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: D1816 − 12 (Reapproved 2019)

Standard Test Method for

Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of Insulating Liquids Using
VDE Electrodes1
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* Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the dielec- mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
tric breakdown voltage of insulating liquids (oils of petroleum Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
origin, silicone fluids, high fire-point mineral electrical insu-
2. Referenced Documents
lating oils, synthetic ester fluids and natural ester fluids). This
test method is applicable to insulating liquids commonly used 2.1 ASTM Standards:3
in cables, transformers, oil circuit breakers, and similar appa- D235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits)
ratus as an insulating and cooling medium. Refer to Terminol- (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
ogy D2864 for definitions used in this test method. D923 Practices for Sampling Electrical Insulating Liquids
D2225 Test Methods for Silicone Fluids Used for Electrical
1.2 This test method is sensitive to the deleterious effects of
Insulation
moisture in solution especially when cellulosic fibers are
D2864 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulating Liq-
present in the liquid. It has been found to be especially useful
uids and Gases
in diagnostic and laboratory investigations of the dielectric
D3487 Specification for Mineral Insulating Oil Used in
breakdown strength of insulating liquid in insulating systems.2
Electrical Apparatus
1.3 This test method is used to judge if the VDE electrode D4652 Specification for Silicone Fluid Used for Electrical
breakdown voltage requirements are met for insulating liquids. Insulation
This test method should be used as recommended by profes- D6871 Specification for Natural (Vegetable Oil) Ester Fluids
sional organization standards such as IEEE C57.106. Used in Electrical Apparatus
1.4 This test method may be used to obtain the dielectric 2.2 IEEE Standard:
breakdown of silicone fluid as specified in Test Method D2225, Standard 4 IEEE Standard Techniques for High Voltage
Specification D4652, or Specification D6871, provided that the Testing4
discharge energy into the sample is less than 20 mJ (milli joule) C57.106 Guide for Acceptance and Maintenance of Insulat-
per breakdown for five consecutive breakdowns. ing Oil in Equipment4
1.5 Both the metric and the alternative inch-pound units are 3. Significance and Use
acceptable.
3.1 The dielectric breakdown voltage of an insulating liquid
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the is of importance as a measure of the liquid’s ability to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the withstand electric stress without failure. The dielectric break-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- down voltage serves to indicate the presence of contaminating
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- agents such as water, dirt, cellulosic fibers, or conducting
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. particles in the liquid, one or more of which may be present in
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor- significant concentrations when low breakdown voltages are
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- obtained. However, a high dielectric breakdown voltage does
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the not necessarily indicate the absence of all contaminants; it may
merely indicate that the concentrations of contaminants that are
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D27 on
Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gasesand is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
3
mittee D27.05 on Electrical Test. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2019. Published October 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1960 as D1816 – 60 T. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D1816 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/D1816-12R19. the ASTM website.
2 4
Supporting data is available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:D27-1006. Available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc., PO
Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08855.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 D1816 − 12 (2019)
present in the liquid between the electrodes are not large rise because of the difficulty of maintaining a uniform voltage
enough to deleteriously affect the average breakdown voltage rise manually. The equipment should produce a straight-line
of the liquid when tested by this test method (see Appendix voltage-time curve over the operating range of the equipment.
X1.) Calibrate and label automatic controls in terms of rate-of-rise.
3.2 This test method is used in laboratory or field tests. For 4.4 Measuring Systems—The voltage shall be measured by
field breakdown results to be comparable to laboratory results, a method that fufills the requirements of IEEE Standard No. 4,
all criteria including room temperature (20 to 30 °C) must be 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 and
determine other requirements necessary for conducting test voltage divider circuit shall be such that measurement error
measurements, and maintaining error limits using alternating does not exceed 3 % at the rate-of-voltage rise specified in 4.3.
voltages. Procedures to ensure accuracy should follow the For equipment manufactured prior to 1995 the maximum
requirements of IEEE Standard 4. Calibration(s) shall be 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. Elektrotechniker, Specification 0370) type having the dimen-
4.1.1 Test Voltage—The test voltage shall be an alternating sions shown in Fig. 1 61 %, mounted with axes horizontal and
voltage having a frequency in the range from 45 to 65 Hz, coincident within 61 mm.
normally referred to as power-frequency voltage. The voltage
wave shape should approximate a sinusoid with both half 6. Test Cell
cycles closely alike, and it should have a ratio of peak-to-rms 6.1 The test cell shall be designed to permit easy removal of
values equal to the square root of 2 within 65 %. 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
unaffected 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
delivered by the transformer should be sufficient to maintain
the test voltage within 3 % during transient current pulses or
discharges, and a short circuit current of 0.1 A may suffice.
4.1.3 Disruptive Voltage Measurement— Design the mea-
surement circuit so the voltage recorded at the breakdown is
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
breakdown, 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 FIG. 1 VDE Electrode

