ASTM F1116-21

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Designation: F1116 − 14a F1116 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Determining Dielectric Strength of Dielectric Footwear
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1116; 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 test method covers testing to determine the “Dielectric Strength” of dielectric overfoot and overshoe footwear. Testing
is done over the maximum possible area of the dielectric footwear without permitting flashover between electrodes.
1.2 The use and maintenance of dielectric footwear is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.3 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard statements appear in 5.2.
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:
D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at
Commercial Power Frequencies
F1117 Specification for Dielectric Footwear
3. Terminology
3.1 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 user—as used in 1.3, the entity employing the actual worker utilizing the equipment; if no separate employer, then the
individual.
3.1.2 overfoot footwear—footwear designed to be worn directly over the feet as the only source of foot covering.
3.1.3 overshoe footwear—footwear designed to be worn over existing footwear.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Electrical contact injuries to workers may involve a current path through the feet of the worker. The footwear covered by this
This test method 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 Aug. 1, 2014May 1, 2021. Published September 2014May 2021. Originally approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as
F1116–14.–14a. DOI: 10.1520/F1116-14A.10.1520/F1116-21.
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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F1116 − 21
specification is dielectrically rated to provide additional insulation and isolation to the wearer. This test method will determine that
dielectric footwear has dielectric integrity at the time of the test.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Electrical Test Criteria:
5.1.1 Test Procedure—The footwear shall be immersed in water or other conducting media to a depth where the flashover
clearance is consistent with the proof test voltage as listed in Table 1. Since the water or other conducting media inside the footwear
forms one test electrode and the water or the other conducting media in the container outside the footwear forms the other
electrode, 152 mm or 6 in. of clearance between electrodes consists of 76 mm or 3 in. of clearance from the top of the footwear
to the top of the water or other conducting media both inside and outside of the footwear. Water is recommended as the medium
for the electrodes to ensure complete coverage of the surfaces of the footwear. Water may wick up the inner lining on certain brands
of footwear. To overcome the wicking effect care needs to be taken to keep the inner area above the water dry and conduct the
tests promptly after placing the water inside the footwear. The water or other conducting media inside the footwear forms one test
electrode and shall be connected to one terminal of the voltage source by means of a metal chain or sliding rod that dips into the
electrode. The water or other conducting media in the container outside the footwear forms the other electrode and shall be
connected directly to the other terminal of the voltage source. Due to the weight of water or other types of electrode media, support
racks are needed to secure footwear being tested. The maximum protective area of the footwear shall be tested. Care must be taken
to thoroughly dry the inside of the footwear following the test and prior to storage. See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 for typical test
arrangements for dielectric test of rubbers and boots using water electrodes.
5.1.1.1 Water used as electrodes shall have a minimum conductance of 100 μS/cm.
NOTE 1—Water used as electrodes should have a minimum conductance of 0.25 mho.
5.2 Precautions—ItWarning—It is recommended that the test apparatus be designed to afford the operator full protection in
performance of his duties. Reliable means of de-energizing and grounding the high-voltage circuit shall be provided. It is
particularly important to incorporate a positive means of grounding the high-voltage section of the dc test apparatus due to the
likely presence of high-voltage capacitance charges at the conclusion of the test.
5.3 Electrical Test Equipment:
5.3.1 The test equipment used in the dielectric strength or proof tests shall be capable of supplying an essentially stepless a
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