Designation: D1816 − 12

Standard Test Method for

Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of Insulating Liquids Using
1
VDE Electrodes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1816; 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* 2. Referenced Documents

3
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the dielec- 2.1   ASTM Standards:
tric breakdown voltage of insulating liquids (oils of petroleum D235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits)
origin, silicone fluids, high fire-point mineral electrical insu- (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
lating oils, synthetic ester fluids and natural ester fluids). This D923 Practices for Sampling Electrical Insulating Liquids
test method is applicable to insulating liquids commonly used D2225 Test Methods for Silicone Fluids Used for Electrical
in cables, transformers, oil circuit breakers, and similar appa- Insulation
ratus as an insulating and cooling medium. Refer to Terminol- D2864 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulating Liq-
ogy D2864  for definitions used in this test method. uids and Gases
D3487 Specification for Mineral Insulating Oil Used in
1.2 This test method is sensitive to the deleterious effects Electrical Apparatus
of moisture in solution especially when cellulosic fibers are D4652  Specification for Silicone Fluid Used for Electrical
present in the liquid. It has been found to be especially useful Insulation
in diagnostic and laboratory investigations of the dielectric D6871 Specification for Natural (Vegetable Oil) Ester Fluids
2
breakdown strength of insulating liquid in insulating systems. Used in Electrical Apparatus
2.2   IEEE Standard:
1.3 This test method is used to judge if the VDE electrode
Standard 4 IEEE Standard Techniques for High Voltage
breakdown voltage requirements are met for insulating liquids. 4
Testing
This test method should be used as recommended by profes-
C57.106 Guide for Acceptance and Maintenance of Insulat-
sional organization standards such as IEEE C57.106. 4
ing Oil in Equipment
1.4 This test method may be used to obtain the dielectric
3. Significance and Use
breakdown of silicone fluid as specified in Test Method D2225
and Specification D4652,  provided that the discharge energy 3.1 The dielectric breakdown voltage of an insulating liquid
into the sample is less than 20 mJ (milli joule) per breakdown is of importance as a measure of the liquid’s ability to
for five consecutive breakdowns. withstand electric stress without failure. The dielectric break-
down voltage serves to indicate the presence of contaminating
1.5 Both the metric and the alternative inch-pound units are agents such as water, dirt, cellulosic fibers, or conducting
acceptable. particles in the liquid, one or more of which may be present in
1.6   This standard does not purport to address all of the significant concentrations when low breakdown voltages are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the obtained. However, a high dielectric breakdown voltage does
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- not necessarily indicate the absence of all contaminants; it may
merely indicate that the concentrations of contaminants that are
 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
present in the liquid between the electrodes are not large
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
enough to deleteriously affect the average breakdown voltage
of the liquid when tested by this test method (see  Appendix
X1.)
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D27 on
Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gasesand is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee D27.05 on Electrical Test. 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org,
Current edition approved June 15, 2012. Published July 2012. Originally or contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of
approved in 1960 as D1816 – 60 T. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary
D1816 – 04. DOI: 10.1520/D1816-12. page on the ASTM website.
2
Supporting data is available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:D27- 4
Available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc., PO
1006. Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08855.

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Tue Oct 22 16:50:07 EDT 1
1
Downloaded/printed by
 (Ecuador MOU) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 *A Summary UofS COh IaNnTgEesR sNecOt ioYn E aXpCpeLaUrSs IaVtO th IeN eEnNd of this standard
USUARIO: ING. RONALD CHICAIZA
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 ABaUrrT HOarRboIZr DArCiveI ,Ó PNO BAo xU CS7U00A, WReIOst CÚoNnsIhCohOo,c kPenR,
OPAH 1I9B4I2D8-A2 9S59U. U RniEtePd RStOOateDsUCCIÓN, 2017-02-08

