ASTM B263-04

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.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2004
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.02 - Methods of Test and Sampling Procedure

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B263-99 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Replaced By: ASTM B263-04(2010) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010
• Referred By: ASTM B400/B400M-19 - Standard Specification for Compact Round Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum 1350 Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B173-17 - Standard Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B496-16(2021) - Standard Specification for Compact Round Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B801-18 - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Conductors of 8000 Series Aluminum Alloy for Subsequent Covering or Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B786/B786M-08(2018) - Standard Specification for 19 Wire Combination Unilay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors for Subsequent Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B836-00(2021) - Standard Specification for Compact Round Stranded Aluminum Conductors Using Single Input Wire Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B902/B902M-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Compressed Round Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft Using Single Input Wire Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B8-11(2017) - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B226-11(2021) - Standard Specification for Cored, Annular, Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B835-14(2020) - Standard Specification for Compact Round Stranded Copper Conductors Using Single Input Wire Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B784-01(2017)e1 - Standard Specification for Modified Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors for Use in Insulated Electrical Cables
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B399/B399M-23 - Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum-Alloy 6201-T81 and 6201-T83 Conductors
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B901-04(2021) - Standard Specification for Compressed Round Stranded Aluminum Conductors Using Single Input Wire Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:B263–04
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded
1
Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B263; 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.1.3 specimen, n—a specimen is a length of stranded
conductor removed for test purposes from any individual
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
production unit of the sample.
the cross-sectional area of stranded conductors by the mass
method.
4. Apparatus
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound or SI units are to be
4.1 Balance, for measurement of mass, accurate to 0.1 %.
regarded separately as the standard. The values in each system
4.2 Steel Scale, for measurement of length, with smallest
are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
1
divisions not greater than ⁄32 in. (1 mm).
independently of the other. Combining values from the two
4.3 Jig, or equivalent equipment, for cutting the conductor
systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.
to length and at right angles to its axis.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Sampling
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 Samples shall be taken from the outer end of reel or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
spool lengths, or from either end of coiled lengths.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.2 Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser at the time
of placing the order, a sample shall consist of the number of
2. Referenced Documents
production units (reels or coils) shown in Table 1 or in
2.1 The following documents form a part of this test method
accordance with Specification B830.
to the extent referenced herein.
2
2.2 ASTM Standards:
6. Test Specimens
B830 Specification for Uniform Test Methods and Fre-
6.1 The length of test specimens shall be as follows:
quency
Nominal Size of Test Specimen, Length of Test Specimen min,
2
cmil (mm ) ft (mm)
3. Terminology
Up to 17 000 (9), incl 4 (1220)
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: Over 17 000 (9) 2 (610)
3.1.1 lot, n—a lot is any amount of stranded conductor of
7. Procedure
one type and size presented for acceptance at one time.
7.1 Cut the test specimen, making sure that the ends are at
3.1.2 sample, n—a sample is a quantity of production units
the right angles to the axis of the conductor.
(reels, spools, coils, and so forth) selected at random from the
7.2 Measure the length of the specimen at room temperature
lot for the purpose of determining conformance of the lot to the
1
(see Note) to the nearest ⁄32 in. (1 mm), and measure the mass
requirements of this test method.
to within 60.1 %, converting to pounds (grams) if weighed in
other units.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on
NOTE 1—Correction for temperature variation need not be made, since
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.02 on
the error introduced in the length measurement by the temperature
Methods of Test and Sampling Procedure.
variation is less than the required accuracy of the length measurement.
Current edition approved April 1, 2004. Published May 2004. Originally
approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as B263 – 99. DOI:
8. Calculation
10.1520/B0263-04.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
8.1 Calculate the cross-sectional area of a stranded conduc-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
tor, composed of only one type of conducting material, as
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. follows:
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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B263–04
TABLE 1 Number of Production Units Required per Sample
8.3 Calculate the cross-sectional area (expressed as the
Number of Production Units in hard-drawn copper equivalent) of composite copper and
Sample
copper-covered steel conductors, as follows:
2 For First For Each Additional
Nominal Conductor Size, cmil (mm )
A 5 ~1000/L! 3 [100/~100 1 k!# 3 [~W /f ! 1 ~ZW /f !#
100 000 ft 100 000 ft cu cu ccs ccs
A A
(30 000 m) or (30 000 m) or
fraction thereof fraction thereof where:
2
A = cross-sectional area, cmil (mm ),
Up to 83 690 (50) incl 1 1
...