Designation: B 8 – 04

Standard Specification for

Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard,
Medium-Hard, or Soft1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 8; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers bare concentric-lay-stranded 2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
conductors made from round copper wires, either uncoated or B 1 Specification of Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
coated with tin, lead, or lead alloy for general use for electrical B 2 Specification for Medium-Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
purposes. These conductors shall be constructed with a central B 3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
core surrounded by one or more layers of helically laid wires. B 33 Specification for Tinned Soft or Annealed Copper
NOTE 1—This specification also permits conductors for use as covered
Wire for Electrical Purposes
or insulated electrical conductors. B 172 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Con-
NOTE 2—Sealed conductors, that are intended to prevent longitudinal ductors Having Bunch-Stranded Members, for Electrical
water propagation and are further covered/insulated, are also permitted Conductors
within the guidelines of this specification. B 173 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Con-
1.2 For the purposes of this specification, conductors are ductors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Elec-
classified as follows (Explanatory Note 1 and Note 2): trical Conductors
1.2.1 Class AA—For bare conductors usually used in over- B 174 Specification for Bunch-Stranded Copper Conduc-
head lines. tors for Electrical Conductors
1.2.2 Class A—For conductors to be covered with weather- B 189 Specification for Lead-Coated and Lead-Alloy-
resistant (weather-proof), slow-burning materials, and for bare Coated Soft Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes3
conductors where greater flexibility than is afforded by Class B 193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
AA is required. Materials
1.2.3 Class B—For conductors to be insulated with various B 246 Specification for Tinned Hard-Drawn and Medium-
materials such as rubber, paper, varnished cloth, and so forth, Hard-Drawn Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
and for the conductors indicated under Class A where greater B 263 Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional
flexibility is required. Area of Stranded Conductors
1.2.4 Class C and Class D—For conductors where greater B 354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Elec-
flexibility is required than is provided by Class B conductors. trical Conductors
1.3 The SI values for density are regarded as the standard. B 787/B 787M Specification for 19 Wire Combination
For all other properties, the inch-pound values are to be Unilay-Stranded Copper Conductors for Subsequent Insu-
regarded as standard and the SI units may be approximate. lation

2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.04 on the ASTM website.
Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys. Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Current edition approved April 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001.
3
approved in 1915. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as B8 – 99. Withdrawn.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 B 8 – 04
3. Ordering Information 3.1.4 Temper (see 13.2),
3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include 3.1.5 Whether coated or uncoated; if coated, designate type
the following information: of coating (see 13.1 and 13.2),
3.1.1 Quantity of each size and class, 3.1.6 Details of special-purpose lays, if required (see 5.4),
3.1.2 Conductor size: circular-mil area or AWG (Section 6), 3.1.7 When physical tests shall be made (see 8.2 and 8.3),
3.1.3 Class (see 1.2 and Table 1), 3.1.8 Package size (see 8.1),

TABLE 1 Construction Requirements of Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors

Area of Size, Class AA Class A Class BA Class C Class D
Cross-Section, American
Number of Diameter of Number of Diameter of Number of Diameter of Number of Diameter of Number of Diameter of
cmil Wire Gage
Wires Wires, mils Wires Wires, mils Wires Wires, mils Wires Wires, mils Wires Wires, mils
*5 000 000 ... ... ... 169 172.0 217 151.8 271 135.8 271 135.8
4 500 000 ... ... ... 169 163.2 217 144.0 271 128.9 271 128.9
4 000 000 ... ... ... 169 153.8 217 135.8 271 121.5 271 121.5
3 500 000 ... ... ... 127 166.0 169 143.9 217 127.0 271 113.6
*3 000 000 ... ... ... 127 153.7 169 133.2 217 117.6 271 105.2
*2 500 000 ... ... ... 91 165.7 127 140.3 169 121.6 217 107.3
*2 000 000 ... ... ... 91 148.2 127 125.5 169 108.8 217 96.0
1 900 000 ... ... ... 91 144.5 127 122.3 169 106.0 217 93.6
1 800 000 ... ... ... 91 140.6 127 119.1 169 103.2 217 91.1
*1 750 000 ... ... ... 91 138.7 127 117.4 169 101.8 217 89.8
1 700 000 ... ... ... 91 136.7 127 115.7 169 100.3 217 88.5
1 600 000 ... ... ... 91 132.6 127 112.2 169 97.3 217 85.9
*1 500 000 ... ... ... 61 156.8 91 128.4 127 108.7 169 94.2
1 400 000 ... ... ... 61 151.5 91 124.0 127 105.0 169 91.0
1 300 000 ... ... ... 61 146.0 91 119.5 127 101.2 169 87.7
*1 250 000 ... ... ... 61 143.1 91 117.2 127 99.2 169 86.0
1 200 000 ... ... ... 61 140.3 91 114.8 127 97.2 169 84.3
1 100 000 ... ... ... 61 134.3 91 109.9 127 93.1 169 80.7
*1 000 000 ... 37 164.4 61 128.0 61 128.0 91 104.8 127 88.7
900 000 ... 37 156.0 61 121.5 61 121.5 91 99.4 127 84.2
*800 000 ... 37 147.0 61 114.5 61 114.5 91 93.8 127 79.4
*750 000 ... 37 142.4 61 110.9 61 110.9 91 90.8 127 76.8
*700 000 ... 37 137.5 61 107.1 61 107.1 91 87.7 127 74.2
650 000 ... 37 132.5 61 103.2 61 103.2 91 84.5 127 71.5
*600 000 ... 37 127.3 37 127.3 61 99.2 91 81.2 127 68.7
550 000 ... 37 121.9 37 121.9 61 95.0 91 77.7 127 65.8
*500 000 ... 19 162.2 37 116.2 37 116.2 61 90.5 91 74.1
450 000 ... 19 153.9 37 110.3 37 110.3 61 85.9 91 70.3
*400 000 ... 19 145.1 19 145.1 37 104.0 61 81.0 91 66.3
*350 000 ... 12 170.8 19 135.7 37 97.3 61 75.7 91 62.0
*300 000 ... 12 158.1 19 125.7 37 90.0 61 70.1 91 57.4
*250 000 ... 12 144.3 19 114.7 37 82.2 61 64.0 91 52.4
*211 600 0000 7 173.9 7 173.9 19 105.5 37 75.6 61 58.9
*167 800 000 7 154.8 7 154.8 19 94.0 37 67.3 61 52.4
*133 100 00 7 137.9 7 137.9 19 83.7 37 60.0 61 46.7
*105 600 0 7 122.8 7 122.8 19 74.5 37 53.4 61 41.6
*83 690 1 3B 167.0 7 109.3 19 66.4 37 47.6 61 37.0
*66 360 2 3B 148.7 7 97.4 7 97.4 19 59.1 37 42.4
*52 620 3 3B 132.5 7 86.7 7 86.7 19 52.6 37 37.7
*41 740 4 3B 118.0 7 77.2 7 77.2 19 46.9 37 33.6
*33 090 5 ... ... ... ... 7 68.8 19 41.7 37 29.9
*26 240 6 ... ... ... ... 7 61.2 19 37.2 37 26.6
*20 820 7 ... ... ... ... 7 54.5 19 33.1 37 23.7
*16 510 8 ... ... ... ... 7 48.6 19 29.5 37 21.1
*13 090 9 ... ... ... ... 7 43.2 19 26.2 37 18.8
*10 380 10 ... ... ... ... 7 38.5 19 23.4 37 16.7
*6 530 12 ... ... ... ... 7 30.5 19 18.5 37 13.3
*4 110 14 ... ... ... ... 7 24.2 19 14.7 37 10.5
*2 580 16 ... ... ... ... 7 19.2 19 11.7 ... ...
*1 620 18 ... ... ... ... 7 15.2 19 9.2 ... ...
*1 020 20 ... ... ... ... 7 12.1 19 7.3 ... ...
*640 22 ... ... ... ... 7 9.6 19 5.8 ... ...
*404 24 ... ... ... ... 7 7.6 19 4.6 ... ...
* The sizes of conductors that have been marked with an asterisk provide for one or more schedules of preferred series, and are commonly used in the industry. The
sizes not marked are given simply as a matter of reference and it is suggested that their use be discouraged.
A
For unidirectional/unilay constructions the number of wires shown are minimum requirements.
B
Although Class AA conductors having three strands do not conform to the construction requirements of 1.1, they are listed in this table for convenience.

