ASTM F496-23

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Designation: F496 − 20 F496 − 23
Standard Specification for
In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F496; 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
1.1 This specification covers the in-service care, inspection, testing, and use voltage of insulating gloves and sleeves for protection
from electrical shock.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. See IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Sections 6 and 7, of this specification. This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For a specific warning statement, see 7.2.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D120 Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves
D1051 Specification for Rubber Insulating Sleeves
D2865 Practice for Calibration of Standards and Equipment for Electrical Insulating Materials Testing
F696 Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens
F819 Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
F1236 Guide for Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products
F3258 Specification for Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves Meeting Specific Performance Requirements
2.2 ANSI Standards:
C 39.5 Safety Requirements for Electrical and Electronic Measuring and Controlling Instrumentation
2.3 ANSIOther Standards:
C 39.5 Safety Requirements for Electrical and Electronic Measuring and Controlling Instrumentation
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
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.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2020Dec. 1, 2023. Published February 2020December 2023. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 20142020
as F496 – 14a.F496 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/F0496-20.10.1520/F0496-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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F496 − 23
3.1.1 ozone, n—a very active form of oxygen that may be produced by corona, arcing, or ultraviolet rays.
3.1.2 For definitions of other terms, refer to Terminology F819.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Compliance with this specification should continue to provide personnel with insulating gloves and sleeves of known and
acceptable quality after initial acceptance in accordance with Specifications D120 and D1051. The specifications herein are to be
considered as minimum requirements.
4.2 A margin of safety shall be provided between the maximum use voltage and the voltage at which the gloves and sleeves are
retested. The relationship between retest voltage and maximum use voltage at which the gloves and sleeves shall be used is shown
in Table 1.
4.2.1 When work is not being performed on energized conductors or equipment, or both, any contact with energized conductors
or equipment, or both, would be limited to the phase-to-ground potential. If gloves are the only protection used in such operations,
the phase-to-ground voltage to which the gloves may be exposed shall be limited to the maximum use voltage of that class glove
as listed in Table 1.
4.3 The user of these types of protective equipment shall be knowledgeable of and instructed in the correct and safe inspection
and use of such equipment.
4. Terminology
4.1 Definitions:
4.1.1 ozone—a very active form of oxygen that may be produced by corona, arcing, or ultraviolet rays.
4.1.2 For definitions of other terms, refer to Terminology F819.
5. Classification
5.1 Gloves and sleeves covered under this specification are designated as Type I or Type II; Class 00, Class 0, Class 1, Class 2,
Class 3, or Class 4.
5.1.1 Type I, nonresistant to ozone, made from a high-grade cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber compound of natural or synthetic origin,
properly vulcanized.
5.1.2 Type II, ozone resistant, made of any elastomer or combination of elastomeric compounds.
5.1.3 The electrical properties correspond to those shown in Table 1. The class designations are those specified in Specifications
D120 and D1051.
6. Inspection and Testing at an Electrical Testing Facility
6.1 The recommended sequence of inspection and testing of gloves and sleeves at an electrical testing facility is:
TABLE 1 Voltage Requirements
Maximum
Maximum AC AC Retest DC Retest
Class Designation DC Use
Use Voltage Voltage
of Glove or Sleeve Voltage
Voltage rms, V rms, V avg, V
avg, V
00 500 2 500 750 10 000
0 1 000 5 000 1 500 20 000
1 7 500 10 000 11 250 40 000
2 17 000 20 000 25 500 50 000
3 26 500 30 000 39 750 60 000
4 36 000 40 000 54 000 70 000
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6.1.1 Check-in, washing, and preliminary inspection,
6.1.2 Repair,
6.1.3 Electrical test,
6.1.4 Drying,
6.1.5 Final inspection,
6.1.6 Record-keeping and marking, and
6.1.7 Powdering, pairing, and packing for storage or shipment.
6.2 When gloves and sleeves are received at an electrical test facility, they should be checked in as soon as practicable to eliminate
any folds, creases, and improper storage.
6.3 The gloves and sleeves shall be washed with a mild soap or mild detergent and water. After washing, the gloves and sleeves
shall be thoroughly rinsed with water to remove all soap or detergent and dried. Mild household type chloride bleach may be used
for disinfectant purposes. Soaps, detergents, and bleaches shall not be used at strengths that would attack or harm the rubber
surface.
NOTE 1—The cleaning agent shall not degrade the insulating qualities of the gloves and sleeves.
NOTE 2—A commercial tumble-type washing machine may be used, but caution must be observed to eliminate any interior surfaces or edges that will
cut, abrade, puncture, or pinch the gloves and sleeves.
