Rubber Sleeves
shoulders from contact with exposed energized conductors. They fit over the arms and complement
the rubber gloves to provide complete protection for the arms and hands. They are
especially useful when work must be performed in a cramped environment.
Construction and Standards. The ASTM publishes three standards which affect the construction
and use of rubber sleeves.
1. Standard D 1051 specifies manufacturing and technical requirements for rubber sleeves.
2. Standard F 496 specifies in-service care requirements.
3. Standard F 1236 is a guide for the visual inspection of blankets, gloves, sleeves, and
other such rubber insulating equipment.
Insulating sleeves are available in five basic voltage classes (0 to 4), two basic types (I
and II), and two styles (A and B). Table 2.8 identifies each class, its maximum use voltage,
and the ac rms and dc voltages that are used to proof-test them.
Type I sleeves are made of properly vulcanized, cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber compound
which is not ozone-resistant. Type II sleeves are made of ozone-resistant elastomers.
Style A sleeves are made in a straight, tapered fashion (Fig. 2.19). Type B sleeves are of
a curved elbow construction (Fig. 2.18).
Rubber sleeves are manufactured with no seams. They have a smooth finish and selfreinforced
edges. Sleeves are manufactured with holes used to strap or harness them onto
the worker. The holes are nominally in (8 mm) in diameter and have nonmetallic, reinforced
edges.
Rubber sleeves must be marked clearly and permanently with the name of the manufacturer
or supplier, ASTM D 1051, type, class, size, and which arm they are to be used
on (right or left). Such marking shall be confined to the shoulder flap area and shall be
nonconducting and applied in such a manner as to not impair the required properties of
the sleeve.