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 D1816 − 12 (2019)
12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.). Provide the test cell with a motor-driven 7.3 Daily Use—At the beginning of each day’s testing, the
two-bladed impeller and drive shaft, constructed of a material electrodes shall be examined for pitting and carbon
having high dielectric strength. The two-bladed impeller is 35 accumulation, and the spacing checked. If the test of any
mm (13⁄8 in.) 65 % between the blade extremities, having a sample is below the breakdown value being used by the
pitch of 40 mm (1.57 in.) 65 % (blade angle of twenty degrees operator as a minimum satisfactory value, drain the cell and
(20°) 6 5 %), operating at a speed between 200 and 300 rpm. flush the cell with new insulating liquid of the type to be tested
The impeller, located below the lower edge of the electrodes, that is filtered through a 5-micron filter and containing less than
rotates in such a direction that the resulting liquid flow is 25 ppm moisture before testing the next specimen. When not in
directed downward against the bottom of the test cell. Con- use, keep the cell filled with oil that meets the requirements of
struct the test cell of a material of high dielectric strength, that Specification D3487 of the type normally tested. Alternatively,
is not soluble in or attacked by any of the cleaning or test the cell may be stored empty in a dust-free cabinet. At the
liquids used, and is nonabsorbent to moisture and the cleaning beginning of each days testing, clean according to 7.2.
and test liquids. So that the breakdown may be observed, 7.4 Polishing of Electrodes—When electrodes show slight
transparent materials are desirable, but not essential. In order to etching, scratching, pitting, or carbon accumulation, they
preclude stirring air with the sample, provide the cell with a should be removed from the test cup and polished by buffing
cover or baffle that will effectively prevent air from contacting with jeweler’s rouge using a soft cloth or soft buffing wheel.
the circulating liquid. The residue from the buffing should be removed by repeated
wiping with lint-free tissue paper saturated with a suitable
7. Adjustment and Care of Electrodes and Test Cell solvent, followed by solvent rinsing or ultrasonic cleaning.
After careful inspection, any electrodes from which pitting
7.1 Electrode Spacing—With the electrodes held firmly in
cannot be removed by light buffing should be discarded, as
place, check the electrodes with a standard round gage for 2 6
more refinishing would destroy the electrode contour and
0.03-mm (0.079-in.) spacing. If a dielectric breakdown does
dimensions shown in Fig. 1. Reinstall the electrodes in the test
not occur during any of the consecutive breakdown tests using cup and adjust spacing and clean in accordance with 7.1 and
the 2 mm spacing or the sample is not adequate for the 2 mm 7.2.
spacing test cell a 1 6 0.03-mm (0.039-in.) spacing should be
used to determine the breakdown voltage and the spacing 8. Sampling
reported. Flat “go” and “no-go” gages may be substituted 8.1 Obtain a sample of the insulating liquid to be tested
having thicknesses of the specified value 60.03 mm for using appropriate ASTM sampling apparatus. Insulating liquid
electrode spacing of 1 or 2 mm. If it is necessary to readjust the sampling procedures are detailed in Practice D923. Particular
electrodes, set the electrodes firmly in place and check the reference should be made to the general precaution statement
spacing. For referee tests or tests that will be used for close of this test method. The sample shall be taken in a dry, clean,
comparisons, the laboratories shall agree in advance on the non-permeable bottle. Tightly seal and shield from light until
spacing for the tests and ensure that all other requirements of ready to be tested. Plastic bottles are permeable and moisture
this test method are met. The spacing agreed upon shall be content of the sample may change resulting in a measurable
measured with the gage that corresponds exactly to the selected difference when compared to samples collected in non-
spacing within tolerance stated above for the gage. permeable containers. Prior to starting the test, the sample shall
7.2 Cleaning—Wipe the electrodes and cell clean with dry, be inspected for the presence of moisture, sludge, metallic
lint-free tissue paper, or a clean dry chamois. It is important to particles, or other foreign matter. If the sample shows evidence
of free water, the dielectric breakdown test should be waived,
avoid touching the electrodes or the cleaned gage with the
and the sample reported as unsatisfactory.
fingers or with portions of the tissue paper or chamois that have
been in contact with the hands. After adjustment of the spacing, 9. Test Procedure
rinse the cell with a dry hydrocarbon solvent, such as kerosine
9.1 Allow the sample and the test cup to equilibrate to
or solvents of Specification D235. Do not use a low boiling
ambient temperature. Laboratory and referee tests shall be
point solvent, as its rapid evaporation may cool the cell, conducted at room temperature (20 to 30 °C).
causing moisture condensation. If this occurs, before using,
warm the cell to evaporate the moisture. Avoid touching the 9.2 To ensure a homogenous sample, gently invert and swirl
electrodes or the inside of the cell after cleaning. After the sample container several times. Rapid agitation is
thorough cleaning, flush the cell with new insulating liquid of undesirable, since an excessive amount of air may be intro-
the type to be tested that is filtered through a 5-micron filter or duced into the liquid. Within 1 min after agitation, use a small
smaller and containing less than 25 ppm moisture. Conduct a portion of the sample to rinse the test cell. Drain the rinse.
voltage breakdown test on a specimen of this insulating liquid Within 30 s of the rinse, fill the cell slowly with the remaining
in the manner specified in this test method. If the breakdown portion of the sample. The cell is full when closing the cover
voltage is in the expected range for this conditioned insulating or baffle allows no air to be in contact with the insulating
liquid, the cell is considered properly prepared for testing other liquid.
samples. A lower than anticipated value is considered as 9.3 Wait at least 3 min but no more than 5 min between
evidence of cell contamination; then repeat the cleaning and filling the cup and application of voltage for the first break-
the breakdown test with clean dry insulating liquid. down. For high fire-point electrical insulating oils, natural

