“Electrical Insulating Materials: International Issues”edited by Marcelo M. Hirschler

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The book "Electrical Insulating Materials: International Issues," edited by Marcelo M. Hirschler (an ASTM Special Technical Publication, STP 1376), is a collection of peer-reviewed papers that address the critical challenges, properties and global standards surrounding electrical insulation.

It focuses on the issues and developments in solid, liquid, and gaseous dielectric materials used across the electrical and electronic industries, particularly in high-voltage equipment like transformers and cables.

Core Content Areas

The publication is structured around four major themes, reflecting the papers presented at the originating symposium:

1. Standards and International Harmonization

This section highlights the fundamental role of standardization bodies in the electrical insulation industry, which is crucial for international trade and product safety.

• ASTM Committees: Historical context and current activities of key ASTM committees, specifically D09 (Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials) and D27 (Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases).

• International Standards: Discussions on the work of international bodies like the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), particularly IEC TC 89 (Fire Hazard Testing), and the importance of harmonizing U.S. standards with international requirements.

• Trade: Analyzing the impact of electrical standards harmonization on international trade and the removal of trade barriers.

2. Properties of Electrical Insulating Fluids (Liquids and Gases)

This covers the performance, maintenance, and specification of liquid and gaseous dielectrics, which are vital for cooling and insulation in equipment like transformers.

• New Materials: Focus on the development of environmentally friendly options, such as fully biodegradable dielectric fluids derived from agricultural products.

• Diagnostic Testing: Advanced analytical techniques for testing insulating oils, including methods for:

  • Measuring moisture content (e.g., Karl Fischer method).

  • Diagnosing faults in high-voltage transformers (e.g., through gas analysis and stability tests).

• Case Histories: Practical studies, such as criteria for recommending the removal of transformers from service based on operational conditions and material degradation.

3. Fire Properties and Safety Issues

Given that many solid insulating materials are polymers (plastics), this section emphasizes fire safety and the materials' response to fire conditions.

• Fire Testing: A review of fire tests for electrical materials and products used in the U.S. and internationally. (The editor, Marcelo M. Hirschler, is a notable expert in fire properties of materials).

• Flame Retardancy: Studies on the fire performance and flame retardancy of various polymeric insulating materials, such as nylon and PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate).

• Cable Design: Research into developing low fire hazard, thin-wall insulated wires and ways to decrease the mass and volume of electrical cabling systems while maintaining safety.

4. Electrical Issues and Long-Term Performance

This final area covers the fundamental electrical behavior and the long-term reliability of insulating systems.

• Partial Discharge (PD): Advances in standardized testing procedures for partial discharge measurement and methods for recognizing disruptive discharge in insulation systems.

• Aging and Endurance: Studies on the accelerated aging and long-term endurance of organic electrical insulating materials, often using thermal analysis techniques (like Differential Scanning Calorimetry, DSC) to determine oxidation stability and service life.

• New Technologies: General overview of active research on materials testing (physical stability, biodegradability) and new materials and products for electrical cables and related components.

In essence, the book is a critical resource on the specifications, testing, performance, and international regulatory landscape of the materials that form the backbone of electrical apparatus safety and reliability.

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"Electrical Insulating Materials: International Issues"edited by Marcelo M. Hirschler