{'ry!

BRITISH

BS EN
60811- 1- 1:19 95

STAT{DAITD

fncorporating
Amendment No. l

Insulattng and
sheathing rnaterials of
electric and opti cal
cables
Common test
methods
Part 1- 1 : General applicallsn Measurement of thickness and overall
dimensions - Tests for determinins the
mechanical properties

The European Standard EN 608 1 I -l -l : 1995, with the incorporation of

Al:2001. has the status of a British Standard

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BS EN60811-1-1:1995

Committees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by Teclurical
Committee GEL120, Electric cables, to SubconmitteeGEU20/3,
Insulatiqr
sheath, npon which the following bodies were represented:
Association of Consulting Engineers
British Approvals Service for Cables
British Cable Makers Confederation
British Plastics Federation
British Railways Board
British Rubber Manufacturers' Association LtdBritish Telecommtrrications plc
Department ofTrade and Industry (Consumer Safety Unit, CADivisior)
Electricity Association
ERA Technology Ltd.
GAMBTCA (BEAMALtd.)
Institution of hrcorporated Executive Eugineers
London Underground
Ministry

Ltd.

of Defence

Queen Mary and Westfield College

Telecommunicatiors Cables Group of BCMC
Wamington Fire Research Centre

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction ofthe
Electrotechnical
Sector Bcrd
was published under the
authorify of the Standards
Iloard and comes into effect
on 15 December 1995
.etBSI27

May 2OO2

Amendments issued since publication

T'he lbllowing BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference GEL,/l 7
Announed
in
BSINews. July 1995

ISBNO

580 250fi) 8

Amd.No.

Date

Cornments

t3461

27 May2OO2

Indicated by a sideline and see national

foreword

and

BS EN60811-1-1:1995

Contents
Page
Committees responsible

@BSl27

May 2OA2

lnside frontcover

National foreword

ii

Foreword

Text ofEN 6081 l-l-l

B S E N 6 0 8 11 - l - 1 : 1 9 9 5

National foreword
This section ofBS EN 60811 has been prepared by Technical Committee GE IJ2O
and is the English language version of EN 6081 I -l -l:1995 Insulating ctnel
sheathing materials {electric
and optical cables - Cdnmon test methods Part l-1: General application - Il[ansurement of thiclvtess and werall
including
dirnensiow - Testsfo" detertnining the mechanical properti*
amendment Al:2001, published by the European Committee fm Electrotechrrical
Standardization (CENELEC). It is identical with IEC 60811-1-l:1993,
Edition 2.1:2001, which comprises Edition 2'.1993 consolidated by the
incorporation of arnendmerrt l:2001, published by the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
This standard supersedesBS 6469-l.l:1992, which will be withdrawn
on I December 1996.
Technical Committee GEL/20 will have made arrangements for the reqnirements
fcr non-metallic sheathed flat multi-core cables contained in national annex NA
of BS 6469- I . l:1992 to be specified elsewhere by the withdrawal date of
the I December 1996.
Cr oss-re ference s
The British Standards which implement international or European publications
referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Catalogueunder the section
"Intemational
entitled
Standards CorresporrderrceIndex", or by using the
"Search" facility
of the BSI Electronic Catalogue or of British Standard Online.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions ofa
contract. Users ofBritish Standarcls are responsible for their correct application
Compliance with a British
from legal obligations.

Standard

does not of itself confer immunity

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to23 and a backcover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.
Sidelining in this docurnent indicates the most recent changes by amendment.

@BSI27

May2OO2

EUROPEAN STANDARTT

EN 60811-l-l

NORME EUROPEENNE

April 1995

+Al

EUROPATSCTTPNORM

June 200I

ICS29.r40.30
Desuiptors:
prolrerty

S u p e r s e d eHs D 5 0 5 . 1 - l5 3 : 1 9 9 1

Electriccable, insulatedcable, electrical insulation, sheath, insulation, measurement ofdimension,

thickness, mechaniel

Enslish version

Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical

cables - Comrnon test method
Part l-1: General applicationMeasurement of thickness and overall dimensions Tests for determining the mechanical properties
(inclndes arnendment Al :200 1)

Mat6riaux
d'isolation
et degai,'agt??"3lil;l

6lectriques et des c6bles optiques Methodes d'essais communes Partie 1-1: Application gdn6rale - Mesure des
dpaisseurs et des dimensions extrieures D6termination des prcpri6t6s m6caniques
(inclut l'amendement Al :2001)
( C E I 6 0 8 11 - 1 - 1 : 1 9 9 +
3 A1:2001)

t.'?3:ri*"lt;Tri,ta,'tel*e.kstoffe
fiir Kabelund

isolierte kitungen - Allgemeine

Priifuerfahren Teil 1-1: Allgemeine Anwendung - Messung
der Wanddicke und der AuBenmaBe Verfahren zur Bestimrnung der mechanischen
Eigenschaften
(enthiilt Anderung Al :2001)
( l E C 6 0 8 11 - 1 - 1: 1 9 9 3+ A 1 : 2 0 0 1 )

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 1995-03-06.

Amendment A1:2001 was approved by CENELEC on 2001-05-01. 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 conceming such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CENELEC memberThis 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 itrto its owt language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same statlrs as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria.
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Irelarrd, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United lfingdom.

CENELEC
E uropean Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comit6 Europ6en de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europiiisches Komitee fiir Elektrotechnische Normung

Central

Secretariat:

rue cle Stassart 35. B-1050 Brussels

@ 1995 Copyright reserved to CENELEC members

R e f .N o . E N 6 0 8 1 l - l - 1 : 1 9 9 5 + A l : 2 0 0 1 E

EN 60811-1-1:1995

Foreword

Applicability
Type tests and other tests
The text ofthe International Standard IEC 8 I l-1-l:
Preconditioning
1993, prepared by IEC TC 20, Electric cables, was
Test temperature
submitted to the Unique Acceptance Procedure and
was approved by CENELEC as EN 6081 1-l-l on
Definitions
1995-03-06 without any modification.
maximum tensile force
This European Standard supersedesHD 505.1.1 33:
tensile stress
199t.
tensile strength
elorrgation at break
Where reference is made to HD 505.1.1 53:1991 in
another standard, users should refer tothis
median value
EN 6081l-l-l for the current information.
Measurement of thicknesses and
overall dimensiorrs
The following dates were fixed:
8.1 Meaiurement of insulation thickness
latest date by which the
8.2 Measurement of thickness of
EN has to be itnplernented
non-metallic sheath
at national level by
8.3 Measurement ofoverall dimensions
pnblication of an identical
9
Tests for determining the mechanical
national standard or by
properties of insulating and sheathing
endorsement
(dop) 1996-03-01
compounds
latest date by which the
9.1 Insulatingcompounds
national standards
9.2 Sheathirrgcompounds
conflicting with the EN
have to be withdrawn
(dow) 1996-12-01 AnnexA (informative) Principle of operation
ofa typical rnachine for preparing test pieces
Annexes designated'honnative" are part of the
Annex
ZA (normative) Normative references
body ofthe standard. Annexes designated
"informative"are
to international publications with their
given for information only. In this
corespondin g E uropean publicati or s
standard, annexZ,A is normative and annex A is
Figure I - Measrlrernent of insulation or
informative. Arurex ZA has been added bv
sheath thickness (circular inner profile)
CENELEC.
Figure 2 - Measurernent of insulation
Foreword to amendment Al
thickn ess (sectora l-shaped conductor)
The text of document 2O/455/FDIS, future
Figure 3 - Measurernent of insulation
amendment I to IEC 6081 l-l-1:1993, prepared by
thickness (stranded cordtrctor)
IEC TC 2O,Eledric cables, was subrnitted to the
Figure 4 - Measurernent of insulation
IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and was approved by
thickness (stranded con ductor)
CENELEC asamendment Al toEN 60811-l-l:1995
Figure 5 - Measurernent of insulation
on 2001-05-01.
thickness (uneven outer profile)
latest date by which the
Figure 6- Measurement of insnlation
amendment has to be
thickness (twin flat non-sheathed cord)
implemented at national
Figure 7-Measufement
of sheath
level by publication ofan
thickness (irregular circular inner profile)
identical national stan dard
Figure 8 - Measurement of sheath
(dop) 2002-02-01
or by endorsernent
thickness (nonrircular inner profile)
latest date by which the
Fignre 9-Measurement
of sheath
national standards
thickn ess (irregular outer s urface)
conflicting with the
Figure l0-Measurement
of sheath
amendment have to be
thickness
(twin
sheathed
flat
cord)
(dow) 2004-05-01
withdrawn
Figure 11 - Measurement of sheath
thickness (flat cable with single cores)
Contents
Figure 12 - Dumb-bell test piece
Page
Figure 13 - Small dumb-bell test piece
Foreword
2
Figure 14-Punch
end showinggroove
I
Scope
J
Figure I5 - Test pieces cut by grooved punch
l.l
Normativereferences
-)
2
Test values
J
3
4
5
6
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
8

