ASTM B263/B263M-14(2020)

Standard Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded Conductors

ABSTRACT
This test method covers the standard procedure for determining the cross-sectional area of stranded conductors by the mass method. The apparatus shall consist of a balance for mass measurement, a steel scale for length measurement, and a jig or equivalent equipment for cutting the conductor to length and at right angles to its axis. Cross-sectional area of stranded conductors such as those with only one type of conducting material, cored annular conductors and steel-reinforced aluminum conductors, composite copper and copper-covered steel conductors, and composite aluminum 1350 and aluminum alloy 6201 conductor shall be calculated.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the cross-sectional area of stranded conductors by the mass method.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.  
1.3 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 establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
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-Dec-2019
• ICS: 29.240.20 - Power transmission and distribution lines
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.02 - Methods of Test and Sampling Procedure

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B263/B263M-14 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM B830-18 - Standard Specification for Uniform Test Methods and Frequency
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM B830-11 - Standard Specification for Uniform Test Methods and Frequency
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Refers: ASTM B830-97(2003) - Standard Specification for Uniform Test Methods and Frequency
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2003
• Referred By: ASTM B778-22 - Standard Specification for Shaped Wire Compact Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors (AAC/TW)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM B857-22 - Standard Specification for Shaped Wire Compact Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Coated-Steel Supported (ACSS/TW)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM B711-22 - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum-Alloy Conductors, Steel Reinforced (AACSR) (6201)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM B779-22 - Standard Specification for Shaped Wire Compact Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Steel-Reinforced (ACSR/TW)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM B401-22 - Standard Specification for Compact Round Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Steel-Reinforced (ACSR/COMP)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM B978/B978M-23 - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Aluminum Matrix Composite Reinforced (ACAMCR), Formerly ACCR
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM B856-22 - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Coated Steel Supported (ACSS)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM B701/B701M-22e1 - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Self-Damping Aluminum Conductors, Steel Reinforced (ACSR/SD)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM B232/B232M-22 - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Coated-Steel Reinforced (ACSR)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM B524/B524M-23 - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Aluminum-Alloy Reinforced (ACAR, 1350/6201)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020

Overview

ASTM B263/B263M-14(2020) is an international standard developed by ASTM International for the determination of the cross-sectional area of stranded conductors using the mass method. This procedure provides a standardized approach for ensuring the accurate assessment of conductor area, essential for quality control, product acceptance, and regulatory compliance within the electrical and electronics industries. The method applies to conductors consisting of single and composite materials, including copper, copper-covered steel, aluminum, and steel-reinforced types.

Key Topics

• Mass Method for Area Measurement
  The standard outlines the mass method as the approved technique for determining the cross-sectional area of stranded conductors. This involves measuring the mass and length of specimens and calculating area based on established formulas.

• Required Apparatus
  To comply with ASTM B263/B263M, the following equipment is specified:

  • Precision balance for mass determination
  • Steel scale for measuring specimen length
  • Jig or equivalent for precise cutting at right angles to the conductor axis

• Sampling and Specimens

  • Guidelines for selecting samples and specimens from production lots are detailed to ensure representative measurements.
  • Specimen lengths are determined by conductor size, maintaining accuracy across various types and sizes of stranded conductors.

• Calculation Formulas

  • The standard provides formulas for calculating the cross-sectional area for different conductor configurations-single material, composite, cored annular, and steel-reinforced types.
  • Mass factors for commonly used conductor materials are specified, facilitating accurate and repeatable computations.

• Unit Systems

  • Both inch-pound and SI units are recognized, but systems are not to be intermixed to avoid nonconformance.

• Safety and Compliance

  • The standard emphasizes the user’s responsibility to observe safety, health, and environmental requirements and regulatory applicability.

Applications

• Quality Control in Manufacturing
  This method is vital for cable and wire manufacturers to verify that the cross-sectional area of stranded conductors meets design specifications and regulatory standards.

• Inspection and Certification
  Used by testing laboratories and inspection agencies to ensure product conformity before shipment or installation.

