IS 15652: Insulating mats for electrical purposes

2006·1.5 MB·English

by  Bureau of Indian Standards

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“The Right to Information, The Right to Live” “Step Out From the Old to the New”
IS 15652 (2006): Insulating mats for electrical purposes
[ETD 2: Solid Electrical Insulating Materials and
Insulation Systems]
“!ान $ एक न’ भारत का +नम-ण”
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
““IInnvveenntt aa NNeeww IInnddiiaa UUssiinngg KKnnoowwlleeddggee””
“!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता हहहहै””ै”
Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam
“Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen”

IS 15652:2006
(Superseding IS5424: 1969)

—
a?
Indian Standard
INSULATING MATS FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES —
SPECIFICATION
ICS 13.260;29.260.99

CJBIS 2006
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

April 2006 Price Group 5
Solid Electrical Insulating Materials and Insulation -SystemsSectional Committee, ETD 02
FOREWORD
This Indian Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by the Solid
Electrical Insulating Materials and Insulation Systems Sectional Committee had been approved -by the
Electrotechnical Division Council.
The objective of this standard isto take care of the technological advances and developing consumer need in
the field of insulating mats for electrical purposes. While incorporating the practices and experience of
Indian industry, the standard is on the lines of relevant IEC 61111-2002-06 ‘Matting of insulating materials
for electrical purposes’ and sampling plans have been adapted from therein. This standard supersedes
IS 5424: 1969 ‘Specification for rubber mats for electrical purposes’.
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final
value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance
with IS 2: 1960 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values (revised)’. The number of significant places retained
inthe rounded off value should be the same asthat ofthe specified value inthis standard.

I
IS 15652:2006
Indian Standard
INSULATING MATS FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES —
SPECIFICATION
3.3 Sampling Test — Atest pe~formed on anumber
1SCOPE
ofdevices taken atrandom from abatch.
1.1The standard isapplicable to insulating matsmade
3.4 Acceptance Test —Acontractual testtoprove to
of Elastomer (a generic term that includes rubbers,
the customer that the device meets certain conditions
latex and elastomeric compounds that may be natural
of itsspecification.
or synthetic or a mixture or a combination of both)
for use as floor covering forthe protection ofworkers 3.5 Proof Test Voltage — Aspecified voltage that is
on ac and dc installations with the system voltages applied toadevice forthetime defined under specified
upto 66 kV ac and 240 V dc. conditions to assure that the electrical strength of the
insulation isabove aspecified value.
1.2Itprescribes the requirements forthe performance
of the product, method of samplings, testing and 3.6 Flashover —An arcby-passing aninsulating body
acceptance. and occurring between electrodes and over or around,
but not through, the equipment being tested.
1.3While the human safety istheprime concern while
developing this standard, itisclear that final safety of 3.7 Nominal Voltage –-A suitableapproximate value
the worker is only obtained by considering alsowork ofvoltage used to identifi asystem.
methods, training of personnel and their safety issues
4 CLASSIFICATION AND DESIGNATICIN
which are not inthe scope of this Committee.
4.1 Four classes of mats, covered under this
1.3.1 The spread of the mat to be used for a certain
standard and differing in electrical characteristics for
work, the working methods, the caretobetaken ofthe
different use voltages are designated as given in
mat during use, periodic checks are some of the
Table 1.
elements which will have influence on the final
performance ofthe mat forthe intended objective and
shall be taken care of by the users. Hence, the Table 1Classes and Maximum Use Voltages
Annex A ‘In-service Recommendations’ is not the
maqdatory part of the standard and is informative in S1No. Class ac(rsns) dc
naturetogettheoptimum results fromthematprocured kV v

as-per the standard.
(1) (2) (3) (4)

2 REFERENCES
i) A 3.3 240
The standards listed in Annex B contain provisions ii) B 11 1)
which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions ofthis standard. Atthetime ofpublication, til) c 33 1)
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are
iv) D 66 1)
subject to revision andparties to agreements based on
this standard are encouraged to investigate the
NOTE—Themaximumusevoltageisthevoltageratingof
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the
protectiveequipmentthatdesignatesthemaximumnominat
standards listed in Annex B. voltageoftheenergizedsystemthatmaybesafelyworked.On
multiphasecircuits,thenominalvoltageisequaltophase-to-
3“TERMINOLOGY phasevoltage.
For the purpose of this standard, the foHowing 1)Notstmd~dized.HoweveringeneralitissafetoUseupto
definitions shall apply. 1.4time~thecorrespondingacvoltageuses.
3.1 Type Test — Atest onone ormore devices made
4.2 Mats of all classes shall be resistant to acid and
toacertain design toshowthatthedesignmeetscertain
oil and”lowtemperature and.shall be identified by the
specifications.
respective class symbol. However a category with
3.2 Routine Test — Atest towhich individual device special property of resistance to extreme low
is subjected during or after manufacture to ascertain temperature will be identified by asubscript ‘c’to the
whether it compIies with certain criteria. respective class symbol.