NOTE 3—Gloves and sleeves may be suspended to allow drainage and air circulation or dried in a commercial tumble-type automatic dryer. In an
automatic dryer, caution must be observed to eliminate any ozone or ultraviolet lamps and interior surfaces that will cut, abrade, puncture, or pinch the
gloves and sleeves.
6.4 Prior to the electrical test, gloves and sleeves should be given a preliminary inspection for punctures, tears, cuts, bruises, ozone
cutting or checking, or any other obvious conditions that would adversely affect performance. (Seeperformance (see Guide F1236).
If any of these conditions are found, the glove or sleeves shall be rejected, or repaired in accordance with Section 10. Minor surface
corona cutting or ozone checking in the gauntlet area, (Seearea (see Fig. 1), above the water line, need not be cause for rejection.
6.5 The gloves and sleeves shall be tested in accordance with Section 7.
6.6 The gloves and sleeves shall not be air-dried with an air temperature in excess of 65 °C (150 °F).
6.7 The gloves and sleeves shall be given a detailed inspection over their entire surface for physical defects and ozone damage.
(Seedamage (see Guide F1236). They may be turned inside out for inside inspection, but only for the duration of the inspection.
They may be inflated with air to enhance the identification of small defects, but caution shall be exercised to avoid over-inflation
(see Note 10). This detailed inspection may be performed prior to the electrical tests, where it can be demonstrated that the
electrical testing process does not cause ozone damage.
FIG. 1 Rubber Glove—Gauntlet Area (All Classes)
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6.8 The inside surface of gloves may be dusted with a powder. Gloves and sleeves should be sorted by pairs and packed in
accordance with Section 8 for field care, inspection, and storage.
7. Electrical Tests
7.1 Electrically retest gloves or sleeves issued for service. Base the interval between date of issue and retests on work practices
and test experience. It shall not exceed 6 months for gloves and twelve months for sleeves. Gloves or sleeves that have been
electrically tested but not issued for service shall not be placed into service unless they have been electrically tested within the
previous twelve months.
7.1.1 Each glove or sleeve shall withstand the 50–Hz or 60–Hz50 Hz or 60 Hz ac retest voltage (rms value) or the dc retest voltage
(average value) specified in Table 1. The test voltage shall be applied continuously for not less than 1 min and not more than 3
min.
7.1.2 The insulating gloves tested by the ac method shall also meet the requirements of Table 2.
7.2 Warning—WarningThe—The test apparatus should be designed to afford the operator full protection in the performance of
his duties. Reliable means of de-energizing and grounding the high-voltage circuit should be provided. It is particularly important
to incorporate positive means of grounding the high-voltage section of dc test apparatus due to the likely presence of high-voltage
capacitance charges at the conclusion of the test. See ANSI C39.5.
7.2.1 The equipment shall be inspected at least annually to ensure that the general condition of the equipment is acceptable and
to verify the characteristics and accuracy of the test voltages.
7.2.2 To eliminate damaging ozone and possible flashover along the glove cuff or sleeve openings, there should be a sufficient flow
of air into and around the glove or sleeve and an exhaust system to adequately remove ozone from the test machine. Consistent
ozone cutting and checking during the test procedure should be cause to ascertain the adequacy of the exhaust system.
7.3 Industries, such as telecommunications, that utilize insulating gloves as precautionary protection against unintentional contact
with energized conductors, may increase the maximum interval between issue and retest to nine months.
7.4 Both ac and dc voltage retest methods are included and either method may be selected for electrical testing.
7.5 Glove Tests:
7.5.1 Perform all electrical tests on clean gloves and at normal room temperatures. Fill the gloves, right side out, with conductive,
clean water and immerse to a depth in compliance with Table 3 for the retest voltage to be used. The water level during the test
shall be the same inside and outside the gloves. Connect the water inside the glove, which forms one test electrode, and the water
in the tank outside the glove, which forms the other electrode, to the opposite terminals of the high-voltage source. The water
should be free of air bubbles and air pockets inside or outside the glove and the exposed portion of the glove above the water line
shall be dry. Water used as electrodes shall have a minimum conductance of 100 μS ⁄cm.
7.5.2 Insulating gloves being retested by the ac method shall meet the requirements of Table 2. If the proof test current is in excess
of these limits, the glove shall be rejected.
TABLE 2 AC Proof-Test Current, max, mA
Class Retest Glove, Glove, Glove, Glove,
Designation Voltage, 280 mm 360 mm 410 mm 460 mm
of Glove max (11 in.) (14 in.) (16 in.) (18 in.)
