UDC 621.

315’55 : 669’3 - 426 [ 669’686 ] : 620’1 IS : 10810 ( Part 4) - 1984

( Reaffirmed 1996 )
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR CABLES
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Is1
PART 4 PERSULPHATE TEST OF CONDUCTOR

1. Scope -Covers two methods for determination of exposed copper in case of tinned copper wire
for conductors used in electrical cables.
2. Significance -Copper wires are tinned for the following reasons:
a) To act as a barrier between bare copper conductor and elastomeric insulations to avoid
degradation of the latter due~to catalytic effect of copper on elastomers.
b) TO avoid formation of oxide on the copper conductor which reduces the solderability of the
material.
During tinning there is possibility of formation of pinholes on the conductor, thereby defeating
the purpose of application of tin. The persulphate test ascertains the continuity of tin coating on
the conductors.
3. Terminology
3.1 a) Mefhod A -The continuity of tin coating is examined by comparing the persulphate SOIU-
tion in which the sample has been immersed with an equal volume of reference standard
colour reagent for depth of colours.
b) Method 6 -The mass of copper dissolved is expressed as grams of copper per square
metre of wire immersed in the persulphate ‘solution.
4. Apparatus
4.1 Porcelain or Gfass Beaker - Capacity 250 ml.
4.2 Nesslers’ Tube - Capacity 100 ml.
4.3 Pipeffe Graduated - Capacity 100 ml.
4.4 Balance - Accuracy 0’1 mg.
4.5 Volumetric Flask-Capacity 1 000 ml.
5. Material

5.1 Persulphafe Solufion - Dissolve IO g of fresh analytical grade crystalline ammonium persujphate
[ ( NH4 )&S208] in distilled water, add 20 ml of ammonia solution (specific gravity 0’88 at 27°C ) and
make up to one litre with distilled water..
The ammonium persulphate solution should be freshly prepared each day and should. not be
subjected to temperature above 35°C.
5.2 Sfandard Co/our Reagent
a) For Method A-Dissolve 0.200 g of pure copper sulphate ( CuSO4 5HzO ) in distilled water,
add 50 ml of chemically pvre solution of ammonia (specific gravity 0’88 at 27°C ) and dilute
to one litre.
b) For Method B - Dissolve 3.927 g of pure copper sulphate (CuSO4 5HsO) in distilled water
with 50 ml of ammonia solution ( specific gravity O-88 at 27°C ) and make up to one litre with
distilled water. One millilitre of this solution is equivalent to 0’001 g of copper.
6. Test Specimen
6.1 A test sample of length ( L) equal to y + 80 mm (where d is the nominal wire diameter in
mm ) in case of Method A and a test sample of the length given in col 4 of Table 1 in case ot
Method B is cut from the insulated core or from each core of finished cable and the insulation is
removed by any method which does not cause any injury to the tin coating, for example, the insu.
lation may be loosened from the conductor by drawing a solvent and/or oil in the interstitial space5
of the conductor.

Adopted 14 March 1984 @June 1985, ISI Gr 2

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INDIAN STANDARDS INSTITUTION

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
IS:10810(Part4)-1984

6.2 Two groups of specimens of continuous length (L) as mentioned in 6.1 in case of Method A
and two groups of specimens of continuous length, each group comprising the number of single
wires given in col 5 of Table 1 in case of Method B, are taken from the test samples and marked
40 mm from each end by means of a grease penctl or in some other manner which does not cause
damage to the tin coating. The groups are composed of wires selected at random from the various
cores of the cables.

6.3 Each group of test specimens is wound into one helix upon a smooth mandrel, in such a manner
as to ensure that no twisting moment is imparted to the wires. Those portions of the test specimens
which are necessary to lead up to the 40 mm ends and provide for their projections above the surface
of the testing solution in which the specimens are to be immersed are not formed to the mandrel
but suitably bent for the purpose in such a way that the radius of the bends is not less than half
the diameter of the mandrel used to produce the helix. The diameter of the mandrel is given below.

Diameter of Wire Diameter of Mandrel

I h-----__---7
Over Up to and Including

mm mm mm

- 0’20 15

0 ‘20 0’30 18

0 ‘30 0’50 22

0’50 0’70 29

0.70 0’90 33

0’90 I*10 38

1’10 1.40 51

1.40 1’80 56

1’80 2.00 64

2’00 2’30 70

2.30 - 76

6.4 The helix is removed from the mandrel by slipping it off end-wise without further distortion of
the wire.

6.5 A cleaning operation is carried out after the helix has been removed from the mandrel and
immediately prior to its immersion in the test solution and the part to be immersed is not handled.

