ASTM D2655-23

Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and Cable Rated 0 to 2000 V, 90 °C Operation

ABSTRACT
This specification covers crosslinked polymer insulation material consisting substantially of polyethylene or a polyethylene copolymer for electrical wires and cables in conductor, suitable for continuous use on power cables in wet and dry locations, having specified sizes and operating at specified voltage ratings and conductor temperatures. Materials covered by this specification are not sunlight and weather resistant unless they are carbon black pigmented or contain an additive system designed for this protection. Since the insulation cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor, tests shall then be done on insulated wire solely to determine the relevant property of the insulation and not to test the conductor or completed cable. Materials shall meet the physical properties as follows: unaged tensile strength and elongation at rupture; tensile strength and elongation at rupture after air oven aging; heat distortion; filled and unfilled percent hot creep; and filled and unfilled percent hot set. Insulations shall also perform satisfactorily during tests for AC and DC voltage, insulation resistance, and accelerated water absorption.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a crosslinked polyethylene insulation for electrical wires and cables in conductor sizes 14 AWG [2.08 mm2] and larger. The base polymer of this insulation consists substantially of polyethylene or a polyethylene copolymer.  
1.2 This type of insulation is suitable for continuous use on power cables in wet and dry locations, for voltage ratings not exceeding 2000 V and at conductor temperatures not exceeding 90 °C for normal operation. For copper conductors, the insulation can be applied over the uncoated metal.  
1.3 Materials covered by this specification are not sunlight and weather resistant unless they are carbon black pigmented or contain an additive system designed for this protection.  
1.4 In many instances the insulation cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor. Therefore, tests are done on insulated wire in this standard solely to determine the relevant property of the insulation and not to test the conductor or completed cable.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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-Jul-2023
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.07 - Electrical Insulating Materials

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: D2655 − 23
Standard Specification for
Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and Cable
1
Rated 0 to 2000 V, 90 °C Operation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2655; 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.
1. Scope* D470 Test Methods for Crosslinked Insulations and Jackets
for Wire and Cable
1.1 This specification covers a crosslinked polyethylene
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion
insulation for electrical wires and cables in conductor sizes 14
2 Materials for Wire and Cable
AWG [2.08 mm ] and larger. The base polymer of this
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
insulation consists substantially of polyethylene or a polyeth-
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and
ylene copolymer.
Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
1.2 This type of insulation is suitable for continuous use on
2.2 ICEA Standard:
power cables in wet and dry locations, for voltage ratings not
ICEA T-28-562 Test Method for Measurement of Hot Creep
exceeding 2000 V and at conductor temperatures not exceeding
3
of Polymeric Insulations
90 °C for normal operation. For copper conductors, the insu-
lation can be applied over the uncoated metal.
3. Terminology
1.3 Materials covered by this specification are not sunlight
3.1 Definitions:
and weather resistant unless they are carbon black pigmented
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this specification refer
or contain an additive system designed for this protection.
to Terminology D1711.
1.4 In many instances the insulation cannot be tested unless
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
it has been formed around a conductor. Therefore, tests are
3.2.1 aging (act of), n—exposure of materials to air at
done on insulated wire in this standard solely to determine the
121 °C for 168 h.
relevant property of the insulation and not to test the conductor
or completed cable.
4. Physical Properties Requirements
1.5 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different
4.1 The requirements for the insulation are listed in Table 1.
units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in
4.2 Tensile Strength and Percent Elongation at Rupture:
parentheses are for information only.
4.2.1 The test is conducted in accordance with Test Methods
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
D470. The requirements for tensile strength and elongation are
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
given in Table 1 of this Specification.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.3 Heat Distortion:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.3.1 The test is conducted in accordance with Test Methods
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
D470. The requirements for heat distortion are given in Table
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1 of this specification.
2. Referenced Documents
4.4 Percent Hot Creep and Percent Hot Set:
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.4.1 Conduct these test in accordance with Test Method
ICEA T-28-562.
4.4.2 Determine the percent hot creep for 15 min at 150 °C
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
(302 °F). Meet the filled or unfilled values specified in Table 1.
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
4.4.3 Determine the percent hot set for 5 min at 150 °C
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally (302 °F). Meet the filled or unfilled values specified in Table 1.
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D2655 – 19. DOI:
10.1520/D2655-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from Insulated Cable Engineers Association, P. O. Box 440, South
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Yarmouth, MA 02664 or Global Engineering Documents, 15 Inverness Way East,
the ASTM website. Englewood, CO 80112.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2655 − 23
TABLE 1 Physical Properties for Crosslinked Polyethylene
corresponding to a cons
...

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: D2655 − 19 D2655 − 23
Standard Specification for
Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and Cable
1
Rated 0 to 2000 V, 90°C90 °C Operation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2655; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers a crosslinked polyethylene insulation for electrical wires and cables in conductor sizes 14 AWG [2.08
2
mm ] and larger. The base polymer of this insulation consists substantially of polyethylene or a polyethylene copolymer.
1.2 This type of insulation is suitable for continuous use on power cables in wet and dry locations, for voltage ratings not
exceeding 2000 V and at conductor temperatures not exceeding 90°C90 °C for normal operation. For copper conductors, the
insulation can be applied over the uncoated metal.
1.3 Materials covered by this specification are not sunlight and weather resistant unless they are carbon black pigmented or contain
an additive system designed for this protection.
1.4 In many instances the insulation cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor. Therefore, tests are done on
insulated wire in this standard solely to determine the relevant property of the insulation and not to test the conductor or completed
cable.
1.5 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.
1.6 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D470 Test Methods for Crosslinked Insulations and Jackets for Wire and Cable
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials.
Current edition approved March 1, 2019Aug. 1, 2023. Published March 2019August 2023. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 20172019 as
D2655 – 17.D2655 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/D2655-19.10.1520/D2655-23.
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.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2655 − 23
2.2 ICEA Standard:
3
ICEA T-28-562 Test Method for Measurement of Hot Creep of Polymeric Insulations
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this specification refer to Terminology D1711.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 aging (act of), n—exposure of materials to air at 121°C121 °C for 168 h.
4. Physical Properties Requirements
4.1 The requirements for the insulation are listed in Table 1.
4.2 Tensile Strength and Percent Elongation at Rupture:
4.2.1 The test is conducted in accordance with Test Methods D470. The requirements for tensile strength and elongation are given
in Table 1 of this Specification.
4.3 Heat Distortion:
4.3.1 The test is conducted in accordance with Test Methods D470. The requirements for heat distortion are given in Table 1 of
this specification.
4.4 Percent Hot Creep and Percent Hot Set:
4.4.1 Conduct these test in accordance with Test Method ICEA T-28-562.
4.4.2 Determine the percent hot creep for 15 min at 150°C (302°F).150 °C (302 °F). Meet the filled or unfilled values specified
in Table 1.
TABLE 1 Physical Properties for Crosslinked Polyethylene
Insulation
Unaged Tensile Properties Requirements:
Tensile strength, min, psi [MPa] 1800 [12.4]
Elongation at r
...