This test method describes the determination of the gas content of electrical insulating liquids with a viscosity of 216 cSt or less at 100°C. Any gas that is nonreactive with a strong caustic solution may be determined.

Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D27 on Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases and Subcommittee D27.03 on Physical Tests, this practice was withdrawn in May 2009 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

Electrical insulating liquids, in many applications, require low gas content. This is the case with capacitors and certain types of cable, for example. This test is used as a factory control test and as a control and functional test in installation and maintenance work by utilities. This test requires care in manipulation and trained, careful personnel.

FIG. 1 Semimicro Apparatus for Determination of Gas Content of Insulating Liquids

1.1 This test method describes the determination of the gas content of electrical insulating liquids with a viscosity of 216 cSt or less at 100°C. Any gas that is nonreactive with a strong caustic solution may be determined.

Note 1—The test method has a bias for samples containing gases other than oxygen and nitrogen in atmospheric ratios due to differential solubility effects. Gases which react with KOH such as carbon dioxide will not be measured. Unsaturated hydrocarbons such as acetylene, if present, will react with KOH to a small degree and will result in an underestimation of the total gas present.

1.2 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, in your state may be prohibited by state law.

1.3 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 limitations prior to use.