@BSI27

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
6
7

8
8
l3
22

ZJ

l5
l5
16
l6
l7
t7
18
l8
l9
l9
20
20
2l
2l
2l

May 2OO2

Page 3

EN 608rr-l-l:1996

COMMONTEST METHODSFOR INSULATINGAND

SHEATHINGMATERIALSOF ELECTRICCABLES
AND OPTICALCABLES R
P a r t 1 - 1 : M e t h o d sf o r g e n e r a la p p l i c a t i o nf r
M e a s u r e m e n ot f t h i c k n e s sa n d o v e r a l l d i m e n s i o n sf r
T e s t s f o r d e t e r m i n i n gt h e m e c h a n i c a lp r o p e r t i e s

Scope
T h e I n t e r n a t i o n aS
l t a n d a r d 1 E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 1s p e c i f i e st h e t e s t m e t h o d s t o b e u s e d f o r t e s t i n g
p o l y m e r i ci n s u l a t i n ga n d s h e a t h i n g m a t e r i a l so f e l e c t r i c c a b l e s f o r p o w e r d i s t r i b u t i o na n d
t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o ni n
s c l u d i n gc a b l e su s e d o n s h i p s , ' a n di n o f f s h o r ea p p l i c a t i o n s .
T h i s s e c t i o n o f I E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 1 g i v e s t h e m e t h o d s f o r m e a s u r i n g t h i c k n e s s e sa n d o v e r a l l
d i m e n s i o n sa
, n d f o r d e t e r m i n i n gt h e m e c h a n i c a p
, h i c h a p p l yt o t h e m o s t c o m m o n
l r o p e r t i e sw
t y p e s o f i n s u l a t i n ga n d s h e a t h i n gc o m p o u n d s( e l a s t o m e r i cp, V C , p E , p p , e t c . ) .
1.1

Normativereferences

The following normativedocuments contain provisionswhich, through reference in this text,

constitute provisions of this part of IEC60811-1. For dated references,subsequent
a m e n d m e n t st o , o r r e v i s i o n so f , a n y o f t h e s e p u b l i c a t i o n sd o n o t a p p l y . H o w e v e r ,p a r t i e st o
a g r e e m e n t sb a s e do n t h i s p a r t o f I E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 1a r e e n c o u r a g e dt o i n v e s t i g a t et h e p o s s i b i l i t yo f
a p p l y i n gt h e m o s t r e c e n t e d i t i o n so f t h e n o r m a t i v ed o c u m e n t si n d i c a t e db e l o w . F o r u n d a t e d
references,the latest edition of the normativedocument referred to applies. Members of IEC
a n d I S O m a i n t a i nr e g i s t e r so f c u r r e n t l yv a l i d I n t e r n a t i o n aSl t a n d a r d s .
IEC 60811-1-2:1985,Common test methods for insulatingand sheathingmaterials of electric
cables fi Part 1: Methods for general application fi Section Two: Thermat ageing methods
IEC 60811-1-3:1985,Common test methods for insulating and sheathing materialsof etectric
cables fi Part 1: Methods for general application fi Section Three: Methods for determining the
density fi Water absorption fesfs fi Shrinkage test
IEC 60811-2-1:1986,Common test methods for insulating and sheathing materiatsof electric
cables fi Part 2: Methods specific to elastomeric eompounds fi Section 1: Ozone resistance
test fi Hot sef fesf fi Mineral oil immersion test
2

Test values

F u l l t e s t c o n d i t i o n s( s u c h a s t e m p e r a t u r e sd, u r a t i o n s ,e t c . ) a n d f u l l t e s t r e q u i r e m e n t sa r e n o t
s p e c i f i e di n t h i s s t a n d a r d ;i t i s i n t e n d e dt h a t t h e y s h o u l d b e s p e c i f i e db y t h e s t a n d a r dd e a l i n g
withthe relevant ype of cable.
A n y t e s t r e q u i r e m e n t sw h i c h a r e g i v e n i n t h i s s e c t i o n m a y b e m o d i f i e db y t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e
s t a n d a r dt o s u i t t h e n e e d so f a p a r t i c u l a try p e o f c a b l e .

Page 4

EN 608rr-1-1:1996

Applicability

Conditioning values and testing parameters are specified for the most common types of
i n s u l a t i n ga n d s h e a t h i n gc o m p o u n d sa n d o f c a b l e s ,w i r e s a n d c o r d s .

Typetests and othertests

The test methods described in this section are intended, in the first instance,to be used for
type tests. In certain tests, where there are essential differences between the conditions
for type tests and those for more frequent tests, such as routine tests, these differencesare
indicated.

Pre-conditioning

All the tests shall be carried out not less than 16 h after the extrusion or vulcanization(or
c r o s s - l i n k i n g )i ,f a n y , o f t h e i n s u l a t i n go r s h e a t h i n gc o m p o u n d s .
U n l e s s o t h e r w i s es p e c i f i e d ,b e f o r e a n y t e s t , a l l t e s t p i e c e s ,a g e d a n d u n a g e d ,s h a l l b e k e p t
for at least 3 h at a temperatureof (23 t 5) C.

Testtemperature

U n l e s so t h e r w i s es p e c i f i e d t, e s t s s h a l l b e m a d e a t a m b i e n tt e m D e r a t u r e .
7

Definitions

F o r t h e p u r p o s e so f t h i s s e c t i o no f I E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 1 ,t h e f o l l o w i n gd e f i n i t i o n sa p p l y :
7.1
m a x i m u m t e n s i l ef o r c e
h i g h e s tv a l u e r e a c h e db y t h e l o a d d u r i n gt h e t e s t
7.2
t e n s i l es t r e s s
tensile force per unit of the cross-sectionalarea of the unstretchedtest piece
7.3
t e n s i l es t r e n g t h
m a x i m u mt e n s i l es t r e s sr e c o r d e di n e x t e n d i n gt h e t e s t p i e c et o b r e a k i n gp o i n t
7.4
elongationat break
increase of the reference length of the test piece, expressed as the percentage of the
referencelength of the unstretchedtest piece, at breakingpoint
7.5
m e d i a nv a l u e
w h e n s e v e r a l t e s t r e s u l t s h a v e b e e n o b t a i n e d a n d o r d e r e d i n a n i n c r e a s i n go r d e c r e a s i n g
s u c c e s s i o nt,h e m e d i a nv a l u e i s t h e m i d d l ev a l u e i f t h e n u m b e ro f a v a i l a b l ev a l u e s i s o d d , a n d
i s t h e m e a n o f t h e t w o m i d d l ev a l u e s i f t h e n u m b e ri s e v e n

Page 5

EN 60811-l-l:1996

M e a s u r e m e notf t h i c k n e s s eas n d o v e r a l d
l imensions

8.1
8.1.1

M e a s u r e m e no
t f i n s u l a t i o nt h i c k n e s s
General

M e a s u r e m e not f i n s u l a t i o nt h i c k n e s sm a y b e r e q u i r e da s a n i n d i v i d u atle s t , o r a s a s t e p i n t h e
procedurefor carrying out other tests, such as the determinationof mechanicalproperties.
In each case, the methods of selection of samples shall be in accordancewith the relevant
c a b l es t a n d a r d .
8.1.2