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Tue Oct 22 16:50:07 EDT 2
2
Downloaded/printed by
 (Ecuador MOU) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 D1816 − 12
3.2 This test method is used in laboratory or field tests. For 4.4   Measuring Systems— The voltage shall be measured
field breakdown results to be comparable to laboratory results, by a method that fufills the requirements of IEEE Standard
all criteria including room temperature (20 to 30°C) must be No. 4, giving rms values.
met.
4.5 Connect the electrode such that the voltage measured
from each electrode with respect to ground during the test is
4. Electrical Apparatus
equal within 5 %.
4.1 In addition to this section, use IEEE Standard 4 to
4.6   Accuracy— The combined accuracy of the voltmeter
determine other requirements necesary for conducting test
and voltage divider circuit shall be such that measurement
measurements, and maintaining error limits using alternating
error does not exceed 3 % at the rate-of-voltage rise specified
voltages. Procedures to ensure accuracy should follow the
in 4.3. For equipment manufactured prior to 1995 the
requirements of IEEE Standard 4. Calibration(s) shall be
maximum allowable error is 5 %.
traceable to national standards and calibration should be
verified annually or more often to ensure accuracy require- 5. Electrodes
ments. IEEE Standard 4 is required during the manufacturing
5.1 The electrodes shall be polished brass spherically-
of the test apparatus and utilized during calibration of the
capped electrodes of the VDE (Verband Deutscher
equipment.
Elektrotech- niker, Specification 0370) type having the
4.1.1   Test Voltage— The test voltage shall be an alternating
dimensions shown in Fig. 1 61 %, mounted with axes
voltage having a frequency in the range from 45 to 65 Hz,
horizontal and coincident within 61 mm.
normally referred to as power-frequency voltage. The voltage
wave shape should approximate a sinusoid with both half cycles 6. Test Cell
closely alike, and it should have a ratio of peak-to-rms values
6.1 The test cell shall be designed to permit easy removal
equal to the square root of 2 within 65 %.
of the electrodes for cleaning and polishing, verification that the
4.1.2   Generation of the Test Voltage—   The test voltage is shape is within the specified tolerance, and to permit easy
generally supplied by a transformer or resonant circuit. The adjustment of the gap spacing. The vector sum of the resistive
voltage in the test circuit should be stable enough to be and capacitive current of the cup, when filled with oil meeting
unaf ected by varying current flowing in the capacitive and the requirements of Specification D3487, shall be less than 200
resistive paths of the test circuit. Non-disruptive discharges in µA at 20 kV, at power frequency. Mount the electrodes rigidly
the test circuit should not reduce the test voltage to such an from opposite sides with the spacing axially centered within
extent, and for such a time, that the disruptive discharge 61 mm. Clearance from the electrodes to all sides, bottom,
(breakdown) voltage of the test specimen is significantly cover or baffle, and any part of the stirring device is at least
affected. In the case of a transformer, the short-circuit current 12.7 mm ( 1 ⁄ 2   in.). Provide the test cell with a motor-
delivered by the transformer should be sufficient to maintain driven two-bladed impeller and drive shaft, constructed of a
the test voltage within 3 % during transient current pulses or material having high dielectric strength. The two-bladed
discharges, and a short circuit current of 0.1 A may suffice. impeller is 35 mm (13 ⁄ 8   in.) 65 % between the blade
4.1.3   Disruptive Voltage Measurement—  Design the mea- extremities, having a pitch of 40 mm (1.57 in.) 65 % (blade
surement circuit so the voltage recorded at the breakdown is angle of twenty degrees
the maximum voltage across the test specimen immediately
prior to the disruptive breakdown, with an error no greater than
3 %.
4.2 Circuit-Interrupting Equipment—   Design the circuit
used to interrupt the disruptive discharge through the specimen
to operate when the voltage across the specimen has collapsed
to less than 100 V. It is recommended that the circuit design
limit the disruptive current duration and magnitude to low
values that will minimize damage to the electrodes and limit
formation of non-soluble materials resulting from the break-
down, but consistent with the requirements of  4.1.2, but in no
case should the short-circuit current exceed 1 mA/kV
of applied voltage.
4.3   Voltage Control Equipment— Use a rate of voltage rise
of 0.5 kV/s. The tolerance of the rate of rise should be 5 % for
any new equipment manufactured after the year 2000. Auto-
matic equipment should be used to control the voltage rate
of rise because of the difficulty of maintaining a uniform
voltage rise manually. The equipment should produce a
straight-line voltage-time curve over the operating range of
the equipment.
USUARIO: ING. RONALD CHICAIZA
AUTORIZACIÓN A USUARIO ÚNICO, PROHIBIDA SU REPRODUCCIÓN, 2017-02-08
Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Tue Oct 22 16:50:07 EDT
20132
20132
Downloaded/printed
 (Ecuador by to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
MOU) pursuant
 D1816 − 12
Calibrate and label automatic controls in termsU oSfO r aINteT-EoRf-NriOs eY. FIG. 1 VDE Electrode
EXCLUSIVO INEN

