Significance and Use
6.1 Physical tests, properly interpreted, provide information with regard to the physical properties of the insulation or jacket. The physical test values give an approximation of how the insulation will physically perform in its service life. Physical tests provide useful data for research and development, engineering design, quality control, and acceptance or rejection under specifications.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the testing of thermoplastic insulations and jackets used on insulated wire and cable. To determine the test to be made on the particular insulation or jacket compound, refer to the product specification for that type. These test methods do not apply to the class of products known as flexible cords. The electrical tests on insulation and water-absorption tests do not apply to the class of products having a separator between the conductor and the insulation.
1.2 These test methods pertain to insulation or jacket material for electrical wires and cables. In many instances the insulation or jacket material cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable. Therefore, tests are done on insulated or jacketed wire or cable in these test methods solely to determine the relevant property of the insulation or jacket material and not to test the conductor or completed cable.
1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 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. For specific hazards see Sections 4 and 63.
1.5 The procedures appear in the following sections:
| Procedure | Sections |
| Cold Bend Test | 75 to 77 |
| Dielectric Strength Retention Test | 45 to 51 |
| Electrical Tests of Insulation | 17 to 29 |
| Heat Distortion Test | 74 |
| Heat Shock Test | 73 |
| Insulation Resistance Test | 30 to 37 |
| Partial-Discharge Extinction Level Test | 38 to 44 |
| Physical Tests of Insulation and Jackets | 5 to 16 |
| Surface Resistivity Test | 64 to 67 |
| Thermal Tests | 72 to 77 |
| Track Resistance Test | 78 to 81 |
| U-Bend Discharge Test | 68 to 71 |
| Vertical Flame Test | 63 |
| Water Absorption Tests, Accelerated | 52 to 62 |
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) 
The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power Frequencies
D150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
D257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials
D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property--Effect of Liquids
D573 Test Method for Rubber--Deterioration in an Air Oven
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D2132 Test Method for Dust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion Resistance of Electrical Insulating Materials
D3755 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials Under Direct-Voltage Stress
D5025 Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
D5207 Practice for Confirmation of 20-mm (50-W) and 125-mm (500-W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
D5423 Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory Ovens for Evaluation of Electrical Insulation
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
UL Standard
UL 2556 Wire and Cable Test Methods Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), 2600 N.W. Lake Rd., Camas, WA 98607-8542, http://www.ul.com.
Federal Standard
Federal Specificatio
ICEA Standard
T-24-380 Guide for Partial-Discharge Procedure Available from The Insulated Cable Engineers Association, Inc. (ICEA), P.O. Box 1568, Carrollton, GA 30112, http://www.icea.net.
Keywords
accelerated water absorption; cold bend test; dielectric strength retention; elongation; heat aging; heat distortion; heat shock; insulation resistance; oil immersion; partial discharge extinction level; surface resistivity; tensile strength; thermoplastic insulation; thermoplastic jacket; thickness; track resistance; U-bend discharge; vertical flame test; voltage withstand tests;
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 29.035.20 (Plastic and rubber insulating materials)
DOI: 10.1520/D2633-13
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Citing ASTM Standards
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