ASTM B258-02(2008)

Standard Specification for Standard Nominal Diameters and Cross-Sectional Areas of AWG Sizes of Solid Round Wires Used as Electrical Conductors

ABSTRACT
This specification prescribes the standard nominal diameters and cross-sectional areas of American Wire Gage (AWG) sizes of solid round wires, used as electrical conductors, and gives equations and rules for the calculation of standard nominal mass and lengths, resistances, and breaking or rated strengths of such wires. All wire dimensions and properties shall be considered as occurring at the internationally standardized reference temperature and all calculations shall be rounded in the final value only.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification prescribes standard nominal diameters and cross-sectional areas of American Wire Gage (AWG) sizes of solid round wires, used as electrical conductors, and gives equations and rules for the calculation of standard nominal mass and lengths, resistances, and breaking strengths of such wires (Explanatory Note 1).
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values of the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification. For conductor sizes designated by AWG or kcmil sizes, the requirements in SI units have been numerically converted from the corresponding values stated or derived, in inch-pound units. For conductor sizes designated by SI units only, the requirements are stated or derived in SI units.
1.2.1 For density, resistivity and temperature, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2008
• ICS: 29.060.10 - Wires
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.02 - Methods of Test and Sampling Procedure

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B258-02 - Standard Specification for Standard Nominal Diameters and Cross-Sectional Areas of AWG Sizes of Solid Round Wires Used as Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B973-10(2020)e1 - Standard Specification for Tin-Coated Braid and Ribbon Flat Copper Wire intended for use in Electronic Application
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B3-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B965-09(2018) - Standard Specification for High Performance Tin-Coated Annealed Copper Wire Intended for Electrical and Electronic Application for Solderability
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B501-10(2019) - Standard Specification for Silver-Coated, Copper-Clad Steel Wire for Electronic Application
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B520-12(2017) - Standard Specification for Tin-Coated, Copper-Clad Steel Wire for Electronic Application
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B355-11(2016) - Standard Specification for Nickel-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B971-10(2020)e1 - Standard Specification for Silver-Coated Braid and Ribbon Flat Copper Wire intended for use in Electronic Application
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B298-12(2017) - Standard Specification for Silver-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B452-22 - Standard Specification for Copper-Clad Steel Wire for Electronic Application
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F792-17e1 - Standard Practice for Evaluating the Imaging Performance of Security X-Ray Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B869-07(2018) - Standard Specification for Copper-Clad Steel Electrical Conductor for CATV Drop Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B1-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B566-04a(2021) - Standard Specification for Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B913-21 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Crimped Electrical Connections to 16-Gauge and Smaller Diameter Stranded and Solid Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:B258 −02(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Specification for
Standard Nominal Diameters and Cross-Sectional Areas of
AWG Sizes of Solid Round Wires Used as Electrical
1
Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B258; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope B2 Specification for Medium-Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
B3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
1.1 This specification prescribes standard nominal diam-
B9 Specification for Bronze Trolley Wire
eters and cross-sectional areas ofAmerican Wire Gage (AWG)
B33 Specification for Tin-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper
sizes of solid round wires, used as electrical conductors, and
Wire for Electrical Purposes
gives equations and rules for the calculation of standard
B47 Specification for Copper Trolley Wire
nominal mass and lengths, resistances, and breaking strengths
B105 Specification for Hard-Drawn CopperAlloy Wires for
of such wires (Explanatory Note 1).
Electric Conductors
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound or SI units are to be
B189 Specification for Lead-Coated and Lead-Alloy-Coated
regarded separately as standard. Each system shall be used
Soft Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
independently of the other. Combining values of the two
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.
Materials
For conductor sizes designated by AWG or kcmil sizes, the
B227 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper-Clad Steel Wire
requirements in SI units have been numerically converted from
B230/B230M Specification for Aluminum 1350–H19 Wire
thecorrespondingvaluesstatedorderived,ininch-poundunits.
for Electrical Purposes
For conductor sizes designated by SI units only, the require-
B314 Specification forAluminum 1350 Wire for Communi-
ments are stated or derived in SI units.
3
cation Cable (Withdrawn 1994)
1.2.1 For density, resistivity and temperature, the values
B396 Specification forAluminum-Alloy 5005-H19 Wire for
stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
3
Electrical Purposes (Withdrawn 2003)
