ASTM B228-11a(2016)

Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper-Clad Steel Conductors

ABSTRACT
This specification covers bare concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from bare round copper-clad steel wires for general use for electrical purposes. Conductors are classified as follows: Grade 40 HS, Grade 30 HS, and Grade 30 EHS. The numbers and diameters of the wires in the concentric-lay-stranded conductors shall conform to the requirements prescribed. Tests for physical and electrical properties of wires composing concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from copper-clad steel wire shall be made before stranding.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers bare concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from bare round copper-clad steel wires for general use for electrical purposes.  
1.2 For the purpose of this specification, conductors are classified as follows: Grade 40 HS, Grade 30 HS, Grade 30 EHS, Grade 40 DSA, and Grade 30 DSA.
The grades covered by this specification correspond to the following commercial designations:    
Grade 40 HS,  
High Strength, 40% Conductivity, Hard Drawn  
Grade 30 HS,  
High Strength, 30% Conductivity, Hard Drawn  
Grade 30 EHS,  
Extra High Strength, 30% Conductivity, Hard Drawn  
Grade 40 DSA,  
40% Conductivity, Dead Soft Annealed  
Grade 30 DSA,  
30% Conductivity, Dead Soft Annealed  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 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-2016
• ICS: 29.060.20 - Cables
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.06 - Bi-Metallic Conductors

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: B228 −11a (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Specification for
Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper-Clad Steel Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B228; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.1 This specification covers bare concentric-lay-stranded
B910/B910M Specification for Annealed Copper-Clad Steel
conductors made from bare round copper-clad steel wires for
Wire
general use for electrical purposes.
2.3 ANSI Standards:
1.2 For the purpose of this specification, conductors are 3
C42 Definitions of Electrical Terms
classified as follows: Grade 40 HS, Grade 30 HS, Grade 30
2.4 National Institute of Standards and Technology:
EHS, Grade 40 DSA, and Grade 30 DSA.
NBSHandbook 100—Copper Wire Tables
The grades covered by this specification correspond to the
following commercial designations:
3. Ordering Information
Grade 40 HS, High Strength, 40% Conductivity, Hard Drawn
3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
Grade 30 HS, High Strength, 30% Conductivity, Hard Drawn
the following information:
Grade 30 EHS, Extra High Strength, 30% Conductivity, Hard Drawn
Grade 40 DSA, 40% Conductivity, Dead Soft Annealed
3.1.1 Quantity of each size and grade;
Grade 30 DSA, 30% Conductivity, Dead Soft Annealed
3.1.2 Conductor size: approximate diameter in fractions of
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
an inch, or number andAWG size of individual wires (Section
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
7 and Table 1);
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.1.3 Grade (see 1.2 and Table 1);
and are not considered standard.
3.1.4 Direction of lay of outer layer, if other than left-hand
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the (see 6.3);
3.1.5 When physical tests shall be made (see 8.2);
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.6 Package size (see 13.1);
3.1.7 Special package marking, if required (Section 12);
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.8 Lagging, if required (see 13.2); and
3.1.9 Place of inspection (Section 14).
2. Referenced Documents
3.2 In addition, Supplementary Requirements shall apply
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on the onlywhenspecifiedbythepurchaserintheinquiry,contract,or
dateofmaterialpurchaseformapartofthisspecificationtothe purchase order for direct procurement by agencies of the U. S.
extent referenced herein:
Government (S1, S2, and S3).
2.2 ASTM Standards:
4. Material for Wires
B227 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper-Clad Steel Wire
4.1 The purchaser shall specify the grade of wire to be used
B354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electri-
in the conductor.
cal Conductors
4.2 Before stranding, the copper-clad steel wire shall meet
all the requirements of Specification B227 for Grade 40 HS,
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on
Grade 30 HS and Grade 30 EHS and the requirements of
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.06 on
Specification B910/B910M for Grade 40 DSA and Grade 30
Bi-Metallic Conductors.
DSA.
Current edition approved April 1, 2016. Published April 2016. Originally
approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as B228 – 11a. DOI:
10.1520/B0228-11AR16.
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 Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100
the ASTM website. Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B228 − 11a (2016)
TABLE 1 Construction Requirements and Breaking Strength of Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper-Clad Steel Conductors
NOTE 1—Metric Equivalents—For diameter, 1 in. = 25.40 mm (round to four significant figures); for breaking strength, 1 lb = 0.45359 kg (round to
four significant figures).
B
Size Designation Rated Breaking Strength, min, lb
Conductor
C D
Diameter,
Inch AWG Grade 40 Grade 30 Grade 30 Grade 40 Grade 30
A
in.
