Significance and Use
5.1 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 testing crosslinked insulations and jackets for wire and cable. To determine the test to be made on the particular insulation or jacket, refer to the product specification for that type. These test methods do not apply to the class of products known as flexible cords.
1.2 In many instances the insulation or jacket 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 and not to test the conductor or completed cable.
1.3 The procedures appear in the following sections:
| | Sections |
| AC and DC Voltage Withstand Tests | 22 to 29 |
| Capacitance and Dissipation Factor Tests | 38 to 44 |
| Cold Bend | 128 |
| Cold Bend, Long-Time Voltage Test on Short Specimens | 51 to 57 |
| Double AC Voltage Test on Short Specimens | 45 to 50 |
| Electrical Tests of Insulation | 17 to 64 |
| Heat Distortion Test | 127 |
| Horizontal Flame Test | 100 to 104 |
| Insulation Resistance Tests on Completed Cable | 30 to 37 |
| Mineral Filler Content, Determination of | 111 to 115 |
| Ozone Resistance Test | 87 to 99 |
| Partial-Discharge Test | 58 to 64 |
| Physical Tests of Insulation and Jacket Compounds | 5 to 16 |
| Surface Resistivity Test | 116 to 120 |
| Track Resistance Test | 129 to 132 |
| U-Bend Discharge Test | 121 to 125 |
| Water Absorption Test | 65 to 71 |
| Water Absorption Test, Accelerated | 72 to 86 |
| Water Absorption Test on Fibrous Coverings | 105 to 110 |
1.4 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in the parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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 Section 4.
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
D412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers--Tension
D454 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration by Heat and Air Pressure
D572 Test Method for Rubber--Deterioration by Heat and Oxygen
D573 Test Method for Rubber--Deterioration in an Air Oven
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
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
ICEA Standard
T-24-380 Guide for Partial-Discharge Procedure Available from the Insulated Cable Engineers Assoc., P.O. Box 440, South Yarmouth, MA 02664.
Keywords
capacitance; cold bend; crosslinked insulation; dielectric withstand; dissipation factor; flammability; heat distortion; heat exposure (aging); horizontal flame test; insulation resistance; mineral filler content; oil immersion; ozone resistance; partial-discharge extinction level; permittivity; set test; surface resistivity; tear test; track resistance; u-bend discharge; water absorption tests ;
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 29.035.01 (Insulating materials in general)
DOI: 10.1520/D0470-13
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Citing ASTM Standards
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