SIST EN 60811-405:2012

Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 405: Miscellaneous tests - Thermal stability test for PVC insulations and PVC sheaths

IEC 60811-405:2012 specifies the procedure for the thermal stability test which applies to PVC compounds. IEC 60811-405:2012 cancels and replaces Clause 9 of IEC 60811-3-2:1985, which is withdrawn.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 405: Sonstige Prüfungen - Prüfung der thermischen Stabilität von PVC-Isolierhüllen und PVC-Mänteln

Câbles électriques et câbles à fibres optiques - Méthodes d'essai pour les matériaux non-métalliques - Partie 405: Essais divers - Essai de stabilité thermique des enveloppes isolantes et des gaines en PVC

La CEI 60811-405:2012 spécifie la méthode pour l'essai de stabilité thermique, qui s'applique aux mélanges PVC. La CEI 60811-405:2012 annule et remplace l'Article 9 de la CEI 60811-3-2:1985, 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 - 405. del: Drugi preskusi - Preskus termične stabilnosti izolacij in plaščev iz PVC

405. del standarda IEC 60811 določa metodo za preskus termične stabilnosti, ki se običajno uporablja za zmesi iz PVC.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 08-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: 09-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 60811-405:2012 - Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 405: Miscellaneous tests - Thermal stability test for PVC insulations and PVC sheaths

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 60811-3-2:1999/A2:2004 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables - Common test methods -- Part 3-2: Methods specific to PVC compounds - Loss of mass test - Thermal stability test
• Effective Date: 29-Jan-2023
• Replaces: SIST EN 60811-3-2:1999 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables - Common test methods - Part 3-2: Methods specific to PVC compounds - Loss of mass test - Thermal stability test
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023
• Revised: SIST EN 60811-3-2:1999 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables - Common test methods - Part 3-2: Methods specific to PVC compounds - Loss of mass test - Thermal stability test
• Effective Date: 07-Jun-2022
• Revised: SIST EN 60811-3-2:1999/A2:2004 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables - Common test methods -- Part 3-2: Methods specific to PVC compounds - Loss of mass test - Thermal stability test
• Effective Date: 07-Jun-2022
• Revised: SIST EN 60811-3-2:1999/A2:2004 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables - Common test methods -- Part 3-2: Methods specific to PVC compounds - Loss of mass test - Thermal stability test
• Effective Date: 23-Jul-2014
• Revised: SIST EN 60811-3-2:1999 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables - Common test methods - Part 3-2: Methods specific to PVC compounds - Loss of mass test - Thermal stability test
• Effective Date: 23-Jul-2014

Overview

SIST EN 60811-405:2012 is a European standard developed by the CLC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) that specifies thermal stability test methods for PVC insulations and PVC sheaths used in electric and optical fibre cables. This standard is part of the IEC 60811 series, which addresses test methods for non-metallic materials in cables. It replaces Clause 9 of EN 60811-3-2:1995 + A2:2004 without technical changes and should be used alongside EN 60811-100:2012.

The thermal stability test outlined in SIST EN 60811-405:2012 is essential for assessing the long-term performance and durability of PVC compounds used as cable insulations or sheaths when exposed to elevated temperatures. It ensures that cables maintain their properties and safety requirements over time under thermal stress.

Key Topics

• Scope: Defines the procedure for conducting thermal stability tests on PVC compounds, specifically for cable insulations and sheaths.
• Test Methodology:
  • Samples are prepared from PVC insulation or sheath materials, placed in specially designed AR-glass tubes.
  • The samples are exposed to high temperatures (typically 200 ± 0.5°C) in a thermostatically controlled heating apparatus, such as an oil bath.
  • Universal pH indicating paper is used to monitor acid formation that could indicate thermal degradation.
  • The time until the pH indicator changes from neutral to acidic (between pH 2 and 3) is measured as an indicator of thermal stability.
• Pre-conditioning: Tests are conducted at least 16 hours after extrusion of the PVC materials.
• Apparatus & Materials:
  • AR-glass tubes compliant with ISO standards for alkali, hydrolytic, and acid resistance.
  • Universal pH indicating paper with a range from 1 to 10.
  • High precision thermometer and a stopwatch for accurate temperature and timing control.
• Evaluation: The onset of acidity change signifies potential material degradation and hydrolysis due to thermal exposure.
• Standard Compliance: The procedure aligns with general test requirements in EN 60811-100:2012 and references relevant ISO standards for glass tube specifications.

Applications

SIST EN 60811-405:2012 is applied primarily in the cable manufacturing industry for quality assurance and certification of PVC-insulated and PVC-sheathed cables. Its practical use cases include:

• Energy cables: Ensuring thermal stability in power transmission and distribution cables.
• Optical fibre cables: Validating the durability of protective PVC sheaths in fibre optic communications.
• Communication and control cables: Assessing thermal stability where cable insulation is critical for signal integrity.
• Ship and offshore cables: Guaranteeing material performance in harsh environmental conditions involving elevated temperatures.

