ASTM B913-21

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Crimped Electrical Connections to 16-Gauge and Smaller Diameter Stranded and Solid Conductors

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method establishes the requirements for a standardized method of evaluating the performance of crimped-type electrical connections having solid or stranded conductors.  
5.2 In order to achieve a successful crimped connection, the crimping tool must deform the material of the crimp barrel or barrel tab(s) around the conductor. As a consequence, the conductor surfaces are placed under compression by the crimp terminal and areas of contact are established between the conductor and the crimp barrel. These areas provide the desired electrical connection. A reliable crimped connection is one that is capable of maintaining the contact between the conductor and crimp barrel so that a stable electrical connection is maintained when it is exposed to the conditions it was designed to endure during its useful life.  
5.3 Evaluation testing is designed to ensure that a particular design crimped connection system consisting of conductor and component and associated tooling is capable of achieving a reliable electrical and mechanical connection. After the evaluation is completed, if any change in the system parts is made, the system should be reevaluated using the same procedures.  
5.4 After completion of the evaluation test, the tensile pull strength results may be used to develop acceptance requirements to be used in inspection of subsequent production lots of crimped connections. An example of such an acceptance requirement is shown in Appendix X1.  
5.5 The aging test, 33 days exposure at 118°C, has been used in the telecommunications industry to simulate 40 years of service at a moderately elevated temperature of 50°C, an environment that components experience within large banks of telephone equipment. This environment is similar to that seen in a wide range of electronic systems operating indoors containing active components that dissipate power. The test is designed to reproduce the stress relaxation of copper alloys in such service and has been used ext...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method establishes the requirements for a standardized method of evaluating the quality of crimped-type electrical connections to solid or stranded conductors. This test method applies to 16-gauge and smaller diameter copper wire, coated or uncoated.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to connection systems intended for indoor use, or for use in environmentally protected enclosures. Additional testing may be required to assure satisfactory performance in applications where high humidity or corrosive environment, or both, may be present.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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-Mar-2021
• ICS: 29.120.20 - Connecting devices
• Technical Committee: B02 - Nonferrous Metals and Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B02.05 - Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials and Test Methods

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: B913 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Evaluation of Crimped Electrical Connections to 16-Gauge
1
and Smaller Diameter Stranded and Solid Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B913; 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 B8 Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper
Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft
1.1 This test method establishes the requirements for a
B258 Specification for Standard Nominal Diameters and
standardized method of evaluating the quality of crimped-type
Cross-Sectional Areas of AWG Sizes of Solid Round
electrical connections to solid or stranded conductors. This test
Wires Used as Electrical Conductors
method applies to 16-gauge and smaller diameter copper wire,
B542 Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their
coated or uncoated.
Use
1.2 This test method is applicable to connection systems
3. Terminology
intended for indoor use, or for use in environmentally protected
enclosures. Additional testing may be required to assure
3.1 Definitions—Many terms related to electrical contacts
satisfactory performance in applications where high humidity
used in this test method are defined in Terminology B542.
or corrosive environment, or both, may be present.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.1 crimp, v—to establish an electrical and mechanical
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
attachment between the two members by mechanically deform-
standard.
ing one contact member around another. In most cases, one
member is a wire or group of wires, the other is a hollow
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the cylinder or partial cylinder that is deformed around the wires.
responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar
3.2.2 crimp barrel, crimp tab, n—the portion of the crimp
with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate
terminal that is deformed in the crimping operation.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided
3.2.3 crimped connection, n—a mechanical and electrical
by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health,
connection between a conductor and a component. The con-
and environmental practices, and determine the applicability
nection is made by compressing (crimping) the crimp barrel or
of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tab(s) of the component around the conductor using a tool
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
specifically designed for the purpose
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.4 crimp terminal, n—an electrical component designed
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
to be electrically and mechanically attached to a wire by
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
deforming a portion of the component in a crimping operation
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
to form an attachment to the wire. The other end of the terminal
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
usually has a ring, fork, spade, tab, or related configuration
designed to attach to another connection such as a screw or
2. Referenced Documents
terminal block.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A test lot of test specimens of the crimp terminal
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
crimped to a short length of wire is prepared. The wire is pulled
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
from a group of the specimens in a tensile pull and the force
B02.05 on Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials and Test Methods.
compared to set requirements based on wire diameter. A
Current edition approved April 1, 2021. Published April 2021. Originally
separate group of specimens is subjected to an electrical test
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as B913 – 05 (2015).
DOI: 10.1520/B0913-21.
where resistance stability of the specimen is evaluated during
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
deflection of the wire at the exit of the crimped connection. The
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
group is then aged for 33 days at 118°C and periodically
Standards volume information, refer to th
...

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: B913 − 05 (Reapproved 2015) B913 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Evaluation of Crimped Electrical Connections to 16-Gauge
1
and Smaller Diameter Stranded and Solid Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B913; 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 test method establishes the requirements for a standardized method of evaluating the quality of crimped-type electrical
connections to solid or stranded conductors. This test method applies to 16-gauge and smaller diameter copper wire, coated or
uncoated.
1.2 This test method is applicable to connection systems intended for indoor use, or for use in environmentally protected
enclosures. Additional testing may be required to assure satisfactory performance in applications where high humidity or corrosive
environment, or both, may be present.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Safety Data Sheet
(SDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvi-
ronmental practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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:
B8 Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft
B258 Specification for Standard Nominal Diameters and Cross-Sectional Areas of AWG Sizes of Solid Round Wires Used as
Electrical Conductors
B542 Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their Use
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Many terms related to electrical contacts used in this test method are defined in Terminology B542.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B02.11 on
Electrical Contact Test Methods.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015April 1, 2021. Published October 2015April 2021. Originally approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 20102015 as
B913 – 05 (2010).(2015). DOI: 10.1520/B0913-05R15.10.1520/B0913-21.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B913 − 21
3.2.1 crimp, v—to establish an electrical and mechanical attachment between the two members by mechanically deforming one
contact member around another. In most cases, one member is a wire or group of wires, the other is a hollow cylinder or partial
cylinder that is deformed around the wires.
3.2.2 crimp barrel, crimp tab, n—the portion of the crimp terminal that is deformed in the crimping operation.
3.2.3 crimped connection, n—a mechanical and electrical connection between a conductor and a component. The connection is
made by compressing (crimping) the component (crimp barrel) crimp barrel or tab(s) of the component aboutaround the conductor
using a tool specifically designed for the purpose
3.2.4 crimp terminal, n—an electrical component designed to be electrically and mechanically attached to a wire by deforming
a portion of the component in a crimping operation to form an attachment to the wire. The other end of the terminal usually has
a ring, fork, spade, tab, or related configuration designed to attach to another connection such as a screw or terminal block.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A test lot of test specimens of th
...