ASTM D1933-03(2017)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Nitrogen Gas as an Electrical Insulating Material
Standard Specification for Nitrogen Gas as an Electrical Insulating Material
ABSTRACT
This specification covers three types of nitrogen gas used as an electrical insulating material in electrical equipment: Type I, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and dried; Type II, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes, deoxidized with hydrogen over a platinum catalyst, and dried; and Type III, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and if necessary deoxidized by suitable means. Materials shall be tested and the individual grades shall conform to specified values of % volume of nitrogen and rare gases, hydrogen, and oxygen; and dew point.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers three types of nitrogen used as an electrical insulating material in electrical equipment:
1.1.1 Type I, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and dried,
1.1.2 Type II, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes, deoxidized with hydrogen over a platinum catalyst, and dried, and
1.1.3 Type III, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and if necessary deoxidized by suitable means.
Note 1: The fact that metal containers are filled with materials meeting this specification does not exclude the possibility that the materials might become contaminated with unlisted impurities.
1.2 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 5, 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Dec-2016
- Technical Committee
- D27 - Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases
- Drafting Committee
- D27.02 - Gases and Non-Mineral Oil Liquids
Relations
- Replaces
ASTM D1933-03(2008) - Standard Specification for Nitrogen Gas as an Electrical Insulating Material - Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2019
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2006
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2004
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2001
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2001
- Effective Date
- 10-Apr-1997
- Effective Date
- 10-Apr-1997
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-1996
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2017
Overview
ASTM D1933-03(2017) is a standard specification developed by ASTM International, defining the requirements for nitrogen gas used as an electrical insulating material in electrical equipment. This standard covers three distinct types of nitrogen based on production methods and purity levels, ensuring that nitrogen gas provides effective insulation and protection in electrical systems. The specification outlines parameters for composition, purity, dew point, and handling of nitrogen gas, making it vital for manufacturers, utilities, and suppliers in the electrical industry.
Key Topics
Types of Nitrogen Gas:
- Type I: Obtained from air via liquefaction and drying.
- Type II: Produced by liquefaction, deoxidized through hydrogen over a platinum catalyst, and dried.
- Type III: Produced by liquefaction and, if necessary, deoxidized by suitable methods.
Composition and Purity Requirements:
- Nitrogen and rare gases volume percentage minimums
- Maximum allowable percentages for hydrogen and oxygen
- Dew point limitations to ensure moisture control
Sampling and Testing Procedures:
- Methods for extracting gas samples from high-pressure containers
- Testing methods for nitrogen, rare gases, hydrogen, oxygen, and water vapor content (dew point)
- References to key ASTM testing practices (e.g., ASTM D2029, ASTM E105, ASTM E260)
Packaging and Shipping:
- Guidelines for packaging nitrogen in metal containers
- Emphasis on cleanliness and dryness of containers to avoid contamination
Applications
ASTM D1933-03(2017) is essential wherever nitrogen gas serves as an electrical insulation medium. Key applications include:
- Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) and transformers in power distribution
- Electrical cables and components requiring moisture and contaminant protection
- High-voltage circuit breakers and relays where nitrogen provides dielectric strength
- Utilities and manufacturers seeking to minimize oxidative reactions and prevent electrical faults
- Maintenance and quality assurance for equipment utilizing nitrogen insulation, ensuring compliance with industry standards
Standard-compliant nitrogen gas delivery and use offer enhanced equipment reliability, minimized risk of corrosion or oxidation, and adherence to internationally recognized safety and performance benchmarks.
Related Standards
For users seeking complementary information or implementing broader quality systems, relevant standards include:
- ASTM D2029: Test Methods for Water Vapor Content of Electrical Insulating Gases by Measurement of Dew Point
- ASTM E105: Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
- ASTM E260: Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography
- DOT regulations: Requirements for metal cylinder safety in packaging and shipping compressed gases
These referenced standards support the effective application of ASTM D1933, enabling robust testing, sampling, and verification of nitrogen gas used as an electrical insulating material.
