ASTM B401-12(2021)

Standard Specification for Compact Round Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Steel-Reinforced (ACSR/COMP)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers compact round concentric-lay stranded conductors made from aluminum 1350-H19 (extra hard) wires and round zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or aluminum-clad steel core wires usually used in overhead lines. Compact ACSR covered by this specification has five types of steel core wire which are designated by ACSR/GA/COMP, ACSR/GB/COMP, ACSR/GC/COMP, ACSR/AZ/COMP, ACSR/AW/COMP. Electric-butt welds, electric-butt, cold-upset welds, or cold-pressure welds in the individual round-drawn or shaped aluminum wires shall be made during the stranding process. The preferred lay of the aluminum wires of aluminum conductors, steel-reinforced, having a single wire steel core and one layer of aluminum wires shall be 14 times the outside diameter of the conductor but the lay shall be not less than 13 nor more than 16 times that diameter. The diameter of the steel core wire, the number of aluminum wires, the aluminum cross-sectional area, the diameter and weight of the compact round concentric-lay-stranded aluminum conductors, steel-reinforced, shall conform to the construction requirements. The rated strength of a completed conductor shall be taken as the aggregate strength of the aluminum and steel components, and shall be calculated according to the prescribed computation. The mass and electrical resistance of a unit length of stranded conductor shall be a function of the length of lay. Tests for mechanical and electrical properties of aluminum wires composing the conductors shall be made before stranding.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers compact round concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from aluminum 1350-H19 (extra hard) wires and round zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or aluminum-clad steel core wires usually used in overhead lines. These conductors shall be constructed with one steel core wire surrounded by one or more layers of helically-laid compacted or otherwise shaped aluminum wires (Explanatory Note 1 and Note 2).  
1.2 Compact ACSR covered by this specification has five types of steel core wire which are designated by abbreviations as follows (Explanatory Note 2 and Note 7).  
1.2.1 ACSR/GA2/COMP—Compact ACSR using Class A zinc-coated steel wire,  
1.2.2 ACSR/GC2/COMP—Compact ACSR using Class C zinc-coated steel wire,  
1.2.3 ACSR/AW2/COMP—Compact ACSR using aluminum-clad steel wire, AW2 (Normal Strength),  
1.2.4 ACSR/AW3/COMP—Compact ACSR using aluminum-clad steel wire, AW3 (High Strength).  
1.3 The SI values of density and resistivity are to be regarded as standard. For all other properties the inch-pound values are to be regarded as standard and the SI units may be approximate.  
Note 1: Prior to 1975, aluminum 1350 was designated as EC aluminum.
Note 2: The aluminum and temper designations conform to ANSI H35.1. Aluminum 1350 corresponds to Unified Numbering System A91350 in accordance with Practice E527.  
1.4 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2021
• ICS: 29.060.20 - Cables
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.07 - Conductors of Light Metals

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: B401 −12 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Compact Round Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum
1
Conductors, Steel-Reinforced (ACSR/COMP)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B401; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification covers compact round concentric-lay- 2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on date
stranded conductors made from aluminum 1350-H19 (extra of material purchase form a part of this specification to the
hard) wires and round zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or extent referenced herein.
aluminum-clad steel core wires usually used in overhead lines. 2
2.2 ASTM Standards:
These conductors shall be constructed with one steel core wire
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
surrounded by one or more layers of helically-laid compacted
Materials
or otherwise shaped aluminum wires (Explanatory Note 1 and
B230/B230M Specification for Aluminum 1350–H19 Wire
Note 2).
for Electrical Purposes
1.2 Compact ACSR covered by this specification has five B232/B232M Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded
types of steel core wire which are designated by abbreviations Aluminum Conductors, Coated-Steel Reinforced (ACSR)
as follows (Explanatory Note 2 and Note 7). B263 Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional
1.2.1 ACSR/GA2/COMP—Compact ACSR using Class A Area of Stranded Conductors
zinc-coated steel wire, B341/B341M Specification for Aluminum-Coated (Alumi-
1.2.2 ACSR/GC2/COMP—Compact ACSR using Class C nized) Steel Core Wire for Aluminum Conductors, Steel
3
zinc-coated steel wire, Reinforced (ACSR/AZ) (Withdrawn 2007)
1.2.3 ACSR/AW2/COMP—Compact ACSR using B354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electri-
aluminum-clad steel wire, AW2 (Normal Strength), cal Conductors
1.2.4 ACSR/AW3/COMP—Compact ACSR using B498/B498M Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized)
aluminum-clad steel wire, AW3 (High Strength). Steel Core Wire for Use in Overhead Electrical Conduc-
tors
1.3 The SI values of density and resistivity are to be
B502 Specification for Aluminum-Clad Steel Core Wire for
regarded as standard. For all other properties the inch-pound
Use in Overhead Electrical Aluminum Conductors
values are to be regarded as standard and the SI units may be
B802M Specification for Zinc-5% Aluminum-Mischmetal
approximate.
Alloy-Coated Steel Core Wire forAluminum Conductors,
NOTE 1—Prior to 1975, aluminum 1350 was designated as EC
Steel Reinforced (ACSR)[Metric](Discontinued 1998-
aluminum. 3
Replaced by B 802/B802M) (Withdrawn 1998)
NOTE 2—The aluminum and temper designations conform to ANSI
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
H35.1. Aluminum 1350 corresponds to Unified Numbering System
Determine Conformance with Specifications
A91350 in accordance with Practice E527.
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Unified Numbering System (UNS)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
2.3 Other Documents:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ANSI H35.1 American National StandardAlloy and Temper
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4
Designation Systems For Aluminum
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.07 on the ASTM website.
3
Conductors of Light Metals. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally www.astm.org.
4
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as B401 – 12 (2016). Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
DOI: 10.1520/B0401-12R21. 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
1

