ASTM D120-95(2000)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 120 – 95 (Reapproved 2000)
Standard Specification for
Rubber Insulating Gloves
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 120; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D 1415 Test Method for Rubber Property—International
Hardness
1.1 This specification covers acceptance testing of rubber
D 2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer
insulating gloves for protection of workers from electrical
Hardness
shock.
2.2 ANSI Standard:
1.2 Two types of gloves are provided and are designated as
ANSI C84.1 Voltage Ratings for Electric Power Systems
Type I, non-resistant to ozone, and Type II, resistant to ozone.
and Equipment
1.3 Six classes of gloves, differing in electrical characteris-
tics, are provided and are designated as Class 00, Class 0, Class
3. Terminology
1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1.1 breakdown—the electrical discharge or arc occurring
standard.
between the electrodes and through the equipment being tested.
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
3.1.2 color splash—a smear or streak of contrasting color
test method portion, Sections 16, 17, 18, and 19, of this
evident on the inside or outside surface of the gloves that was
specification: This standard does not purport to address all of
deposited during the dipping operation and is vulcanized into
the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the glove as part of the homogenous compound.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.3 flashover—the electrical discharge or arc occurring
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
between electrodes and over or around, but not through, the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
equipment being tested.
precaution statements, see 18.2.
3.1.4 gauntlet—the area of the glove between the wrist and
2. Referenced Documents the reinforced edge of the opening.
3.1.5 glove cuff roll—the roll or reinforced edge of an
2.1 ASTM Standards:
insulating glove at the cuff.
D 297 Test Methods for Rubber Products—Chemical
3.1.6 halogenation—exposure of the entire glove surface
Analysis
area to a halogen for the purpose of reducing surface friction.
D 412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermo-
3.1.7 insulated—separated from other conducting surfaces
plastic Rubbers and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension
by a dielectric substance (including air space) offering a high
D 518 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface
resistance to the passage of current.
Cracking
3.1.7.1 Discussion—When any object is said to be insu-
D 573 Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air
lated, it is understood to be insulated in a suitable manner for
Oven
the conditions to which it is subjected. Otherwise, it is, within
D 624 Test Method for Tear Strength of Conventional
the purpose of this definition, uninsulated. Insulating covering
Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers
of conductors is one means of making the conductor insulated.
D 1149 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface
3.1.8 isolated—an object that is not readily accessible to
Ozone Cracking in a Chamber
persons unless special means of access are used.
3.1.9 ozone—a very active form of oxygen that may be
produced by corona, arcing, or ultraviolet rays.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F18.15 on Worker Personal Equipment. This standard replaces ANSI
Standard J 6.6, which is no longer available.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1995. Published February 1996. Originally
published as D 120 – 21 T. Last previous edition D 120 – 94a. Available from American National Standards Institute, Inc., 11 West 42nd
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01. Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 120
TABLE 1 Proof-Test/Use Voltage Relationship
3.1.10 ozone cutting and checking—the cutting action pro-
duced by ozone on rubber under mechanical stress into a series A-C Proof-Test D-C Proof-Test Maximum Use
Class of Glove
A
Voltage rms V Voltage avg V Voltage a-c rms, V
of interlacing cracks.
00 2 500 10 000 500
3.1.11 rubber—a generic term that includes elastomers and
0 5 000 20 000 1 000
elastomeric compounds, regardless of origin.
1 10 000 40 000 7 500
3.1.12 user—the employer or entity purchasing the equip-
2 20 000 50 000 17 000
3 30 000 60 000 26 500
ment to be utilized by workers for their protection; in the
4 40 000 70 000 36 000
absence of such an employer or entity, the individual purchas-
A
Except for Class 00 and Class 0 gloves, the maximum use voltage is based on
ing and utilizing the protective equipment.
the following formula:
3.1.13 voltage, maximum use—the a-c voltage, (rms), rating
Maximum A-C use voltage (maximum nominal design voltage) = 0.95 a-c proof-
test voltage − 2000 V
of the protective equipment that designates the maximum
This formula takes into account the reduction in the volts per mil capability of the
nominal design voltage of the energized system that may be
glove with increasing thickness of the rubber.
safely worked. The nominal design voltage is equal to the
phase to phase voltage on multiphase circuits.