Keywords: nitrogen gas, electrical insulating material, ASTM D1933, nitrogen purity, insulating gas standards, high-voltage equipment insulation, gas sampling, dew point testing, electrical equipment safety, rare gases, hydrogen content, oxygen content.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D1933-03(2017) is a technical specification published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Specification for Nitrogen Gas as an Electrical Insulating Material". This standard covers: ABSTRACT This specification covers three types of nitrogen gas used as an electrical insulating material in electrical equipment: Type I, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and dried; Type II, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes, deoxidized with hydrogen over a platinum catalyst, and dried; and Type III, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and if necessary deoxidized by suitable means. Materials shall be tested and the individual grades shall conform to specified values of % volume of nitrogen and rare gases, hydrogen, and oxygen; and dew point. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers three types of nitrogen used as an electrical insulating material in electrical equipment: 1.1.1 Type I, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and dried, 1.1.2 Type II, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes, deoxidized with hydrogen over a platinum catalyst, and dried, and 1.1.3 Type III, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and if necessary deoxidized by suitable means. Note 1: The fact that metal containers are filled with materials meeting this specification does not exclude the possibility that the materials might become contaminated with unlisted impurities. 1.2 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 5, 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ABSTRACT This specification covers three types of nitrogen gas used as an electrical insulating material in electrical equipment: Type I, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and dried; Type II, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes, deoxidized with hydrogen over a platinum catalyst, and dried; and Type III, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and if necessary deoxidized by suitable means. Materials shall be tested and the individual grades shall conform to specified values of % volume of nitrogen and rare gases, hydrogen, and oxygen; and dew point. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers three types of nitrogen used as an electrical insulating material in electrical equipment: 1.1.1 Type I, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and dried, 1.1.2 Type II, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes, deoxidized with hydrogen over a platinum catalyst, and dried, and 1.1.3 Type III, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes and if necessary deoxidized by suitable means. Note 1: The fact that metal containers are filled with materials meeting this specification does not exclude the possibility that the materials might become contaminated with unlisted impurities. 1.2 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 5, 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ASTM D1933-03(2017) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 29.040.20 - Insulating gases. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D1933-03(2017) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D1933-03(2008), ASTM E260-96(2019), ASTM E260-96(2011), ASTM E105-10, ASTM D2029-97(2008), ASTM E260-96(2006), ASTM E105-04, ASTM E260-96, ASTM E260-96(2001), ASTM D2029-97(2003), ASTM D2029-97, ASTM E105-58(1996), ASTM D7150-13(2020), ASTM D923-15, ASTM D2413-16(2022). Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D1933-03(2017) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
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:D1933 −03 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Specification for
Nitrogen Gas as an Electrical Insulating Material
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1933; 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 containers, preferably by means of a dual-stage high-pressure
gas regulator, capable of reducing inlet gas pressures of 15
1.1 This specification covers three types of nitrogen used as
MPa(2200psi)toaconstantlowdischargepressure.Screwthe
an electrical insulating material in electrical equipment:
pressure regulator inlet connection on to the container valve
1.1.1 TypeI, obtained from the air by liquefaction processes
outlet. Connect the regulator outlet connection to the gas
and dried,
sampling pipe or to the gas analyzing equipment by means of
1.1.2 Type II, obtained from the air by liquefaction
metal or glass tubing, except that rubber tubing may be used to
processes, deoxidized with hydrogen over a platinum catalyst,
secure butt joints in metal-to-glass or glass-to-glass tubing.
and dried, and
Take care to ensure that all tubing is clean and dry and the
1.1.3 Type III, obtained from the air by liquefaction pro-
sampling apparatus is thoroughly purged of atmospheric gases
cesses and if necessary deoxidized by suitable means.
before the test specimen is taken. Where a multiplicity of
NOTE 1—The fact that metal containers are filled with materials
cylinders are to be sampled, follow Practice E105 if it is
meeting this specification does not exclude the possibility that the
considered satisfactory to sample less than the total number of
materials might become contaminated with unlisted impurities.
containers.
1.2 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
4.2 Nitrogen Shipped as a Liquid in Metal Containers and
test method portion, Section 5, of this specification: This
Used as a Gas—Use the same sampling procedure as that for
standarddoesnotpurporttoaddressallofthesafetyconcerns,
nitrogen shipped as a gas in high-pressure metal containers
ifany,associatedwithitsuse.Itistheresponsibilityoftheuser
with the following exception: Extract gas samples from the
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
container or containers preferably by means of a single-stage
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
gas regulator capable of reducing inlet gas pressures of 1.7
tions prior to use.
MPa (250 psi) to a constant low discharge pressure.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Test Methods
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2029 Test Methods for Water Vapor Content of Electrical
5.1 Determine the properties enumerated in this specifica-
Insulating Gases by Measurement of Dew Point
tion in accordance with the following methods:
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
5.1.1 Nitrogen and Rare Gases—Calculate by difference
E260 Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography
after oxygen and hydrogen values
...
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