HS HS EHS DSA DSA
⁄8 19 No. 5 0.910 48 740 53 910 64 910 17 250 19 410
⁄16 19 No. 6 0.810 40 370 44 470 53 880 13 680 15 390
⁄32 19 No. 7 0.721 33 360 36 610 44 480 10 850 12 200
⁄32 19 No. 8 0.642 27 550 30 140 36 590 8610 9686
⁄16 19 No. 9 0.572 22 690 24 730 29 700 6823 7676
⁄8 7 No. 4 0.613 21 630 24 040 28 540 8012 9014
⁄16 7 No. 5 0.546 17 960 19 860 23 910 6356 7150
⁄2 7 No. 6 0.486 14 870 16 390 19 850 5041 5672
⁄16 7 No. 7 0.433 12 290 13 490 16 390 3996 4496
⁄8 7 No. 8 0.385 10 150 11 100 13 480 3172 3569
⁄32 7 No. 9 0.343 8359 9113 10 940 2514 2828
⁄16 7 No. 10 0.306 6913 7531 8928 1995 2244
. . . 3 No. 5 0.392 8122 8985 10 820 2875 3235
. . . 3 No. 6 0.349 6728 7412 8980 2281 2566
. . . 3 No. 7 0.311 5559 6102 7413 1808 2034
. . . 3 No. 8 0.277 4592 5023 6099 1435 1614
. . . 3 No. 9 0.247 3781 4122 4950 1137 1279
. . . 3 No. 10 0.220 3127 3407 4039 903 1015
. . . 3 No. 12 0.174 1647 1719 2564 573 645
A
Diameter of circumscribing circle.
B
Minimum breaking strength is calculated using the minimum diameter of the individual wire and the minimum tensile strength from B227. Breaking loads of 7-wire and
19-wire conductors are taken as 90 % of the sum of the breaking loads of the individual wires; breaking load of 3-wire conductors is taken as 95 % of the sum of the
breaking loads of the individual wires.
C
The designation “Inch” is the approximate diameter in proper fraction of an inch.
D
The designation of “AWG” is a combination of the number of wires each of the American Wire Gage size indicated by “No.”
wire with solder. The wall thickness of the sleeve is at least 10 % of the
4.3 Allwiresintheconductorshallbeofthesamegradeand
radius of the wire.
quality.
2. Protect the weld from corrosion and ensure acceptable conductivity
through the use of a silver solder that extends at least 3/8 in. (9.5 mm) on
5. Joints
each side of the weld.
5.1 Joints or splices may be made in the finished individual
This type of joint is applicable for 7, 12, and 19 wire stranded
configurations. When joints made on annealed individual wires, the
copper-clad steel wires composing concentric-lay-stranded
completed stranded conductor is required to have the full rated strength.
conductors, using more than three wires provided that such
For hard drawn material, this joint has a tensile strength of approximately
joints or splices have a protection equivalent to that of the wire
60 000 psi (415 MPa). This is less than the strength of the individual
itself and that they do not decrease the strength of the finished
wires, but an allowance is made for this in the rated strength of the
stranded conductor below the minimum breaking strength
conductor as a whole. The completed conductor when containing such
joints is required to have the full rated strength. Other protection methods
shown in Table 1. Such joints or splices shall be not closer than
may also be used as agreed upon between the purchaser and manufacturer.
50 ft (15 m) to any other joint in the same layer in the
This type of joint is but slightly larger than the wire itself and is
conductor (Note 1).
applicable for 7, 12, and 19-wire stranded conductors.
(b) Compression-Weld Joints—Compression-weld joints differ from
NOTE 1—Joints or splices in individual copper-clad steel wires in their
weld-annealed joints in that the wire is not annealed after the butt-welding
finished size are made by electrical butt welding. Two types of joints are
operation but is reinforced with a hard-drawn, seamless, silicon-tin bronze
used and are described as follows:
sleevewhichisappliedbymeansofahydrauliccompressorovertheweld.
(a) Weld-AnnealedJoints—Afterbuttwelding,thewireisannealedfor
a distance of approximately 5 in. (127 mm) on each side of the weld. The This sleeve is covered with solder so as to completely seal the ends.These
sleeves have a wall thickness of 25 to 50 % of the radius of the wire,
weld is then protected from corrosion with one of two approaches:
1. A snug fitting seamless copper sleeve which extends at least ⁄8 in. depending on the wire size. Their use is usually limited to 3-wire
(9.5 mm) on each side of the weld and which is thoroughly sealed to the conductors where the relatively large diameter is not objectionable. This
TABLE 2 Density of Copper-Clad Steel
Units Grade 40 Density at 20°C Grade 30 Density at 20°C
Grams per cubic centimetre 8.24 8.15
Pounds per cubic inch 0.2975 0.2944
Pounds per circular mil-foot 0.0000028039 0.0000027750
B228 − 11a (2016)
joint develops the full strength of the wire.
