with electrical or
electronic insulation materials.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Use Terminology D1711 for definitions of terms used in these test methods and associated with electrical or electronic
insulation materials.
4. Classification
4.1 Types:
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D09.07 on Flexible and Rigid Electrical Insulating Materials.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2013Aug. 1, 2020. Published December 2013September 2020. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20082013
as D4388 – 08.D4388 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D4388-13.10.1520/D4388-20.
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.
*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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D4388 − 20
4.1.1 Type I—A low voltage rubber insulating tape designed for use on wires and cables operating up to 2000 V phase to phase
in dry locations with conductor temperatures up to 80 °C (176 °F) for continuous operation, up to 95 °C (203 °F) for emergency
overload conditions, and up to 150 °C (302 °F) for short-circuit conditions. For outdoor use, protect the tape from ozone attack
and ultraviolet radiation by the use of a suitable overwrap. Apply the tape to the wire or cable within an ambient temperature range
of − 10of −10 and 40 °C (14 and 104 °F).
4.1.2 Type II—A medium voltage, ozone-resistant, rubber insulating tape designed for use with wires and cables operating up to
35 000 V phase to phase in either wet or dry locations with conductor temperatures up to 90 °C (194 °F) for continuous operation,
up to 130 °C (266 °F) for emergency overload conditions, and up to 250 °C (482 °F) for short-circuit conditions when installed
in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction. For wet or dry outdoor use, protect the tape from ultraviolet radiation by the
use of a suitable overwrap. Apply the tape to the wire or cable within an ambient temperature range of − 10of −10 and 40 °C (14
and 104 °F).
4.1.3 Type III—A high voltage, ozone-resistant, rubber insulating tape designed for use with wires and cables operating up to
138 000 V phase to phase in either wet or dry locations with conductor temperatures up to 90 °C (194 °F) for continuous operation,
up to 130 °C (266 °F) for emergency overload conditions, and up to 250 °C (482 °F) for short-circuit conditions when installed
in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. This tape is suitable for wet or dry outdoor use. Apply the tape to the wire or
cable within an ambient temperature range of − 10of −10 and 40 °C (14 and 1
...