• Electrical and Electronics Industries
  Ensures that cables possess the required electrical conductivity and mechanical strength for safe and efficient operation in power transmission, distribution, and communication systems.

• Research and Development
  Facilitates the assessment of new conductor designs and materials during product development and validation cycles.

• Procurement and Acceptance Testing
  Assists purchasing departments and customers in verifying that supplied materials comply with national and international specifications, reducing the risk of installation failures.

Related Standards

• ASTM B830 - Specification for Uniform Test Methods and Frequency
  Referenced for sampling and testing frequencies as part of quality assurance programs.

• Other Related ASTM Conductors Standards

  • ASTM B8 (Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors)
  • ASTM B231/B231M (Aluminum 1350 Conductors)
  • ASTM B502 (Metric-Conductor Sizes)

• International Guidelines
  Developed in line with World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO TBT) principles, ensuring global recognition and interoperability.

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Keywords: cross-sectional area, mass method, stranded conductors, ASTM B263/B263M, electrical conductors, cable testing, quality control, conductor area measurement, international standards.

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: B263/B263M − 14 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded
Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B263/B263M; 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 3.1.1 lot, n—a lot is any amount of stranded conductor of
one type and size presented for acceptance at one time.
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
3.1.2 sample, n—a sample is a quantity of production units
the cross-sectional area of stranded conductors by the mass
(reels, spools, coils, and so forth) selected at random from the
method.
lot for the purpose of determining conformance of the lot to the
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound or SI units are to be
requirements of this test method.
regarded separately as the standard. The values in each system
3.1.3 specimen, n—a specimen is a length of stranded
are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
conductor removed for test purposes from any individual
independently of the other. Combining values from the two
production unit of the sample.
systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Apparatus
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Balance, for measurement of mass, accurate to 0.1 %.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.2 Steel Scale, for measurement of length, with smallest
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
divisions not greater than ⁄32 in. [1 mm].
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.3 Jig, or equivalent equipment, for cutting the conductor
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
to length and at right angles to its axis.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Sampling
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.1 Samples shall be taken from the outer end of reel or
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
spool lengths, or from either end of coiled lengths.
2. Referenced Documents
5.2 Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser at the time
of placing the order, a sample shall consist of the number of
2.1 The following documents form a part of this test method
production units (reels or coils) shown in Table 1 or in
to the extent referenced herein.
accordance with Specification B830.
2.2 ASTM Standards:
B830 Specification for Uniform Test Methods and Fre-
6. Test Specimens
quency
6.1 The length of test specimens shall be as follows:
Nominal Size of Test Specimen, Length of Test Specimen min,
3. Terminology
cmil [mm ] ft [mm]
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Up to 17 000 [9], incl 4 [1220]
Over 17 000 [9] 2 [610]
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on
7. Procedure
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.02 on
Methods of Test and Sampling Procedure.
7.1 Cut the test specimen, making sure that the ends are at
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2020. Published January 2020. Originally
the right angles to the axis of the conductor.
approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as B263/B263M – 14.
DOI: 10.1520/B0263_B0263M-14R20.
7.2 Measure the length of the specimen at room temperature
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
(see Note) to the nearest ⁄32 in. [1 mm], and measure the mass
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
to within 60.1 %, converting to pounds [grams] if weighed in
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. other units.
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B263/B263M − 14 (2020)
TABLE 1 Number of Production Units Required per Sample
L = length of test specimen, ft [mm],
Number of Production Units in
f = mass factor, in lb/cmil·1000 ft [g/cm ], (Table 2), and
Sample
k = increment (increase) in mass and electrical resistance
For first For each additional
Nominal Conductor Size,
of the conducting material (from product
100 000 ft 100 000 ft
cmil [mm ]
A A
specifications), %.
[30 000 m] [30 000 m]
or or
fraction thereof fraction thereof 8.3 Calculate the cross-sectional area (expressed as the
Up to 83 690 [50] incl 1 1
hard-drawn copper equivalent) of composite copper and
B
Over 83 690 to 211 600 [50 to 110], incl 2 1
copper-c
...