ASTM D877/D877M-19

3.1 The dielectric breakdown voltage is a measure of the ability of an insulating liquid to withstand electrical stress. The power-frequency breakdown voltage of a liquid is reduced by the presence of contaminants such as cellulosic fibers, conducting particles, dirt, and water. A low result in this test method indicates the presence of significant concentrations of one or more of these contaminants in the liquid tested. See Appendix X1.

3.2 A high breakdown voltage measured in this test method does not necessarily indicate that the amount of the contaminants present in a liquid from which the sample was taken is sufficiently low for the sampled liquid to be acceptable in all electrical equipment. Test Method D877 is not sensitive to low levels of these contaminants. Breakdown in this test method is dominated by events occurring at the electrode edges. The voltage stress distribution between the parallel disk electrodes used in this test method are quasi-uniform and there is substantial stress concentration at the sharp edges of the flat disk faces.

3.3 This test method may be used for evaluation of insulating liquids in equipment that is designed to be filled with unprocessed liquids as delivered by a vendor.

3.4 This test method is not recommended for evaluation of the breakdown voltage of liquids used in equipment that requires the application of vacuum and filtering of the oil before being placed into service. Test Method D1816 should be used to determine the breakdown voltage of filtered and degassed liquids.

3.5 This test method is used in laboratory or field tests. For field breakdown results to be comparable to laboratory results, all criteria including room temperature (20 to 30 °C) must be met.

1.1 This test method describes two procedures, A and B, for determining the electrical breakdown voltage of insulating liquid specimens. The breakdown test uses ac voltage in the power-frequency range from 45 to 65 Hz.

1.2 This test method is used to determine the electrical discharge voltage of in-use electrical liquids. It is no longer applicable to new insulating liquids upon receipt, in which case Test Method D1816 shall be used.

1.3 Limitations of the Procedures: 

1.4 Procedure Applications 

1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.

1.6 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.

1.7 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.