Measuringequipment

A measuring microscope or a profile projector of at. least 10 x magnification.Both types of

e q u i p m e n ts h a l l a l l o w a r e a d i n go f 0 , 0 1 m m a n d a n e s t i m a t e dr e a d i n gt o t h r e e d e c i m a lp l a c e s
w h e n m e a s u r i n gi n s u l a t i o nw i t h a s p e c i f i e dt h i c k n e s sl e s s t h a n 0 , 5 m m .
I n c a s e o f d o u b t ,t h e m e a s u r i n gm i c r o s c o p es h a l l b e t a k e n a s t h e r e f e r e n c em e t h o d .
8.1.3

P r e p a r a t i o no f t e s t p i e c e s

A n y c o v e r i n g s h a l l b e r e m o v e d f r o m t h e i n s u l a t i o n ,a n d t h e c o n d u c t o r ( s ) ,t o g e t h e r w i t h
s e p a r a t o r( i f a n y ) s h a l l b e w i t h d r a w n ,c a r e b e i n g t a k e n t o a v o i d d a m a g e t o t h e i n s u l a t i o n .
S e m i - c o n d u c t i n ign n e ra n d / o ro u t e r l a y e r s ,i f b o n d e dt o t h e i n s u l a t i o ns, h a l l n o t b e r e m o v e d .
E a c h t e s t p i e c e s h a l l c o n s i s to f a t h i n s l i c e o f i n s u l a t i o nT. h e s l i c e s h a l l b e c u t w i t h a s u i t a b l e
d e v i c e ( s h a r p k n i f e , r a z o r b l a d e , e t c . ) a l o n g a p l a n e p e r p e n d i c u l atro t h e l o n g i t u d i n aal x i s o f
the conductor.
The cores of non-sheathedflat cords shall not be separated.
l f t h e i n s u l a t i o nc a r r i e sa n i n d e n t e dm a r k i n g ,t h u s g i v i n gr i s e t o a l o c a l r e d u c t i o ni n t h i c k n e s s ,
t h e t e s t p i e c es h a l l b e t a k e n s o a s t o i n c l u d es u c h m a r k i n g ,
8.1.4

M e a s u r i n gp r o c e d u r e

T h e t e s t p i e c e s h a l l b e p l a c e d u n d e r t h e m e a s u r i n ge q u i p m e n tw i t h t h e p l a n e o f t h e c u t
p e r p e n d i c u l atro t h e o p t i c a la x i s .
a ) W h e n t h e i n n e r p r o f i l eo f t h e t e s t p i e c e i s o f c i r c u l a rf o r m , s i x m e a s u r e m e n t ss h a l l b e
m a d e r a d i a l l ya s s h o w n i n f i g u r e 1 . F o r s e c t o r - s h a p e dc o r e s , s i x m e a s u r e m e n t s h a l l b e
m a d e a s s h o w n i n f i g u r e2 .
b ) W h e n t h e i n s u l a t i o ni s t a k e n f r o m a s t r a n d e dc o n d u c t o r s, i x m e a s u r e m e n t s h a l l b e m a d e
r a d i a l l ya s s h o w n i n f i g u r e s3 a n d 4 .
c ) W h e n t h e o u t e r p r o f i l es h o w s u n e v e n n e s st,h e m e a s u r e m e nst h a l l b e c a r r i e do u t a s s h o w n
i n f i g u r e5 .
d ) W h e n t h e r e a r e u n r e m o v a b l es c r e e n i n gl a y e r su n d e r a n d / o ro v e r t h e i n s u l a t i o nt,h e y s h a l l
b e e x c l u d e df r o m t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s .
l f u n r e m o v a b l es c r e e n i n g l a y e r s a r e p r e s e n t u n d e r a n d / o r o v e r a n o p a q u e i n s u l a t i o n ,a
m e a s u r i n gm i c r o s c o p es h a l l b e u s e d .
e ) F l a t n o n - s h e a t h e dc o r d s s h a l l b e m e a s u r e d a c c o r d i n g t o f i g u r e 6 , t h e t h i c k n e s s o f
i n s u l a t i o ni n t h e d i r e c t i o no f t h e o t h e r c o r e b e i n g t a k e n a s h a l f t h e d i s t a n c eb e t w e e nt h e
conductors.

Pa4e 6

EN 60811-1-l:1995

I n a l l c a s e s ,t h e f i r s t m e a s u r e m e nst h a l l b e t a k e n w h e r e t h e i n s u l a t i o ni s t h i n n e s t .
l f t h e i n s u l a t i o nc a r r i e sa n i n d e n t e dm a r k i n g ,t h i s s h a l l n o t b e i n c l u d e di n t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s
m a d e f o r t h e c a l c u l a t i o no f m e a n t h i c k n e s s .I n a n y c a s e , t h e t h i c k n e s sa t t h e p o s i t i o no f t h e
i n d e n t e dm a r k i n gs h a l l c o m p l y w i t h t h e m i n i m u mr e q u i r e m e n st p e c i f i e di n t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e
standard.
T h e r e a d i n g ss h a l l b e m a d e i n m i l l i m e t r e st o t w o d e c i m a l p l a c e s i f t h e s p e c i f i e dt h i c k n e s s
is 0,5 mm or above and to three estimated decimal places if the specified thickness of the
i n s u l a t i o ni s l e s s t h a n 0 . 5 m m .
8.1.5

E v a l u a t i o n o f t h e m e a s u r e m e n tr e s u l t s

T h e r e s u l t s s h a l l b e e v a l u a t e da s s p e c i f i e di n t h e t e s t r e q u i r e m e n t so f t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e
standard.
I n t h e c a s e o f m e c h a n i c atl e s t s , t h e m e a n v a l u e o f t h e t h i c k n e s s ,6 , o f e a c h t e s t p i e c e ( s e e
i t e m b 1 ) o f 9 . 1 . 4 ) s h a l l b e c a l c u l a t e df r o m t h e s i x m e a s u r e m e n rt e s u l t so b t a i n e do n t h a t t e s t
piece.
8.2
8.2.1

M e a s u r e m e n to f t h i c k n e s s o f n o n - m e t a l l i cs h e a t h
General

T h e m e a s u r e m e not f s h e a t h t h i c k n e s sm a y b e r e q u i r e da s a n i n d i v i d u atl e s t , o r a s a s t e p i n
t h e p r o c e d u r ef o r c a r r y i n go u t o t h e rt e s t s ,s u c h a s t h e m e a s u r e m e not f m e c h a n i c a pl r o p e r t i e s .
T h e t e s t m e t h o d a p p l i e s t o t h e m e a s u r e m e n to f a l l s h e a t h s f o r w h i c h t h i c k n e s s l i m i t s a r e
s p e c i f i e d f, o r e x a m p l es e p a r a t i o ns h e a t h s ,a s w e l l a s e x t e r n a ls h e a t h s .
I n e a c h c a s e , t h e m e t h o do f s e l e c t i n gs a m p l e ss h a l l b e i n a c c o r d a n c ew i t h t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e
standard.
8.2.2

Measuringequipment

( S e e 8 . 1. 2 . )
8.2.3

P r e p a r a t i o no f t e s t p i e c e s

A f t e r a l l m a t e r i a l s ,i f a n y , i n s i d ea n d o u t s i d et h e s h e a t h h a v e b e e n r e m o v e d ,e a c h t e s t p i e c e
s h a l l b e p r e p a r e db y c u t t i n ga t h i n s l i c e a l o n g a p l a n e p e r p e n d i c u l atro t h e l o n g i t u d i n aal x i s o f
t h e c a b l e , u s i n g a s u i t a b l ed e v i c e( s h a r pk n i f e ,r a z o r b l a d e ,e t c . ) .
l f t h e s h e a t h c a r r i e s a n i n d e n t e dm a r k i n g ,t h u s g i v i n g r i s e t o a l o c a l r e d u c t i o ni n t h i c k n e s s ,
t h e t e s t p i e c es h a l l b e t a k e n s o a s t o i n c l u d es u c h m a r k i n g .
8.2.4

Measuringprocedure

T h e t e s t p i e c e s h a l l b e p l a c e d u n d e r t h e m e a s u r i n ge q u i p m e n tw i t h t h e p l a n e o f t h e c u t
p e r p e n d i c u l atro t h e o p t i c a la x i s .
a ) W h e n t h e i n n e r p r o f i l eo f t h e t e s t p i e c e i s o f c i r c u l a r f o r m , s i x m e a s u r e m e n t ss h a l l b e
m a d e r a d i a l l ya s s h o w n i n f i g u r e 1 .
b ) l f t h e s u b s t a n t i a l l yc i r c u l a ri n n e r s u r f a c ei s n o t r e g u l a ro r s m o o t h ,s i x m e a s u r e m e n t s h a l l
b e m a d e r a d i a l l ya t t h e p o s i t i o n sw h e r et h e s h e a t hi s t h i n n e s t ,a s s h o w n i n f i g u r e 7 .

