scope:

This standard is applicable to celebratory balloons that are comparable in size and shape to what are commonly referred to as foil balloons and are available in retail stores and filled with helium or a lighter-than-air gas. This test procedure evaluates the dielectric performance of celebratory balloons in contact with simulated energized overhead distribution power lines with the intent of minimizing balloon-caused power system outages (or electrical faults). The scope is limited to distribution system voltages of 38 kV or less and only single balloons. The effects of having any moisture, contaminants, or string or ribbon attachments to the balloon(s) are not investigated under this procedure.

Purpose

This standard specifies the test conditions under which a celebratory balloon should be tested in order to determine whether the balloon design is likely to cause a fault when the balloon comes in contact with overhead electric distribution power lines. The common "foil" or "celebratory" balloon is widely available in retail stores and may have a thin layer of metal in the balloon material. Celebratory foil balloons are usually inflated with helium or a lighter-than-air gas, which causes them to rise, and they may drift into overhead power lines. When these celebratory balloons come into contact with energized distribution power lines, a system fault can occur, either from a short across the metal layer or from ionization of the lighter-than-air gas inside the balloon. New celebratory balloon designs have been created that have noncontinuous metalized designs or are without any metallization or have a different blend of gas. This standard provides the means to evaluate the effectiveness of these new balloons toward not causing distribution system outages.