ASTM F1959 offers a standard test method for measuring the ability for protective clothing materials’ to protect the wearer against the risks associated with electric arcs.
This test method helps determine the effectiveness of protecting clothing worn in work environments where electrical arc flashes may occur such as power plants, construction sites, or when working with electrical machinery and systems.
The ASTM F1959 standard
ASTM F1959 is a standard test method established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International. This test method is used to determine the arc rating of materials used for personal protective clothing, offering the wearer protection when exposed to an electric arc.
An arc rating refers to the amount of energy a material can withstand before it causes a second-degree burn or the material breaks open. The ASTM F1959 test is conducted by exposing the fabric to a controlled electric arc and measuring the resulting heat transfer. The arc rating is measured using calories per square centimetre (cal/cm²).
The amount of energy blocked by the fabric is reported as the Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) and the time taken until the material breaks open before the onset of a second-degree burn is reported as the Breakopen Threshold Energy (EBT). Before testing, the material is laundered three times and dried once in accordance with the AATCC Test Method 135 for dimensional changes.
Garments that meet ASTM F1506 and ASTM F1891 must include test results from ASTM F1959. The ASTMF1959 test method is also used to determine a pass or fail criteria for ASTM F1891.
