SIST EN 60811-401:2012

Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 401: Miscellaneous tests -Thermal ageing methods - Ageing in an air oven

IEC 60811-401:2012 specifies the procedure for ageing in an air oven, which typically applies to crosslinked and thermoplastic compounds used for insulating and sheathing materials. IEC 60811-401:2012 cancels and replaces 8.1 and 8.4 of IEC 60811-1-2:1985, which is withdrawn. Full details of the replacements are shown in Annex A of IEC 60811-100:2012. There are no specific technical changes with respect to the previous edition, but see the Foreword to IEC 60811-100:2012.   This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60811-100:2012.

Kabel, isolierte Leitungen und Glasfaserkabel - Prüfverfahren für nichtmetallene Werkstoffe - Teil 401: Sonstige Prüfungen - Thermische Alterungsverfahren - Alterung im Wärmeschrank

Câbles électriques et câbles à fibres optiques - Méthodes d'essai pour les matériaux non-métalliques - Partie 401: Essais divers - Méthode de vieillissement thermique - Vieillissement en étuve à air

La CEI 60811-401:2012 décrit la méthode de vieillissement en étuve à air, généralement applicable aux mélanges réticulés et thermoplastiques utilisés pour les matériaux d'isolation et de gainage. La CEI 60811-401 :2012 annule et remplace 8.1 et 8.4 de la CEI 60811-1-2:1985, qui est supprimée. L'ensemble des informations relatives aux remplacements figure dans l'Annexe A de la CEI 60811-100:2012. Aucune modification technique n'a été effectuée par rapport à l'édition précédente; voir cependant l'avant-propos de la CEI 60811-100:2012.   Cette publication doit être lue conjointement avec la CEI 60811-100:2012.

Električni in optični kabli - Preskuševalne metode za nekovinske materiale - 401. del: Drugi preskusi - Metode termičnega staranja - Staranje v zračni peči (na vroči zrak)

401. del standarda IEC 60811 določa postopek za staranje v zračni peči (na vroči zrak), ki se običajno uporablja za zamrežene in termoplastične zmesi za izolacije in plašče.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 05-Jul-2012
• ICS: 29.035.01 - Insulating materials in general
• ICS: 29.060.20 - Cables
• Technical Committee: IEKA - Electric cables
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 19-Jun-2012
• Due Date: 24-Aug-2012
• Completion Date: 06-Jul-2012
• Directive: 2006/95/EC - Directive 2006/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (codified version)
• Directive: 2014/35/EU - Directive 2014/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits
• Ref Project: EN 60811-401:2012 - Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 401: Miscellaneous tests - Thermal ageing methods - Ageing in an air oven

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 60811-1-2:1999 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric cables - Common test methods - Part 1-2: General application - Thermal ageing methods
• Effective Date: 29-Jan-2023
• Replaces: SIST EN 60811-1-2:1999/A2:2002 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric cables - Common test methods - Part 1-2: General application - Thermal ageing methods (IEC 60811-1-2:1985/A2:2000)
• Effective Date: 29-Jan-2023
• Amended By: SIST EN 60811-401:2012/A1:2018 - Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 401: Miscellaneous tests - Thermal ageing methods - Ageing in an air oven (IEC 60811-401:2012/A1:2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Revised: SIST EN 60811-1-2:1999 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric cables - Common test methods - Part 1-2: General application - Thermal ageing methods
• Effective Date: 07-Jun-2022
• Revised: SIST EN 60811-1-2:1999/A2:2002 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric cables - Common test methods - Part 1-2: General application - Thermal ageing methods (IEC 60811-1-2:1985/A2:2000)
• Effective Date: 07-Jun-2022
• Revised: SIST EN 60811-1-2:1999 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric cables - Common test methods - Part 1-2: General application - Thermal ageing methods
• Effective Date: 13-May-2010
• Revised: SIST EN 60811-1-2:1999/A2:2002 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric cables - Common test methods - Part 1-2: General application - Thermal ageing methods (IEC 60811-1-2:1985/A2:2000)
• Effective Date: 13-May-2010

