ASTM D 877

Standards ASTM D1816 IEC 60156

Procedure A Procedure B

Origin USA USA USA Europe

Shape
Electrodes

Gap size 2 mm or 1 mm* 2.54 mm 2.54 mm 2.5 mm

Impeller yes optional
Oil sample stirring Magnetic not stirred not stirred
no option optional
bead

20 - 30 ºC must 20 - 30 ºC must
At ambient - must record temperature record temperature 15 - 25 ºC
Laboratory test Liquid
record as collected and as collected and for referee tests
temperature when tested when tested

Ambient 20 - 30 ºC Must record Must record Within 5 ºC of oil sample

At ambient - must
Outside test Liquid Must record Must record 15 - 25 ºC
record
temperature
Ambient Referee tests 20 - 30 ºC Must record Must record Within 5 ºC of oil sample
Rise rate 0.5 kV/s 3 kV/s 3 kV/s 2 kV/s
Test voltage
Frequency 45 - 65 45 - 65 45 - 65 45 - 62
Definition <100 V <100 V <100 V 4 mA for 5 ms

Number in 1 - 5 different
5** 5* 6
sequence samples
Breakdowns
Time
between 1 to 1.5 min 1 min n/a 2 min
breakdown

Test voltage Normal (e.g.

Not specified Not specified Not specified <10 ms
switch off time mineral oil)
following break-
down Silicon oil Not specified Not specified Not specified <1 ms

Time between filling and start

3 - 5 min 2 - 3 min 2 - 3 min 2 min
of test

SABE EN 60156
BS EN 60156
VDE0370 part 5
CEI EN 60156
Equivalent standards (adopted AS1767.2.1
None None None IRAM 2341
into) PA SEV EN 60156
UNE EN 60156
NRS 079-1*
FN EN 6056
IS6729*

Can be used if
modified in accord-
Can be used provided discharge energy in OK if test instrument can comply with
Notes on testing silicon oil ance with D2225 if
sample <20 mj voltage switch off time requirements
procedure A cannot
be used

* If breakdown does
not occur at 2 mm,
reduce gap to 1 mm
** Tests must be
*Tests must be repeated if range of BD
repeated if range of Expected range of standard deviation/
voltages recorded are more than 92% of
Special conditions BD voltages recorded mean ratio as a function of the mean
mean. If range of 10 BD voltages is more
are more than 120% provided as a chart
than 151% investigate why
of mean with 1 mm
electrode gap and 92%
of mean with 2 mm
electrode gap

Used if any insoluble Used if any insoluble *With some stand/stir timing differences.
Test vessel requires
breakdown products breakdown products Test cell/vessel must be transparent.
cover or baffle to
Comments in oil completely do not settle Reconditioned/reclaimed oil to BS148
prevent air from
settle between between breakdown is tested to IEC60156 following update
contacting circulating oil
breakdown tests tests in 2009.