ASTM D2303-20

Standard Test Methods for Liquid-Contaminant, Inclined-Plane Tracking and Erosion of Insulating Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These test methods differentiate solid electrical insulating materials on the basis of their resistance to the action of voltage stresses along the surface of the solid when wet with an ionizable, electrically conductive liquid contaminant.  
5.2 These test methods quantitatively evaluate, in a relative manner, the effects upon an insulating material resulting from the action of electrical discharges upon a material surface. The effects are similar to those that may occur in service under the influence of dirt combined with moisture condensed from the atmosphere.  
5.2.1 In the field, the conditions resulting in electrical discharges occur sporadically. Degradation, often in the form of a conducting “track,” develops very slowly until it ultimately bridges the space between conductors thus causing complete electrical breakdown.  
5.2.2 In these test methods, the conducting liquid contaminant is continuously supplied at an optimum rate to the surface of a test specimen in such a fashion that essentially continuous electrical discharge can be maintained.  
5.2.3 By producing continuous surface discharge with controlled energy it is possible, within a few hours, to cause specimen failure which is similar to failure occurring under long-time exposure to the erratic conditions of service in the field.  
5.2.4 The test conditions, which are standardized and accelerated, do not reproduce all of the conditions encountered in service. Use caution when making either direct or comparative service behavior inferences derived from the results of tracking tests.  
5.3 The time-to-track a 1-in. (25 mm) distance at a specified voltage between electrodes separated 2 in. (50 mm) has also been found useful in categorizing insulating materials for indoor and protected outdoor applications, such as metal-clad switchgear.  
5.4 The initial tracking voltage has been found useful for evaluating insulating materials to be used at high voltages or outdoors and unprotected, as well...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the evaluation of the relative tracking and erosion resistance of insulating solids using the liquid-contaminant, inclined-plane test.2 The following test methods also can be used to evaluate the tracking resistance of materials: Test Method D2132 (contaminants: dust and fog) and Test Method D3638 (contaminant: conductive liquid drops).  
1.2 Two tracking and one erosion test procedure are described:  
1.2.1 A “variable voltage method” to evaluate resistance to tracking.  
1.2.2 A “time-to-track method” to evaluate resistance to tracking.  
1.2.3 A method for quantitative determination of erosion (Annex A1).  
1.3 While a particular contaminant solution is specified, other concentrations of the same contaminant, or different contaminants are used to simulate different environmental or service conditions.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 Although this standard and IEC 60587-2007, “Test Methods for Evaluating Resistance to Tracking and Erosion for Electrical Insulating Materials Used Under Severe Ambient Conditions,” differ in approach or detail, data obtained using either are technically equivalent.  
1.6 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 9.  
1.7 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 is...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2020
• ICS: 29.035.01 - Insulating materials in general
• 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: D2303 − 20
Standard Test Methods for
Liquid-Contaminant, Inclined-Plane Tracking and Erosion of
1
Insulating Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2303; 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* responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 These test methods cover the evaluation of the relative
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tracking and erosion resistance of insulating solids using the
2 Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 9.
liquid-contaminant, inclined-plane test. The following test
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
methods also can be used to evaluate the tracking resistance of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
materials: Test Method D2132 (contaminants: dust and fog)
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and Test Method D3638 (contaminant: conductive liquid
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
drops).
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 Two tracking and one erosion test procedure are de-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
scribed:
1.2.1 A“variable voltage method” to evaluate resistance to
2. Referenced Documents
tracking.
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2.2 A “time-to-track method” to evaluate resistance to
D374/D374MTest Methods for Thickness of Solid Electri-
tracking.
cal Insulation
1.2.3 A method for quantitative determination of erosion
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
(Annex A1).
D2132Test Method for Dust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion
1.3 While a particular contaminant solution is specified,
Resistance of Electrical Insulating Materials
other concentrations of the same contaminant, or different
D3638Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of
contaminants are used to simulate different environmental or
Electrical Insulating Materials
service conditions.