Overview

EN 60811-401:2012 (IEC 60811-401:2012) - "Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non‑metallic materials - Part 401: Miscellaneous tests - Thermal ageing methods - Ageing in an air oven" specifies the procedure for thermal ageing of non‑metallic cable materials in an air oven. It typically applies to crosslinked and thermoplastic compounds used for cable insulation and sheathing. This Part is part of the IEC 60811 series and is intended to be read in conjunction with IEC/EN 60811‑100:2012 (General).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Defines a standardised method for ageing samples in an air oven to assess long‑term thermal effects on cable materials.
• Sample types covered: Prepared test pieces of insulating or sheathing materials, prepared core samples (conductor + insulation), and complete cable samples where required.
• Test elements: Apparatus specification, sample and test‑piece preparation, ageing procedures, measurements, expression of results and reporting requirements.
• Mechanical assessment after ageing: Procedures to determine the influence of ageing on mechanical characteristics and specific bending tests on cores.
• Annexes with practical methods: Includes normative annexes for measuring air flow in ovens, preparing test pieces when copper or metal‑coated conductors are present, and preparing complete cable samples.
• Reporting and criteria: Specifies how to record results and the required content of the test report (measurements, conditions, and compliance statements).
• Normative references: Cross‑references key standards such as IEC 60811‑100, IEC 60228 (conductors), IEC 60811‑409 (loss of mass), IEC 60811‑501 and IEC 60811‑504 (mechanical tests).

Applications and users

This standard is used for:

• Cable manufacturers - material selection, qualification, and production quality control for insulation and sheathing compounds.
• Independent test laboratories - routine and type testing to generate comparable ageing data.
• R&D and materials engineers - comparing thermal stability of crosslinked vs thermoplastic formulations.
• Standards writers and certification bodies - referencing a harmonised ageing method in cable construction and performance standards. Practical uses include material validation, lifetime prediction, failure analysis, and regulatory compliance for energy, telecommunications and optical fibre cables.

Related standards

• IEC/EN 60811‑100:2012 (General requirements for non‑metallic materials testing)
• IEC 60228 (Conductors of insulated cables)
• IEC 60811‑409, ‑501, ‑504 (associated loss of mass and mechanical test methods)

Keywords: EN 60811‑401:2012, IEC 60811‑401, thermal ageing, air oven, cable testing, non‑metallic materials, insulation ageing, sheath ageing, bending test, test methods.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2012
(OHNWULþQLLQRSWLþQLNDEOL3UHVNXãHYDOQHPHWRGH]DQHNRYLQVNHPDWHULDOH
GHO'UXJLSUHVNXVL0HWRGHWHUPLþQHJDVWDUDQMD6WDUDQMHY]UDþQLSHþLQDYURþL
]UDN
Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 401:
Miscellaneous tests -Thermal ageing methods - Ageing in an air oven
Kabel, isolierte Leitungen und Glasfaserkabel - Prüfverfahren für nichtmetallene
Werkstoffe - Teil 401: Sonstige Prüfungen - Thermische Alterungsverfahren - Alterung im
Wärmeschrank
Câbles électriques et câbles à fibres optiques - Méthodes d'essai pour les matériaux non
-métalliques - Partie 401: Essais divers - Méthode de vieillissement thermique -
Vieillissement en étuve à air
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60811-401:2012
ICS:
29.035.01 Izolacijski materiali na Insulating materials in
splošno general
29.060.20 Kabli Cables
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 60811-401
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 2012
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 29.035.01; 29.060.20 Supersedes EN 60811-1-2:1995 (partially) + A2:2000 (partially)