50Hz 60Hz 50Hz 60Hz 50Hz 60Hz 50Hz 60Hz
A A A A
00 2 500 6.7 8 10 12
0 5 000 6.7 8 10 12 11.7 14 13.3 16
1 10 000 — — 11.7 14 13.3 16 15 18
2 20 000 — — 13.3 16 15 18 16.7 20
3 30 000 — — 15 18 16.7 20 18.3 22
4 40 000 — — — — 18.3 22 20 24
A
Not applicable.
F496 − 23
A
TABLE 3 Flashover Clearances Between Electrodes
Class Designation, AC Retest DC Retest
Glove or Sleeve in. mm in. mm
00 3 76 3 76
0 3 76 3 76
1 3 76 4 102
2 5 127 6 152
3 7 178 8 203
4 10 254 12 305
A
Flashover clearances are stated in terms of the shortest electrical air path
between electrodes around the edge of the item being tested. In those cases
where atmospheric conditions make the specified clearances impractical, the
distance may be increased by the maximum of 51 mm (2 in.).
NOTE 4—For further details on recommended equipment and procedures, refer to Specification D120.
7.6 Sleeve Tests—Perform all electrical tests on clean sleeves right side out and at normal room temperature. Seven methods of
mounting sleeves are described in the following sections, with test limitations on some of the methods. Both ac and dc proof-test
procedures are included in this section. In each of the six test methods, the inner and outer electrodes shall be connected to the
opposite terminals of the high-voltage source. Electrode to electrode clearances shall be as specified in Table 3.
7.6.1 Electrodes:
7.6.1.1 Water Electrodes, Inverted Mounting—In this method, invert the small end of the sleeve and pull through to the large end
to form an annular trough as shown in cross section in Fig. 2. (see Note 5). Immerse the sleeve in water and fill the trough with
water until the levels both inside and outside the trough are the same. Particular care should be taken to avoid any sharp folds in
the sleeves as they may cause premature dielectric breakdown at these points.
FIG. 2 Water Electrodes, Inverted Mounting
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NOTE 5—Use of this method may result in excessive breakdown failures when tested above 10 000 10 000 V ac or 50 000 50 000 V dc if the test
apparatus does not conform with 7.2.2.
7.6.1.2 Water Electrodes, Sling Mounting—In this method, place a non-insulating pipe or rod at least 51 mm (2 in.) in diameter
at about the midpoint between the cuff and underarm edge. The pipe or rod should be of sufficient weight to hold the sleeve down
to prevent creasing and its length should be no less than the width of the sleeve. Immerse the sleeve in water with the rod in place
and fill with water until the water levels are the same both inside and outside the sleeve, and the cuff and underarm edges are
equidistant above the water line as shown in the cross section in Fig. 3 (see Note 5). Particular care should be taken to avoid any
sharp folds in the sleeves as they may cause premature dielectric breakdown at these points.
7.6.1.3 Water Electrodes, Hammock Mounting—The sleeve shall be hung in the test machine so that the top of the shoulder area,
the top of the underarm, and the cuff edge are all in a horizontal plane, parallel to the surface of the water in the test tank (see Fig.
4). The test equipment holding or supporting the sleeve under test should be of such design that there is minimal stress created
in the sleeve material. Place a rod or pipe across the top surface of the sleeve at approximately the midpoint between the cuff and
underarm edge. The pipe or rod shall be noninsulating, at least 51 mm (2 in.) in diameter, and of sufficient weight to hold the sleeve
down to prevent creasing. The length of the pipe or rod shall be no less than the width of the sleeve. Fill the sleeve with water
and immerse the sleeve to the test position, allowing for proper flashover clearance for the test voltage used. In so far as practical,
the water levels should be the same both on the inside and outside of the sleeve, and the top of the shoulder area, the top of the
underarm, and the cuff edge are equidistant above the water line (see Fig. 4). Particular care shall be taken to avoid any sharp folds
or areas of stress in the sleeve, as they may cause premature dielectric breakdown or ozone cutting, or both, at these points (see
Note 5).
7.6.1.4 Water Electrodes Straight Mounting—In these methods, a high-dielectric medium is used to separate and electrically
isolate the water electrodes inside and outside the vertically mounted sleeve.
(1) Straight Mounting, Liquid Cuff Seal (see Fig. 5)— In )—In this method, a high dielectric medium is used to separate and
isolate the water electrodes inside and outside the vertically mounted sleeve. Place a layer of high dielectric strength liquid, having
a specific gravity greater than 1.0 and insoluble in wa
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