1
—-—-. —....
IS 15652:2006
5 COMPOSITION 6.4 Colour
5.1 The insulating mats shall be made from the Colour shall be as agreed to between the purchaser
material —Elastomer, ftee from anyinsertions leading and the supplier. However no colour with metallic
to deterioration of insulating properties. derivatives shall be used.
5.2 Upper surface of the insulating mats shall have 7 WORKMANSHIP AND FINISH
smallaberration (rough surfacewithout edges).toavoid
7.1 Mats shall be free on both surfaces from
slippery effects while the lower surface shall beplane
harmfhl physical irregularities that canbe detected by
or could be finished slip resistant without affecting
thorough test and inspection.
adverseIy the dielectric property of the mat.
Harmful physical irregularities shall be defined as
6 REQUIREMENTS
any feature that disrupts the uniform, smooth
surface contour, such as pinholes, cracks, blisters,
6.1 Shape
cuts, conductive embedded foreign matter, creases,
Insulating mats may be either of specific shape or in pinch marks, voids (entrapped air), prominent
rolls to be cut for individual requirements. ripples.
6.2 Dimensions — Length and Width 8 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
8.1 Tensile Strength and Elongation at Break
Rolls of mat in multiple lengths of 5000 mm and in
width of 1000 mm are preferred inorder tominimize
The minimum tensile strength and elongation of
the joints. However, the insulating mats of specific
mats of all classes at break, measured, as described
shapes in lengths of 1000, 2000, 3 000 mm and in
in C-2xhall be as given in Table 3.
width to be agreed to between the purchaser and the
supplier could be ordered.
Table 3 Mechanical Properties of Mats for
The dimensions shall be verified with the mat in Different Ambient Temperature Use
flattened condition.
S1No. Ambient Tensile Elongation.
6.2.1 Tolerances
Temperature Strength
On length and width shall be attended to the extent Range
of+ 15mm on size up to 600 mm and + 20 mm for T N/mm2 Percent
higher. (1) (2) (3) (4)
6.3 Thickness i) -lo to 55 15 250
Unless otherwise specified, the thickness of the mats ii) – 40 to27 12 350

of the different classes, when me a sured as described
in C-1, shall be as given in Table 2.
8.2 Di-electric Properties
Table 2 Thickness of Mats for Different 8.2.1 Insulation Resistance with Water
Classes
Minimum insulation resistance for all classes of
mats with tap water (that is, wet condition) will be
S1No. ClassofMat Thickness Tolerance
100000 MQ, when measured with 5000 V Megger
mm Percent
or 1000000 M Q with 500 V Megger, as described
(1) (2) (3) (4) in C-3.1.
i) A 2,00 *10
8.2.2 Leakage Current
ii) B 2.50 i 10
To meet the requirements of 3.2, 3.3 and 4.2 of
iii) c 3.00 * 10 IS 8437 (Part 1),the maximum value of the leakage
current for all classes of mats when measured as
iv) D 3.50 * 10
described in C-3.2 shall not be more than 10vA.
NOTE—Wherever,higherclearanceisavailableintiontand 8.2.3 ac Di-electric Strength
rear portion of the electrical installation, mats with higher
thicknessandpassingthetestsdefinedinthisstandardcanbe Minimum di-electric strength ofthe mats for different
usedonagreementbetweenthesupplierandthepurchaser. classes,measured asdescribed inC-3.3 and5.1.1,7.2.1
and 8 of IS 2584 shall be asgiven in Table 4,
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IS 15652:2006
Table 4 Di-electric Strength of Mats for at a temperature of –10 + 3°C as described
Different Classes in C-5.2. These shall also pass ac proof voltage test
(Clause 8.2.3) asper 8.2.4.
S1No. Class Di-eleetric 8.5 Acid/Alkalis and Oil Resistance
Strength
Following the conditioning in acids/alkalis and oil
ac(rms)
as described in C-6, the ~esulting mechanical
kV
deterioration and chemical damage onthe mats of all
(1) (2) (3)
classes shall be determined by measuring tensile
O A 30 strength andelongation. The values obtained for these
shall not be lessthan 80percent of the corresponding
ii) B 45
values obtained in tests carried out on samples from
iii) c 65 same batch without conditioning.
iv) D 110 8.6 Extreme Low Temperature
8.2.4 ac Proof Voltage Mats of all classes for usage in extreme low ambient
conditions will not show any visible tear, break or
Mats of different classes will withstand proof crack when folded under force of 100 N for 30 s
voltage as given in Table 5, when using electrodes after conditioning in a chamber for 24 h * 0.5 h at
and applying the voltage as described in C-3.4. a temperature of – 40 =t3°C as described in C-7.
The test is deemed successful, if the specified These shall in addition pass the proof voltage test as
test voltage is reached and maintained for 3 min per 8.2.4.
for the type and sampling test and 1 mirs for the
routine test without becoming appreciably warm at 9 MARKING
any spot.
9.1 Every roll/flat will be marked with following:
Table 5 ac-Proof Voltages of Mats for a) Class,
Different Classes
b) Lot No.,
S1No. Class ProofVoltage Roll.No.,and
C)
ac(rms)
kV d) Manufacturer’s identity.
(1) (2) (3) 9.2 BIS Certification Marking
O A 10 The product may also be marked with the Standard