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B401 − 12 (2021)
NBS Handbook 100 —Copper Wire Tables of the National 14 times the outside diameter of such layer but the lay shall be
5
Bureau of Standards not less than 11 nor more than 17.5 times that diameter.
5.4 T
...

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: B401 − 12 (Reapproved 2016) B401 − 12 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Compact Round Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum
1
Conductors, Steel-Reinforced (ACSR/COMP)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B401; 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 compact round concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from aluminum 1350-H19 (extra hard)
wires and round zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or aluminum-clad steel core wires usually used in overhead lines. These
conductors shall be constructed with one steel core wire surrounded by one or more layers of helically-laid compacted or otherwise
shaped aluminum wires (Explanatory Note 1 and Note 2).
1.2 Compact ACSR covered by this specification has five types of steel core wire which are designated by abbreviations as follows
(Explanatory Note 2 and Note 7).
1.2.1 ACSR/GA2/COMP—Compact ACSR using Class A zinc-coated steel wire,
1.2.2 ACSR/GC2/COMP—Compact ACSR using Class C zinc-coated steel wire,
1.2.3 ACSR/AW2/COMP—Compact ACSR using aluminum-clad steel wire, AW2 (Normal Strength).Strength),
1.2.4 ACSR/AW3/COMP—Compact ACSR using aluminum-clad steel wire, AW3 (High Strength).
1.3 The SI values of density and resistivity are to be regarded as standard. For all other properties the inch-pound values are to
be regarded as standard and the SI units may be approximate.
NOTE 1—Prior to 1975, aluminum 1350 was designated as EC aluminum.
NOTE 2—The aluminum and temper designations conform to ANSI H35.1. Aluminum 1350 corresponds to Unified Numbering System A91350 in
accordance with Practice E527.
1.4 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
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on date of material purchase form a part of this specification to the extent
referenced herein.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.07 on Conductors
of Light Metals.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016Oct. 1, 2021. Published October 2016October 2021. Originally approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 20122016 as
B401 – 12.B401 – 12 (2016). DOI: 10.1520/B0401-12R16.10.1520/B0401-12R21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B401 − 12 (2021)
2
2.2 ASTM Standards:
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials
B230/B230M Specification for Aluminum 1350–H19 Wire for Electrical Purposes
B232/B232M Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum Conductors, Coated-Steel Reinforced (ACSR)
B263 Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded Conductors
B341/B341M Specification for Aluminum-Coated (Aluminized) Steel Core Wire for Aluminum Conductors, Steel Reinforced
3
(ACSR/AZ) (Withdrawn 2007)
B354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electrical Conductors
B498/B498M Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Core Wire for Use in Overhead Electrical Conductors
B502 Specification for Aluminum-Clad Steel Core Wire for Use in Overhead Electrical Aluminum Conductors
B802M Specification for Zinc-5% Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy-Coated Steel Core Wire for Aluminum Conductors, Steel
3
Reinforced (ACSR)[Metric](Discontinued 1998-Replaced by B 802/B802M) (Withdrawn 1998)
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)
2.3 Other Documents:
4
ANSI H35.1 American National Standard Alloy and Temper Designation Systems For Aluminum
5
NBS Handbook 100 —Copper Wire Tables of the National Bureau of Standards
3. Ordering Information
3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include the following information:
3.1.1 Quantity of each size and stranding (Table 1),
3.1.2 Conductor size: circular-mil area or AWG (Section 6, a
...