ASTM F855-23

Standard Specifications for Temporary Protective Grounds to Be Used on De-energized Electric Power Lines and Equipment

ABSTRACT
These specifications cover the equipment making up the temporary grounding system used on de-energized electric power lines, electric supply stations, and equipment. These specifications for a system of protective grounding utilizing copper cables are covered in four parts, as follows: clamps, ferrules, cables, and temporary protective grounds. Each of the four parts is an entity of itself, but is listed as a part of the system for completeness and clarification. The clamps shall be subject to design tests for determining mechanical torque strength and electrical short circuit capacity. The ferrules shall be tested for electrical short-circuit capacity and continuous current rating. The elastomer or thermoplastic making up the jacket of the flexible cable shall be tested according to the specified methods.
SCOPE
1.1 These specifications cover the equipment making up the temporary grounding system used on de-energized electric power lines, electric supply stations, and equipment.  
1.2 It is common practice for the users of protective grounding equipment to prepare complete instructions and regulations to govern in detail the correct use and maintenance of such equipment.  
1.3 The uses and maintenance of this equipment are beyond the scope of these specifications.  
1.4 These specifications for a system of protective grounding utilizing copper cables are covered in four parts, as follows:    
Sections  
Clamps for Temporary Protective Grounds  
4 – 16    
Ferrules for Temporary Protective Grounds  
17 – 30    
Cables for Temporary Protective Grounds  
31 – 39    
Protective Grounds (Complete Assembly With Clamps, Ferrules, and Cable)  
40 – 52  
1.5 Each of the four parts is an entity of itself, but is listed as a part of the system for completeness and clarification.  
1.6 Currents presented in Table 1 are based upon cable melting times, as determined from equations by I. M. Onderdonk and are to used in situations involving an asymmetry value less than 20 % (X/R ≤ 1.8). See Appendix X1.  
Note 1: TPG testing is done on complete assemblies. Assembly ratings assume the grade of lowest graded component (see 43.1.6).  
1.6.1 Currents presented in Table 2 are based upon the values from EPRI Project RP2446 Computer Program RTGC “A Desktop Computer Program for Calculating Rating of Temporary Grounding Cables” and are to be used in situations involving an asymmetry value greater than 20 % (X/R ≧ 1.8), see Appendix X2.  
Note 1: The above current values are based on electromechanical test values.
Note 2: Assemblies that have been subjected to these shall not be re-used.
Note 3: For use with currents exceeding 20 % asymmetry factor.
Note 4: See X2.7.2 for additional information.
Note 5: Alternate testing circuits are available for laboratories that cannot achieve the above requirements. See Appendix X2 for details.
Note 1: Table 1 represents the clamp and assembly ratings that existed prior to this revision. Table 2 represents new ratings now required for high X/R situations.  
1.6.2 See Appendix X1 and Appendix X2 for a discussion of these topics.  
1.7 The values stated in Newton-Meter units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are the inch-pound units.  
1.8 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test method portions, Sections 12 and 25 of these specifications: 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.  
1.9 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 issue...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2023
• ICS: 29.120.50 - Fuses and other overcurrent protection devices
• Technical Committee: F18 - Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Drafting Committee: F18.45 - Mechanical Apparatus

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: F855 − 23
Standard Specifications for
Temporary Protective Grounds to Be Used on De-energized
1
Electric Power Lines and Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F855; 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 1.7 The values stated in Newton-Meter units are to be
regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are the
1.1 These specifications cover the equipment making up the
inch-pound units.
temporary grounding system used on de-energized electric
1.8 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test
power lines, electric supply stations, and equipment.
method portions, Sections 12 and 25 of these specifications:
1.2 It is common practice for the users of protective
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety
grounding equipment to prepare complete instructions and
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
regulations to govern in detail the correct use and maintenance
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety,
of such equipment.
health, and environmental practices and determine the appli-
1.3 The uses and maintenance of this equipment are beyond
cability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the scope of these specifications.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.4 These specifications for a system of protective ground-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ing utilizing copper cables are covered in four parts, as follows:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Sections mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Clamps for Temporary Protective Grounds 4 – 16
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Ferrules for Temporary Protective Grounds 17 – 30
Cables for Temporary Protective Grounds 31 – 39
2. Referenced Documents
Protective Grounds (Complete Assembly With Clamps, Ferrules, 40 – 52
and Cable) 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.5 Each of the four parts is an entity of itself, but is listed
B172 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conduc-
as a part of the system for completeness and clarification.
tors Having Bunch-Stranded Members, for Electrical Con-
ductors
1.6 Currents presented in Table 1 are based upon cable
B173 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conduc-
melting times, as determined from equations by I. M. Onder-
tors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Electrical
donk and are to used in situations involving an asymmetry
Conductors
value less than 20 % (X/R ≤ 1.8). See Appendix X1.
D470 Test Methods for Crosslinked Insulations and Jackets
1.6.1 Currents presented in Table 2 are based upon the
for Wire and Cable
values from EPRI Project RP2446 Computer Program RTGC
D753 Specification for General Purpose Polychloroprene
“A Desktop Computer Program for Calculating Rating of
3
Jacket for Wire and Cable (Withdrawn 1984)
Temporary Grounding Cables” and are to be used in situations
D2219 Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Insulation for
involving an asymmetry value greater than 20 % (X/R ^ 1.8),
Wire and Cable, 60 °C Operation
see Appendix X2.
D2633 Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and
NOTE 1—Table 1 represents the clamp and assembly ratings that existed
Jackets for Wire and Cable
prior to this revision. Table 2 represents new ratings now required for high
D2768 Specification for General-Purpose Ethylene-
X/R situations.
Propylene Rubber Jacket for Wire and Cable (Withdrawn
1.6.2 See Appendix X1 and Appendix X2 for a discussion
3
2007)
of these topics.
1 2
These specifications are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and are the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee F18.45 on Mechanical Apparatus. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as F855 – 20. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.ast-
10.1520/F0855-23. m.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

