ASTM F3121/F3121M-17(2022)

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: F3121/F3121M − 17 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
In-Service Inspection, Maintenance, and Electrical Testing of
Hand-Held Live-Line Insulating Tools (Fiberglass-Reinforced
Plastic (FRP))
Thisstandard is issued under the fixed designation F3121/F3121M;the numberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
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 factured using fiberglass meeting Specification F711. The
guidance herein is to be considered as a minimum requirement.
1.1 This guide provides recommendations for in-service
inspection, maintenance, and electrical testing of hand-held
3.2 The user of this type of protective equipment should be
insulating live-line tools.
knowledgeable of and instructed in the correct and safe
inspection and use of this equipment.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
4. Job Site Procedures
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
4.1 Field Care, Handling, and Storage—When not in use,
used independently of the other, and values from the two
hand-heldinsulatinglive-linetoolsshouldbestoredwherethey
systems shall not be combined.
will remain dry, clean, and where they are not subject to abuse.
Hand-held insulating live-line tools used for energized-line
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the maintenance should not be laid directly on the ground to avoid
contamination or wetting. Hand-held insulating live-line tools
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- should be placed on clean, dry tarpaulins, on moisture-proof
blankets, on tool racks, or stick bags, or leaned against dry
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- supports. When transporting hand-held insulating live-line
tools, ventilated containers should be provided to prevent
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
damage to the surfaces of them, or they should be mounted on
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
racks in trucks or trailers. These racks should be well padded
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and so constructed that the hand-held insulating live-line tools
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. are held firmly in place to prevent abrasive or bumping action
against any surface that would damage the glossy surface.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 Daily Inspection and Checking—Hand-held insulating
2.1 ASTM Standards:
live-line tools should be visually inspected and wiped clean
F711 Specification for Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP)
before use each day. Hand-held insulating live-line tools
Rod and Tube Used in Live Line Tools
showing evidence of being mechanically or electrically
compromised, such as a tingling or fuzzy sensation experi-
3. Significance and Use
enced by the user when the hand-held insulating tool is near or
in contact with energized apparatus should be removed from
3.1 Compliance with this guide should confirm known and
service and evaluated for repair.
acceptablequalityofhand-heldinsulatinglive-linetoolsmanu-
4.2.1 If any of the following observations are present, the
hand-held insulating live-line tools should be removed from
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical service and returned to the laboratory or shop for repair and
Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
electrical testing.
F18.35 on Tools & Equipment.
4.2.1.1 Visual Inspection–Mechanical Stress:
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally
ɛ1
(1) Cuts, scratches, nicks, gouges, dents (through the
approved in 2016. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as F3121/F3121M-17 .
DOI: 10.1520/F3121_F3121M-17R22.
finish), or delamination in the stick surface.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
(2) Damaged, bent, worn, loose, or cracked components.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
(3) Elongated or deformed rivet ends, roll pins or fasteners.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. (4) A loss or deterioration of the glossy surface.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3121/F3121M − 17 (2022)
(5) Improper storage or improper exposure to weather. insulating live-line tool should maintain contact on the circum-
4.2.1.2 Visual Inspection–Electrical Stress: ference of the tool. Bundle testing is not permitted.
(1) Evidence of electrical tracking, burn marks, or blisters
6.3.4 Before installing a test specimen into the apparatus, a
caused from heat.
baseline leakage test should be performed that takes into
account the capacitive coupling between electrodes (tester
5. Cleaning and Waxing
geometry) and the specific atmospheric conditions at the
5.1 Before each use, hand-held insulating live-line tools testing location. Baseline leakage of more than 150 µAis cause
should be wiped clean with an absorbent paper towel or a to check and repair your test apparatus. This baseline test
clean, absorbent cloth. establishes the leakage level that is inherent in the test
apparatus. Repeat this procedure at least every 4 h.
5.2 If simple wiping does not remove the contaminant, refer
6.3.5 Spray the test segment with distilled water to wet its
to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and then follow by
surface thoroughly. Conductivity of the water should be 3.0
waxing (carnauba or manufacturer recommended wax) or
micromhos/cm or less. A clean spray applicator, adjusted to a
wiping with a silicone-treated cloth approved by manufacturer.
fine mist, is suitable for this purpose.
5.3 Waxing or use of silicone cloth is not necessary after
6.3.6 Spray water uniformly on the hand-held insulating
everyuse,butratherasneededtomaintainaglossysurfacethat
live-line tool until droplets just begin to roll down the surface.
will cause any moisture or water to bead on the surface. Before
Water should be sprayed perpendicular to the surface (axis).
the hand-held insulating live-line tool is rewaxed, the surface
Avoid spraying water under the operating rod guides and
should always be cleaned with a solvent or cleaner recom-
handguard (if applicable), avoid bridging the gap between the
mended by the manufacturer. Hollow tubes should be cleaned
operating rod and the tube (if applicable), and avoid bridging
on the inside.
the insulation between the pickup electrode and the ground.As
5.4 Waxing or use of silicone cloth imparts a glossy finish to
an alternate method of wetting, the sticks may be submerged in
the surface of the insulated tool and improves the electrical
water then positioned at a 30° angle with end cap removed for
integrity by providing a protective barrier against contami-
2 min to allow water to run out. Use caution when using this
nants.
method for extend/telescoping sticks. Ensure all water is
drained prior to the electrical test.
6. Periodic Inspection and Testing
6.3.7 Suspend the hand-held insulating live-line tool in a
6.1 Hand-held insulating live-line tools used for primary
horizontal position using insulated supports. The test specimen
employee protection should be removed from service every
should be mounted to prevent flashover to the cabinet frame or
two years for examination, cleaning, repair, and testing accord-
floor.
ing to this section. Use one of the following sections for the
6.3.8 Wrap the electrodes around the hand-held insulating
electrical testing: 6.3, 6.4, 6.5,or 6.6.Any hand-held insulating
live-line tool so contact is maintained on the circumference.
live-line tool that is rejected should be removed from service,
6.3.9 Using the installed metal hardware as the electrode
repaired and retested, or disposed of.
connection (either high voltage or ground return) is acceptable.
6.2 Visual Inspection Procedure—See 4.2 for inspection
6.3.10 Attach the meter leads to the pick-up (ground return)
procedure.
electrode.
6.3 Segmented Test Method Metering Every Segment–(Un- 6.3.11 Apply potential to each test segment within 15 min
after wetting. Increase the voltage gradually at not more than
guarded Electrodes):
6.3.1 The test apparatus should be designed to provide the 10 kV/s [50/60 Hz] alternating current (ac) or direct current
(dc) to the appropriate voltage and duration specified in Table
operator full protection in the performance of his duties and
provide reliable means of de-energizing and grounding the 1.
high-voltage circuit. Isolate the test equipment and specimen to 6.3.12 Measure the maximum leakage current in the ground
guard against accidental contact by persons in the vicinity.
return meter. Subtract the baseline leakage measured earlier
6.3.2 Test the entire insulating length of the hand-held and record the corrected leakage value. A corrected leakage in
insulating live-line tool in accordance with Table 1.
excess of 75 µA per segment signifies a failure.
6.3.3 Ensure that the test contacts (ele
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