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c ) W h e n t h e i n n e r p r o f i l ee x h i b i t sd e e p g r o o v e sc a u s e d b y t h e c o r e s , r a d i a l m e a s u r e m e n t s
shall be taken at the bottom of each groove, as shown in figure 8.
W h e n t h e n u m b e ro f g r o o v e se x c e e d ss i x , i t e m b ) a p p l i e s .
d ) I n o r d e r t o e l i m i n a t et h e i n f l u e n c eo f a n y i r r e g u l a r i t i e o
s n t h e o u t e r s u r f a c e ,w h i c h m a y b e
d u e t o t h e p r e s e n c eo f a p r o o f e dt a p e o r a r i b b e d s h e a t h f i n i s h ,t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s h a l l
b e m a d e a s s h o w n i n f i g u r eg .
e ) I n t h e c a s e o f s h e a t h e df l a t c o r d s , m e a s u r e m e n t ss h a l l b e t a k e n o n l i n e s a p p r o x i m a t e l y
parallel to the minor axis and on the major axis of the cross-section,at the position of
each core, one of the measurements being, however, made at the thinnest place, as
shownin figure10.
f)

F o r s h e a t h e df l a t c a b l e s c o m p o s e do f u p t o a n d i n c l u d i n gs i x s i n g l ec o r e s , m e a s u r e m e n t
s h a l l b e t a k e n a s s h o w ni n f i g u r e1 1 :
fr on both rounded off sides, along the major axis of the cross-section;
fi

on both flat sides, on the first and last core, and at the thinnest place (plus opposite
s h e a t ht h i c k n e s s )i f t h i s d o e s n o t c o i n c i d ew i t h a n y o f t h e o t h e r m e a s u r e m e n t s .

F o r c a b l e s c o m p o s e do f m o r e t h a n s i x c o r e s , t h e a b o v e a p p l i e sb u t m e a s u r e m e n t s h a l l
a l s o b e t a k e n o n t h e m i d d l ec o r e o r o n o n e o f t h e t w o m i d d l ec o r e s i n c a s e o f a n e v e n
n u m b e ro f c o r e s .
I n a l l c a s e s ,o n e o f t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s h a l l b e t a k e n w h e r e t h e s h e a t hi s t h i n n e s t .
l f t h e s h e a t h c a r r i e s a n i n d e n t e dm a r k i n g ,t h i s s h a l l n o t b e i n c l u d e di n t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s
m a d e f o r t h e c a l c u l a t i o no f m e a n t h i c k n e s s .I n a n y c a s e , t h e t h i c k n e s so f t h e p o s i t i o no f t h e
i n d e n t e dm a r k i n gs h a l l c o m p l y w i t h t h e m i n i m u mr e q u i r e m e n st p e c i f i e di n t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e
standard.
T h e r e a d i n g ss h a l l b e m a d e i n m i l l i m e t r e st o t w o d e c i m a lp l a c e s .
8.2.5

E v a l u a t i o n o f t h e m e a s u r e m e n tr e s u l t s

T h e r e s u l t s s h a l l b e e v a l u a t e da s s p e c i f i e di n t h e t e s t r e q u i r e m e n t so f t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e
standard.
I n t h e c a s e o f m e c h a n i c a lt e s t s , t h e m e a n v a l u e o f t h e t h i c k n e s s ,6 , o f e a c h t e s t p i e c e
( s e e 9 . 2 . 4 )s h a l l b e c a l c u l a t e df r o m a l l m e a s u r e m e nrte s u l t so b t a i n e do n t h a t t e s t p i e c e .
8.3
8 . 3 .1

M e a s u r e m e n ot f o v e r a l ld i m e n s i o n s
General

T h e m e a s u r e m e n ot f t h e d i m e n s i o n so v e r t h e i n s u l a t i o no f c o r e s o r o v e r t h e s h e a t h m a y b e
requiredas individualtests or as steps in the procedurefor carryingout other tests.
T h e m e t h o d si n 8 . 3 . 2 b e l o w a r e f o r g e n e r a l u s e e x c e p t w h e r e t h e p r o c e d u r ef o r a p a r t i c u l a r
test specifiesa differentor alternativemethod.
I n e a c h c a s e , t h e m e t h o do f s e l e c t i n gs a m p l e ss h a l l b e i n a c c o r d a n c ew i t h t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e
standard.

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8.3.2

M e a s u r i n gp r o c e d u r e

a ) F o r c o r d s a n d c a b l e s w i t h o v e r a l l d i m e n s i o n sn o t e x c e e d i n g2 5 m m , t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s
shall be made by means of a micrometer,a profile projector or similar apparatus, in two
directionsperpendicularto each other.
F o r m e a s u r e m e n t sm a d e i n t h e c o u r s e o f r o u t i n e t e s t s , i t i s p e r m i s s i b l et o u s e a d i a l
m i c r o m e t eo
r r a v e r n i e rc a l l i p e r ,c a r e b e i n gt a k e n t o l i m i tt h e p r e s s u r e .
b) lf the overall diameter exceeds 25 mm, the circumferenceof the cord or cable shall be
measured by means of a measuringtape, and the diameter shall be calculated.
A l t e r n a t i v e l ya, d i r e c tr e a d i n gd i a m e t e rt a p e c a n b e u s e d .
c)

F o r f l a t c o r d s a n d c a b l e s t h e m e a s u r e m e n t ss h a l l b e m a d e a l o n g t h e m a j o r a n d m i n o r
axes of the cross-section by means of a micrometer, a profile projector or similar
apparatus.

U n l e s so t h e r w i s es p e c i f i e di n t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e s t a n d a r d ,t h e r e a d i n g ss h a l l b e m a d e t o t w o
d e c i m a l p l a c e s o f a m i l l i m e t r ef o r d i m e n s i o n s u p t o a n d i n c l u d i n g2 5 m m , a n d t o o n e
e s t i m a t e dd e c i m a lp l a c ef o r d i m e n s i o n se x c e e d i n g2 5 m m .
8.3.3

E v a l u a t i o n o f t h e m e a s u r e m e n tr e s u l t s

T h e r e s u l t ss h a l l b e e v a l u a t e da s s p e c i f i e di n t h e t e s t r e q u i r e m e n t so f t h e r e l e v a n ts t a n d a r d .

