ASTM F1116-03

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:F 1116–03
Standard Test Method for
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Determining Dielectric Strength of Dielectric Footwear
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1116; 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.
1. Scope method will determine that dielectric footwear has dielectric
integrity at the time of the test.
1.1 This test method covers testing to determine the “Di-
electric Strength” of dielectric overfoot and overshoe footwear.
5. Apparatus
Testing is done over the maximum possible area of the
5.1 Electrical Test Criteria:
dielectric footwear without permitting flashover between elec-
5.1.1 Test Procedure—The footwear shall be immersed in
trodes.
water or other conducting media to a depth where the flashover
1.2 The use and maintenance of dielectric footwear is
clearance is consistent with the proof test voltage as listed in
beyond the scope of this test method.
Table 1. Since the water or other conducting media inside the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
footwear forms one test electrode and the water or the other
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
conducting media in the container outside the footwear forms
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the other electrode, 152 mm or 6 in. of clearance between
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
electrodes consists of 76 mm or 3 in. of clearance from the top
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard
of the footwear to the top of the water or other conducting
statements appear in 5.2.
media both inside and outside of the footwear. Water is
2. Referenced Documents recommended as the medium for the electrodes to ensure
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complete coverage of the surfaces of the footwear. Water may
2.1 ASTM Standards:
wick up the inner lining on certain brands of footwear. To
D 149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
overcome the wicking effect care needs to be taken to keep the
Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials
inner area above the water dry and conduct the tests promptly
at Commercial Power Frequencies
after placing the water inside the footwear. The water or other
F 1117 Specification for Dielectric Footwear
conducting media inside the footwear forms one test electrode
3. Terminology
and shall be connected to one terminal of the voltage source by
means of a metal chain or sliding rod that dips into the
3.1 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
electode. The water or other conducting media in the container
3.1.1 user—as used in 1.3, the entity employing the actual
outside the footwear forms the other electrode and shall be
worker utilizing the equipment; if no separate employer, then
connected directly to the other terminal of the voltage source.
the individual.
Due to the weight of water or other types of electrode media,
3.1.2 overfoot footwear—footwear designed to be worn
support racks are needed to secure footwear being tested. The
directly over the feet as the only source of foot covering.
maximum protective area of the footwear shall be tested. Care
3.1.3 overshoe footwear—footwear designed to be worn
must be taken to thoroughly dry the inside of the footwear
over existing footwear.
following the test and prior to storage. See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 for
4. Significance and Use
typicaltestarrangementsfordielectrictestofrubbersandboots
using water electrodes.
4.1 Electrical contact injuries to workers may involve a
current path through the feet of the worker. The footwear
NOTE 1—Water used as electrodes should have a minimum conduc-
covered by this specification is dielectrically rated to provide
tance of 0.25 mho.
additional insulation and isolation to the wearer. This test
5.2 Precautions—It is recommended that the test apparatus
be designed to afford the operator full protection in perfor-
1 mance of his duties. Reliable means of de-energizing and
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on
grounding the high-voltage circuit shall be provided. It is
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F18.15 on Worker Personal Equipment.
particularly important to incorporate a positive means of
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2003. Published January 2004. Originally
grounding the high-voltage section of the dc test apparatus due
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 1988 as F 1116–88.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01.
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