Manufacturers leverage this standard to evaluate polymer stability, helping to predict cable lifespan and compliance with safety regulations such as the Low Voltage Directive (LVD 2006/95/EC).

Related Standards

To fully implement and understand SIST EN 60811-405:2012, the following standards are essential references:

• EN 60811-100:2012 – General test methods for non-metallic cable materials; foundational to all parts of EN 60811 including Part 405.
• IEC 60811 series – Comprehensive test methods for non-metallic materials used in electric and optical fibre cables.
• ISO 695:1991 – Specifies alkali resistance testing for glass materials, relevant to AR-glass tubes used in testing.
• ISO 719:1985 – Defines methods for hydrolytic resistance of glass grains at elevated temperature.
• ISO 1776:1985 – Addresses acid resistance of glass at high temperatures, ensuring apparatus integrity during tests.

Summary

SIST EN 60811-405:2012 provides a standardized, reliable thermal stability test method for PVC insulation and sheath materials used in electric and optical fibre cables. By measuring the time to acidification under controlled heat exposure, this test helps ensure cable materials meet performance and safety standards over their operational life. It plays a critical role for manufacturers, quality controllers, and certification bodies aiming to guarantee the longevity and reliability of PVC-based cable components in diverse industrial sectors.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2012
(OHNWULþQLLQRSWLþQLNDEOL3UHVNXãHYDOQHPHWRGH]DQHNRYLQVNHPDWHULDOH
GHO'UXJLSUHVNXVL3UHVNXVWHUPLþQHVWDELOQRVWLL]RODFLMLQSODãþHYL]39&
Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 405:
Miscellaneous tests - Thermal stability test for PVC insulations and PVC sheaths
Kabel, isolierte Leitungen und Glasfaserkabel - Prüfverfahren für nichtmetallene
Werkstoffe - Teil 405: Sonstige Prüfungen - Prüfung der thermischen Stabilität von PVC-
Isolierhüllen und PVC-Mänteln
Câbles électriques et câbles à fibres optiques - Méthodes d'essai pour les matériaux non
-métalliques - Partie 405: Essais divers - Essai de stabilité thermique des enveloppes
isolantes et des gaines en PVC
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60811-405:2012
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 60811-405
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 2012
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 29.035.01; 29.060.20 Supersedes EN 60811-3-2:1995 (partially) + A2:2004 (partially)

English version
Electric and optical fibre cables -
Test methods for non-metallic materials -
Part 405: Miscellaneous tests -
Thermal stability test for PVC insulations and PVC sheaths
(IEC 60811-405:2012)
Câbles électriques et à fibres optiques -  Kabel, isolierte Leitungen und
Méthodes d'essai pour les matériaux non- Glasfaserkabel -
métalliques - Prüfverfahren für nichtmetallene
Partie 405: Essais divers - Werkstoffe -
Essai de stabilité thermique pour les Teil 405: Sonstige Prüfungen -
enveloppes isolantes et gaines en PVC Prüfung der thermischen Stabilität von
(CEI 60811-405:2012) PVC-Isolierhüllen und PVC-Mänteln
(IEC 60811-405:2012)
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 60811-405:2012 E
Foreword
The text of document 20/1289/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60811-405, 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 Clause 9 of EN 60811-3-2:1995 + A2:2004 (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 60811-3-2:1995 + A2:2004, 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 60811-405:2012 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

- 3 - EN 60811-405:2012
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 60811-100 2012 Electric and optical fibre cables - Test EN 60811-100 2012
methods for non-metallic materials -
Part 100: General
ISO 695 1991 Glass - Resistance to attack by a boiling - -
aqueous solution of mixed alkali - Method of
test and classification
ISO 719 1985 Glass - Hydrolytic resistance of glass grains at - -
98 degrees C - Method of test and
classification
ISO 1776 1985 Glass - Resistance to attack by hydrochloric - -
acid at 100 degrees C - Flame emission or
flame atomic absorption spectrometric method

IEC 60811-405 ®
Edition 1.0 2012-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –

Part 405: Miscellaneous tests – Thermal stability test for PVC insulations and

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

non-métalliques –
Partie 405: Essais divers – Essai de stabilité thermique pour les enveloppes

isolantes et gaines en PVC
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX H
ICS 29.035.01; 29.060.20 ISBN 978-2-88912-965-2

– 2 – 60811-405  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 Apparatus . 6
4.3 Pre-conditioning . 7
4.4 Test procedure . 7
4.5 Evaluation of results . 7
5 Test report. 7
Bibliography . 8

60811-405  IEC:2012 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
ELECTRIC AND OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
TEST METHODS FOR NON-METALLIC MATERIALS –

Part 405: Miscellaneous tests –
Thermal stability test for PVC insulations and PVC sheaths

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 S
...