ASTM D3554-07

Standard Specification for Track-Resistant Black Thermoplastic High-Density Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and Cable, 75 °C Operation

ABSTRACT
This specification covers track-resistant black thermoplastic high-density polyethylene insulation for conducting wires and cables operating continuously at a specified conductor temperature. The insulation is suitable for use for power transmission in overhead spaced-line service that is exposed to sunlight and other atmospheric environments. The prescribed tests cannot be performed unless the insulation is formed around a conductor, but these are done solely to determine the insulation properties and not to test the conductor or completed cable. Each test sample should be subjected to an ac or dc voltage withstand test at voltages that are based on the nominal thickness of the insulation and should comply with the required values for aging, heat distortion, cold blend, U-bend discharge, track resistance, tensile strength, elongation at rupture, environmental cracking, and surface resistivity.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers track-resistant black thermoplastic high-density polyethylene insulation. Before application to the conductor, the insulation shall comply with the requirements of Specification D 1248, Type III, Class C, Category 5, Grade E10, J4, or J5. The requirements of Specification D 1248 shall not apply to the insulation removed from the conductor.
1.2 This type of insulation is considered suitable for use on wire or cable that will be used for continuous operation at conductor temperatures up to 75 °C.
1.3 This insulation is suitable for use on wire or in cable used for power transmission in overhead spaced-line service, installed at temperatures above 25 C and exposed to sunlight and other atmospheric environments between 55 and +75 C.
1.4 In many instances, the insulation cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor. Therefore, tests done on insulated wire in this standard are solely to determine the relevant property of the insulation and not to test the conductor or completed cable.
1.5 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in parentheses are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2007
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3554-01 - Standard Specification for Track-Resistant Black Thermoplastic High-Density Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and Cable, 75^oC Operation
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Replaced By: ASTM D3554-07(2013) - Standard Specification for Track-Resistant Black Thermoplastic High-Density Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and Cable, 75 °C Operation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2013

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:D3554 −07 AnAmerican National Standard
Standard Specification for
Track-Resistant Black Thermoplastic High-Density
Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and Cable, 75 °C
1
Operation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3554; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D1928Practice for Preparation of Compression-Molded
1.1 This specification covers track-resistant black thermo-
PolyethyleneTest Sheets andTest Specimens (Withdrawn
plastic high-density polyethylene insulation. Before applica-
3
2001)
tion to the conductor, the insulation shall comply with the
D2132Test Method for Dust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion
requirements of Specification D1248, Type III, Class C,
Resistance of Electrical Insulating Materials
Category 5, Grade E10, J4, or J5. The requirements of
D2633Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and
Specification D1248 shall not apply to the insulation removed
Jackets for Wire and Cable
from the conductor.
1.2 This type of insulation is considered suitable for use on
3. Terminology
wire or cable that will be used for continuous operation at
3.1 Definitions:
conductor temperatures up to 75 °C.
3.1.1 Fordefinitionsoftermsusedinthisspecification,refer
1.3 This insulation is suitable for use on wire or in cable
to Terminology D1711.
used for power transmission in overhead spaced-line service,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
installedattemperaturesabove−25°Candexposedtosunlight
3.2.1 aging, (act of), n—exposure of materials to air at a
and other atmospheric environments between −55 and +75 °C.
temperature of 100 °C for 48 h.
1.4 Inmanyinstances,theinsulationcannotbetestedunless
ithasbeenformedaroundaconductor.Therefore,testsdoneon 4. Physical Properties
insulated wire in this standard are solely to determine the
4.1 When tested for physical and aging requirements, heat
relevantpropertyoftheinsulationandnottotesttheconductor
distortion, cold bend, U-bend discharge, and surface resistivity
or completed cable.
inaccordancewithTestMethodsD2633,environmentalcrack-
1.5 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different ing in accordance with Test Method D1693, and track resis-
units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in tance in accordance with Test Method D2132, the track-
parentheses are for information only. resistant black thermoplastic high-density polyethylene
insulation shall meet the requirements specified in Table 1.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Electrical Requirements
D1248Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion
5.1 Subject cable specimens to a 5 min ac or dc voltage
Materials for Wire and Cable
withstand test at voltages which are based on the nominal
D1693Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of
thickness of the insulation. Conduct tests in accordance with
Ethylene Plastics
Test Methods D2633 using 125 V/mil (5 kV/mm) for ac tests
or 375 V/mil (15 kv/mm) for dc tests.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
6. Sampling
SubcommitteeD09.18onSolidInsulations,Non-MetallicShieldingsandCoverings
for Electrical and Telecommunication Wires and Cables.
6.1 Sample the insulation in accordance with Test Methods
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2007. Published October 2007. Originally
D2633 and Test Method D1693.
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D3554–01. DOI:
10.1520/D3554-07.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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D3554−07
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements for Track-Resistant Black Thermoplastic High-Density Polyethylene Insulation
Physical requirements (unaged):
Tensile strength, min, psi (MPa) 2500 (17.2)
Elongation at rupture, min, % 300
Physical requirements [after aging in an air oven at 100±1°Cfor 48 h]:
Tensile strength, min, % of unaged value 75
Elongation at rupture, min, % of unaged value 75
Heat distortion at 90± 1 °C, max, % of unaged thickness:
2
4/0 AWG (107 mm
...