ASTM D6871-03 - 10.7.2003
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers a high fire point natural vegetable oil ester insulating fluid for use as a dielectric and cooling medium in new and existing power and distribution electrical apparatus such as transformers and attendant equipment.

1.2 Natural vegetable oil ester insulating fluid differs from conventional mineral oil and other high fire point (or "less-flammable") fluids in that it is an agricultural product derived from vegetable oils rather than refined from petroleum base stocks or synthesized from organic precursors.

1.3 This specification is intended to define a natural vegetable oil ester electrical insulating fluid that is compatible with typical materials of construction of existing apparatus and will satisfactorily maintain its functional characteristic in this application. The material described in this specification may not be miscible with some synthetic electrical insulating liquids. The user should contact the manufacturer of the natural ester insulating fluid for guidance in this respect.

1.4 This specification applies only to new insulating fluid as received prior to any processing. The user should contact the manufacturer of the equipment or fluid if questions of recommended characteristics or maintenance procedures arise.

1.5 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 requirements prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D1533-20

Standard Test Method for Water in Insulating Liquids by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration

D3300-20

Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of Insulating Liquids Under Impulse Conditions

D877-02

Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of Insulating Liquids Using Disk Electrodes

D923-15(2023)

Standard Practices for Sampling Electrical Insulating Liquids

D1816-12(2019)

Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of Insulating Liquids Using VDE Electrodes

D1903-08(2026)

Standard Practice for Determining the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Electrical Insulating Liquids of Petroleum Origin, and Askarels

D924-23

Standard Test Method for Dissipation Factor (or Power Factor) and Relative Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Electrical Insulating Liquids

D974-22

Standard Test Method for Acid and Base Number by Color-Indicator Titration

D1275-24

Standard Test Method for Corrosive Sulfur in Electrical Insulating Liquids

D1298-24

Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method

D1500-24

Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)

D4059-00(2018)

Standard Test Method for Analysis of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Insulating Liquids by Gas Chromatography

National Electrical Code

Article 450-23 National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, National Fire Protection Association Inc.

D445-26

Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)

D2717-95(2000)

Standard Test Method for Thermal Conductivity of Liquids

D2766-95(2000)

Standard Test Method for Specific Heat of Liquids and Solids

D2864-21a

Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases (Includes all amendments and changes 12/14/2021).

D117-22

Standard Guide for Sampling, Test Methods, and Specifications for Electrical Insulating Liquids

D97-17b(2022)

Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products (Includes all amendments and changes 11/29/2022).

D92-24

Standard Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester

D88-07

Standard Test Method for Saybolt Viscosity

D2300-08(2026)

Standard Test Method for Gassing of Electrical Insulating Liquids Under Electrical Stress and Ionization (Modified Pirelli Method)

D1524-15(2022)

Standard Test Method for Visual Examination of Used Electrical Insulating Liquids in the Field