ASTM D3554-20e1

Standard Specification for Track-Resistant 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 thermoplastic high-density polyethylene insulation. Before application to the conductor, the insulation shall comply with the requirements of Specification D1248, Type III, Class C or D, Category 5, Grade E10, J4, or J5. The requirements of Specification D1248 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 to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions that 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: 31-Jul-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.
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Designation:D3554 −20
Standard Specification for
Track-Resistant Thermoplastic High-Density Polyethylene
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Insulation for Wire and Cable, 75 °C 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.
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ε NOTE—Editorially corrected Table 1 and 4.1 in October 2020.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers track-resistant thermoplastic
D1248Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion
high-density polyethylene insulation. Before application to the
Materials for Wire and Cable
conductor,theinsulationshallcomplywiththerequirementsof
D1693Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of
SpecificationD1248,TypeIII,ClassCorD,Category5,Grade
Ethylene Plastics
E10, J4, or J5. The requirements of Specification D1248 shall
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
not apply to the insulation removed from the conductor.
D1928Practice for Preparation of Compression-Molded
1.2 This type of insulation is considered suitable for use on
PolyethyleneTest Sheets andTest Specimens (Withdrawn
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wire or cable that will be used for continuous operation at 2001)
conductor temperatures up to 75 °C. D2132Test Method for Dust-and-Fog Tracking and Erosion
Resistance of Electrical Insulating Materials
1.3 This insulation is suitable for use on wire or in cable
D2633Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and
used for power transmission in overhead spaced-line service,
Jackets for Wire and Cable
installedattemperaturesabove−25°Candexposedtosunlight
3. Terminology
and other atmospheric environments between −55 and +75 °C.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4 Inmanyinstances,theinsulationcannotbetestedunless
3.1.1 Fordefinitionsoftermsusedinthisspecification,refer
ithasbeenformedaroundaconductor.Therefore,testsdoneon
to Terminology D1711.
insulated wire in this standard are solely to determine the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
relevantpropertyoftheinsulationandnottotesttheconductor
3.2.1 aging, (act of), n—exposure of materials to air at a
or completed cable.
temperature of 100 °C for 48 h.
1.5 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different
4. Physical Properties
units, the values in the first set are to be regarded as standard.
The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions 4.1 When tested for physical and aging requirements, heat
distortion, cold bend, u-bend discharge, and surface resistivity
that are provided for information only and are not considered
inaccordancewithTestMethodsD2633,environmentalcrack-
standard.
ing in accordance with Test Method D1693, and track resis-
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
tance in accordance with Test Method D2132, the track-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
resistant thermoplastic high-density polyethylene insulation
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
shall meet the requirements specified in Table 1.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Electrical Requirements
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 Subject cable specimens to a 5 min ac or dc voltage
withstand test at voltages which are based on the nominal
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally the ASTM website.
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approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D3554 – 07 (2018). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D3554-20E01. www.astm.org.
*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
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D3554−20
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements for Track-resistant
Thermoplastic High-density Polyethylene Insulation†
Physical requirements (unaged):
Tensile strength, min, psi (MPa) 2500 (17.2)
Elong
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