2
 B 8 – 04
3.1.9 Lagging, if required (see section 15.2), 6. Construction
3.1.10 Special package marking, if required (Section 14), 6.1 The areas of cross section, numbers, and diameters of
and wires in the various classes of concentric-lay-stranded conduc-
3.1.11 Place of inspection (Section 15). tors shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Table 1
(Explanatory Notes 3 and 10).
4. Joints
6.2 The diameters of the wires listed in Table 1 are nominal.
4.1 Welds and brazes may be made in rods or in wires prior Where “combination strand” is required in order to insulate the
to final drawing. Joints may not be made in the finished wires conductor properly (strands in the outer layer having a larger
composing hard-drawn or medium-hard-drawn Class AA con- diameter than those in the inner layers) the diameters shall be
ductors of seven wires or less. In other conductors, welds and subject to a tolerance of 65 %, provided that the area of cross
brazes may be made in the finished individual wires composing section after stranding is in accordance with Section 11.
the conductor, but shall not be closer together than prescribed 6.3 Where compressed stranding is required in order to
in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Minimum Distance Between Joints in the Completed Conductor

Number of Wires in Hard or Medium-Hard Soft
Conductor Class AA Class A Class B Class C Class D All Classes
3 none permitted ... ... ... ... 1 ft
7 none permitted 50 ft 50 ft ... ... 1 ft
12 50 ft 50 ft ... ... ... 1 ft
19 50 ft 50 ft 50 ft 50 ft ... 1 ft
20 to 36 50 ft 50 ft 50 ft 50 ft ... 1 ft in a layerA
37 to 60 25 ft 25 ft 25 ft 25 ft 1 ft in a layerA
61 and over ... 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 1 ft in a layerA
A
Except as indicated, the limitations apply to closeness of joints throughout the completed conductor.