USUARIO: ING. RONALD CHICAIZA

AUTORIZACIÓN A USUARIO ÚNICO, PROHIBIDA SU REPRODUCCIÓN, 2017-02-08
Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Tue Oct 22 16:50:07 EDT
20133
20133
Downloaded/printed
 (Ecuador by to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
MOU) pursuant
(20°) 6 5 %), operating at a speed between 200 and 300 operator as a minimum satisfactory value, drain the cell and
rpm. The impeller, located below the lower edge of the flush the cell with new
electrodes, rotates in such a direction that the resulting liquid
flow is directed downward against the bottom of the test
cell. Con- struct the test cell of a material of high dielectric
strength, that is not soluble in or attacked by any of the
cleaning or test liquids used, and is nonabsorbent to moisture
and the cleaning and test liquids. So that the breakdown may
be observed, transparent materials are desirable, but not
essential. In order to preclude stirring air with the sample,
provide the cell with a cover or baffle that will effectively
prevent air from contacting the circulating liquid.

7. Adjustment and Care of Electrodes and Test Cell

7.1   Electrode Spacing— With the electrodes held firmly
in place, check the electrodes with a standard round gage
for 2 6 0.03-mm (0.079-in.) spacing. If a dielectric
breakdown does not occur during any of the consecutive
breakdown tests using the 2 mm spacing or the sample is
not adequate for the 2 mm spacing test cell a 1 6 0.03-mm
(0.039-in.) spacing should be used to determine the
breakdown voltage and the spacing reported. Flat “go” and
“no-go” gages may be substituted having thicknesses of
the specified value 60.03 mm for electrode spacing of 1
or 2 mm. If it is necessary to readjust the electrodes, set the
electrodes firmly in place and check the spacing. For
referee tests or tests that will be used for close
comparisons, the laboratories shall agree in advance on the
spacing for the tests and ensure that all other requirements
of this test method are met. The spacing agreed upon shall
be measured with the gage that corresponds exactly to the
selected spacing within tolerance stated above for the gage.
7.2   Cleaning— Wipe the electrodes and cell clean with
dry, lint-free tissue paper, or a clean dry chamois. It is
important to avoid touching the electrodes or the cleaned gage
with the fingers or with portions of the tissue paper or chamois
that have been in contact with the hands. After adjustment of
the spacing, rinse the cell with a dry hydrocarbon solvent,
such as kerosine or solvents of Specification  D235.  Do not
use a low boiling point solvent, as its rapid evaporation may
cool the cell, causing moisture condensation. If this occurs,
before using, warm the cell to evaporate the moisture. Avoid
touching the electrodes or the inside of the cell after cleaning.
After thorough cleaning, flush the cell with new insulating
liquid of the type to be tested that is filtered through a 5-micron
filter or smaller and containing less than 25 ppm moisture.
Conduct a voltage breakdown test on a specimen of this
insulating liquid in the manner specified in this test method. If
the breakdown voltage is in the expected range for this
conditioned insulating liquid, the cell is considered properly
prepared for testing other samples. A lower than anticipated
value is considered as evidence of cell contamination; then
repeat the cleaning and the breakdown test with clean dry
insulating liquid.
7.3   Daily Use— At the beginning of each day’s testing, the
electrodes shall be examined for pitting and carbon
accumula- tion, and the spacing checked. If the test of any
sample is below the breakdown value being used by the
a 5-micron filter and containing less than 25 ppm moisture samples collected in non- permeable containers. Prior to
before testing the next specimen. When not in use, keep the starting the test, the sample shall be inspected for the presence
cell filled with oil that meets the requirements of Specification of moisture, sludge, metallic particles, or other foreign matter.
D3487 of the type normally tested. Alternatively, the cell may If the sample shows evidence of free water, the dielectric
be stored empty in a dust-free cabinet. At the beginning of breakdown test should be waived, and the sample reported as
each days testing, clean according to 7.2. unsatisfactory.
7.4   Polishing of Electrodes— When electrodes show 9. Test Procedure
slight etching, scratching, pitting, or carbon accumulation,
9.1 Allow the sample and the test cup to equilibrate to
they should be removed from the test cup and polished by
ambient temperature. Laboratory and referee tests shall be
buffing with jeweler’s rouge using a soft cloth or soft
conducted at room temperature (20 to 30°C).
buffing wheel. The residue from the buffing should be
removed by repeated wiping with lint-free tissue paper 9.2 To ensure a homogenous sample, gently invert and swirl
saturated with a suitable solvent, followed by solvent rinsing the sample container several times. Rapid agitation is undesir-
or ultrasonic cleaning. After careful inspection, any electrodes able, since an excessive amount of air may be introduced into
from which pitting cannot be removed by light buf ing should the liquid. Within 1 min after agitation, use a small portion
be discarded, as more refinishing would destroy the electrode of the sample to rinse the test cell. Drain the rinse. Within 30 s
contour and dimensions shown in Fig. 1. Reinstall the of the rinse, fill the cell slowly with the remaining portion of
electrodes in the test cup and adjust spacing and clean in the sample. The cell is full when closing the cover or baffle
accordance with 7.1 and 7.2. allows no air to be in contact with the insulating liquid.

