ASTM B226-11(2016)

Standard Specification for Cored, Annular, Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors

ABSTRACT
This specification covers cored, annular, concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from round soft copper wires either uncoated or coated with tin for use as electrical conductors. The core may be of any materials and its size and surface firmness as a base for the overlaid wires shall be adequated to prevent forcing or dropping of any wire out of its layer position. No splice shall be made in the conductor as a whole, welds or brazes may be made in the finished individual wires. The materials shall conform to the required nominal conductor size, number of layers of wires, number, diameter, lay-up wires, approximate core diameter, and maximum conductor diameter. The mass per unit length and electrical resistance of a unit length of stranded conductor are a function of the length of lay and shall be calculated. The are of cross section of a conductor shall be considered to be the sum of the cross-sectional areas of its component wires at any section when measured perpendicularly to their individual axes.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers cored, annular, concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from round soft copper wires, either uncoated or coated with tin for use as electrical conductors (Explanatory Note 1 and Note 2).  
1.2 The constructions prescribed herein are suitable for bare conductors, or for conductors to be covered with weather-resistant (weather-proof) material, or for conductors to be insulated with rubber, varnished cloth, or impregnated paper, except types such as “oil-filled” or “gas-filled” (Explanatory Note 3).  
1.3 Cored, annular conductor constructions not included in this specification shall be specifically agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser when placing the order.  
1.4 These constructions are not recommended for use as electric furnace leads where great flexibility is required and special conductor designs are indicated in consideration of the particular service requirements.  
1.5 The SI values for density are regarded as the standard. For all other properties the inch-pound values are to be regarded as standard and the SI units may be approximate.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2016
• ICS: 29.060.20 - Cables
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.04 - Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys

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: B226 −11 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Specification for
Cored, Annular, Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper
Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B226; 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 Wire for Electrical Purposes
B172 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conduc-
1.1 This specification covers cored, annular, concentric-lay-
torsHavingBunch-StrandedMembers,forElectricalCon-
stranded conductors made from round soft copper wires, either
ductors
uncoated or coated with tin for use as electrical conductors
B173 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conduc-
(Explanatory Note 1 and Note 2).
tors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Electrical
1.2 The constructions prescribed herein are suitable for bare
Conductors
conductors, or for conductors to be covered with weather-
B174 Specification for Bunch-Stranded Copper Conductors
resistant (weather-proof) material, or for conductors to be
for Electrical Conductors
insulated with rubber, varnished cloth, or impregnated paper,
B263 Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional
except types such as “oil-filled” or “gas-filled” (Explanatory
Area of Stranded Conductors
Note 3).
B354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electri-
1.3 Cored, annular conductor constructions not included in cal Conductors
B496 Specification for Compact Round Concentric-Lay-
this specification shall be specifically agreed upon between the
manufacturer and the purchaser when placing the order. Stranded Copper Conductors
B784 Specification for Modified Concentric-Lay-Stranded
1.4 These constructions are not recommended for use as
Copper Conductors for Use in Insulated Electrical Cables
electric furnace leads where great flexibility is required and
B787/B787M Specification for 19 Wire Combination
special conductor designs are indicated in consideration of the
Unilay-Stranded Copper Conductors for Subsequent Insu-
particular service requirements.
lation
1.5 The SI values for density are regarded as the standard.
B835 Specification for Compact Round Stranded Copper
For all other properties the inch-pound values are to be
Conductors Using Single Input Wire Construction
regarded as standard and the SI units may be approximate.
B902 Specification for Compressed Round Stranded Copper
Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft Using Single
2. Referenced Documents
Input Wire Construction
2.1 The following documents in effect at the time of
2.3 American National Standard:
reference form a part of these methods to the extent referenced
IEEE Standard 100 The Authoritative Dictionary of IEEE
herein: 3
Standards Terms
2.2 ASTM Standards:
2.4 NIST:
B3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
NBS Handbook 100—Copper Wire Tables
B8 Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper
Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft
3. Ordering Information
B33 Specification for Tin-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper
3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
the following information:
3.1.1 Quantity of each size,
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.04 on 3.1.2 Conductor size: circular-mil area (Section 7 and Table
Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys.
