ASTM B856-95e1

Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Coated Steel Supported (ACSS)

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers round wire concentric-lay-stranded aluminum conductors, steel supported (ACSS) for use as overhead electrical conductors (see Explanatory Note 1).
1.2 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 sizes, the requirements in SI units are numerically converted from the corresponding requirements in inch-pound units. For conductor sizes designation 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.
1.2.1 For density, resistivity and temperature, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Oct-2001
• ICS: 29.060.10 - Wires
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.07 - Conductors of Light Metals

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM B856-01 - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Coated Steel Supported (ACSS)
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B857-22 - Standard Specification for Shaped Wire Compact Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Coated-Steel Supported (ACSS/TW)
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B1006-17 - Standard Specification for Electrical Overhead Conductor Code Word Names
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
e1
Designation: B 856 – 95
Standard Specification for
Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Coated
Steel Supported (ACSS)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 856; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Editorial changes were made throughout in November 1999.
1. Scope nized) Steel Core Wire for Aluminum and Aluminum-
Alloy Conductors, Steel Reinforced
1.1 This specification covers round wire concentric-lay-
B 609 Specification for Aluminum 1350 Round Wire, An-
stranded aluminum conductors, steel supported (ACSS) for use
nealed and Intermediate Tempers, for Electrical Purposes
as overhead electrical conductors (see Note 1 and Note 2).
B 802 Specification for Zinc-5 % Aluminum-Mischmetal
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Alloy-Coated Steel Core Wire for Aluminum Conductors,
as the standard with the exception of temperature and resistiv-
Steel Reinforced (ACSR)
ity. The SI equivalents given in parentheses may be approxi-
B 803 Specification for High-Strength Zinc-5 %
mate.
Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy-Coated Steel Core Wire for
NOTE 1—The aluminum and temper designations conform to ANSI
Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Conductors, Steel Rein-
Standard H 35.1. Aluminum 1350 corresponds to Unified Number System
forced
(UNS) No. A91350 in accordance with Practice E 527.
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
NOTE 2—In this specification only concentric-lay-stranded aluminum
Determine Conformance with Specifications
conductors, steel-supported are specifically designated. Conductor con-
E 527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS)
structions not included in this specification should be agreed upon
between the manufacturer and the purchaser when placing the order.
2.3 Military Standard:
MIL-C-12000 Cable, Cord, and Wire, Electric: Package of
2. Referenced Documents
2.4 Other Standards:
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on date
ANSI H35.1 American National Standard Alloy and Tem-
of material purchase form part of this specification to the extent
per Designation Systems for Aluminum
referenced herein:
NBS Handbook 100—Copper Wire Tables of the National
2.2 ASTM Standards:
Bureau of Standards
B 263 Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional
3. Terminology
Area of Stranded Conductors
B 341 Specification for Aluminum-Coated (Aluminized)
3.1 Definitions:
Steel Core Wire for Aluminum Conductors, Steel Rein-
3.1.1 aluminized—aluminum coated.
forced (ACSR/AZ)
3.1.2 aluminum-clad—aluminum sheathed.
B 354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Elec-
3.1.3 galvanized—zinc coated.
trical Conductors
NOTE 3—For definitions of terms relating to conductors, refer to
B 498 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel
Definitions B 354.
Core Wire for Aluminum Conductors, Steel Reinforced
2 3.2 Abbreviations:
(ACSR)
3.2.1 ACSS—aluminum conductor, steel supported.
B 500 Specification for Metallic Coated Stranded Steel
3.2.2 ACSS/GA—supported with galvanized steel core wire,
Core for Aluminum Conductors, Steel Reinforced
coating Class A in accordance with Specification B 498.
(ACSR)
3.2.3 ACSS/GB—supported with galvanized steel core wire,
B 502 Specification for Aluminum-Clad Steel Core Wire for
Aluminum Conductors, Aluminum-Clad Steel Reinforced
B 606 Specification for High-Strength Zinc-Coated (Galva-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01.
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B-1 on Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094. Attn: NPODS.
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.07 on Available from the American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Conductors of Light Metals. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Current edition approved April 15, 1994. Published June 1995. Available from National Technical Information Services, 5285 Port Royal
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.03. Road, Springfield, VA 22161.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
B 856
coating Class B in accordance with Specification B 498. meet the requirements of Specification B 500.
