ASTM B172-17

Standard Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Bunch-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conductors

ABSTRACT
This specification covers bare rope-lay-stranded conductors having bunch-stranded members from round copper wires, either uncoated or coated with tin, lead, or lead-alloy for use in electrical conductors. Rope-lay-stranded conductors having bunch-stranded members are classified as Class I, Class K, and Class M. Necessary joints in wires or in groups of wires shall be made in accordance with accepted commercial practice, taking into account the size of the wire or group of wires as related to the size of the entire conductor. Conductors of the same size and description furnished on one order shall have the same lay. In very flexible conductors, such as welding conductor, the direction of lay of the stranded members forming rope-lay-stranded conductor may be in the same, rather than in teversed. For the purpose of calculating the mass, cross sections, etc., the density of copper shall be taken. The mass and electrical resistance of a unit length of stranded conductor as a function of the length of lay shall be measured.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers bare rope-lay-stranded conductors having bunch-stranded members made from round copper wires, either uncoated or coated with tin, lead, or lead-alloy for use as electrical conductors (Explanatory Notes 1 and 2).  
1.2 Coated wires shall include only those wires with finished diameters and densities substantially equal to the respective diameters and densities of uncoated wires.  
1.3 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 from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification. For conductor sizes designated by AWG or kcmil, the requirements in SI units have been numerically converted from 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.  
1.3.1 For density, resistivity, and temperature, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.  
1.4 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-2017
• ICS: 29.060.20 - Cables
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.04 - Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B172-10(2015) - Standard Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Bunch-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Refers: ASTM B3-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM B173-10(2015) - Standard Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2015
• Refers: ASTM B354-16 - Standard Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2016
• Refers: ASTM B33-10(2020)e1 - Standard Specification for Tin-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM B193-16 - Standard Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2016
• Refers: ASTM B33-10(2014) - Standard Specification for Tin-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2014
• Referred By: ASTM F2321-23 - Standard Specification for Flexible and Rigid Insulated Temporary By-Pass Jumpers
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM F855-23 - Standard Specifications for Temporary Protective Grounds to Be Used on De-energized Electric Power Lines and Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B8-11(2017) - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B173-17 - Standard Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B738-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Fine-Wire Bunch-Stranded and Rope-Lay Bunch-Stranded Copper Conductors for Use as Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B226-11(2021) - Standard Specification for Cored, Annular, Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM B174-17 - Standard Specification for Bunch-Stranded Copper Conductors for Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM F2249-23 - Standard Specification for In-Service Test Methods for Temporary Grounding Jumper Assemblies Used on De-Energized Electric Power Lines and Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017

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:B172 −17
Standard Specification for
Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Bunch-
1
Stranded Members, for Electrical Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B172; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
2
1. Scope 2.2 ASTM Standards:
B3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
1.1 This specification covers bare rope-lay-stranded con-
B33 Specification for Tin-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper
ductors having bunch-stranded members made from round
Wire for Electrical Purposes
copper wires, either uncoated or coated with tin, lead, or
B173 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conduc-
lead-alloy for use as electrical conductors (Explanatory Notes
tors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Electrical
1 and 2).
Conductors
1.2 Coated wires shall include only those wires with fin- B189 Specification for Lead-Coated and Lead-Alloy-Coated
ished diameters and densities substantially equal to the respec-
Soft Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
tive diameters and densities of uncoated wires.
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
Materials
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound or SI units are to be
B263 Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional
regarded separately as standard. Each system shall be used
Area of Stranded Conductors
independently of the other. Combining values from the two
B354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electri-
systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.
cal Conductors
For conductor sizes designated byAWG or kcmil, the require-
ments in SI units have been numerically converted from 2.3 American National Standard:
3
corresponding values, stated or derived, in inch-pound units. ANSI C42.35 Definitions of Electrical Terms
For conductor sizes designated by SI units only, the require-
ments are stated or derived in SI units.
3. Classification
1.3.1 For density, resistivity, and temperature, the values
3.1 For the purpose of this specification rope-lay-stranded
stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
conductors having bunch-stranded members are classified as
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
follows:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.1 Class I—Conductors consisting of wires 0.0201-in.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
(0.511-mm) diameter (No. 24 AWG) to produce rope-lay-
2
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
stranded conductors up to 2 000 000 cmil (1013 mm ) in total
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
cross-sectional area. (Typical use is for special apparatus
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
conductor.)
3.1.2 Class K—Conductors consisting of wires 0.0100-in.
2. Referenced Documents
(0.254-mm) diameter (No. 30 AWG) to produce rope-lay-
2
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect at the stranded conductors up to 1 000 000 cmil (507 mm ) in total
time of reference form a part of this specification to the extent cross-sectional area. (Typical use is for special portable cord
referenced herein: and conductors.)
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.04 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2017. Published April 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approvedin1942toreplaceportionsofB158–41T.Lastpreviouseditionapproved Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
in 2015 as B172 – 10 (2015). DOI: 10.1520/B0172-17. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B172−17
3.1.3 Class M—Conductors consisting of wires 0.0063-in. 4.1.5 Details of special-purpose lays, if required (see 6.2,
(0.160-mm) diameter (No. 34 AWG) to produce rope-lay- 6.3, and Explanatory Note 3),
2
stranded conductors up to 1 000 000 cmil (507 mm ) in total
4.1.6 Package size (s
...

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: B172 − 10 (Reapproved 2015) B172 − 17
Standard Specification for
Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Bunch-
1
Stranded Members, for Electrical Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B172; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers bare rope-lay-stranded conductors having bunch-stranded members made from round copper
wires, either uncoated or coated with tin, lead, or lead-alloy for use as electrical conductors (Explanatory Notes 1 and 2).
1.2 Coated wires shall include only those wires with finished diameters and densities substantially equal to the respective
diameters and densities of uncoated wires.
1.3 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 from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification. For
conductor sizes designated by AWG or kcmil, the requirements in SI units have been numerically converted from 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.
1.3.1 For density, resistivity, and temperature, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.4 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
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect at the time of reference form a part of this specification to the extent
referenced herein:
2
2.2 ASTM Standards:
B3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
B33 Specification for Tin-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
B173 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conduc-
tors
B189 Specification for Lead-Coated and Lead-Alloy-Coated Soft Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials
B263 Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded Conductors
B354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electrical Conductors
2.3 American National Standard:
3
ANSI C42.35 Definitions of Electrical Terms
3. Classification
3.1 For the purpose of this specification rope-lay-stranded conductors having bunch-stranded members are classifedclassified
as follows:
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.04 on Conductors
of Copper and Copper Alloys.
Current edition approved April 1, 2015April 1, 2017. Published April 2015April 2017. Originally approved in 1942 to replace portions of B158 – 41 T. Last previous
edition approved in 20102015 as B172 – 10.B172 – 10 (2015). DOI: 10.1520/B0172-10R15.10.1520/B0172-17.
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.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B172 − 17
3.1.1 Class I—Conductors consisting of wires 0.0201-in. (0.511-mm) diameter (No. 24 AWG) to produce rope-lay-stranded
2
conductors up to 2 000 000 cmil (1013 mm ) in total cross-sectional area. (Typical use is for special apparatus conductor.)
3.1.2 Class K—Conductors consisting of wires 0.0100-in. (0.254-mm) diameter (No. 30 AWG) to produce rope-lay-stranded
2
conductors up to 1 000 000 cmil (507 mm ) in total cross-sectional area. (Typical use is for special portable cord and conductors.)
3.1.3 Class M—Conductors consisting of wires 0.0063-in. (0.160-mm) d
...