8. Sampling 9.3 Wait at least 3 min but no more than 5 min between
filling the cup and application of voltage for the first break-
8.1 Obtain a sample of the insulating liquid to be tested down. For high fire-point electrical insulating oils, natural
using appropriate ASTM sampling apparatus. Insulating liquid esters and synthetic esters, the hold time before the initial
sampling procedures are detailed in Practice  D923. application of voltage shall be at least 30 min. Apply the
Particular reference should be made to the general precaution voltage increasing from zero at the rate of 0.5 kV/s 6 5 %
statement of this test method. The sample shall be taken in a until breakdown occurs as indicated by operation of the
dry, clean, non-permeable bottle. Tightly seal and shield circuit- interrupting equipment; record the highest rms voltage
from light until ready to be tested. Plastic bottles are value that occurred immediately prior to each breakdown.
permeable and moisture content of the sample may change Occa-
resulting in a measurable dif erence when compared to
insulating liquid of the type to be tested that is fiUlSteOr eINdT tEhRroNuOg hY EXCsLiUoSnIaVlO m IoNmENentary discharges may
occur which do not result in
operation of the interrupting equipment; these shall be disre- 10.1.2 The volts (rms value) at each breakdown, and the
garded until the voltage across the specimen collapses to less mean of all breakdowns reported to two significant digits,
than 100 V. Conduct four additional breakdowns waiting at
10.1.3 The approximate temperature of the insulating liquid
least 60 s but no more than 90 s before applications of voltage
at the time of the test, and
for successive breakdowns. (During the intervals before volt-
age application, between breakdowns, and at the time voltage is 10.1.4 The electrode spacing.
being applied, the propeller shall be circulating the insulating 5
liquid.) 11. Precision and Bias
9.4 Calculate the mean of the five breakdowns as follows: 11.1   Single-Operator Precision— The single operator per-
cent coefficient of variance of a single test result comprised
of 
¯  1 5
 X  5 breakdowns has been found for the 1 mm gap to be 14 % and
 X  5
5 ( i
i 5 1
for the 2 mm gap 11 %. Therefore, results of two properly
where: conducted tests by the same operator on the same sample
 X = mean of the five individual values, should not differ by more than 40 % and 30 % respectively. The
¯   
 X    i = ith breakdown voltage. maximum allowable range for the series of 5 breakdowns
9.5 Using the breakdown voltage values determined in  9.3, should not exceed 120 % for the 1 mm gap and 92 % for the 2
determine that the range of the five (5) breakdown voltages mm gap.
does not exceed the values indicated as follows: 11.2   Multilaboratory Precision he multilaboratory per-
—T 
Range 5 X    Hi gh 2 X    Lo we cent coefficient of variance has been found for the 1 mm gap to
es t  st  be 17 % and for the 2 mm gap 14 %. Therefore, two separate
where:
test results conducted by separate laboratories on the same
 X    Highest  = the highest breakdown voltage of the five read- sample of insulating liquid should not differ by more than 47 %
ings, and of the mean of the two tests if the 1 mm gap was used or differs
 X    Lowest  = the lowest breakdown of the five readings.
by more than 40 % of the mean of the two tests if the 2 mm gap
1 mm gap setting Range must be less than 120 % of the mean was used. The precision statement for the 1 mm gap is
of the five (5) breakdown voltages
2 mm gap setting Range must be less than 92 % of the mean temporary, because suf icient laboratories were not available
of the five (5) breakdown voltages and testing is planned to replace the precision statement before
If this range is exceeded and there is sufficient volume of test 2009.
specimen, repeat the analysis on a new cup filling. If an
11.3   Bias—N  o statement can be made about the bias of
insufficient volume of test specimen is available, the test result
this test method because a standard reference material is not
can be reported with an additional comment that the range
available.
of the breakdowns exceeds the allowable range.
9.6 When it is desired merely to determine if the dielectric 12. Keywords
strength is above or below a specified level, five breakdowns
are required, provided the five values are all above or all below 12.1 breakdown voltage; dielectric strength; insulating liq-
this level. Otherwise, follow the procedure described in 9.3-9.5 uids; insulating oils; test cell; VDE electrodes