4. Significance and Use
3.1.13.1 If there is no multiphase exposure in a system area
and the voltage exposure is limited to the phase (polarity on d-c 4.1 This specification covers the minimum electrical,
systems) to ground potential, the phase (polarity on d-c chemical, and physical properties guaranteed by the manufac-
systems) to ground potential shall be considered to be the turer and the detailed procedures by which such properties are
to be determined. The purchaser has the option to perform or
nominal design voltage.
3.1.13.2 If electrical equipment and devices are insulated, or have performed any of these tests in order to verify the
isolated, or both, such that the multiphase exposure on a guarantee. Claims for failure to meet the specification are
grounded wye circuit is removed, then the nominal design subject to verification by the manufacturer.
voltage may be considered as the phase-to-ground voltage on 4.2 Gloves are used for personal protection; therefore, when
that circuit. authorizing their use, a margin of safety shall be allowed
3.1.14 voltage, nominal design—a nominal value consistent between the maximum voltage on which they are used and the
with the latest revision of ANSI C84.1, assigned to the circuit proof-test voltage at which they are tested. The relationship
or system for the purpose of conveniently designating its between proof-test voltage and the maximum voltage at which
voltage class. the gloves shall be used is shown in Table 1.
3.1.15 working area—all finger and thumb crotches, the 4.3 Work practices vary from user to user and are dependent
palm (area between the wrist and the base of the finger and upon many factors. These may include, but are not limited to,
thumb) and the area of the finger and thumb facing the palm operating system voltages, construction design, work proce-
not extending beyond the center line of the crotch. See Fig. 1. dure techniques, weather conditions, etc. Therefore, except for
Table 1 the restriction set forth in this specification because of design
FIG. 1 Working Area of a Rubber Insulating Glove
D 120
TABLE 3 D-C Voltage Requirements
limitations, the use and maintenance of this equipment is
beyond the scope of this specification. Proof-Test Minimum Breakdown
Class of Glove
Voltage avg V Voltage avg V
4.4 It is common practice and the responsibility of the user
00 10 000 13 000
of this type of protective equipment to prepare complete
0 20 000 35 000
instructions and regulations to govern the correct and safe use
1 40 000 60 000
of such equipment.
2 50 000 70 000
3 60 000 80 000
4 70 000 90 000
5. Classification
5.1 Gloves covered under this specification shall be desig-
nated as Type I or Type II; Class 00, Class 0, Class 1, Class 2,
specified for each voltage class: Class 00—beige, Class
Class 3, or Class 4.
0—red, Class 1—white, Class 2—yellow, Class 3—green, and
5.1.1 Type I, non-resistant to ozone, made from a high-grade
Class 4—orange.
cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber compound of natural or synthetic
7.4 At the request of the user, the gloves may be given a
origin, properly vulcanized.
halogenation treatment to reduce surface friction. This treat-
5.1.2 Type II, ozone-resistant made of any elastomer or
ment shall have no detrimental effect on the electrical, chemi-
combination of elastomeric compounds.
cal, or physical properties of the gloves.
5.1.3 The class designation shall be based on the electrical
properties as shown in Table 2 and Table 3.
8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
6. Ordering Information
8.1 The thickness shall fall within the limits specified in
Table 4, when determined in accordance with 17.1.
6.1 Orders for gloves under this specification should include
8.2 Standard sizes when determined in accordance with
the following information:
17.2 are 203 mm (8 in.), 216 mm (8 ⁄2 in.), 229 mm (9 in.), 241
6.1.1 Type,
1 1
mm (9 ⁄2 in.), 254 mm (10 in.), 267 mm (10 ⁄2 in.), 279 mm (11
6.1.2 Class,
in.), 292 mm (11 ⁄2 in.), and 305 mm (12 in.). The permissible
6.1.3 Length, Fig. 2
variation in size shall be 613 mm (6 ⁄2 in.).
6.1.4 Size,
8.3 Lengths shall be measured in accordance with 17.3.
6.1.5 Color, and
8.3.1 Standard lengths for Class 00 gloves are 278 mm (11
6.1.6 Cuff design.
in.), and 356 mm (14 in.). The permissible variations shall be
6.1.7 With or without a halogenation treatment.
613 mm (6 ⁄2 in.).
6.2 The listing of types, classes, lengths, sizes, colors, and
8.3.2 Standard lengths for Class 0 gloves are 280 mm (11
cuff designs is not intended to mean that all shall necessarily be
available from manufacturers; it signifies only that, if made, in.), 360 mm (14 in.), 410 mm (16 in.), and 460 mm (18 in.).
