ASTM D3485-97

Standard Specification for Smooth-Wall Coilable Polyethylene (PE) Conduit (Duct) for Preassembled Wire and Cable

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers materials, dimensions, and workmanship, and performance tests for medium-density and high-density smooth-wall coilable polyethylene (PE) conduit (duct) containing electrical wires or cables, or both, preassembled by the manufacturer.
Note 1—The end user may elect to assemble the conduit and the wire or cable system in the field.
1.2 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in parentheses are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2002
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: F17 - Plastic Piping Systems
• Drafting Committee: F17.26 - Olefin Based Pipe

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D3485-02 - Standard Specification for Smooth-Wall Coilable Polyethylene (PE) Conduit (Duct) for Preassembled Wire and Cable (Withdrawn 2011)
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2002

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.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.
Designation: D 3485 – 97 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Smooth-Wall Coilable Polyethylene (PE) Conduit (Duct) for
Preassembled Wire and Cable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3485; 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.
1. Scope 3. Significance and Use
1.1 This specification covers materials, dimensions, and 3.1 PE duct must have smooth surfaces to facilitate the
workmanship, and performance tests for medium-density and installation and removal of electrical wire and cable. It must be
high-density smooth-wall coilable polyethylene (PE) conduit capable of being manufactured and coiled (reeled) in continu-
(duct) containing electrical wires or cables, or both, preas- ous lengths, transported, and subsequently uncoiled for instal-
sembled by the manufacturer. lation or further processing, or both, without affecting its
properties or performance.
NOTE 1—The end user may elect to assemble the conduit and the wire
or cable system in the field.
4. Application and Installation
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are the standard,
4.1 PE duct is suitable for underground electrical distribu-
except in cases where SI units are more appropriate. The values
tion systems utilizing insulations suitable for use at conductor
in parentheses are for information only.
temperatures not exceeding 90°C (190°F) for normal opera-
tion. The minimum recommended installation temperature for
2. Referenced Documents
the PE duct is −25°C (−13°F), however, depending on the type
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of wire or cable installed in the duct, a higher installation
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
temperature may be required.
D 746 Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastics
and Elastomers by Impact
5. Extrusion Compounds
D 1238 Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by
5.1 The PE-extrusion compounds shall be either medium-
Extrusion Plastometer
density Type II, Class C, or high-density Type III, Class C, as
D 1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
described in Specification D 1248, and in addition meet the
Extrusion Materials
requirements shown in Table 1. Remove the electrical wires or
D 1693 Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of
cables, or both, from the duct before testing.
Ethylene Plastics
D 2951 Test Method for Resistance of Types III and IV 6. Finished PE Duct
Polyethylene Plastics to Thermal Stress-Cracking
6.1 Workmanship—Coilable PE duct shall be free of visible
D 6070 Test Methods for Physical Properties of Smooth-
cracks, holes, foreign inclusions, or other physical defects that
Wall, Coilable, Polyethylene (PE) Conduit (Duct) for
would detract from its performance. It shall be as uniform as
Preassembled Wire and Cable
practicable in dimensions, smoothness, density, and other
2.2 Other Document:
physical properties.
National Electrical Code
6.2 Dimensions—Smooth-wall coilable PE duct shall have
the dimensions prescribed in Table 2.
7. Duct Size Selection
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-9 on
7.1 Use this section only as a guide. Actual duct sizes must
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
be agreed to between the seller and the purchaser.
Subcommittee D09.18 on Solid Insulations, Non-Metallic Shieldings, and Cover-
7.1.1 Percent Fill—Article 347 (Paragraph 11) of the Na-
ings for Electrical and Telecommunications Wires and Cables.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1997. Published February 1998. Originally
tional Electrical Code limits the maximum percentage fill of
published as D 3485 – 76. Last previous edition D 3485 – 89.
electrical duct to the figures shown in Table 3.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
7.1.2 Cross-Sectional Area—Table 4 gives cross-sectional
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.02. area for the various duct sizes.
Available from the National Fire Protection Assn., 470 Atlantic Ave., Boston,
7.1.3 Calculations of Duct Size:
MA 02210.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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