1),
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016. Published October 2016. Originally
approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as B226 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/B0226-11R16.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5301 Shawnee
the ASTM website. Rd., Alexandria, VA 22312, http://www.ntis.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B226 − 11 (2016)
TABLE 1 Construction of Cored, Annular, Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors
Nominal Area of Number of Strands in Layers
Approximate Calculated Area of Maximum
Copper Diameter of
A
Diameter of Copper, Cross Outside Diameter,
Cross Wires, in.
Core, in. Section, cmils in.
1st 2nd 3rd Total
Section, cmils
5 000 000 2.875 0.1620 57 63 69 189 4 960 116 3.897
4 500 000 2.500 0.1620 50 56 62 168 4 408 992 3.517
4 000 000 2.250 0.1620 45 51 57 153 4 015 332 3.262
3 500 000 2.000 0.1620 40 45 52 137 3 595 428 3.007
3 000 000 1.625 0.1620 33 38 45 116 3 044 304 2.627
2 500 000 1.500 0.1440 34 40 46 120 2 488 320 2.394
2 000 000 1.313 0.1284 34 40 46 120 1 978 387 2.114
1 750 000 1.125 0.1280 30 35 42 107 1 753 088 1.923
1 500 000 1.000 0.1255 26 32 38 96 1 512 024 1.783
1 250 000 0.750 0.1255 21 26 33 80 1 260 020 1.533
1 000 000 0.563 0.1255 16 21 28 65 1 023 766 1.346
900 000 0.500 0.1172 16 22 28 66 906 565 1.234
800 000 0.468 0.1110 16 21 28 65 800 865 1.164
750 000 0.375 0.1172 12 18 24 54 741 735 1.108
A
The following plus tolerances are included in the calculation of maximum outside diameters:
Nominal Area, Plus Tolerance Included,
cmils mils
5 000 000 to 4 500 001 50
4 500 000 to 4 000 001 45
4 000 000 to 3 500 001 40
3 500 000 to 3 000 001 35
3 000 000 to 750 000 30
3.1.3 Whether coated or uncoated; if coated, a tin coating 5. Joints
only (Section 11),
5.1 No splice shall be made in the conductor as a whole.
3.1.4 Specific kind and treatment of core material (Section
Welds or brazes may be made in the finished individual wires.
4),
Not more than one of the wires in any given layer shall be
3.1.5 Details of special-purpose lays, if required (see 6.1
spliced in any 1-ft length of that layer.
and 6.2 and Explanatory Note 3),
5.2 All joints shall be made in a workmanlike manner and
3.1.6 Package size (Section 14),
shall be approximately the diameter of the unjointed wire.
3.1.7 Lagging, if required (see 14.2),
3.1.8 Special package marking, if required (Section 14.3),
6. Lay
and
6.1 The length of lay of the respective layers of wires shall
3.1.9 Place of inspection (Section 13).
be at the option of the manufacturer unless otherwise agreed
upon with the purchaser (Explanatory Note 3).
4. Core
6.2 The direction of lay of the outer layer of wires shall be
4.1 Thecoremaybeofanymaterialormaterialssuitablefor
left hand, unless specified otherwise by the purchaser (Ex-
the purpose as agreed upon by the manufacturer and the
planatory Note 3).
purchaser when placing the order.
6.3 The direction of lay shall be reversed in successive
4.2 Thesizeofthecoreanditssurfacefirmnessasabasefor
layers (Explanatory Note 3).
the overlaid wires shall be adequate to prevent the forcing or
dropping of any wire out of its layer position (Explanatory
7. Construction
Note 4).
7.1 The nominal conductor size, number of layers of wires,
4.3 If a specific kind of fibrous core is required by the
number, diameter, lay-up of wires, approximate core diameter,
purchaser (such as manila rope, sisal, and so forth) it shall be
andmaximumconductordiametershallconformtotherequire-
specified by him when placing the order (Explanatory Note 4).
ments prescribed in Table 1 (Explanatory Note 4).
4.4 The proper treatment of the fibrous core, if any treat-
8. Physical and Electrical Tests
ment be required, shall be left to the discretion of the
manufacturerunlessotherarrangementsaremadeatthetimeof 8.1 Tests for the electrical properties of wires composing
purchase. conductors made from soft or annealed copper wire, bare or
coated, shall be made before stranding.