5. Lay insulate the conductor properly, one or more layers of any

5.1 For Class AA conductors composed of less than seven stranded conductor consisting of 7 wires or more may be
wires, the preferred lay is 11 times the outside diameter of the slightly compressed, thereby reducing the outside diameter of
completed conductor, but shall be not less than 8 nor more than the conductor to the nominal values shown in Table 3, provided
14 times this diameter. that the area of cross section after stranding is in accordance
5.2 For Class AA conductors composed of seven wires or with Section 11.
more, the preferred lay of a layer of wires is 13.5 times the
outside diameter of that layer, but shall be not less than 10 nor 7. Physical and Electrical Tests of Conductors Stranded
more than 16 times this diameter. of Soft Wires
5.3 For all other classes the lay of a layer of wires shall be 7.1 Tests for the electrical properties of wires composing
not less than 8 nor more than 16 times the outside diameter of conductors made from soft or annealed copper wire, bare or
that layer, except that for conductors composed of 37 wires or coated, shall be made before stranding.
more, this requirement shall apply only to the two outer layers. 7.2 Tests for the physical properties of soft or annealed
The lay of the layers other than the two outer layers shall be at copper wire, bare or coated, may be made upon the wires
the option of the manufacturer, unless otherwise agreed upon. before stranding or upon wires removed from the complete
5.3.1 For conductors to be used in covered or insulated stranded conductor, but need not be made upon both. Care shall
wires or cables, the lay length shall be not less than 8 nor more be taken to avoid mechanical injury to wire removed from the
than 16 times the outer diameter of the finished conductor. For conductor for the purpose of testing.
conductors of 37 wires or more, this requirement shall apply to 7.3 The physical properties of wire when tested before
the wires in the outer two layers. The lay of the layers other stranding shall conform to the applicable requirements of 13.2.
than the two outer layers shall be at the option of the 7.4 The physical properties of wires removed from the
manufacturer, unless otherwise agreed upon. completed stranded conductor shall be permitted to vary from
5.4 Other lays for special purposes shall be furnished by the applicable requirements of 13.2 by the following amounts
special agreement between the manufacturer and the purchaser (Explanatory Note 4):
(Explanatory Note 3). 7.4.1 Average of Results Obtained on All Wires Tested—The
5.5 The direction of lay of the outer layer shall be left-hand, minimum elongation required shall be reduced in numerical
and for conductors having a nominal cross-sectional area larger value 5 (for example, from 30 to 25 %) from the numerical
than No. 8 AWG, shall be reversed in successive layers, unless requirements for the wire before stranding.
otherwise specified by the purchaser. 7.4.2 Results Obtained on Individual Wires—The elonga-
5.5.1 For conductors to be used in covered or insulated tion of individual wires shall be reduced in numerical value 15
wires or cables, the direction of lay of the outer layer shall be from the minimum requirements before stranding (that is, 10 in
left hand and shall be reversed in successive layers, unidirec- addition to the 5 allowed in 7.4.1), but in no case shall the
tional, or unilay, unless otherwise agreed upon. elongation of any individual wire be less than 5 %.

3
 B 8 – 04
TABLE 3 Diameters, Areas, and Mass of Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors (Explanatory Note 8)