T e s t s f o r d e t e r m i n i n gt h e m e c h a n i c a lp r o p e r t i e so f i n s u l a t i n ga n d
s h e a t h i n gc o m p o u n d s
9.1
9.1.1

Insulatingcompounds
General

T h e s e t e s t s a r e t o d e t e r m i n et h e t e n s i l e s t r e n g t ha n d e l o n g a t i o na t b r e a k o f t h e i n s u l a t i n g
m a t e r i a l ( e x c l u s i v e o f a n y s e m i - c o n d u c t i n gl a y e r s ) o f t h e c a b l e i n t h e c o n d i t i o n a s
m a n u f a c t u r e d( i . e . w i t h o u t a n y a g e i n g t r e a t m e n t )a n d , w h e n r e q u i r e d ,a f t e r o n e o r m o r e
a c c e l e r a t e da g e i n gt r e a t m e n t ( s )w, h i c h a r e p r e s c r i b e di n t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e s t a n d a r d .
T h e m e t h o d sf o r c a r r y i n go u t a g e i n gi n a n a i r o v e n , i n a n a i r b o m b a n d i n a n o x y g e n b o m b a r e
s p e c i f i e di n c l a u s e8 o f I E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 1 - 2 .
The test pieces selected for the ageing treatment shall be from positionsadjacent to the test
p i e c e s u s e d f o r t h e t e s t w i t h o u t a g e i n g a n d t h e t e n s i l et e s t s o n t h e a g e d a n d u n a g e dt e s t
p i e c e ss h a l l b e m a d e i n i m m e d i a t es u c c e s s i o n .
N O T E W h e r e f u r l h o r i n c r e a s e dt e s t r e l i a b i l i t yi s n e c e s s a r y ,i t i s r e c o m m e n d e dt h a t t h e t e s l s o n a g e d a n d u n a g e d
t e s t p i e c e s a r e p e r f o r m e d b y t h e s a m e p e r s o n u s i n g t h e s a m e t e s t i n g m e t h o d a n d t h e s a m e a p p a r a t u s ,i n t h e s a m e
laboratory.

9.1.2

Sampling

O n e s a m p l eo f e a c h c o r e t o b e t e s t e d ( o r o f t h e i n s u l a t i o nf r o m e a c h c o r e t o b e t r e a t e d )s h a l l
be taken of sufficientsize to provide a minimum of five test pieces each for the tensile tests
without ageing and the tensile tests after each of the required ageing treatments, bearing in
m i n d t h a t a 1 0 0 m m l e n g t hi s n e e d e df o r t h e p r e p a r a t i o no f e a c h t e s t p i e c e .
The cores of flat cords shall not be separated.
A n y s a m p l et h a t s h o w s s i g n s o f m e c h a n i c adl a m a g es h a l l n o t b e u s e d f o r t h e t e s t .

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9.1.3

P r e p a r a t i o na n d c o n d i t i o n i n go f t e s t p i e c e s

N O T E l t i s a d v i s a b l et o r e a d 9 . 1 . 3 c ) i C o n d i t i o n i n go f t e s t p i e c e s i b e f o r e c a r r y i n g o u t t h e p r e p a r a t i o no f t h e t e s t
preces.

a) Dumb-belltest pieces
Dumb-bell test pieces shall be used whenever possible. They shall be prepared from
samples of insulationremoved from the conductor,cutting it open in the direction of the
axis of the core.
S e m i - c o n d u c t i n gl a y e r s , i f a n y , i n s i d e a n d / o r o u t s i d e t h e i n s u l a t i o n ,s h a l l b e r e m o v e d
m e c h a n i c a l l yi,. e . w i t h o u tu s i n g a s o l v e n t .
E a c h s a m p l e o f i n s u l a t i o ns h a l l b e c u t i n t o s t r i p so f a n a p p r o p r i a t el e n g t h .T h e s t r i p ss h a l l
be marked to identify the sample from which they are cut and their positionsrelative to
e a c h o t h e r i n t h e o r i g i n a ls a m p l e .
The strips of insulationshall be ground or cut, so as to obtain two parallelsmooth surfaces
b e t w e e nt h e r e f e r e n c em a r k s m e n t i o n e db e l o w ,c a r e b e i n g t a k e n t o a v o i d u n d u e h e a t i n g .
A n e x a m p l e o f a c u t t i n g m a c h i n e i s g i v e n i n a n n e x A . F o r p o l y e t h y l e n e( P E ) a n d
p o l y p r o p y l e n e( P P ) i n s u l a t i o nc, u t t i n g o n l y , n o t g r i n d i n g ,s h a l l b e e m p l o y e d .A f t e r c u t t i n g
o r g r i n d i n g ,i n c l u d i n ga n y r e m o v a lo f b u r r s , t h e t h i c k n e s so f t h e s t r i p s s h a l l n o t b e l e s s
t h a n 0 , 8 m m a n d n o t m o r e t h a n 2 , 0 m m . l f a t h i c k n e s so f 0 , 8 m m c a n n o t b e o b t a i n e df r o m
t h e o r i g i n a ls a m p l e ,a m i n i m u mt h i c k n e s so f 0 , 6 m m i s p e r m i t t e d .
A d u m b - b e l lt e s t p i e c e i n a c c o r d a n c ew i t h f i g u r e 1 2 , s h a l l t h e n b e p u n c h e df r o m e a c h
p r e p a r e ds t r i p o f i n s u l a t i o no, r i f p o s s i b l e t, w o d u m b - b e l tl e s t p i e c e ss h a l l b e p u n c h e ds i d e
by side.
I n o r d e r t o i m p r o v et h e r e l i a b i l i t yo f t h e r e s u l t s ,t h e f o l l o w i n gi s r e c o m m e n d e d :
f r t h e p u n c hs h a l l b e v e r y s h a r p t o m i n i m i z ei m p e r f e c t i o n isn t h e t e s t p i e c e :
fr a cardboard or other suitable support shall be placed between the strip and the base
p l a t e .T h i s s u p p o r ts h a l l b e m a r k e dd u r i n g p u n c h i n g ,b u t n o t c o m p l e t e l yc u t t h r o u g hb y
the punch;
fi

b u r r so n t h e s i d e s o f t h e t e s t p i e c es h a l l b e a v o i d e d .
F o r m a t e r i a l sw h e r e p u n c h i n gr e s u l t si n b u r r s ,t h e f o l l o w i n gm e t h o dm a y b e u s e d :
i ) e a c h e n d o f t h e p u n c hs h a l l h a v e a g r o o v e a p p r o x i m a t e l 2y , 5 m m w i d e a n d 2 , 5 m m
high(seefigure14);
i i ) t h e c u t d u m b - b e l lt e s t p i e c e s w i l l r e m a i n a t t a c h e d a t b o t h e n d s w i t h t h e s t r i p
p r e v i o u s l yp r e p a r e da c c o r d i n gt o t h e r e q u i r e m e n t so f 9 . 1 . 3 a ) ( s e e f i g u r e 1 5 ) ;
i i i ) w i t h t h e m a c h i n eg i v e n i n a n n e x A , a n a d d i t i o n a l0 , 1 0 m m t o 0 , 1 5 m m t h i c k n e s s
c a n b e c u t a w a y t o r e m o v e p o s s i b l e b u r r s r e s u l t i n gf r o m t h e d u m b - b e l lp u n c h .
W h e n t h i s o p e r a t i o ni s c o m p l e t e d t, h e d u m b - b e l tl e s t p i e c e ss h a l l b e c u t t h r o u g ha t
their ends in order to remove them from the strip.
W h e n t h e d i a m e t e ro f t h e c o r e i s t o o s m a l l t o a l l o w t h e d u m b - b e l li n a c c o r d a n c ew i t h
f i g u r e 1 2 , t o b e u s e d , t h e n a s m a l l e rt e s t p i e c e i n a c c o r d a n c ew i t h f i g u r e 1 3 , s h a l l b e
punchedfrom each preparedstrip.
T h e c e n t r a l2 0 m m f o r t h e l a r g e rd u m b - b e l l so r 1 0 m m f o r t h e s m a l l e rd u m b - b e l l ss h a l l
b e m a r k e do n e a c h t e s t p i e c e ,i m m e d i a t e l yb e f o r et h e t e n s i l et e s t .
D u m b - b e l lt e s t p i e c e sw i t h i n c o m p l e t ee n d s a r e p e r m i t t e d ,p r o v i d e dt h a t t h e b r e a k i n g
point occurs betweenthe referencemarks.

