ASTM D2656-20

Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and<brk/> Cable Rated 2001 to 35 000 V

ABSTRACT
This specification covers a crosslinked polyethylene insulation for electrical wires and cables for conductor sizes 8 AWG (8.37 mm2) and larger. The base polymer of this insulation consists substantially of polyethylene. The partial discharge, ac voltage, insulation resistance, and dc voltage shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed. The accelerated water absorption, permittivity and dissipation factor, U-bend discharge, and surface resistivity shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed. The heat distortion, and percent hot creep and percent hot set shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a crosslinked polyethylene insulation for electrical wires and cables for conductor sizes 8 AWG (8.37 mm2) and larger. The base polymer of this insulation consists substantially of polyethylene.  
1.2 This type of insulation is suitable for use on power cables in wet and dry locations at conductor temperatures not exceeding 90 °C for continuous operation, 130 °C for emergency overload conditions, and 250 °C for short-circuit conditions. It is considered suitable for all sizes and voltage classifications of single- and multiple-conductor power cables at voltage ratings of 2001 to 35 000 V phase-to-phase at the 100 % insulation level and at voltage ratings of 2001 to 25 000 V at the 133 % insulation level as listed in Table 1C of Test Methods D470.  
1.3 Materials covered by this specification are not sunlight- and weather-resistant unless they are carbon black pigmented or contain an additive system designed for this protection.  
1.4 In many instances the insulation cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor. Therefore, tests are done on insulated wire in this standard 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 stated, in different units, the values in the first set are regarded as standard, while the values in parentheses are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.07 - Electrical Insulating Materials

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:D2656 −20
Standard Specification for
Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and
1
Cable Rated 2001 to 35 000 V
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2656; 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.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers a crosslinked polyethylene
D470 Test Methods for Crosslinked Insulations and Jackets
insulation for electrical wires and cables for conductor sizes
2
for Wire and Cable
8 AWG (8.37 mm ) and larger. The base polymer of this
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion
insulation consists substantially of polyethylene.
Materials for Wire and Cable
1.2 This type of insulation is suitable for use on power
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
cables in wet and dry locations at conductor temperatures not
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and
exceeding 90 °C for continuous operation, 130 °C for emer-
Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
gency overload conditions, and 250 °C for short-circuit con-
3
2.2 ICEA Standard:
ditions. It is considered suitable for all sizes and voltage
ICEAT-28-562 Test Method for Measurement of Hot Creep
classifications of single- and multiple-conductor power cables
of Polymeric Insulation
at voltage ratings of 2001 to 35 000 V phase-to-phase at the
4
100 % insulation level and at voltage ratings of 2001 to 2.3 UL Standard:
25 000 V at the 133 % insulation level as listed in Table 1C of UL 2556 Wire and Cable Test Methods
Test Methods D470.
3. Terminology
1.3 Materials covered by this specification are not sunlight-
3.1 Definitions:
and weather-resistant unless they are carbon black pigmented
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this specification refer
or contain an additive system designed for this protection.
to Terminology D1711.
1.4 In many instances the insulation cannot be tested unless
it has been formed around a conductor. Therefore, tests are
4. Physical Properties
done on insulated wire in this standard solely to determine the
4.1 The requirements for the insulation are listed in Table 1.
relevant property of the insulation and not to test the conductor
or completed cable.
5. Electrical Requirements
1.5 Whenever two sets of values are stated, in different
5.1 Order of Testing—Perform the partial-discharge, ac
units, the values in the first set are regarded as standard, while
voltage, insulation resistance, and dc voltage tests in that order
thevaluesinparenthesesareprovidedforinformationonlyand
when any of these tests are specified. The sequence for other
are not considered standard.
testing is not specified.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.2 Partial Discharge (Corona) Extinction Voltage—Each
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
length of completed power cable with shielded conductors
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
shall comply with the minimum level specified in Table 2.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Conduct the tests in accordance with Test Methods D470.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of the ASTM website.
3
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials. Available from The Insulated Cable Engineers Association, Inc. (ICEA), P.O.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2020. Originally Box 1568, Carrollton, GA 30112, http://www.icea.net.
4
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D2656 – 13. DOI: Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), 2600 N.W. Lake Rd., Camas,
10.1520/D2656-20. WA 98607-8542, http://www.ul.com.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D2656−20
TABLE 1 Physical Properties for Crosslinked
required for the primary insulation based on the nominal
Polyethyle
...

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: D2656 − 13 D2656 − 20
Standard Specification for
Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and
1
Cable Rated 2001 to 35 000 V
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2656; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers a crosslinked polyethylene insulation for electrical wires and cables for conductor sizes 8 AWG
2
8 AWG (8.37 mm ) and larger. The base polymer of this insulation consists substantially of polyethylene.
1.2 This type of insulation is suitable for use on power cables in wet and dry locations at conductor temperatures not exceeding
90 °C for continuous operation, 130 °C for emergency overload conditions, and 250 °C for short-circuit conditions. It is considered
suitable for all sizes and voltage classifications of single- and multiple-conductor power cables at voltage ratings of 2001 to 35 000
V 35 000 V phase-to-phase at the 100 % insulation level and at voltage ratings of 2001 to 25 000 V 25 000 V at the 133 %
insulation level as listed in Table 1C of Test Methods D470.
1.3 Materials covered by this specification are not sunlight- and weather-resistant unless they are carbon black pigmented or
contain an additive system designed for this protection.
1.4 In many instances the insulation cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor. Therefore, tests are done on
insulated wire in this standard 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,stated, in different units, the values in the firstfirst set are the regarded as standard,
while those the values in parentheses are provided for information only.only and are not considered standard.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D470 Test Methods for Crosslinked Insulations and Jackets for Wire and Cable
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2013Oct. 1, 2020. Published November 2013October 2020. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 20062013
as D2656 – 06.D2656 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D2656-13.10.1520/D2656-20.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2656 − 20
3
2.2 ICEA Standard:
ICEA T-28-562 Test Method for Measurement of Hot Creep of Polymeric Insulation
4
2.3 UL Standard:
UL 2556 Wire and Cable Test Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this specification refer to Terminology D1711.
4. Physical Properties
4.1 The requirements for the insulation are listed in Table 1.
5. Electrical Requirements
5.1 Order of Testing—Perform the partial-discharge, ac voltage, insulation resistance, and dc voltage tests in that order when any
of these tests are specified. The sequence for other testing is not specified.
5.2 Partial Discharge (Corona) Extinction Voltage—Each length of completed power cable with shielded conductors shall comply
with the minimum level specified in Table 2. Conduct the tests in accordance with Test Methods D470.
5.3 AC Voltage Test—Subject the wires and cables to an ac test voltage for a period of 5 min. Unless othe
...