4.5 If a metal supporting type of core is required, special
arrangements will be necessary between the manufacturer and 8.2 Tests for the physical properties of soft or annealed
the purchaser. copper wire, bare or coated, may be made upon the wires
B226 − 11 (2016)
TABLE 3 Approximate Areas and Linear Densities of Cored,
before stranding or upon wires removed from the completed
Annular, Concentric Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors
strandedconductor,butneednotbemadeuponboth.Careshall
Calculated
be taken to avoid mechanical injury to wire removed from the
Calculated Mass per Unit Length, lb/1000 ft
Nominal Size, Area of Copper
conductor for the purpose of testing.
cmils Cross Section,
A
Copper Core Total
in.
8.3 The physical properties of wire when tested before
5 000 000 3.896 15 760 2926 18 690
stranding shall conform to the applicable requirements of 11.2.
4 500 000 3.463 14 010 2213 16 220
8.4 The physical properties of wires removed from the
4 000 000 3.154 12 640 1792 14 430
completed stranded conductor shall be permitted to vary from
3 500 000 2.
...

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: B226 − 11 B226 − 11 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Specification for
Cored, Annular, Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper
Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B226; 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 cored, annular, concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from round soft copper wires, either
uncoated or coated with tin for use as electrical conductors (Explanatory Note 1 and Note 2).
1.2 The constructions prescribed herein are suitable for bare conductors, or for conductors to be covered with weather-resistant
(weather-proof) material, or for conductors to be insulated with rubber, varnished cloth, or impregnated paper, except types such
as “oil-filled” or “gas-filled” (Explanatory Note 3).
1.3 Cored, annular conductor constructions not included in this specification shall be specifically agreed upon between the
manufacturer and the purchaser when placing the order.
1.4 These constructions are not recommended for use as electric furnace leads where great flexibility is required and special
conductor designs are indicated in consideration of the particular service requirements.
1.5 The SI values for density are regarded as the standard. For all other properties the inch-pound values are to be regarded as
standard and the SI units may be approximate.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 The following documents in effect at the time of reference form a part of these methods to the extent referenced herein:
2.2 ASTM Standards:
B3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
B8 Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft
B33 Specification for Tin-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
B172 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Bunch-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conductors
B173 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conduc-
tors
B174 Specification for Bunch-Stranded Copper Conductors for Electrical Conductors
B263 Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded Conductors
B354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electrical Conductors
B496 Specification for Compact Round Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors
B784 Specification for Modified Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors for Use in Insulated Electrical Cables
B787/B787M Specification for 19 Wire Combination Unilay-Stranded Copper Conductors for Subsequent Insulation
B835 Specification for Compact Round Stranded Copper Conductors Using Single Input Wire Construction
B902 Specification for Compressed Round Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft Using Single Input Wire
Construction
2.3 American National Standard:
IEEE Standard 100 The Authoritative Dictionary of IEEE Standards Terms
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.04 on Conductors
of Copper and Copper Alloys.
Current edition approved April 1, 2011Oct. 1, 2016. Published May 2011October 2016. Originally approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 20042011 as
B226 – 04.B226 – 11. DOI: 10.1520/B0226-11.10.1520/B0226-11R16.
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’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B226 − 11 (2016)
2.4 NIST:
NBS Handbook 100—Copper Wire Tables
3. Ordering Information
3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include the following information:
3.1.1 Quantity of each size,
3.1.2 Conductor size: circular-mil area (Section 7 and Table 1),
3.1.3 Whether coated or uncoated; if coated, a tin coating only (Section 11),
3.1.4 Specific kind and treatment of core material (Section 4),
3.1.5 Details of special-purpose lays, if required (see 6.1 and 6.2 and Explanatory Note 3),
3.1.6 Package size (Section 14),
3.1.7 Lagging, if required (see 14.2),
3.1.8 Special package marking, if required (Section 14.3), and
3.1.9 Place of inspection (Section 13).
4. Core
4.1 The core may be of any material or materials suitable for the purpose as agreed upon by the manufacturer and the purchaser
when placing the order.
4.2 The size of the core and its surface firmness as a base for the overlaid wires shall be adequate to prevent the forcing or
dropping of any wire out of its layer position (Explanatory Note 4).