3.2.4 ACSS/GC—supported with galvanized steel core wire,
6. Joints
coating Class C in accordance with Specification B 498.
6.1 Electric-butt welds, cold-pressure welds, and electric-
3.2.5 ACSS/HS—supported with high-strength galvanized
butt, cold-upset welds in the finished individual aluminum
steel core wire in accordance with Specification B 606.
wires composing the conductor may be made during the
3.2.6 ACSS/MA—supported with Zn-5A1-MM coated steel
stranding process. No weld shall occur within 50 ft (15 m) of
core wire, coating Class A in accordance with Specification
a weld in the same wire or in any other wire of the completed
B 802.
conductor (see Note 4).
3.2.7 ACSS/MB—supported with Zn-5A1-MM coated steel
6.2 There shall be no joints of any kind made in the finished
core wire, coating Class B in accordance with Specification
coated steel wires.
B 802.
3.2.8 ACSS/MC—supported with Zn-5A1-MM coated steel
7. Lay
core wire, coating Class C in accordance with Specification
7.1 The length of lay of the various layers of wires in a
B 802.
conductor shall conform to Table 2 (see Note 5).
3.2.9 ACSS/MS—supported with high-strength Zn-
7.2 The direction of lay of the outside layer of aluminum
5A1-MM coated steel core wire in accordance with Specifica-
wires shall be right hand unless otherwise specified in the
tion B 803.
purchase order. The direction of lay of the aluminum and steel
3.2.10 Zn-5A1-MM—zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy.
wires shall be reversed in successive layers.
3.2.11 ACSS/AZ—supported with aluminum steel core wire
NOTE 5—The preferred ratio of the lay with respect to the outside
in accordance with Specification B 341.
diameter of a layer of wires varies for different layers and for different
3.2.12 ACSS/AW supported with aluminum—clad core wire
diameters of the conductor, being larger for the inside layers than for the
in accordance with Specification B 502.
outside layers, and larger for conductors of smaller diameter than for those
of larger diameter.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
8. Construction
the following information:
8.1 The ACSS may be constructed using steel core wire
4.1.1 Quantity of each size, stranding, and class,
with any one of ten types of protective coatings. The acceptable
4.1.2 Conductor size, circular-mil area or AWG and diam-
core wires are galvanized steel core wires, coating Classes A,
eter (see Section 9 and Table 1),
B, or C in accordance with Specification B 498; high-strength
4.1.3 Number of wires, aluminum and steel,
galvanized steel core wire in accordance with Specification
4.1.4 Type of steel core wire and class (if applicable) of
B 606; Zn-5A1-MM, coated steel core wire, coating Classes A,
coating (see 5.2),
B, or C, in accordance with Specification B 802; high-strength
4.1.5 Direction of lay of outer layer of aluminum wires if
Zn-5A1-MM coated steel core wire in accordance with Speci-
other than right hand (see 7.2),
fication B 803; aluminized steel core wire in accordance with
4.1.6 Special tension test, if desired (see 14.3),
Specification B 341; aluminum-clad core wire in accordance
4.1.7 Package size and type (see 16.1),
with Specification B 502.
4.1.8 Special package markings, if required (see 16.4),
8.2 The number and diameter of the aluminum and steel
4.1.9 Heavy wood lagging, if required (see 16.3), and
wires and the area of cross section of the aluminum wires for
4.1.10 Place of inspection (see Section 15).
standard constructions are shown in Table 1.
4.2 In addition, supplementary requirements shall apply
9. Rated Strength of Conductor
only when specified by the purchaser in the inquiry, contract, or
purchase order for direct procurement by agencies of the U.S. 9.1 The rated strength of the completed ACSS conductor
Government (S1, S2, and S3).
shall be taken as the aggregate strengths of the aluminum and
steel components, calculated as follows. The strength contri-
5. Requirement for Wires
bution of the aluminum wires shall be taken as that percentage,
5.1 After stranding, the round aluminum wires shall con-
indicated in Table 3, of the sum of the strengths of the 1350-0
form to the requirements of Specification B 609 for 1350-0
wires calculated from their minimum average tensile strengths
temper, except for elongation requirements. The elongation
specified in Specification B 609. The strength contribution of
shall not be less than 20 % after stranding.
the steel core wires shall be taken as that percentage, indicated
in Table 3, of the sum of the strengths of the steel wires,
NOTE 4—The behavior of properly spaced wire joints in stranded
calculated from their specified nominal wire diameter and the
conductors is related to both their tensile strength and elongation. Because
of its higher elongation properties, the lower-strength electric butt weld appropriate minimum ultimate tensile strengths given in Speci-
gives equivalent overall performance to that of a cold-pressure weld or an
fications B 341, B 498, B 502, B 606, B 802, or B 803, which-
electric-butt, cold-upset weld in stranded conductors.
ever is applicable.