ii) B 22 Mark.
9.2.1 The use of the Standard Mark is governed
iii) c 36
by the provisicmsof the Bureau of Indian Standar&
iv) D 70 Act, 1986 and the Rules and Regulations made
thereunder. The details of conditions under which
the licence for the use of Standard Mark may be.
8.3 Agein’gProperties
granted to manufacturers or producers may be
Tensile strength and elongation at break, when obtained from the Bureau of Indian standards.
measured after subjecting the mat to ageing for 168h
10PACKING
at 70 + 1°Cas described in C-4 shall not be lessthan
75 percent .of the corresponding values obtained for The mats shall be packed either in rolls or flats and
unaged test pieces from the same lot. shall not be distorted mechanically. In case of rolls
material should berolled smoothly onhollow mandrel
8.4 Thermal Properties
made of either hard cardboard or waste plastic, of
8.4.1 Flame Retardance diameter50mmorhigher. Thematerial shallbewound
tightly andtheedgesoftop most layer should not shift
Fire should extinguish within 5s afterremoval ofblue
from the edge of 1st bottom layer by more than
flame, when tested as described in C-5.1.
75 mm. The roll should be clamped at 2 places with
the help of plastic unidirectional tape and clamps.
8.4.2 Low Temperature Resistance
Gunny/jute material should beused, ifmaterial has to
Mats of all classes will not show any visible break be transported over long distances or has to be
or crack when folded after placing for one hou r dispatched through local transportation to avoid any
1
J
IS 15652:2006
kind ofdamage to the material. Over the gunny/jute 11.1.4 Test methods are described in Annex C.
material, proper plastic bag having lining of suitable
11.2 Acceptance Testing/Conformity to Standard
fabrics should be used.
11 TESTS ON MATS 11.2.1 In order to assure the delivery of the mats
that meet this standard, the manufacturer shall
11.1 General
employ an approved quality assurance plan.
11.1.1 Unless otherwise specified, the mat shall be This quality assurance plan shall ascertain that the
pre-conditioned for a period of 2 * 0.5 h at a mats meet the requirement contained in the standard.
temperature of 27 + 2 ‘C and relative humidity of Acceptance testing consisting of routine tests, to
50 * 5 percent. be carried out on each unit andlor on sampling of “
units (sampling tests) and the sampling size must
11.1.2 The classif~ation of tests-type, routine and
be agreed to between the supplier and the
sam.pling to be carried out for different requirements/
purchaser.
properties of the mats, the number of mats required
for type testsand the allotment of the mats in various
11.2.2 Intheabsenceofanaccepted quality assurance
testing lots are given in Aunex D and Annex E.
plan, for the purpose of ascertaining the conformity
11.1.3 In case of mats in rolls, the minimum size of ofmatstothis standard, the acceptance tests arethose
each unit shall be 1 m x 1m. For rollslsheets with (both routine and sampling) specified in the standard
width of lessthan”1m, themanufacturer shallprovide andmustbecarried outasper-sampling plans given in
test pieces of 1m x 1m. Annex E.
ANNEX A
(Clause 1.3. 1)
A-1 IN-SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS joints and comers. Wherever the floor is
porous in nature and attracts moisture,
The following is for guidance only for the use,
waterproofing compound isrecommended
maintenance, inspection and retest of insulating mat
to be used to protect insulating and
during service after -purchase to ensure highest level
electrical properties.
of safety:
2) Alternatively buttjoints may bewelded by
a) Storage — Matsshouldbestoredinitscontainer
thermo-fusion method by making a“V’
orpackage. Care should betaken to ensure that
groove cut atthejoint asper IS 8002.
the mats are not compressed, folded or stored