English version
Electric and optical fibre cables -
Test methods for non-metallic materials -
Part 401: Miscellaneous tests -
Thermal ageing methods -
Ageing in an air oven
(IEC 60811-401:2012)
Câbles électriques et à fibres optiques -  Kabel, isolierte Leitungen und
Méthodes d'essai pour les matériaux non- Glasfaserkabel -
métalliques - Prüfverfahren für nichtmetallene
Partie 401: Essais divers - Werkstoffe -
Méthodes de vieillissement thermique - Teil 401: Sonstige Prüfungen -
Vieillissement en étuve à air Thermische Alterungsverfahren -
(CEI 60811-401:2012) Alterung im Wärmeschrank
(IEC 60811-401:2012)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2012-04-16. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

© 2012 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 60811-401:2012 E
Foreword
The text of document 20/1285/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60811-401, prepared by IEC/TC 20 "Electric
cables" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as
The following dates are fixed:
(dop) 2013-01-16
• latest date by which the document has
to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national (dow) 2015-04-16

standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes 8.1 and 8.4 of EN 60811-1-2:1995 + A2:2000 (partially). Full details of the
replacements are shown in Annex A of EN 60811-100:2012.
There are no technical changes with respect to EN 60811-1-2:1995 + A2:2000, but see the Foreword to
EN 60811-100:2012.
This standard is to be read in conjunction with EN 60811-100.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
This standard covers the Principle Elements of the Safety Objectives for Electrical Equipment Designed
for Use within Certain Voltage Limits (LVD - 2006/95/EC)
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60811-401:2012 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

- 3 - EN 60811-401:2012
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60228 - Conductors of insulated cables EN 60228 -

IEC 60811-100 2012 Electric and optical fibre cables - Test EN 60811-100 2012
methods for non-metallic materials -
Part 100: General
IEC 60811-409 - Electric and optical fibre cables - Test EN 60811-409 -
methods for non-metallic materials -
Part 409: Miscellaneous tests - Loss of mass
test for thermoplastic insulations and sheaths

IEC 60811-501 - Electric and optical fibre cables - Test EN 60811-501 -
methods for non-metallic materials -
Part 501: Mechanical tests - Tests for
determining the mechanical properties of
insulating and sheathing compounds

IEC 60811-504 - Electric and optical fibre cables - Test EN 60811-504 -
methods for non-metallic materials -
Part 504: Mechanical tests - Bending tests at
low temperature for insulation and sheaths

IEC 60811-401 ®
Edition 1.0 2012-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –

Part 401: Miscellaneous tests – Thermal ageing methods – Ageing in an air oven

Câbles électriques et à fibres optiques – Méthodes d’essai pour les matériaux

non-métalliques –
Partie 401: Essais divers – Méthodes de vieillissement thermique –

Vieillissement en étuve à air
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX R
ICS 29.035.01; 29.060.20 ISBN 978-2-88912-961-4

– 2 – 60811-401  IEC:2012
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Test method . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Influence of the ageing treatment on the mechanical characteristics . 7
4.2.1 Apparatus . 7
4.2.2 Sample and test pieces preparation . 7
4.2.3 Ageing procedure . 7
4.2.4 Measurements . 8
4.2.5 Expression of results . 8
4.2.6 Requirements . 9
4.2.7 Test report . 9
4.3 Bending test on test pieces of core . 9
4.3.1 Apparatus . 9
4.3.2 Sample and test pieces preparation . 9
4.3.3 Procedure . 9
4.3.4 Requirement . 10
4.3.5 Test report . 10
Annex A (normative) Methods of measuring air flow in ovens . 11
Annex B (normative) Test pieces preparation in presence of copper or metal coated
copper conductor . 15
Annex C (normative) Sample and test pieces preparation for ageing of complete cable . 18
Bibliography . 19

Figure A.1 – Flowmeter for air-flow control in air ovens for method 2 . 13
Figure A.2 – Calibration diagram of the capillary tube of the flowmeter for air-flow
control in air ovens for method 2 . 14
Figure B.1 – Specially prepared test pieces . 17
Figure B.2 – Dumb-bell test pieces preparation after ageing . 17