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 D1816 − 12 (2019)
esters and synthetic esters, the hold time before the initial 10. Report
application of voltage shall be at least 30 min. Apply the
10.1 Include in the report the following:
voltage increasing from zero at the rate of 0.5 kV/s 6 5 % until
breakdown occurs as indicated by operation of the circuit- 10.1.1 The test method used,
interrupting equipment; record the highest rms voltage value 10.1.2 The volts (rms value) at each breakdown, and the
that occurred immediately prior to each breakdown. Occa- mean of all breakdowns reported to two significant digits,
sional momentary discharges may occur which do not result in 10.1.3 The approximate temperature of the insulating liquid
operation of the interrupting equipment; these shall be disre- at the time of the test, and
garded until the voltage across the specimen collapses to less
10.1.4 The electrode spacing.
than 100 V. Conduct four additional breakdowns waiting at
least 60 s but no more than 90 s before applications of voltage
11. Precision and Bias5
for successive breakdowns. (During the intervals before volt-
age application, between breakdowns, and at the time voltage 11.1 Single-Operator Precision—The single operator per-
is being applied, the propeller shall be circulating the insulating cent coefficient of variance of a single test result comprised of
liquid.) 5 breakdowns has been found for the 1 mm gap to be 14 % and
9.4 Calculate the mean of the five breakdowns as follows: for the 2 mm gap 11 %. Therefore, results of two properly
5 conducted tests by the same operator on the same sample
1
X̄ 5
5 (X
i51
i should not differ by more than 40 % and 30 % respectively. The
maximum allowable range for the series of 5 breakdowns
where: should not exceed 120 % for the 1 mm gap and 92 % for the
X̄ = mean of the five individual values, 2 mm gap.
X i = ith breakdown voltage.
11.2 Multilaboratory Precision—The multilaboratory per-
9.5 Using the breakdown voltage values determined in 9.3, cent coefficient of variance has been found for the 1 mm gap to
determine that the range of the five (5) breakdown voltages be 17 % and for the 2 mm gap 14 %. Therefore, two separate
does not exceed the values indicated as follows: test results conducted by separate laboratories on the same
Range 5 X Highest 2 X Lowest sample of insulating liquid should not differ by more than 47 %
of the mean of the two tests if the 1 mm gap was used or differs
where:
by more than 40 % of the mean of the two tests if the 2 mm gap
XHighest = the highest breakdown voltage of the five was used. The precision statement for the 1 mm gap is
readings, and
temporary, because sufficient laboratories were not available
XLowest = the lowest breakdown of the five readings.
and testing is planned to replace the precision statement at a
1 mm gap setting Range must be less than 120 % of the mean
of the five (5) breakdown voltages
future date.
2 mm gap setting Range must be less than 92 % of the mean
of the five (5) breakdown voltages 11.3 Bias—No statement can be made about the bias of this
If this range is exceeded and there is sufficient volume of test test method because a standard reference material is not
specimen, repeat the analysis on a new cup filling. If an available.
insufficient volume of test specimen is available, the test result
can be reported with an additional comment that the range of 12. Keywords
the breakdowns exceeds the allowable range. 12.1 breakdown voltage; dielectric strength; insulating liq-
9.6 When it is desired merely to determine if the dielectric uids; insulating oils; test cell; VDE electrodes
strength is above or below a specified level, five breakdowns
are required, provided the five values are all above or all below
this level. Otherwise, follow the procedure described in 9.3 – 5
Supporting data is available from ASTM International Headquarters. Request
9.5 RR:D27-1014.