9. Density
9.1 For the purpose of calculating mass per unit length
6. Lay
(Note 3), cross sections, and so forth, the density of the
6.1 For3-wireconductorsthepreferredlayis16 ⁄2timesthe copper-clad steel wire shall be taken as shown in Table 2 (Note
outside diameter, but the lay shall not be less than 14 times nor 4).
more than 20 times this diameter.
NOTE 3—The term mass per unit length is used in this specification as
1 being more technically correct replaces the term “weights.”
6.2 For 7- and 19-wire conductors the preferred l
...

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: B228 − 11a B228 − 11a (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Specification for
Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper-Clad Steel Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B228; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers bare concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from bare round copper-clad steel wires for general
use for electrical purposes.
1.2 For the purpose of this specification, conductors are classified as follows: Grade 40 HS, Grade 30 HS, Grade 30 EHS, Grade
40 DSA, and Grade 30 DSA.
The grades covered by this specification correspond to the following commercial designations:
Grade 40 HS, High Strength, 40% Conductivity, Hard Drawn
Grade 30 HS, High Strength, 30% Conductivity, Hard Drawn
Grade 30 EHS, Extra High Strength, 30% Conductivity, Hard Drawn
Grade 40 DSA, 40% Conductivity, Dead Soft Annealed
Grade 30 DSA, 30% Conductivity, Dead Soft Annealed
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on the date of material purchase form a part of this specification to the extent
referenced herein:
2.2 ASTM Standards:
B227 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper-Clad Steel Wire
B354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electrical Conductors
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
B910/B910M Specification for Annealed Copper-Clad Steel Wire
2.3 ANSI Standards:
C 42 Definitions of Electrical Terms
2.4 National Institute of Standards and Technology:
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 and grade;
3.1.2 Conductor size: approximate diameter in fractions of an inch, or number and AWG size of individual wires (Section 7 and
Table 1);
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.06 on Bi-Metallic
Conductors.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2011April 1, 2016. Published December 2011April 2016. Originally approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as
B228 – 11.B228 – 11a. DOI: 10.1520/B0228-11A.10.1520/B0228-11AR16.
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.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B228 − 11a (2016)
TABLE 1 Construction Requirements and Breaking Strength of Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper-Clad Steel Conductors
NOTE 1—Metric Equivalents—For diameter, 1 in. = 25.40 mm (round to four significant figures); for breaking strength, 1 lb = 0.45359 kg (round to
four significant figures).
B
Size Designation Rated Breaking Strength, min, lb
Conductor
C D
Diameter,
Inch AWG Grade 40 Grade 30 Grade 30 Grade 40 Grade 30
A
in.
HS HS EHS DSA DSA
⁄8 19 No. 5 0.910 48 740 53 910 64 910 17 250 19 410
⁄16 19 No. 6 0.810 40 370 44 470 53 880 13 680 15 390
⁄32 19 No. 7 0.721 33 360 36 610 44 480 10 850 12 200
⁄32 19 No. 8 0.642 27 550 30 140 36 590 8610 9686
⁄16 19 No. 9 0.572 22 690 24 730 29 700 6823 7676
⁄8 7 No. 4 0.613 21 630 24 040 28 540 8012 9014
⁄16 7 No. 5 0.546 17 960 19 860 23 910 6356 7150
⁄2 7 No. 6 0.486 14 870 16 390 19 850 5041 5672
⁄16 7 No. 7 0.433 12 290 13 490 16 390 3996 4496
⁄8 7 No. 8 0.385 10 150 11 100 13 480 3172 3569
⁄32 7 No. 9 0.343 8359 9113 10 940 2514 2828
⁄16 7 No. 10 0.306 6913 7531 8928 1995 2244
. . . 3 No. 5 0.392 8122 8985 10 820 2875 3235
. . . 3 No. 6 0.349 6728 7412 8980 2281 2566
. . . 3 No. 7 0.311 5559 6102 7413 1808 2034
. . . 3 No. 8 0.277 4592 5023 6099 1435 1614
. . . 3 No. 9 0.247 3781 4122 4950 1137 1279
. . . 3 No. 10 0.220 3127 3407 4039 903 1015
. . . 3 No. 12 0.174 1647 1719 2564 573 645
A
Diameter of circumscribing circle.
