ASTM D150-22 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D150-22 — Standard Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation. This standard defines procedures, measurement conventions, and calculation methods for determining relative permittivity (dielectric constant), dissipation factor and related quantities for solid electrical insulating materials across a wide frequency range.

Abstract

Provides test methods and measurement guidance for permittivity-related properties of solid insulating materials, including dissipation factor (tan δ), loss index, power factor, phase and loss angles, and related conversions. The methods address a variety of electrode arrangements and measurement techniques for frequencies from under 1 Hz up to hundreds of megahertz. The document explains significance and use, instrumentation options, and calculation procedures for lumped-impedance measurements.

General information

• Status: Active.
• Publication date: September 1, 2022.
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: ICS 83.060 (rubber / insulating materials) and related electrical insulation categories.
• Edition / version: D150-22 (current revision, 2022).
• Number of pages: 20 pages.

Scope

These test methods cover determination of relative permittivity, dissipation factor, loss index, power factor, phase angle and loss angle of specimens of solid electrical insulating materials when measured as lumped impedances. The frequency range addressed extends from less than 1 Hz to several hundred megahertz; the standard provides guidance on electrodes, apparatus and measurement techniques but refers users to material-specific standards where applicable.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and relationships among permittivity (ε′), dissipation factor (tan δ), loss index (ε″), power factor and phase/loss angles.
• Recommended electrode configurations (contacting, non‑contacting, guarded) and discussion of fringing and stray capacitances.
• Measurement techniques for lumped-impedance arrangements and procedures to convert between series and parallel circuit representations.
• Frequency coverage and instrument considerations for low-frequency to radio‑frequency measurements (below 1 Hz to several hundred MHz).
• Notes on significance, practical use cases (insulation vs. capacitor dielectrics), and factors affecting results (temperature, humidity, field strength).

Typical use and users

Used by materials and electrical test laboratories, quality and R&D groups at insulating-material, cable, capacitor and electrical-component manufacturers, and by independent test houses and standards bodies to characterize dielectric properties and AC loss behavior for specification, comparison, acceptance testing and research.

Related standards

References and complements include other ASTM test methods cited in D150 (for example ASTM D374, D1531, D618 and related procedures) as well as international IEC documents addressing permittivity and dissipation-factor measurements (notably IEC 62631-2-1 and the historical IEC 60250 series). Users often consult those standards for alternate test conditions, additional specimen preparation rules, or different frequency/temperature ranges.

Keywords

permittivity; dielectric constant; dissipation factor; loss factor; loss index; power factor; phase angle; loss angle; AC loss; relative permittivity; guarded electrode; contacting electrode; non‑contacting electrode; fringing capacitance; dielectric testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D150-22 is an ASTM International standard that specifies test methods and measurement guidance for AC loss characteristics and permittivity (dielectric constant) of solid electrical insulating materials.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement and calculation of relative permittivity, dissipation factor (tan δ), loss index, power factor, phase and loss angles for solid insulating specimens using lumped-impedance methods, and it discusses electrode arrangements, apparatus and frequency considerations from under 1 Hz up to several hundred megahertz.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Test laboratories, manufacturers of insulating materials, cable and capacitor producers, R&D teams, and standards or certification bodies that need repeatable dielectric-property data for specification, quality control, and research.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: D150-22 is the current active revision published in 2022 (it supersedes the prior revision such as D150-18). Users should confirm the active status before relying on the procedure for compliance or procurement.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D150 is maintained by ASTM’s D09 committee (solid electrical insulating materials) and sits alongside other ASTM test methods and practice documents for electrical insulation testing; it is often used in conjunction with related ASTM and IEC standards covering specimen prep, thickness, resistivity and alternative permittivity/dissipation measurement methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: permittivity, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, loss index, power factor, phase angle, loss angle, AC loss, guarded electrode, fringing capacitance.