ASTM B812-96

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: B 812 – 96 An American National Standard
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Resistance to Environmental Degradation of Electrical
Pressure Connections Involving Aluminum and Intended for
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Residential Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 812; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Electrical pressure connection systems involving aluminum are those in which one or more of the
components of the system in the direct electrical path or carrying any electrical current is fabricated
of aluminum, including aluminum wires, aluminum bus bars, aluminum bolts, aluminum terminations,
or any other aluminum current-carrying member. Included are systems which must carry current for
safety purposes such as ground shields or straps attached to aluminum framing or other structural
members. Pressure connection systems can be evaluated by this test method. Such systems are
comprised of the wire or other structure being connected and the means of connection, any element
of which is made of aluminum.
Connection systems tested are exposed sequentially to ambients of high relative humidity and
temperature cycles of 75°C, such as may be encountered by some connections in actual residential
applications. Periodic observation of the potential drop across the connection interfaces while carrying
rated current provides a measurement of connection performance.
1. Scope electrical connection system to additional environmental con-
stituents such as (but not limited to) the following examples:
1.1 This test method covers all residential pressure connec-
1.3.4.1 Household chemicals (liquid or gaseous) such as
tion systems. Detailed examples of application to specific types
ammonia, bleach, or other cleaning agents.
of connection systems, set-screw neutral bus connectors and
twist-on wire-splicing connectors, are provided in Appendix
1.3.4.2 Chemicals as may occur due to normal hobby or
X1 and Appendix X2.
professional activities such as photography, painting, sculpture,
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to evaluate the
or similar activities.
performance of residential electrical pressure connection sys-
1.3.4.3 Environments encountered during construction or
tems under conditions of cyclic temperature change (within
remodeling such as direct exposure to rain, uncured wet
rating) and high humidity.
concrete, welding or soldering fluxes and other agents.
1.3 The limitations of the test method are as follows:
1.3.5 This test method is limited to evaluation of pressure
1.3.1 This test method shall not be considered to confirm a
connection systems.
specific lifetime in application environments.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.3.2 The applicability of this test method is limited to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
pressure connection systems rated at or below 600 V d-c or a-c
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
RMS.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.3.3 This test method is limited to temperature and water
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
vapor exposure in addition to electrical current as required to
1.5 This standard should be used to measure and describe
measure connection resistance.
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
1.3.4 This test method does not evaluate degradation which
to electrical current flow under controlled laboratory condi-
may occur in residential applications due to exposure of the
tions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire
hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under
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actual installation conditions or under actual fire conditions.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B – 4 on
Materials for Thermostats, Electrical Heating and Resistance, Contacts and Con-
However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire
nectors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B04.07 on Electrical
risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors
Contact Test Materials.
which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a
Current edition approved May 10, 1996. Published July 1996. Originally
published as B 812 – 90. Last previous edition B 812 – 90. particular end use.
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B 812
2. Referenced Documents in a dry environment at roo
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