10. Report
10.1 Include in the report the following: 5
Supporting data is available from ASTM International Headquarters.
10.1.1 The test method used, Request RR:D27-1014.
 APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE DIELECTRIC BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE

OF INSULATING LIQUIDS AT COMMERCIAL POWER FREQUENCIES

X1.1 The dielectric breakdown voltage of an insulating X1.1.5 Water content of the insulating liquid,
liquid at commercial power frequencies is also affected by:
X1.1.6 Size and number of particles in the insulating liquid,
X1.1.1 The degree of uniformity of the electric field,
X1.1.2 The area of the electrodes, X1.1.7 Length of time for which the insulating liquid is
X1.1.3 Volume of the insulating liquid under maximum under stress,
stress, X1.1.8 The temperature of the insulating liquid as it af ects
X1.1.4 Insulation on the electrodes, USO INTERNO Y EXCtLhUeS rIVelOa tIiNvEeN saturation level of moisture in solution,
 X1.1.9 Gassing tendencies of the insulating liquid under the X1.2 Because of the separate, cumulative, and in some cases,
influence of electric stress, interacting ef ects of the influences listed above, the average
X1.1.10 Concentration of dissolved gases if saturation lev- breakdown voltage of a liquid as determined by this test
els are exceeded as a result of a sudden cooling or decrease in method cannot be used directly for design purposes. Procedures
pressure, which may cause the formation of gas bubbles, utilizing electrode shapes and configurations simi- lar to those
X1.1.11 Incompatibility with materials of construction, and used in insulating liquid filled apparatus are used to determine
design data and to study the influence of the variables.
X1.1.12 Velocity of flow.
However, test results utilizing the rounded electrodes in this
X1.1.13 A decrease in dielectric strength of the insulating test method do give an indication of the relative dielectric
liquid can have an accentuated effect on the electric creepage strength of the insulating liquid in the insulation system.
strength of the solid insulating materials immersed in the
insulating liquid.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D27 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D1816-04)
that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Revised title to include other insulating liquids (silicone (5) Removed the standard deviation calculation and added
fluids, natural and synthetic esters). Range calculation in 9.4 and 9.5.
(2)  Changed the volume requirement for the test cell in 6.1. (6) Added Instructions for handling test results when they
(3) Added Requirements for handling samples containing free exceed the allowable range and there is insufficient sample to
water in 8.1. retest.
(4)  Added hold time for testing natural and synthetic esters and
high fire point fluids in  9.3.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned  in
this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk  of
infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years
and if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional
standards and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a
meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing
you should  make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the
above address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM
website (www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the ASTM website
(www.astm.org/ COPYRIGHT/).

USO INTERNO Y EXCLUSIVO INEN