B398/B398M Specification for Aluminum-Alloy 6201-T81
2. Referenced Documents
Wire for Electrical Purposes
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B415 Specification for Hard-Drawn Aluminum-Clad Steel
A111 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) “Iron”
Wire
Telephone and Telegraph Line Wire
B609/B609M Specification for Aluminum 1350 Round
A326 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) High Ten-
Wire, Annealed and Intermediate Tempers, for Electrical
sile Steel Telephone and Telegraph Line Wire (Withdrawn
Purposes
3
1990)
B800 Specification for 8000 Series Aluminum Alloy Wire
B1 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
for Electrical Purposes—Annealed and Intermediate Tem-
pers
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.02 on
Determine Conformance with Specifications
Methods of Test and Sampling Procedure.
F205 Test Method for Measuring Diameter of Fine Wire by
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2008. Published September 2008. Originally
Weighing
approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as B258 – 02. DOI:
10.1520/B0258-02R08.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3. Standard Reference Temperature
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3.1 Forthepurposeofthisspecification,allwiredimensions
the ASTM website.
3 and properties shall be considered as occurring at the interna-
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. tionally standardized reference temperature of 20°C (68°F).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B258−02 (2008)
TABLE 1 Standard Nominal Diameters and Cross-Sectional Areas of AWG Sizes of Solid Round Wires at 20°C
Size Diameter Cross-Sectional Area Size Diameter Cross-Sectional Area
2 2
AWG mils mm cmils mm AWG mils mm cmils mm
4/0 460.0 11.684 211 600 107.2 29 11.3 0.287 128 0.0647
3/0 409.6 10.404 167 800 85.0 30 10.0 0.254 100 0.0507
2/0 364.8 9.26 133 100 67.4 31 8.9 0.226 79.2 0.0401
1/0 324.9 8.25 105 600 53.5 32 8.0 0.203 64.0 0.0324
1 289.3 7.35 83 690 42.4 33 7.1 0.180 50.4 0.0255
2 257.6 6.54 66 36
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:B 258–02 Designation: B 258 – 02 (Reapproved 2008)
Standard Specification for
Standard Nominal Diameters and Cross-Sectional Areas of
AWG Sizes of Solid Round Wires Used as Electrical
1
Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 258; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification prescribes standard nominal diameters and cross-sectional areas ofAmerican Wire Gage (AWG) sizes of
solid round wires, used as electrical conductors, and gives equations and rules for the calculation of standard nominal mass and
lengths, resistances, and breaking strengths of such wires (Explanatory Note 1).
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Each system shall be used
independently of the other. Combining values of the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification. For
conductor sizes designated by AWG or kcmil sizes, the requirements in SI units have been numerically converted from the
corresponding values stated or derived, in inch-pound units. For conductor sizes designated by SI units only, the requirements are
stated or derived in SI units.
1.2.1 For density, resistivity and temperature, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 111 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) “Iron”Iron Telephone and Telegraph Line Wire
3
A 326 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) High Tensile Steel Telephone and Telegraph Line Wire
B 1 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
B 2 Specification for Medium-Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
B 3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
B 9 Specification for Bronze Trolley Wire
B 33 Specification for Tinned Soft or Annealed Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
B 47 Specification for Copper Trolley Wire
B 105 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Alloy Wires for ElectricalElectric Conductors
B 189 Specification for Lead-Coated and Lead-Alloy-Coated Soft Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
B 193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials
B 227 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper-Clad Steel Wire
4
B 230/B 230M Specification for Aluminum 1350-H19 Wire for Electrical Purposes Specification for Aluminum 1350H19
Wire for Electrical Purposes
3
B 314 Specification for Aluminum 1350 Wire for Communication Cable
3
B 396 Specification for Aluminum-Alloy 5005-H19 Wire for Electrical Purposes
B 398/B 398M Specification for Aluminum-Alloy 6201-T81 Wire for Electrical Purposes
B 415 Specification for Hard-Drawn Aluminum-Clad Steel Wire
B 609/B 609M Specification for Aluminum 1350 Round Wire, Annealed and Intermediate Tempers, for Electrical Purposes
B 800 Specification for 8000 Series Aluminum Alloy Wire for Electrical Purposes—Annealed and Intermediate Tempers
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.02 on Methods of
Test and Sampling Procedure.
Current edition approved April 10, 2002. Published June 2002. Originally published as B258–51T. Last previous edition B258–01.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2008. Published September 2008. Originally approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as B 258 – 02.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 01.06.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Discontinued, see 1990 Annual Book of ASTM Standards , Vol 01.06.
3
Withdrawn
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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B 258 – 02 (2008)
F 205 Test Method for Measuring Diameter of Fine Wire by Weighing
3. Standard Reference Temperature
3.1 For the purpose of this specification, all wire dimensions and properties shall be considered as occurring at the
internationally standardized reference temperature of 20°C (68°F).
4. Standard Rules for Rounding
4.1 A
...