in proximity to steam pip es, radiators or other
3) Matsshouldbewashedwithsoapandwater

sources of artificial heat or exposed to direct
periodically at temperature not exceeding
sunlight, artificial light or other sources of
recommended temperature of use. Contact
ozone. It is desirable that the ambient
with petrol/paraffin or white spirit and
temperature isbetween 10and 21°C.
strong acidlalkalis should be avoided.
b) Examination Before Use — Before use, each Incase of any drop out these be removed
mat should be visually inspected: both top and immediately for longer life. Dust of any
bottom surfaces alongwithtypetestreport from kind, especially coal/cement must be
accredited lab. If, the mat isapparently unsafe, removed regularly. Any paint mark should
it shall not be used and should be returned for beremoved immediately without excessive
testing. use of thinner.
c) Recommendations for Use of Mats — d) Recommended Areas of Use — All kinds of
electric sub-stations, transformers rooms, lift
1) For obtaining maximum practical safety in
machine rooms, switchrooms, electrical panels,
adverse working conditions, thematshould
acplantrooms,X-ray plantrooms, LT/HT Labs,
be permanently pasted with the help of
around bus bars, generator rooms, etc.
suitable adhesivelresin, which does not
energize between –40 and +55°C. All e) Periodic Inspections — Mats as per this
joints and comers shall be filled/covered standard will normally have a life span of
wit,hinsulating materialofmatching colour. around 10-15 years under normal indoor
Matching colour and matching designed working conditions, unless it is damaged
tapes should be used to maintain an visually under abnormal use. Thus an only

aesthetic look of the installation over the yearly visual inspection is recommended.
4
-IS 1“5652:2006
ANNEX B
(Clause 2)
LIST OF REFERRED INDIAN STANDARDS
IS No. Title IS No. Title
Part 1 General aspects (first
2076:1981 Specification for unsupported
flexible polyvinyl chloride revision)
sheeting (first revision)
3400 (Part 1): Methods of test for vulcanized
2500 (Part 1) : Sampling procedure for 1987 rubbers: Part 1 Tensile stress-
2000 inspection by attributes: strain properties (second
Part 1 Sampling schemes revision)
indexed by acceptance quality
limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot 8002:1976 Recommended procedure for
inspection welding of flexible PVC
2584:1963 Method of test for electric 10810 (Part 7): Methods of test for -cable-s:
strength of solid insulating 1984 Part 7 Tensile strength and
materials at power frequencies elongation at break of
8437 (Part 1): Guide on effects of current thermoplastic and elastomeric
1993 passing through human body: insulation and sheath
ANNEX C
(Clauses 6.3,8.1,8.2.1,8.2.2, 8.2.3,8.2.4,8.3,8.4.1, 8.4.2,8.6 and 11.1.4)
TEST METHODS
C-1 THICKNESS C-2.1 Calculation
Thickness shall be measured with help of vernier For individual specimen
caliper/screw gauge or alternative instrument, giving
substantially same results. Thickness measurements A=Wxt
shall be made at five or more points approximately
uniformly distributed over the total area of the mat. where
The instrument should be graduated within 0.02 mm w= width of the test piece within gauge length, in

and during measurement suffici ent support shall be mm; and
given to mat so that it will present an unstressed flat
surface between the t-wo faces of the measuring t= thickness of test piece, in mm.
instrument.
NOTE — Incaseoftaper cutting wofboth side should be
C-2 TENSILE STRENGTH AND ELONGATION measuredandaverageofitshouldbetakenasw.
AT BREAK
c-2.2 Tensile Strength (N/mm2)
Four dumb-bell test pieces shall be prepared in
accordance with IS 10810 (Part 7). Before the tensile = FIA
test, the gauge length of 10mm shall be marked by
the two lines centrally on each specimen. The rate of C-2.3 Elongation at Break (in Percent)
separation ofjaws (grips) shall be 250 + 50mm/min.
The tensile strength and elongation at break shall be =JG2- G,]/G,x 100
determined simultaneously on the same test pieces.
where
During the test the distance%etweenthe marker lines
shall be closely followed and the elongation shall be
GI= original gauge length, in mm; and
determined bymeasuring thydistancebetweenthetwo
marker lines at the instant of the break that is the Gz= separation of gauge marks at break, in mm.
separation of the gauge marks atbreak. This distance
At least five test pieces shall be taken, result shall
isusedtocalculate thepercentage elongation atbreak,
based onthe original gauge length. The breaking load be processed as per .1S2076 or IS 3400 (Part 1)
atwhich the testpiece breaks isalsorecorded for each or other relevant Indian Standard depending upon
piece. the chemical nature of the material of the mat.
5