Nominal Conductor Diameter, in.A DC Resistance at

Size of Conductor, Mass
Concentric Strand 20°CB

Reverse
Unilay
Concentric Area, in.2
Com-
2 Compressed
cmil or AWG numbers mm Class AA Class A Class B pressedC lbs/1000 ft kg/km V/1000 ft V/km
Class B
Diameter,
Diameter,
in.
in.
*5 000 000 cmil 2530 ... 2.580 2.581 ... ... 3.927 15 890 23 649 0.00218 0.00715
4 500 000 cmil 2280 ... 2.448 2.448 ... ... 3.534 14 300 21 283 0.00242 0.00794
4 000 000 cmil 2030 ... 2.307 2.309 ... ... 3.142 12 590 18 738 0.00270 0.00886
3 500 000 cmil 1770 ... 2.158 2.159 ... ... 2.749 11 020 16 401 0.00308 0.0101
*3 000 000 cmil 1520 ... 1.998 1.998 ... ... 2.356 9 353 13 920 0.00356 0.0117
*2 500 000 cmil 1270 ... 1.823 1.824 ... ... 1.963 7 794 11 600 0.00428 0.0140
*2 000 000 cmil 1010 ... 1.630 1.632 1.583 1.533 1.571 6 175 9 190 0.00529 0.0174
1 900 000 cmil 963 ... 1.590 1.590 1.542 1.494 1.492 5 866 8 730 0.00557 0.0183
1 800 000 cmil 912 ... 1.547 1.548 1.502 1.454 1.414 5 558 8 272 0.00588 0.0193
*1 750 000 cmil 887 ... 1.526 1.526 1.480 1.434 1.374 5 403 8 041 0.00604 0.0198
1 700 000 cmil 861 ... 1.504 1.504 1.459 1.413 1.335 5 249 7 812 0.00622 0.0204
1 600 000 cmil 801 ... 1.459 1.459 1.415 1.371 1.257 4 940 7 352 0.00661 0.0217
*1 500 000 cmil 760 ... 1.411 1.412 1.370 1.327 1.178 4 631 6 892 0.00705 0.0231
1 400 000 cmil 709 ... 1.364 1.364 1.323 1.282 1.100 4 323 6 435 0.00756 0.0248
1 300 000 cmil 659 ... 1.314 1.315 1.275 1.236 1.021 4 014 5 974 0.00814 0.0267
*1 250 000 cmil 633 ... 1.288 1.289 1.250 1.212 0.9817 3 859 5 743 0.00847 0.0278
1 200 000 cmil 608 ... 1.263 1.263 1.225 1.187 0.9425 3 705 5 514 0.00882 0.0289
1 100 000 cmil 557 ... 1.209 1.209 1.173 1.137 0.8639 3 396 5 054 0.00962 0.0316
*1 000 000 cmil 507 1.151 1.152 1.152 1.117 1.084 0.7854 3 088 4 596 0.0106 0.0348
900 000 cmil 456 1.092 1.094 1.094 1.060 1.028 0.7069 2 779 4 136 0.0118 0.0387
*800 000 cmil 405 1.029 1.031 1.031 1.000 0.969 0.6283 2 470 3 676 0.0132 0.0433
*750 000 cmil 380 0.997 0.998 0.998 0.968 0.939 0.5890 2 316 3 447 0.0141 0.0462
*700 000 cmil 355 0.963 0.964 0.964 0.935 0.907 0.5498 2 161 3 216 0.0151 0.0495
650 000 cmil 329 0.928 0.929 0.929 0.901 0.874 0.5105 2 007 2 987 0.0163 0.0535
*600 000 cmil 304 0.891 0.891 0.893 0.866 0.840 0.4712 1 883 2 758 0.0177 0.0581
550 000 cmil 279 0.853 0.853 0.855 0.829 0.804 0.4320 1 698 2 527 0.0192 0.0630
*500 000 cmil 253 0.811 0.813 0.813 0.789 0.766 0.3927 1 544 2 298 0.0212 0.0695
450 000 cmil 228 0.770 0.772 0.772 0.749 0.727 0.3534 1 389 2 067 0.0235 0.0771
*400 000 cmil 203 0.726 0.726 0.728 0.706 0.685 0.3142 1 235 1 838 0.0264 0.0866
*350 000 cmil 177 0.710 0.679 0.681 0.661 0.641 0.2749 1 081 1 609 0.0302 0.0991