------------------
...

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: F855 − 20 F855 − 23
Standard Specifications for
Temporary Protective Grounds to Be Used on De-energized
1
Electric Power Lines and Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F855; 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 These specifications cover the equipment making up the temporary grounding system used on de-energized electric power
lines, electric supply stations, and equipment.
1.2 It is common practice for the users of protective grounding equipment to prepare complete instructions and regulations to
govern in detail the correct use and maintenance of such equipment.
1.3 The uses and maintenance of this equipment are beyond the scope of these specifications.
1.4 These specifications for a system of protective grounding utilizing copper cables are covered in four parts, as follows:
Sections
Clamps for Temporary Protective Grounds 4 – 16
Ferrules for Temporary Protective Grounds 17 – 30
Cables for Temporary Protective Grounds 31 – 39
Protective Grounds (Complete Assembly With Clamps, Ferrules, 40 – 52
and Cable)
1.5 Each of the four parts is an entity of itself, but is listed as a part of the system for completeness and clarification.
1.6 Currents presented in Table 1 are based upon cable melting times, as determined from equations by I. M. Onderdonk and are
to used in situations involving an asymmetry value less than 20 % (X/R ≤ 1.8). See Appendix X1.
1.6.1 Currents presented in Table 2 are based upon the values from EPRI Project RP2446 Computer Program RTGC “A Desktop
Computer Program for Calculating Rating of Temporary Grounding Cables” and are to be used in situations involving an
asymmetry value greater than 20 % (X/R ^ 1.8), see Appendix X2.
NOTE 1—Table 1 represents the clamp and assembly ratings that existed prior to this revision. Table 2 represents new ratings now required for high X/R
situations.
1.6.2 See Appendix X1 and Appendix X2 for a discussion of these topics.
1
These specifications are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F18.45 on Mechanical Apparatus.
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2020Feb. 1, 2023. Published October 2020February 2023. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20192020
as F855 – 19a.F855 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/F0855-20.10.1520/F0855-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F855 − 23
TABLE 1 Protective Ground Cable, Ferrule, Clamp and Assembly Ratings for Symmetrical Current
Grounding Clamp Torque
A
Short Circuit Properties
Strength, min
CD
Withstand Rating, Symmetrical Continuous
Ultimate Rating Capacity , Symmetrical
B
Yield Ultimate kA kA Current
RMS, 60 Hz
Grade RMS, 60 Hz Rating, A
RMS, 60
15 30
15 30 cycles 60 Maximum
Hz
Copper Cable cycles cycles
lbf·in. n·m lbf·in. n·m cycles (500 cycles Copper Test
Size (250 (500
(250 ms) ms) (1 s) Cable Size
ms) ms)
1 280 32 330 37 14 10 #2 18 13 9 2/0 200
2 280 32 330 37 21 15 1/0 29 21 14 4/0 250
3 280 32 330 37 27 20 2/0 37 26 18 4/0 300
4 330 37 400 45 34 25 3/0 47 33 23 250 kcmil 350
5 330 37 400 45 43 30 4/0 59 42 29 250 kcmil 400
6 330 37 400 45 54 39 250 kcmil or 70 49 35 350 kcmil 450
2 2/0
7 330 37 400 45 74 54 350 kcmil or 98 69 48 550 kcmil 550
2 4/0
A
Withstand and ultimate short circuit properties are based on performance with surges not exceeding 20 % asymmetry factor (see 9.1 and 12.3.4.2).
B
Yield shall mean no permanent deformation such that the clamp cannot be reused throughout its entire range of application.
C
Ultimate rating represents a symmetrical current which the assembly or individual components shall carry for the specified time.
D
Ultimate values are based upon application of Onderdonk’s equation to 98 % of nominal circular mil area allowed by Specifications B172 and B173.
NOTE 1—TPG testing is done on complete assemblies. Assembly ratings assume the grade of lowest graded component (see 43.1.6).
1.7 The values stated in Newton-Meter units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are the inch-pound units.
1.8 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test method portions, Section
...