The method of cleaning is by the immersion of the test helix for a period of 10 s in a
suitable solvent, for example, chloroform or methylated ether, contained in one vessel, followed by
a similar period of immersion in solvent contained in a second vessel, the helix being agitated
during each immersion ‘and allowed to dry before immersion in the test solution. Should the
colouration of the solvent due to dissolved material become discernible, the solvent is renewed,
care being taken to ensure that the vessel containing the cleaner liquid is used for the second (and
final ) wash.

6.6 An alternative method is to clean the wire before or after the test helix is wound, by rubbing
with a pad~of clean cotton wool soaked in the solvent. If the insulating material is very hard to
remove, it may be removed by preliminary treatment with hot solvent. In no case, however, should
the test helix be straightened and rewound, or subjected to any other serious mechanical deformation
for the purpose of cleaning, and in all cases the double immersion described above constitutes the
final cleaning operation.

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 IS:10810 (Part 4)-1984

TABLE 1 TEST SPECIMENS FOR TINNING TEST (FOR~METHOD 6)

( Clauses 6.1, 6.2 and 8.1 )

Diameter and Number of Wires Length Number Length of Test Specimen

Comprising the Conductor of Test of Test Between Marks
-- * --- Specimens Specimens ------l
Diameter Number ?or Each Total for
--- Specimens Each Group
Over Up to and
Including
(1) (2) (3) (4) (51 (6) (7)
mm mm mm mm mm
0’20 10 or more 580 10 500 5 000
0’20 0’30 6 or more 1 080 5 1 000 5 000
0’30 0’75 3 or more 750 3 670 2010
0’75 3’20 3 or more 410 -3 330 990
0’75 3.20 1 1 080 1 1 000 1 000

7. Conditioning -The test is carried out under normal room temperature but immediately before,
the immersion of the helix the test solution is ~brought to a temperature of 27 f 2°C.
8. Procedure

8.1 a) For Method A - After cleaning, the helix is immersed for 10 min in a vessel containing
100 ml of the persulphate solution described in 5.1 in such a manner that the surface of
the -wire between the marks is exposed to the testing solution and the 40 mm ends
project ‘above the surface. The helix is then removed, and the test solution compared
with an equal volume of the reference standard colour reagent for depth of colours, both
being taken in similar Nesslers’ tube, The colour comparison should be made by viewing
the solutions lengthwise through the Nesslers’ tubes.
b) For Mefhod B - After cleaning, the helix is immersed for 10 min in a vessel containing the
persulphate solution described in 5.1 in such a manner that the surface of the wire between
the marks ( see ~01-6 of Table 1 ) is exposed to ttre testing solution and the 40 mm ends
project above the surface.
The volume of the solution is as follows:
For wiresup to and including 1.80 mm dia 75 ml
For wires above 1.80 mm dia 200 ml

The mass of copper dissolved from the wire by the persulphate solution is determined
calorimetrically by comparison with the standard colour reagent described in 5.2(b).

9. Tabulation of Observations
9.1 For Method A

Groups of Specimen Co/our of the Test Solution After Immersion is

Darker/Lighter than the Reference
Standard Co/our Reagent

9.2 For Method B

Groups of Specimen Standard Co/our Reagent Required to

Match the Co/our, ml

1.

2.

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IS: 10810 (Part 4)- 1984

10. Calculation

10.1 a) For Mefhod A-Nil

b) For Method B- Surface area of immersed length, mB = xDf

where

D = diameter of wire in m, and

L = length of wire in m.

Mass of copper dissolved = -$& g/m*

where

W - copper dissolved in g.

11. Report

11.1 Persulphate Test of Conductor

Cable Type

Batch No./Lot No.

Cable No./Drum No.

Date of Testing

11.2 Results

Reference Specification

II .2.1 For Method A

Specimen No. Coloor to Reference Standard Co/our Reagent

r--- h---,-- ---7
Observed Specified

11.2.2 For Method B

Specimen No. Diameter Mass of Copper Dissolved, g/m2

of Wire r-- h-L------~
mm Observed Specified

11.3 Conclusion - The sample meets/does not meet the requirements of the specification.

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