Table 1 – Number of turns for bending test . 10
Table B.1 – Summary of ageing tests for insulated conductors in case of difficulties in
preparing test pieces due to conductor insulation or separator adhesion during ageing . 15

60811-401  IEC:2012 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
ELECTRIC AND OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
TEST METHODS FOR NON-METALLIC MATERIALS –

Part 401: Miscellaneous tests –
Thermal ageing methods – Ageing in an air oven

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60811-401 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 20:
Electric cables.
This Part 401 of IEC 60811 cancels and replaces 8.1 and 8.4 of IEC 60811-1-2:1985, which is
withdrawn. Full details of the replacements are shown in Annex A of IEC 60811-100:2012.
There are no specific technical changes with respect to the previous edition, but see the
Foreword to IEC 60811-100:2012.

– 4 – 60811-401  IEC:2012
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
20/1285/FDIS 20/1334/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
This part of IEC 60811 shall be used in conjunction with IEC 60811-100.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60811 series, published under the general title Electric and
optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials, can be found on the IEC
website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
60811-401  IEC:2012 – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
The IEC 60811 series specifies the test methods to be used for testing non-metallic materials
of all types of cables. These test methods are intended to be referenced in standards for
cable construction and for cable materials.
NOTE 1 Non-metallic materials are typically used for insulating, sheathing, bedding, filling or taping within cables.
NOTE 2 These test methods are accepted as basic and fundamental and have been developed and used over
many years principally for the materials in all energy cables. They have also been widely accepted and used for
other cables, in particular optical fibre cables, communication and control cables and cables for ships and offshore
applications.
– 6 – 60811-401  IEC:2012
ELECTRIC AND OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
TEST METHODS FOR NON-METALLIC MATERIALS –

Part 401: Miscellaneous tests –
Thermal ageing methods – Ageing in an air oven

1 Scope
This Part 401 of IEC 60811 specifies the procedure for ageing in an air oven, which typically
applies to crosslinked and thermoplastic compounds used for insulating and sheathing
materials.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60228, Conductors of insulated cables
IEC 60811-100:2012, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic

materials – Part 100: General
IEC 60811-409, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –
Part 409: Miscellaneous tests – Loss of mass test for thermoplastic insulations and sheaths
IEC 60811-501, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –
Part 501: Mechanical tests – Tests for determining the mechanical properties of insulating and
sheathing compounds
IEC 60811-504, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –
Part 504: Mechanical tests – Bending tests at low temperature for insulation and sheaths
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60811-100 apply.
4 Test method
4.1 General
This part of IEC 60811 shall be used in conjunction with IEC 60811-100.
Unless otherwise specified, tests shall be carried out at room temperature.
An ageing treatment in an air oven may be required by the relevant cable standard:
a) for prepared test pieces of insulating or sheathing material only (see 4.2.3.2);
b) for prepared test pieces of cores (conductor and insulation) (see 4.2.3.2 and 4.2.3.3 if
necessary);
60811-401  IEC:2012 – 7 –
c) for test pieces of completed cable (see 4.2.3.4);
d) for the loss of mass test (see IEC 60811-409).
The ageing test a) or b) and the loss of mass test d) may be combined and carried out on the
same test pieces when the aging time and aging temperature are the same.
In general, mechanical characteristics are measured after treatment, but in some cases, the
conductor and the separator, if any, cannot be removed without damaging the insulation and a
bending test is realized on the circular conductor up to and including 16 mm . Ageing followed
by the bending test is considered the acceptance procedure in case of dispute.
4.2 Influence of the ageing treatment on the mechanical characteristics
4.2.1 Apparatus
The ageing treatment is realized in an oven with natural air flow or air flow by pressure. The
air shall enter the oven in such a way that it flows over the surface of the test pieces and
leaves near the top of the oven. The oven shall have not less than 8 and not more than 20
complete air changes per hour at the specified ageing temperature. Two test methods for
measuring air flow through an oven are given in Annex A.
Unless otherwise specif
...