The permissible variations shall be 613 mm (6 ⁄2 in.).
they shall conform to the details of this specification.
8.3.3 Standard lengths for Class 1, 2, and 3 gloves are 360
7. Manufacture and Marking
mm (14 in.), 410 mm (16 in.), and 460 mm (18 in.). The
7.1 The gloves shall be produced by a seamless process. permissible variation shall be 613 mm (6 ⁄2in.).
8.3.4 Standard lengths for Class 4 gloves are 410 mm (16
7.2 The gloves shall have a smooth finish and the cuff edges
in.) and 460 mm (18 in.). The permissible variation shall be
shall be finished with a roll or a reinforcing strip of rubber,
613 mm (6 ⁄2 in.).
unless otherwise specified.
7.3 Each glove shall be marked clearly and permanently
9. Workmanship and Finish
with the name of the manufacturer or supplier, ANSI/ASTM
D120, type, class, and size. All such marking shall be confined 9.1 Gloves shall be free on both inner and outer surface of
to the cuff portion of the glove and shall be nonconducting and harmful physical irregularities that can be detected by thorough
applied in such a manner as to not impair the required test and inspection.
9.1.1 Harmful physical irregularities may be defined as any
properties of the glove.
7.3.1 Each glove shall be marked with a label that gives the feature that disrupts the uniform, smooth surface contour and
information specified in 7.3. This label shall be the color represents a potential hazard to the user, such as pinholes,
A
TABLE 2 A-C Voltage Requirement Proof Test Currents
Maximum Proof-Test Current, mA
Minimum
Proof-Test
Class of Glove Breakdown
280-mm 360-mm 410-mm 460-mm
Voltage rms V
Voltage rms V
(11-in.) Glove (14-in.) Glove (16-in.) Glove (18-in.) Glove
BB
00 2 500 4 000 8 12
0 5 000 6 000 8 12 14 16
1 10 000 20 000 . 14 16 18
2 20 000 30 000 . 16 18 20
3 30 000 40 000 . 18 20 22
4 40 000 50 000 . . 22 24
A
Proof test current shall be measured to an accuracy of 61 mA.
B
Not applicable.
D 120
FIG. 2 Length and Contour Measurements on Contour Cuff Gloves
TABLE 4 Thickness Measurements
10. Chemical and Physical Requirements
Minimum Thickness
10.1 The glove material shall conform to physical require-
Maximum Thickness
Class of
In Crotch Other Than Crotch
ments in Table 5, the accelerated aging in 19.2.6.
Glove
mm in. mm in. mm in. 10.2 In the event of a dispute, the identification of the rubber
polymer in Type I gloves shall be performed in accordance
00 0.20 0.008 0.25 0.010 0.75 0.030
0 0.46 0.018 0.51 0.020 1.02 0.040
with 19.1.
1 0.63 0.025 0.76 0.030 1.52 0.060
10.3 The Type II glove material shall show no visible effects
2 1.02 0.040 1.27 0.050 2.29 0.090
of ozone when tested in accordance with 18.6. Any visible
3 1.52 0.060 1.90 0.075 2.92 0.115
4 2.03 0.080 2.54 0.100 3.56 0.140
signs of ozone deterioration of the glove material, such as
checking, cracking, breaks, pitting, etc., shall be considered as
evidence of failure to meet the requirements of Type II gloves.
In case of dispute, Method A of the ozone resistance test shall
cracks, blisters, cuts, conductive imbedded foreign matter,
be the referee test.
creases, pinch marks, voids (entrapped air), prominent ripples,
and prominent mold marks.
11. Electrical Requirements
9.2 Nonharmful physical irregularities may be defined as
11.1 Each glove shall be given a proof test and shall
surface irregularities present on the inner and outer surfaces of
withstand the 60-Hz a-c proof-test voltage (rms value) or the
the rubber glove due to imperfections on forms or molds and
d-c proof-test voltage (average value) specified in Table 2 or
inherent difficulties in the manufacturing process. These irregu-
Table 3. The proof test shall be performed in accordance with
larities may appear as mold marks that look like cuts even
Section 18. The test voltage shall be applied continuously for
though they are actually a raised ridge of rubber, indentations,
3 min.
protuberances, embedded foreign material, or color splashes
11.1.1 When the a-c proof test is used, the 60-Hz proof-test
that are acceptable provided that:
current shall not exceed the values specified in Table 2 at any
9.2.1 The indentations, protuberance or mold marks tend to
time during the test period.
...