*300 000 cmil 152 0.657 0.629 0.630 0.611 0.594 0.2356 926.3 1 378.6 0.0353 0.116
*250 000 cmil 127 0.600 0.574 0.575 0.558 0.542 0.1963 771.9 1 148.8 0.0423 0.139
* No. 0000 107 0.522 0.522 0.528 0.512 0.498 0.1662 653.1 972.0 0.0500 0.164
* No. 000 85.0 0.464 0.464 0.470 0.456 0.443 0.1318 518.1 771.1 0.0630 0.207
* No. 00 67.4 0.414 0.414 0.419 0.405 0.395 0.1045 410.9 611.5 0.795 0.261
* No. 0 53.5 0.368 0.368 0.373 0.362 0.352 0.08289 325.8 484.9 0.100 0.328
* No. 1, 3 wire 42.4 0.360 ... ... ... ... 0.06573 255.9 380.9 0.127 0.417
* No. 1 42.4 ... 0.328 0.332 0.322 0.313 0.06573 258.4 384.6 0.127 0.522
* No. 2, 3 wire 33.6 0.320 ... ... ... ... 0.05213 202.9 301.9 0.159 0.522
* No. 2 33.6 ... 0.292 0.292 0.283 ... 0.05213 204.9 304.9 0.159 0.659
* No. 3, 3 wire 26.7 0.285 ... ... ... ... 0.04134 160.9 239.5 0.201 0.659
* No. 3 26.7 ... 0.260 0.260 0.252 ... 0.04134 162.5 241.9 0.201 0.830
* No. 4, 3 wire 21.2 0.254 ... ... ... ... 0.03278 127.6 189.9 0.253 0.830
* No. 4 21.2 ... 0.232 0.232 0.225 ... 0.03278 128.9 191.8 0.253 1.05
* No. 5 16.8 ... ... 0.206 0.200 ... 0.02600 102.2 152.1 0.319 1.05
* No. 6 13.3 ... ... 0.184 0.178 ... 0.02062 81.05 120.63 0.403 1.32
* No. 7 10.6 ... ... 0.164 0.159 ... 0.01635 64.28 95.67 0.509 1.67
* No. 8 8.37 ... ... 0.146 0.142 ... 0.01297 50.97 75.86 0.640 2.10
* No. 9 6.63 ... ... 0.130 0.126 ... 0.01028 40.42 60.16 0.809 2.65
* No. 10 5.26 ... ... 0.116 0.113 ... 0.008155 32.06 47.72 1.02 3.35
* No. 12 3.31 ... ... 0.0915 0.089 ... 0.005129 20.16 30.00 1.63 5.35
* No. 14 2.08 ... ... 0.0726 0.071 ... 0.003225 12.68 18.87 2.58 8.46
* No. 16 0.823 ... ... 0.0576 ... ... 0.002028 7.974 11.868 4.10 13.4
* No. 18 0.519 ... ... 0.0456 ... ... 0.001276 5.015 7.464 6.54 21.4
* No. 20 0.519 ... ... 0.0363 ... ... 0.0008023 3.154 4.694 10.3 33.8
* No. 22 0.324 ... ... 0.0288 ... ... 0.0005067 1.992 2.965 16.4 53.8
* No. 24 0.205 ... ... 0.0228 ... ... 0.0003176 1.249 1.859 26.1 85.6
* The sizes of conductors which have been marked with a single asterisk provide for one or more schedules of preferred series, and are commonly used in the
industry. The sizes not marked are given simply as a matter of reference, and it is suggested that their use be discouraged.
A
To calculate the nominal diameters of Class C or Class D conductors or of any concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from round wires of uniform diameters,
multiply the diameter of an individual wire (as given in Table 1) by that one of the following factors which applies:
B
DC resistances apply to Class B, C, and D stranding. For other classes of stranding, refer to Test Method B 193.
C
For conductors manufactured for subsequent covering or insulating.