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b ) T u b u l a rt e s t p i e c e s
T u b u l a rt e s t p i e c e ss h a l l b e u s e d o n l y w h e n t h e c o r e i s o f s u c h d i m e n s i o n st h a t i t i s n o t
p o s s i b l et o p r e p a r ed u m b - b e l tl e s t p i e c e s .
T h e s a m p l e s o f c o r e s h a l l b e c u t i n t o p i e c e s a p p r o x i m a t e l y1 0 0 m m l o n g a n d t h e
conductor and any outer coverings removed, care being taken not to damage the insulation. The tubes shall be marked to identify the sample from which they were prepared
a n d t h e i r r e l a t i v ep o s i t i o n si n t h e s a m p l e .
Careful removal of the conductor can be facilitated by the use of one or more of the
followingoperations:
i)

by elongationof the rigid conductors;

ii) by careful rolling of the core under low mechanicalforce;

iii) in the case of stranded or flexible conductors, by first removing one or more of the
c e n t r a ls t r a n d so r w i r e s .
After removal of the conductor, the separators, if any, are removed. In case of
difficulty,one of the followingoperationsmay be used:
f r i m m e r s i o ni n w a t e r ,i n t h e c a s e o f p a p e rs e p a r a t o r s ;
fi

i m m e r s i o ni n e t h y la l c o h o l ,i n t h e c a s e o f p o l y e t h y l e n tee r e p h t h a l a t e
separators;

fr rolling of the insulationon a smooth surface.

T h e c e n t r a l2 0 m m s h a l l b e m a r k e di m m e d i a t e l vb e f o r et h e t e n s i l et e s t .
T h e p r e s e n c eo f p i e c e so f s e p a r a t o r ,r e m a i n i n gi n s i d et h e t e s t p i e c e ,c a n b e o b s e r v e dd u r i n g
the tensile tests by formationof irregularitiesin the test piece during elongation.
I n s u c h c a s e s ,t h e r e s u l ts h a l l b e r e j e c t e d .
c) Conditioningof test pieces shall be carried out as follows:
i)

E l e v a t e dt e m p e r a t u r ec o n d i t i o n i n g
W h e r e t h e r e l e v a n tc a b l e s t a n d a r dc a l l s f o r c o n d i t i o n i n ga t e l e v a t e dt e m p e r a t u r eo r
w h e r e , i n c a s e o f d o u b t ,t h e t e s t m u s t b e r e p e a t e d ,s u c h c o n d i t i o n i n gs h a l l b e c a r r i e d
out as follows:
fi for dumb-bells,
( A ) a f t e r t h e r e m o v a l o f t h e i n s u l a t i o nf r o m t h e c a b l e a n d r e m o v a l o f s e m i conductinglayers (if any) but beforethe cutting of strips;
( B ) a f t e rg r i n d i n g( o r c u t t i n g )t o o b t a i np a r a l l e ls u r f a c e s .
W h e r e g r i n d i n g( o r c u t t i n g )i s n o t n e e d e d ,t h e c o n d i t i o n i n gs h a l l b e p e r f o r m e da t
the point in the test protocolaccordingto (A);
f l f o r t u b u l a r t e s t p i e c e s ,s u c h c o n d i t i o n i n gs h a l l b e c a r r i e d o u t a f t e r r e m o v a lo f t h e
conductor, and any separator, but before applying the marks for measurementof
the extension.
Where the relevant cable standard calls for conditioning at elevated temperature it
s h a l l b e f o r t h e t i m e a n d t e m p e r a t u r eg i v e n i n t h a t s t a n d a r d .W h e r e , i n c a s e o f d o u b t ,
t h e t e s t m u s t b e r e p e a t e d ,t h e c o n d i t i o n i n gs h a l l b e 2 4 h a t ( 7 0 t 2 ) C , o r a l o w e r
t e m p e r a t u r ec o r r e s p o n d i n tgo t h e m a x i m u mo p e r a t i n gt e m p e r a t u r eo f t h e c o n d u c t o r .

i i ) A m b i e n tt e m p e r a t u r ec o n d i t i o n i n g
Before determinationof the cross-sectionalarea, all test pieces shall be protectedfrom
d i r e c t s u n l i g h ta n d m a i n t a i n e df o r a t l e a s t 3 h a t a t e m p e r a t u r eo f ( 2 3 t 5 ) C , e x c e p t
f o r t h e r m o p l a s t i ci n s u l a t i n gm a t e r i a l sw h i c h s h a l l b e k e p t a t ( 2 3 t 2 ) C .

Page11

EN 60811-l-1:1996

9 . 1. 4

D e t e r m i n a t i o no f c r o s s - s e c t i o n a la r e a

a ) D u m b - b e ltl e s t p i e c e
The cross-sectionalarea of each test piece is the product of the common width and the
m e a s u r e di n d i v i d u am
l i n i m u mt h i c k n e s sw h i c h s h a l l b e d e t e r m i n e da s f o l l o w s .
For the width:
fi

t h e c o m m o nw i d t h i s t h e m i n i m u mw i d t h o f t h r e e , r a n d o m l ys e l e c t e dt e s t p i e c e s ;

fr

if there is doubt about the uniformity of the width, this shall be measured at three
positionson the top and the bottom side of the three test pieces. The mean of the top
a n d b o t t o m s i d e m e a s u r e m e n t ss h a l l b e c a l c u l a t e df o r e a c h p o s i t i o n .T h e c o m m o n
w i d t h s h a l l b e t h e m i n i m u m o f t h e n i n e m e a n v a l u e s d e t e r m i n e do n t h e t h r e e t e s t
pieces;

f r i n t h e c a s e o f f u r t h e rd o u b t ,t h e w i d t h i s m e a s u r e do n e a c h i n d i v i d u atle s t p i e c e .
Forthe thickness:
fi

t h e t h i c k n e s so f e a c h t e s t p i e c e i s t h e m i n i m u m o f t h r e e t h i c k n e s s m e a s u r e m e n t s
carried out in the area to be stretched.

T h e m e a s u r e m e n t s h a l l b e c a r r i e do u t b y a n o p t i c a l i n s t r u m e n ot r b y a d i a l g a u g e g i v i n g
a contact pressure not exceeding0,07 N/mm .
T h e i n s t r u m e n st h a l l b e c a p a b l eo f m e a s u r i n gt h e t h i c k n e s sw i t h a n e r r o r o f n o t m o r e
t h a n 0 , 0 ' l m m a n d t h e w i d t h w i t h a n e r r o ro f n o t m o r e t h a n 0 , 0 4 m m .
I n c a s e o f d o u b t , w h e r e t e c h n i c a l l yp o s s i b l e ,a n o p t i c a l i n s t r u m e n ts h a l l b e u s e d .
A l t e r n a t i v e l ya, d i a l g a u g e w i t h a m a x i m u mc o n t a c t p r e s s u r eo f 0 , 0 2 N / m m m a y b e
used.
N O T E A n a p p r o p r i a t ec u r v e d f o o t o f t h e d i a l g a u g e m a y b e u s e d i f i h e c e n t r a l p a r t o f t h e d u m b - b e l l i s s i i l l
curveo.

b ) T u b u l a rt e s t p i e c e
A t t h e m i d d l eo f t h e s a m p l e b e i n g u s e d t o p r e p a r et h e t e s t p i e c e s ,a p i e c e s h a l l b e t a k e n
t o d e t e r m i n et h e c r o s s - s e c t i o n aal r e a A , i n s q u a r e m i l l i m e t r e so, f t h e t e s t p i e c e b y o n e o f
t h e f o l l o w i n gm e t h o d s .I n c a s e o f d o u b t ,t h e s e c o n dm e t h o db 2 ) s h a l l b e u s e d .
b l ) F r o m t h e d i m e n s i o n s u, s i n gt h e f o r m u l a :
A=r(Dfi6)6
where
i s t h e m e a n v a l u e o f t h e t h i c k n e s so f t h e i n s u l a t i o n ,i n m i l l i m e t r e s d
, e t e r m i n e da s
s p e c i f i e di n c l a u s e8 a n d r o u n d e do f f t o t w o d e c i m a lp l a c e s( s e e 8 . 1 . 4 ,l a s t p a r a g r a p h ) ;
D i s t h e m e a n v a l u e o f t h e o u t e r d i a m e t e ro f t h e t e s t p i e c e , i n m i l l i m e t r e sd, e t e r m i n e da s
specifiedin test method b) of 8.3.2 and rounded off to two decimal places.
6

b 2 ) F r o m t h e d e n s i t y ,t h e m a s s a n d t h e l e n g t h ,u s i n gt h e f o r m u l a :

fr= 1000m
dxl

where
m i s t h e m a s s o f t h e t e s t p i e c e ,i n g r a m s ,t o t h r e e d e c i m a lp l a c e s ;
/

i s t h e l e n g t h ,i n m i l l i m e t r e st,o o n e d e c i m a lp l a c e ;

i s t h e d e n s i t y , m e a s u r e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h c l a u s e 8 o f 1 E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 1 - 3o n a n
additional sample of the same insulation(without ageing) in grams per cubic
c e n t i m e t r et,o t h r e e d e c i m a lp l a c e s .

