ASTM B258-96

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

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: 09-Apr-2002
• ICS: 29.060.10 - Wires
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.02 - Methods of Test and Sampling Procedure

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM B258-01 - Standard Specification for Standard Nominal Diameters and Cross-Sectional Areas of AWG Sizes of Solid Round Wires Used as Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn.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: B 258 – 96
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope B 398 Specification for Aluminum-Alloy 6201-T81 Wire
3
for Electrical Purposes
1.1 This specification prescribes standard nominal diam-
B 415 Specification for Hard-Drawn Aluminum-Clad Steel
eters and cross-sectional areas of American Wire Gage (AWG)
3
Wire
sizes of solid round wires, used as electrical conductors, and
B 609 Specification for Aluminum 1350 Round Wire, An-
gives equations and rules for the calculation of standard
3
nealed and Intermediate Tempers, for Electrical Purposes
nominal mass and lengths, resistances, and breaking strengths
B 800 Specification for 8000 Series Aluminum Alloy Wire
of such wires (Explanatory Note 1).
for Electrical Purposes—Annealed and Intermediate Tem-
1.2 The SI values for density are to be regarded as standard.
3
pers
For all other properties the inch-pound values are to be
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
regarded as standard and the SI units may be approximate.
4
Determine Conformance with Specifications
2. Referenced Documents
F 205 Test Method for Measuring Diameter of Fine Wire by
5
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Weighing
A 111 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) “Iron”
2
3. Standard Reference Temperature
Telephone and Telegraph Line Wire
A 326 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) High
3.1 For the purpose of this specification, all wire dimensions
2
Tensile Steel Telephone and Telegraph Line Wire and properties shall be considered as occurring at the interna-
3
B 1 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
tionally standardized reference temperature of 20°C (68°F).
3
B 2 Specification for Medium-Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
3
4. Standard Rules for Rounding
B 3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
3
B 9 Specification for Bronze Trolley Wire 4.1 All calculations for the standard nominal dimensions
B 33 Specification for Tinned Soft or Annealed Copper and properties of solid round wires shall be rounded in the final
3
Wire for Electrical Purposes value only, in accordance with rounding method of Practice
3
B 47 Specification for Copper Trolley Wire E 29.
B 105 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Alloy Wires
3 5. Standard Nominal Diameters
for Electrical Conductors
5.1 Standard nominal diameters of AWG sizes of solid
B 189 Specification for Lead-Coated and Lead-Alloy-
3
round wires shall be calculated in accordance with the conven-
Coated Soft Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
tional mathematical law of the American Wire Gage (see
B 227 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper-Clad Steel
3
Explanatory Note 1) and in accordance with Section 4.
Wire
5.2 For wire sizes 4/0 to 44 AWG, inclusive, nominal
B 230 Specification for Aluminum 1350-H19 Wire for Elec-
3
diameters shall be expressed in no more than four significant
trical Purposes
figures but in no case closer than the nearest 0.1 mil (0.0001
B 314 Specification for Aluminum 1350 Wire for Commu-
3
in.).
nication Cable
5.3 For wire sizes 45 to 56 AWG, inclusive, nominal
B 396 Specification for Aluminum-Alloy 5005-H19 Wire
3
diameters shall be expressed to the nearest 0.01 mil (0.00001
for Electrical Purposes
in.).
5.4 The standard nominal diameters expressed in mils have
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B-1 on
been calculated in accordance with these rules and are given in
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.02 on
Table 1 for convenient reference (Explanatory Note 2).
Methods of Test and Sampling Methods.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1996. Published November 1996. Originally
published as B 258 – 51 T. Last previous edition B 258 – 81 (1991).
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.06. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.03. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.04.
1

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B 258
TABLE 1 Standard Nominal Diameters and Cross-Sectional Areas of AWG Sizes of Solid Round Wires at 20°C
Cross-Sectional Area Cross-Sectional Area
Size, AWG Diameter, mils Size, AWG Diameter, mils
2 2
cmils in. cmils in.
4/0 460.0 211 600 0.1662 29 11.3 128 0.000100
3/0 409.6 167 800 0.1318 30 10.0 100 0.0000785
2/0 36
...