4
 B 8 – 04

Number of Wires in Conductor Factor to Calculate Conductor Di-

ameter
3 2.155
7 3
12 4.155
19 5
37 7
61 9
91 11
127 13
169 15
217 17
271 19

7.5 In the event that the requirements prescribed in 7.4.2 are 9. Density
met but those prescribed in 7.4.1 are not met, a retest shall be 9.1 For the purpose of calculating mass, cross sections, and
permitted wherein all wires of the conductor shall be tested for so forth, the density of the copper shall be taken as 8.89
the purpose of final determination of conformance to 7.4. g/cm3(0.32117 lb/in.3) at 20°C (Explanatory Note 6).
7.6 Elongation tests to determine compliance shall not be
made on the conductor as a unit. 10. Mass and Resistance
7.7 If a tinning, lead-coating, or lead-alloy-coating test is 10.1 The mass and electrical resistance of a unit length of
required, it shall be made on the wires prior to stranding. stranded unsealed conductor are a function of the length of lay.
The approximate mass and electrical resistance may be deter-
8. Physical and Electrical Tests of Conductors Stranded mined using the standard increments shown in Table 4. When
of Hard-Drawn or Medium-Hard-Drawn Wires greater accuracy is desired, the increment based on the specific
lay of the conductor may be calculated (Explanatory Note 7).
8.1 Tests for the physical and electrical properties of wires 10.2 The maximum electrical resistance of a unit length of
composing conductors made from hard-drawn or medium- stranded conductor shall not exceed 2 % over the nominal DC
hard-drawn wires, uncoated or coated, shall be made before but resistance shown in Table 3 (Explanatory Note 8). When the
not after stranding. DC resistance is measured at other than 20°C, it is to be
8.2 At the option of the purchaser, tension and elongation corrected by using the multiplying factor given in Table 5.
tests on hard-drawn and medium-hard-drawn wires, uncoated 10.3 For conductors to be used in covered or insulated wires
or coated, before stranding may be waived, and the completed or cables, direct current (DC) resistance measurement may be
hard-drawn and medium-hard-drawn conductors may be tested used instead of the method outlined in Section 11, to determine
as a unit. The breaking strength of the bare conductors so tested compliance with this specification.
shall be at least 90 % of the total of the specified minimum
11. Variation in Area
breaking strengths of the component wires. The maximum
breaking strength of conductors made from medium-hard- 11.1 The area of cross section of the completed conductor
drawn wires, uncoated or coated, shall be not greater than the shall be not less than 98 % of the area indicated in Column 1
sum of the specified maximum breaking strengths of the of Table 1. Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, the
component wires. The minimum breaking strength of wires manufacturer may have the option of determining the cross-
shall be calculated using specified nominal diameters and sectional area by either of the following methods, except that in
specified minimum tensile strengths. The maximum breaking case of question regarding area compliance, the method of
strengths of wires shall be calculated using nominal diameters 11.1.2 shall be used.
and specified maximum tensile strengths. The free length 11.1.1 The area of cross section of a conductor may be
between grips of the test specimen shall be not less than 24 in., determined by calculations from diameter measurements, ex-
and care shall be taken to ensure that the wires in the conductor pressed to four decimal places, of its component wires at any
are evenly gripped during the test (Explanatory Note 5). point when measured perpendicularly to their axes.
8.3 When requested by the purchaser at the time of placing TABLE 4 Standard Increments Due to Stranding
the order, tension tests on hard-drawn and medium-hard-drawn
Increment of
wires, uncoated or coated, before stranding or as a unit may be Type of Conductor Resistance and
waived and tests made on wires removed from the completed Mass %
conductor. The test limits, based on a 10-in. gage length, for Class AA, Sizes 1 to 4 AWG, incl. 1
such tests shall be specified by the purchaser in the placing of Classes AA,A A, B, C, and D, 2 000 000 cmil and under 2
Over 2 000 000 to 3 000 000 cmil 3
individual orders (Explanatory Note 4). Over 3 000 000 to 4 000 000 cmil 4
8.4 If a tinning test is required, it shall be made on the wires Over 4 000 000 to 5 000 000 cmil 5
prior to stranding. A
No. 0 AWG and larger.

5
 B 8 – 04
TABLE 5 Temperature Corrections Factor for Conductor 13.2.3 Specification B 2,
Resistance 13.2.4 Specification B 1,
Temperature, °C Multiplying Factor for Conversion to 20°C 13.2.5 Specification B 189, and
0 1.085 13.2.6 Specification B 246.
5 1.063 13.3 In concentric-lay-stranded conductors the central core
10 1.041
15 1.020 shall be made of wire of the same type and temper as the
20 1.000 concentric layers, unless otherwise specified.
25 0.981
30 0.962 14. Inspection
35 0.944
40 0.927 14.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
45 0.911 order, the manufacturer shall be responsible for the perfor-
50 0.895
55 0.879
mance of all inspection and test requirements specified.
60 0.864 14.2 All inspections and tests shall be made at the place of
65 0.850 manufacture unless otherwise especially agreed upon by the
70 0.836
75 0.822 manufacturer and the purchaser at the time of purchase.
80 0.809 14.3 The manufacturer shall afford the inspector represent-
85 0.797 ing the purchaser all reasonable manufacturer’s facilities to
90 0.784
satisfy him that the material is being furnished in accordance
with this specification.
11.1.2 The area of cross section of a conductor may be 15. Packaging and Package Marking
determined by Test Method B 263. In applying that method, the 15.1 Package sizes for conductors shall be agreed upon by
increment in mass resulting from stranding may be the appli- the manufacturer and the purchaser in the placing of individual
cable value specified in 10.1 or may be calculated from the orders (Explanatory Notes 9 and 11).
measured component dimensions of the sample under test. In 15.2 The conductors shall be protected against damage in
case of question regarding area compliance, the actual mass ordinary handling and shipping. If heavy wood lagging is
increment due to stranding shall be calculated. required, it shall be specified by the purchaser at the time of
purchase.
12. Variation in Diameter
15.3 The net mass, length (or lengths and number of
12.1 The average diameter of the conductor shall vary by lengths, if more than one length is included in the package),
not more than +1 or −2 % from the nominal diameters speci- size, kind of conductor, purchase order number, and any other
fied in Table 3. marks required by the purchase order shall be marked on a tag
attached to the end of the conductor inside of the package. The
13. Requirements for Wires same information, together with the manufacturer’s serial
13.1 The purchaser shall designate the type of wire and the number (if any) and all shipping marks required by the
kind of coating, if any, to be used in the conductor. purchaser, shall appear on the outside of each package.
13.2 Before stranding, the copper wire used shall meet all of
the requirements of the following specifications of ASTM that 16. Keywords
are applicable to its type: 16.1 concentric-lay-stranded copper conductors; concentric-
13.2.1 Specification B 3, lay-stranded hard; copper conductors; copper conductors for
13.2.2 Specification B 33, electrical purposes; medium-hard; or soft copper conductors