Page12

EN 60811-1-l:1995

b 3 ) F r o m t h e v o l u m e a n d t h e l e n g t h ,t h e v o l u m e b e i n g d e t e r m i n e db y m e a n s o f i m m e r s i o ni n
e t h y l a l c o h o lu s i n gt h e f o r m u l a :

A =Y
I

where
V i s t h e v o l u m e ,i n c u b i c m i l l i m e t r e st,o t w o d e c i m a lp l a c e s ;
/

i s t h e l e n g t h ,i n m i l l i m e t r e st,o o n e d e c i m a lp l a c e .

C a r e s h a l l b e t a k e n t o a v o i d a i r b u b b l e si n t h e t e s t p i e c ed u r i n gi m m e r s i o n .
c) Fortest pieces which are to be aged, the cross-sectionalarea shall be determinedbefore
ageing treatment, unless the insulationis to be aged in the presenceof the conductor.
9.1.5

Ageing treatment

Each required ageing treatmentshall be carried out on five test pieces (see 9.1.2) in
a c c o r d a n c ew i t h c l a u s e 8 o f I E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 1 - 2 .u n d e r t h e c o n d i t i o n ss o e c i f i e di n t h e r e l e v a n t
c a b l es t a n d a r d .
9-1.6

Spare.

9.1.7

T e n s i l et e s t i n g p r o c e d u r e

a) Test temperature
T h e t e s t s h a l l b e c a r r i e d o u t a t a t e m p e r a t u r eo f ( 2 3 * 5 ) C . I n c a s e o f d o u b t f o r
t h e r m o p l a s t i ci n s u l a t i o nt,h e t e s t s h a l l b e c a r r i e do u t a t ( 2 3 t 2 ) C .
b) Distancebetweenthe grips and rate of separation
T h e g r i p s o f t h e t e n s i l et e s t i n gm a c h i n em a y b e e i t h e ro f a s e l f - t i g h t e n i ntgy p e o r n o t .
T h e t o t a l l e n g t hb e t w e e nt h e g r i p s s h a l l b e a b o u t :
3 4 m m f o r d u m b - b e l l sa s i l l u s t r a t e di n f i g u r e 1 3 ;
5 0 m m f o r d u m b - b e l l sa s i l l u s t r a t e di n f i g u r e 1 2 ;
5 0 m m f o r t u b e s , i f t e s t e dw i t h s e l f - t i g h t e n i nggr i p s ;
8 5 m m f o r t u b e s , i f t e s t e dw i t h n o n - s e l f { i g h t e n i nggr i p s .
T h e r a t e o f s e p a r a t i o ne
, x c e p tf o r P E a n d P P i n s u l a t i o n ss, h a l l b e ( 2 5 0 t 5 0 ) m m / m i na n d ,
i n c a s e o f d o u b t ,( 2 5 t 5 ) m m / m i n .
F o r P E a n d P P , o r i n s u l a t i o n sc o n t a i n i n gt h e s e m a t e r i a l s t, h e r a t e o f s e p a r a t i o ns h a l l b e
( 2 5 t 5 ) m m / m i n , b u t f o r r o u t i n e t e s t s , s e p a r a t i o nr a t e s u p t o ( 2 5 0 t 5 0 ) m m / m i n a r e
permitted.
c) Measurements
T h e m a x i m u m t e n s i l e f o r c e d u r i n g t h e t e s t s h a l l b e m e a s u r e d a n d r e c o r d e d ,a n d t h e
d i s t a n c e b e t w e e n t h e t w o r e f e r e n c em a r k s a t b r e a k i n gp o i n t s h a l l b e m e a s u r e do n t h e
sametest piece.
A n u n s a t i s f a c t o rrye s u l td u e t o a n y t e s t p i e c e b r e a k i n gd u e t o d a m a g ei n t h e g r i p s s h a l l b e
i g n o r e d .I n t h i s e v e n t ,a t l e a s tf o u r v a l i d r e s u l t ss h a l l b e o b t a i n e di n o r d e r t o c a l c u l a t et h e
t e n s i l es t r e n g t ha n d e l o n g a t i o na t b r e a k ;o t h e r w i s et h e t e s t s h a l l b e r e p e a t e d .
9.1.8

E x p r e s s i o no f r e s u l t s

C a l c u l a t et h e t e n s i l e s t r e n g t ha n d t h e e l o n g a t i o na t b r e a k a c c o r d i n gt o t h e d e f i n i t i o n sg i v e n
in 7.3 and 7.4,respectively.
T h e m e d i a nv a l u e o f t h e r e s u l t ss h a l l b e d e t e r m i n e d .

Page l3

EN 60811-l-l:1996

9.2
9.2.1

Sheathingcompounds
General

These tests are to determine the tensile strength and elongation at break of the sheathing
materialof the cable in the condition as manufacturedand, when required,after one or more
acceleratedageing treatment(s).
When the ageing treatment is to be carried out on prepared test pieces (in accordance
w i t h 8 . 1 . 3 o f I E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 1 - 2o r w i t h c l a u s e ' 1 0o f I E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 2 - 1 )t,h e t e s t p i e c e sf o r t r e a t m e n t
shall be from positions adjacent to the test pieces used for the test without ageing, and the
tensile tests on the treated and untreatedtest pieces shall be in immediatesuccession.
N O T E W h e r e f u r t h e r i n c r e a s e d r e l i a b i l i t yi s n e c e s s a r y , i t i s r e c o m m e n d e dt h a t t h e t e s t s o n a g e d a n d u n a g e d t e s t
pieces are performed by the same person using the same testing method and the same apparalus, in lhe same
laboratory.

9.2.2

Sampling

O n e s a m p l eo f t h e c a b l e o r c o r d t o b e t e s t e d ,o r o f t h e s h e a t h r e m o v e df r o m t h e c a b l e , s h a l l
be taken of sufficientsize to provide a minimumof five test piecesfor the tensile tests without
ageing and the required number of test pieces for each of the tensile tests after ageing
s p e c i f i e df o r t h e s h e a t h i n gm a t e r i a li n t h e s t a n d a r df o r t h e t y p e o f c a b l e i n q u e s t i o n ,b e a r i n g
i n m i n d t h a t a b o u t 1 0 0 m m i s n e e d e df o r t h e p r e p a r a t i o no f e a c h t e s t p i e c e .
A n y s a m p l et h a t s h o w s s i g n s o f m e c h a n i c adl a m a g es h a l l n o t b e u s e d f o r t h e t e s t s .
9.2.3

P r e p a r a t i o na n d c o n d i t i o n i n go f t e s t p i e c e s

T e s t p i e c e ss h a l l b e p r e p a r e df r o m t h e s a m p l e so f s h e a t h i n t h e s a m e w a y a s s p e c i f i e df o r
i n s u l a t i o inn 9 . 1. 3 .
I n t h e p r e p a r a t i o no f d u m b - b e l tl e s t p i e c e s ,a s t r i p s h a l l b e c u t f r o m t h e s h e a t h i n t h e d i r e c t i o n
o f t h e a x i s o f t h e c a b l e s .A l l o t h e r c a b l e c o m p o n e n t ss h a l l b e r e m o v e df r o m t h e s t r i p . l f t h e
s t r i p h a s r i d g e so r i m p r i n t s t, h e s e s h a l l b e r e m o v e db y c u t t i n go r g r i n d i n g .F o r P E a n d P P a n d
r e l a t e ds h e a t h s ,o n l y c u t t i n gi s a l l o w e d .
NOTE For PE sheaths, the thickness of the dumb-bell does not need to be reduced to 2,0 mm, when the full
s h e a t h t h i c k n e s s i s g r e a t e r , p r o v i d e dt h a t t h e t e s t p i e c e s a r e s m o o t h o n b o t h s u r f a c e s .