B
Minimum breaking strength is calculated using the minimum diameter of the individual wire and the minimum tensile strength from B227. Breaking loads of 7-wire and
19-wire conductors are taken as 90 % of the sum of the breaking loads of the individual wires; breaking load of 3-wire conductors is taken as 95 % of the sum of the
breaking loads of the individual wires.
C
The designation “Inch” is the approximate diameter in proper fraction of an inch.
D
The designation of “AWG” is a combination of the number of wires each of the American Wire Gage size indicated by “No.”
3.1.3 Grade (see 1.2 and Table 1);
3.1.4 Direction of lay of outer layer, if other than left-hand (see 6.3);
3.1.5 When physical tests shall be made (see 8.2);
3.1.6 Package size (see 13.1);
3.1.7 Special package marking, if required (Section 12);
3.1.8 Lagging, if required (see 13.2); and
3.1.9 Place of inspection (Section 14).
3.2 In addition, Supplementary Requirements shall apply only when specified by the purchaser in the inquiry, contract, or
purchase order for direct procurement by agencies of the U. S. Government (S1, S2, and S3).
4. Material for Wires
4.1 The purchaser shall specify the grade of wire to be used in the conductor.
4.2 Before stranding, the copper-clad steel wire shall meet all the requirements of Specification B227 for Grade 40 HS, Grade
30 HS and Grade 30 EHS and the requirements of Specification B910/B910M for Grade 40 DSA and Grade 30 DSA.
4.3 All wires in the conductor shall be of the same grade and quality.
5. Joints
5.1 Joints or splices may be made in the finished individual copper-clad steel wires composing concentric-lay-stranded
conductors, using more than three wires provided that such joints or splices have a protection equivalent to that of the wire itself
and that they do not decrease the strength of the finished stranded conductor below the minimum breaking strength shown in Table
1. Such joints or splices shall be not closer than 50 ft (15 m) to any other joint in the same layer in the conductor (Note 1).
NOTE 1—Joints or splices in individual copper-clad steel wires in their finished size are made by electrical butt welding. Two types of joints are used
and are described as follows:
(a) Weld-Annealed Joints—After butt welding, the wire is annealed for a distance of approximately 5 in. (127 mm) on each side of the weld. The
weld is then protected from corrosion with one of two approaches:
1. A snug fitting seamless copper sleeve which extends at least ⁄8 in. (9.5 mm) on each side of the weld and which is thoroughly sealed to the wire
with solder. The wall thickness of the sleeve is at least 10 % of the radius of the wire.
B228 − 11a (2016)
TABLE 2 Density of Copper-Clad Steel
Units Grade 40 Density at 20°C Grade 30 Density at 20°C
Grams per cubic centimetre 8.24 8.15
Pounds per cubic inch 0.2975 0.2944
Pounds per circular mil-foot 0.0000028039 0.0000027750
2. Protect the weld from corrosion and ensure acceptable conductivity through the use of a silver solder that extends at least 3/8 in. (9.5 mm) on each
side of the weld.
This type of joint is applicable for 7, 12, and 19 wire stranded configurations. When joints made on annealed individual wires, the completed stranded
conductor is required to have the full rated strength. For hard drawn material, this joint has a tensile strength of approximately 60 000 psi (415 MPa).
This is less than the strength of the individual wires, but an allowance is made for this in the rated strength of the conductor as a whole. The completed
conductor when containing such joints is required to have the full rated strength. Other protection methods may also be used as agreed upon between
the purchaser and manufacturer.
This type of joint is but slightly larger than the wire itself and is applicable for 7, 12, and 19-wire stranded conductors.
(b) Compression-Weld Joints—Compression-weld joints differ from weld-annealed joints in that the wire is not annealed after the butt-welding
operation but is reinforced with a hard-drawn, seamless, silicon-tin bronze sleeve which is applied by means of a hydraulic compressor over the weld.
This sleeve is covered with solder so as to completely seal the ends. These sleeves have a wall thickness of 25 to 50 % of the radius of the wire, depending
on the wire size. Their use is usually limited to 3-wire conductors where the relatively large diameter is not objectionable. This joint develops the full
strength of the wire.
6. Lay
6.1 For 3-wire conductors the preferred lay is 16 ⁄2 times the outside diameter, but the lay shall not be less than 14 times nor
more than 20 times this diameter.
6.2 For 7- and 19-wire conductors the preferred lay is 13 ⁄2 times the diameter of that layer, but the lay shall not be less than
10 nor more than 16 times this diameter.
6.3 The direction of lay of the outer layer shal
...