5.2 Before stranding, the steel core wire shall meet the 9.2 Rated strength and breaking strength values shall be
requirements of Specification B 341, B 498, B 502, B 606, rounded to three significant figures, in the final value only, in
B 802, or B 803, whichever is applicalbe. accordance with the rounding method of Practice E 29.
5.3 After stranding, the steel core, except for aluminum-clad 9.3 Rated strength of typical constructions are given in
cores meeting the requirements of Specification B 502, shall Table 4.
B 856
TABLE 1 Construction Requirements of Aluminum Conductors, Steel Supported (ACSS)
Size Stranding Nominal
Outside
A
Stranding Mass,
Aluminum Wires Steel wires
Diameter
Class Design
(O.D.) of
Aluminum/Steel lb/1000 ft
Diameter,
B B Conductors,
cmil AWG Number Layers Number Diameter, in. Layers
B
in.
in.
2 312 000 . AA 76/19 76 0.1744 4 19 0.0814 2 1.802 2523
2 167 000 . AA 72/7 72 0.1735 4 7 0.1157 1 1.735 2310
2 156 000 . AA 84/19 84 0.1602 4 19 0.0961 2 1.762 2508
1 780 000 . AA 84/19 84 0.1456 4 19 0.0874 2 1.602 2072
1 590 000 . AA 54/19 54 0.1716 3 19 0.1030 2 1.545 2040
1 590 000 . AA 45/7 45 0.1881 3 7 0.1253 1 1.504 1790
1 510 000 . AA 54/19 54 0.1672 3 19 0.1003 2 1.505 1938
1 510 000 . AA 45/7 45 0.1832 3 7 0.1221 1 1.466 1700
1 431 000 . AA 54/19 54 0.1628 3 19 0.0977 2 1.465 1838
1 431 000 . AA 45/7 45 0.1783 3 7 0.1189 1 1.427 1611
1 351 000 . AA 54/19 54 0.1582 3 19 0.0949 2 1.424 1735
1 351 000 . AA 45/7 45 0.1733 3 7 0.1155 1 1.386 1521
1 272 000 . AA 54/19 54 0.1535 3 19 0.0921 2 1.382 1634
1 272 000 . AA 45/7 45 0.1681 3 7 0.1121 1 1.345 1432
1 191 500 . AA 54/19 54 0.1486 3 19 0.0892 2 1.338 1531
1 192 500 . AA 45/7 45 0.1628 3 7 0.1085 1 1.302 1345
1 113 000 . AA 54/19 54 0.1436 3 19 0.0862 2 1.293 1430
1 113 000 . AA 45/7 45 0.1573 3 7 0.1049 1 1.259 1254
1 033 500 . AA 54/7 54 0.1383 3 7 0.1383 1 1.245 1329
1 033 500 . AA 45/7 45 0.1515 3 7 0.1010 1 1.212 1163
954 000 . AA 54/7 54 0.1329 3 7 0.1329 1 1.196 1227.1
954 000 . AA 45/7 45 0.1456 3 7 0.0971 1 1.165 1074
900 000 . AA 54/7 54 0.1291 3 7 0.1291 1 1.162 1158
900 000 . AA 45/7 45 0.1414 3 7 0.0943 1 1.131 1013
795 000 . AA 30/19 30 0.1628 2 19 0.0977 2 1.140 1233.9
795 000 . AA 54/7 54 0.1213 3 7 0.1213 1 1.092 1022
795 000 . AA 45/7 45 0.1329 3 7 0.0886 1 1.063 895
795 000 . AA 26/7 26 0.1749 2 7 0.1360 1 1.108 1093
795 000 . AA 24/7 24 0.1820 2 7 0.1213 1 1.092 1023
715 500 . AA 30/19 30 0.1544 2 19 0.0926 2 1.081 1109.3