I n t h e p r e p a r a t i o no f t u b u l a r t e s t p i e c e s , a l l t h e c o m p o n e n t so f t h e c a b l e i n s i d et h e s h e a t h ,
i n c l u d i n gc o r e s ,f i l l e r sa n d i n n e rc o v e r i n g ,s h a l l b e r e m o v e d .
F o r c o n d i t i o n i n go f t h e t e s t p i e c e s ,s e e 9 . 1 . 3 c ) .
9.2.4

D e t e r m i n a t i o no f c r o s s - s e c t i o n a la r e a

The cross-sectionalarea of each test piece shall be determined by the same method as for
t h e i n s u l a t i o ns p e c i f i e di n 9 . 1 . 4 ,w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n gm o d i f i c a t i o nfso r t u b u l a rt e s t p i e c e s :
fi

t h e t h i c k n e s s a n d d i a m e t e ro f t h e s h e a t h , m e a s u r e d i n a c c o r d a n c ew i t h c l a u s e I w i t h
p a r t i c u l a rr e f e r e n c et o 8 . 2 . 4 f o r t h i c k n e s s ,a n d 8 . 3 . 2 f o r d i a m e t e r ,s h a l l b e u s e d i n t h e
m e t h o db l ) ;

f r t h e d e n s i t y s h a lbl e m e a s u r e do n a n a d d i t i o n apl i e c e o ft h e s a m e s h e a t hi n t h e m e t h o db 2 ) .
N O T E T h e b 2 ) m e t h o d s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d f o r m u l t i - l a y e rm a t e r i a l s .

Page14

EN 60811-l-l:1995

9.2.5

Ageing treatment

Each required ageing treatment shall be carried out on five test pieces (see 9.2.2) in
a c c o r d a n c ew i t h c l a u s e 8 o f I E C 6 0 8 1 1 - 1 - 2 ,u n d e rt h e c o n d i t i o n ss p e c i f i e di n t h e s t a n d a r df o r
the particulartype of cable.
9.2.6

Spare.

9.2.7

Tensile testing procedure

I n a c c o r d a n c ew i t h 9 . 1 . 7 .
9.2.8

Expressionof results

I n a c c o r d a n c ew i t h 9 . 1 . 8 .

Page 15

EN 608rr-l-1:1996

tEc

911tO1

Figure 1 fr Measurement of insulation or sheath thickness

(circular inner profile)

Mioimum thickness

tEc

912t01

Figure 2 ft Measurement of insulation thickness (sectoral-shaped conductor)

L__
Page16

EN 60811-1-l:1996

Minimum thickness

Figure 3 fi Measurement of insulation thickness (stranded conductor)

Minimum thickness

Figure 4 ft Measurement of insulation thickness (stranded conductor)

Page77

EN 60811-l-l:1995

Figure 5 fi Measurement of insulation thickness

(uneven outer profile)

Minimum thickness

tEC

Figure 6 fr Measurement of insulation thickness

(twin flat non-sheathed cord)

916t01

Page18

EN 608rr-l-l:1995

Minimum thickness

tEc 917101

Figure 7 fi Measurement of sheath thickness (irregular circular inner profile)

Minimum thickness

Figure 8 fi Measurement of sheath thickness (non-circular inner profile)

Page19

EN 608rr-l-1:1996

Minimum thickness

Figure 9 6 Measurement of sheath thickness (irregular outer surface)

Minimum thickness

lEc

920101

Figure 10 ft Measurement of sheath thickness (twin sheathed flat cord)

Page20

EN 608rr-1-l:1995

O G
lEc

921t01

Figure 11 fi Measurement of sheath thickness (flat cable with single cores)

lEc

922t01

D imens ion in mi I Ii metres

Figure 12 fi Dumb-bell test piece

Page21

EN 608rr-l-1:1995

Refe.ence marks

Figure 13 fr Small dumb-bell test piece

IEC

924t01

F i g u r e ' 1 4h P u n c h e n d s h o w i n g g r o o v e

r\_
R R

H H

n R
tEc 925t01

Figure 15 6 Test pieces cut by grooved punch

Page22

EN 60811-l-l:1996

AnnexA
(informative)
P r i n c i p l eo f o p e r a t i o no f a t y p i c a l m a c h i n ef o r
preparing test pieces

T w o r o l l s , o n e m a d e o f s t e e l a n d p a r t l y g r o o v e d @ , a n d t h e o t h e r , i n r u b b e r - t y r e ds t e e l@ ,
drivethe strip@ againsta highlysharpen-ed
fixed,oriroving blade@ (surgicalscalpelquality)
T h e s t r i p i s l o n g i t u d i n a l l yc u t i n t o t w o p a r t s : p a r t @ t r o m w h i c h t h e t e s t p i e c e i s c u t , a n d
part @ which is rejected.
N O T E T h e t h i c k n e s s o f p a r t @ c a n b e I i m i t e d t o 0 , 1 m m i f n e c e s s a r y .( F o r t h i s p u r p o s e , c o n s i d e r a t i o ns h o u l d b e
g i v e n t o t h e b e h a v i o u r o f t h e m a t e r i a l p r e p a r e d a n d t h e p r e s e r v a t i o no f t h e b l a d e s h a r p n e s s . )
W h e n t h e s t r i p @ h a s m a r k s o f t e a r i n g o r s c r a t c h i n g ,w h i c h m a y i n d u c e a p r e m a t u r e b r e a k , i t i s r e c o m m e n d e dt h a f
p a r t ( g ) b e c u t a n d r e j e c t e df r o m b o t h s i d e s .

EN608ll-1-l:1995

Arrnex ZA (normative)
Normative references to international
European publications

publications

with their corresponding

provisionsfromotherpublications.
This EuropeanStandardincorporates
by datedor undatedreference,
These ncnmative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent arnerrdments toor revisions ofany ofthese publications apply
to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references
the latest edition ofthe publication referred to applies (including amendments).
NOTE
When the international
EN./FID applies.

publication

has been modified by CENELEC

common modifications,

indieted

by (mod), the relevant

IEC publication

Date

Titlel)

trN/'IID

Date

IEC 8l l-l-2

1985

EN 60811-l-22)

1995

IEC8ll-1-3

1985

Insulating and sheathingmaterials of electric

utbles - Conmon test methoels - PatT I: Gctterctl
application
Section 2: 71tet-mal ageing methods
Sa,tion3:Mdho.lsfordetenniningthedensifit
Water absoryttion tests - Shrinka-ge tast

HD505.1.1S33)

1991

IEC 8ll-2-l

1986

Part2: Mahodsspecifictoelastomet'icaxnpounds
Section I : Ozone resistance test - Hot set test
Mineral oil immersion te.st

EN 60811-2-14)

1995

f ) IEC 538, lIlC 538,{ and IEC 540 are superseded by IEC 81 I and ILC 885
test mahds
Eletriml
2) 'l'he main title and title of Part I have been adapted to the new title decided by IEC/TC 203)HD505.l.l53:1991 issupersededbyEN608ll-l-l:l995,whichisbascdonIEC8ll-l-l:1993.
4) EN 608 I I -2- I includes Al: 1992 and A2: 1993 to IEC 8 1 I -2-1 : 1986.

@ BSI27

]v{lay 2OO2

fu

elatric

cabla

z5

BS EN
60811-1-1:1995

BSI _British

Standards Institution

BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing

British Standards. It presents the III(view on standards in Europe and at the
international level. It is incorporated by Royal Charter.
Revisions
British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of
British Standards should make sure that they possess the latest arnendments or
editions.
It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if arryone findirrg an inaccuracy or arnbiguity while using
this British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee
responsible, the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover.
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