4.3 If a specific kind of fibrous core is required by the purchaser (such as manila rope, sisal, and so forth) it shall be specified
by him when placing the order (Explanatory Note 4).
4.4 The proper treatment of the fibrous core, if any treatment be required, shall be left to the discretion of the manufacturer
unless other arrangements are made at the time of purchase.
4.5 If a metal supporting type of core is required, special arrangements will be necessary between the manufacturer and the
purchaser.
Available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5301 Shawnee Rd., Alexandria, VA 22312, http://www.ntis.gov.
TABLE 1 Construction of Cored, Annular, Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors
Nominal Area of Number of Strands in Layers
Approximate Calculated Area of Maximum
Copper Diameter of
A
Diameter of Copper, Cross Outside Diameter,
Cross Wires, in.
Core, in. 1st 2nd 3rd Total Section, cmils in.
Section, cmils
5 000 000 2.875 0.1620 57 63 69 189 4 960 116 3.897
4 500 000 2.500 0.1620 50 56 62 168 4 408 992 3.517
4 000 000 2.250 0.1620 45 51 57 153 4 015 332 3.262
3 500 000 2.000 0.1620 40 45 52 137 3 595 428 3.007
3 000 000 1.625 0.1620 33 38 45 116 3 044 304 2.627
2 500 000 1.500 0.1440 34 40 46 120 2 488 320 2.394
2 000 000 1.313 0.1284 34 40 46 120 1 978 387 2.114
1 750 000 1.125 0.1280 30 35 42 107 1 753 088 1.923
1 500 000 1.000 0.1255 26 32 38 96 1 512 024 1.783
1 250 000 0.750 0.1255 21 26 33 80 1 260 020 1.533
1 000 000 0.563 0.1255 16 21 28 65 1 023 766 1.346
900 000 0.500 0.1172 16 22 28 66 906 565 1.234
800 000 0.468 0.1110 16 21 28 65 800 865 1.164
750 000 0.375 0.1172 12 18 24 54 741 735 1.108
A
The following plus tolerances are included in the calculation of maximum outside diameters:
Nominal Area, Plus Tolerance Included,
cmils mils
5 000 000 to 4 500 001 50
4 500 000 to 4 000 001 45
4 000 000 to 3 500 001 40
3 500 000 to 3 000 001 35
3 000 000 to 750 000 30
B226 − 11 (2016)
5. Joints
5.1 No splice shall be made in the conductor as a whole. Welds or brazes may be made in the finished individual wires. Not
more than one of the wires in any given layer shall be spliced in any 1-ft length of that layer.
5.2 All joints shall be made in a workmanlike manner and shall be approximately the diameter of the unjointed wire.
6. Lay
6.1 The length of lay of the respective layers of wires shall be at the option of the manufacturer unless otherwise agreed upon
with the purchaser (Explanatory Note 3).
6.2 The direction of lay of the outer layer of wires shall be left hand, unless specified otherwise by the purchaser (Explanatory
Note 3).
6.3 The direction of lay shall be reversed in successive layers (Explanatory Note 3).
7. Construction
7.1 The nominal conductor size, number of layers of wires, number, diameter, lay-up of wires, approximate core diameter, and
maximum conductor diameter shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Table 1 (Explanatory Note 4).
8. Physical and Electrical Tests
8.1 Tests for the electrical properties of wires composing conductors made from soft or annealed copper wire, bare or coated,
shall be made before stranding.
8.2 Tests for the physical properties of soft or annealed copper wire, bare or coated, may be made upon the wires before
stranding or upon wires removed from the completed stranded conductor, but need not be made upon both. Care shall be taken
to avoid mechanical injury to wire removed from the conductor for the purpose of testing.
8.3 The physical properties of wire when tested before stranding shall conform to the applicable requirements of 11.2.
8.4 The physical properties of wires removed from the completed stranded conductor shall be permitted to vary from the
applicable requirements of 11.2 by the following amounts (Explanatory Note 5):
8.4.1 Average of Results Obtained on All Wires Tested—The minimum elongation required shall be reduced in numerical value
5 (for example, from 30 to 25 %) from the numerical requirements for the wi
...