715 500 . AA 26/7 26 0.1659 2 7 0.1290 1 1.051 983.7
715 500 . AA 24/7 24 0.1727 2 7 0.1151 1 1.036 921
666 600 . AA 26/7 26 0.1601 2 7 0.1245 1 1.014 916.2
666 600 . AA 24/7 24 0.1667 2 7 0.1111 1 1.000 857.9
636 000 . AA 30/19 30 0.1456 2 19 0.0897 2 1.019 987.2
636 000 . AA 30/7 30 0.1456 2 7 0.1456 1 1.019 995.1
636 000 . AA 26/7 26 0.1564 2 7 0.1216 1 0.990 874.2
636 000 . AA 24/7 24 0.1628 2 7 0.1085 1 0.977 818.2
605 000 . AA 30/19 30 0.1420 2 19 0.0852 2 0.994 938.6
605 000 . AA 30/7 30 0.1420 2 7 0.1420 1 0.994 946.5
605 000 . AA 26/7 26 0.1525 2 7 0.1186 1 0.966 831.3
605 000 . AA 24/7 24 0.1588 2 7 0.1059 1 0.953 778.8
556 500 . AA 30/7 30 0.1362 2 7 0.1362 1 0.953 870.7
556 500 . AA 26/7 26 0.1463 2 7 0.1138 1 0.927 765.2
556 500 . AA 24/7 24 0.1523 2 7 0.1015 1 0.914 716.1
477 000 . AA 30/7 30 0.1261 2 7 0.1261 1 0.883 764.4
477 000 . AA 26/7 26 0.1354 2 7 0.1053 1 0.858 655.3
477 000 . AA 24/7 24 0.1410 2 7 0.0940 1 0.846 613.9
397 500 . AA 30/7 30 0.1151 2 7 0.1151 1 0.806 621.8
397 500 . AA 26/7 26 0.1236 2 7 0.0961 1 0.783 546.0
397 500 . AA 24/7 24 0.1287 2 7 0.0858 1 0.772 511.4
336 400 . AA 30/7 30 0.1059 2 7 0.1059 1 0.741 526.4
336 400 . AA 26/7 26 0.1137 2 7 0.0884 1 0.720 462.0
300 000 . AA 26/7 26 0.1074 2 7 0.0835 1 0.680 412.2
266 800 . AA 26/7 26 0.1013 2 7 0.0788 1 0.642 366.9
211 300 . AA (HS) 12/7 12 0.1327 1 7 0.1327 1 0.664 526.8
203 200 . AA (HS) 16/19 16 0.1127 1 19 0.0977 2 0.714 674.6
190 800 . AA (HS) 12/7 12 0.1261 1 7 0.1261 1 0.631 475.7
176 900 . AA (HS) 12/7 12 0.1214 1 7 0.1214 1 0.607 440.9
159 000 . AA (HS) 12/7 12 0.1151 1 7 0.1151 1 0.576 396.3
134 600 . AA (HS) 12/7 12 0.1059 1 7 0.1059 1 0.530 335.5
110 800 . AA (HS) 12/7 12 0.0961 1 7 0.0961 1 0.481 276.3
101 800 . AA (HS) 12/7 12 0.0921 1 7 0.0921 1 0.461 253.8
A
Mass based on H.S. Class A zinc-coated steel core.
B
Conversion factors:
1 cmil 5 5.067E − 04 mm
1 in. 5 2.54E + 01 mm
1 lb/1000ft 5 1.488E 5 00 kg/km
1ft 5 3.048E − 01 m
1lb 5 4.536E − 01 kg
1 lbf 5 4.448E − 03 KN
B 856
TABLE 2 Lay Factors for Aluminum Conductors, Steel-Supported (ACSS), Concentric-Lay-Stranded
Ratio of Length of Lay of a Layer to Nominal Outside Diameter of That Layer
A
Aluminum Wire Layers Steel Wire Layers
Stranding
Stranding
Class
First (Outside) Second Third Fourth (Inside) 12 Wire 6 Wire
B
min pref max min pref max min max min max min pref max min pref max
A 6/1, 7/1 8 . 16 . . . . . . .
...