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 D1816 − 12 (2019)
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 X1.1.11 Incompatibility with materials of construction, and
liquid at commercial power frequencies is also affected by:
X1.1.12 Velocity of flow.
X1.1.1 The degree of uniformity of the electric field,
X1.1.13 A decrease in dielectric strength of the insulating
X1.1.2 The area of the electrodes,
liquid can have an accentuated effect on the electric creepage
X1.1.3 Volume of the insulating liquid under maximum strength of the solid insulating materials immersed in the
stress, insulating liquid.
X1.1.4 Insulation on the electrodes,
X1.2 Because of the separate, cumulative, and in some
X1.1.5 Water content of the insulating liquid,
cases, interacting effects of the influences listed above, the
X1.1.6 Size and number of particles in the insulating liquid, average breakdown voltage of a liquid as determined by this
X1.1.7 Length of time for which the insulating liquid is test method cannot be used directly for design purposes.
under stress, Procedures utilizing electrode shapes and configurations simi-
X1.1.8 The temperature of the insulating liquid as it affects lar to those used in insulating liquid filled apparatus are used to
the relative saturation level of moisture in solution, determine design data and to study the influence of the
variables. However, test results utilizing the rounded electrodes
X1.1.9 Gassing tendencies of the insulating liquid under the
in this test method do give an indication of the relative
influence of electric stress,
dielectric strength of the insulating liquid in the insulation
X1.1.10 Concentration of dissolved gases if saturation lev- system.
els are exceeded as a result of a sudden cooling or decrease in
pressure, which may cause the formation of gas bubbles,

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.

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