2.2 IEC Standard:
1.4 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
IEC 60587-2007Test Methods for Evaluating Resistance to
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Tracking and Erosion for Electrical Insulating Materials
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Used Under Severe Ambient Conditions
and are not considered standard.
1.5 Although this standard and IEC 60587-2007, “Test
3. Terminology
MethodsforEvaluatingResistancetoTrackingandErosionfor
3.1 Definitions:
Electrical Insulating Materials Used Under Severe Ambient
3.1.1 erosion, electrical, n—the progressive wearing away
Conditions,” differ in approach or detail, data obtained using
of electrical insulation by the action of electrical discharges.
either are technically equivalent.
3.1.2 erosion resistance, electrical, n—the quantitative ex-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
pression of the amount of electrical erosion under specific
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
conditions.
3.1.3 track, n—a partially conducting path of localized
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
deterioration on the surface of an insulating material.
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D2303–13. DOI:
3
10.1520/D2303-20. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
2
K. N. Mathes, “Surface Failure Measurements,” Chapter 4 of Engineering contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Dielectrics Volume IIB Electrical Properties of Solid Insulating Materials: Mea- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
surement Techniques, ASTM STP 926, ASTM International, 1987. 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2303 − 20
3.1.4 tracking, n—the process that produces tracks as a mately bridges the space between conductors thus causing
result of the action of electric discharges on or close to the complete electrical breakdown.
insulation surface. 5.2.2 In these test meth
...

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: D2303 − 13 D2303 − 20
Standard Test Methods for
Liquid-Contaminant, Inclined-Plane Tracking and Erosion of
1
Insulating Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2303; 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 Scope*
1.1 These test methods cover the evaluation of the relative tracking and erosion resistance of insulating solids using the
2
liquid-contaminant, inclined-plane test. The following test methods also can be used to evaluate the tracking resistance of
materials: Test Method D2132 (contaminants: dust and fog) and Test Method D3638 (contaminant: conductive liquid drops).
1.2 Two tracking and one erosion test procedure are described:
1.2.1 A “variable voltage method” to evaluate resistance to tracking.
1.2.2 A “time-to-track method” to evaluate resistance to tracking.
1.2.3 A method for quantitative determination of erosion (Annex A1).
1.3 While a particular contaminant solution is specified, other concentrations of the same contaminant, or different contaminants
are used to simulate different environmental or service conditions.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 Although this standard and IEC 60587-2007, “Test Methods for Evaluating Resistance to Tracking and Erosion for Electrical
Insulating Materials Used Under Severe Ambient Conditions,” differ in approach or detail, data obtained using either are
technically equivalent.
1.6 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 89.
1.7 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.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013Aug. 1, 2020. Published June 2013September 2020. Originally approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 20042013 as
D2303 – 97 (2004)D2303 – 13., which was withdrawn in January 2013 and reinstated in April 2013. DOI: 10.1520/D2303-13. DOI: 10.1520/D2303-20.
2
K. N. Mathes, Chapter 4, “Surface Failure Measurements,” Chapter 4 of Engineering Dielectrics, Vol IIB,Dielectrics Volume IIB Electrical Properties of Solid Insulating
Materials,Materials: Measurement Techniques,R. Bartnikas, Editor, ASTM STP 926, ASTM, Philadelphia,ASTM International, 1987.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2303 − 20
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D374D374/D374M Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation (Metric) D0374_D0374M
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D2132 Test Method for Dust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion Resistance of Electrical Insulating Materials
D3638 Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials
2.2 IEC Standards:Standard:
IEC 6058760587-2007 Test Methods for Evaluating Resistance to Tracking and Erosion for Electrical Insulating Materials Used
Under Severe Ambient Conditions
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 erosion, electrical, n—the progressive wearing away of electrical insulation by the action of electrical discharges.
3.1.2 erosion resistance, electrical, n—the quantitative expression of the amount of electrical erosion under specific conditions.
3.1.3 track, n—a partially co
...