EXPLANATORY NOTES

NOTE 1—In this specification only concentric-lay-stranded conductor NOTE 4—Wires unlaid from conductors manifestly will have different
constructions are specifically designated. Requirements for certain other physical and electrical properties from those of the wire when prepared for
constructions will be found in Specifications B 172, B 173, B 174, and cabling, on account of the deformation brought about by laying and again
B 787/B 787M. Conductor constructions not included in any of these straightening for test.
specifications should be specifically agreed upon by the manufacturer and NOTE 5—To test stranded conductors for tensile strength successfully
the purchaser when placing the order. as a unit requires an adequate means of gripping the ends of the test
NOTE 2—For definitions of terms relating to conductors, refer to specimen. Various means are available, such as a long tube or socket into
Terminology B 354. which the conductor may be soldered, or in which, after insertion, the
NOTE 3—Certain types of insulated conductors may require a shorter conductor may be swaged or pressed without serious distortion. Ordinary
lay than other conductors. It is expected that special requirements jaws or clamping devices usually are not suitable. The conductor testing
regarding length of lay will be specified by the purchaser in such facilities of many commercial laboratories are limited to a breaking
instances. strength of 30 000 lb (13 600 kg) or less. Consequently, it may not be

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TABLE 6 Suggested Package Lengths for Hard and Medium-Hard Class AA ConductorsA,B
Nominal Shipping Unit Approximate Dimensions of Suitable Reel
Size of Conductor, cmil or Number of
AWG numbers Wires Approximate Conductor Mass per Flange Traverse Drum
Length, ft Mass, lb Wire, lb Diameter, in. Width, in. Diameter, in.
500 000 cmil 19 3550 5510 290 54 32 32
400 000 cmil 19 4450 5510 290 54 32 32
350 000 cmil 12 3200 3480 290 48 24 24
350 000 cmil 19B 5100 5510 290 54 32 32

300 000 cmil 12 3750 3480 290 48 24 24

300 000 cmil 19B 5950 5510 290 54 32 32
250 000 cmil 12 4500 3480 290 48 24 24
250 000 cmil 19B 7150 5510 290 54 32 32

No. 0000 7 3100 2030 290 42 24 30

No. 000 7 3900 2030 290 42 24 30
No. 00 7 4950 2030 290 42 24 30
No. 0 7 6250 2030 290 42 24 30

No. 1 3 4600 1170 390 36 18 24

No. 2 3 5800 1170 390 36 18 24
No. 3 3 7300 1170 390 36 18 24
No. 4 3 9200 1170 390 36 18 24
A
These package lengths are based on conductors furnished without joints or with a minimum of joints in the finished wires composing the completed conductor.
B
These optional construction (Class A) are included as suggestions for use when the purchase order specifies Class A construction for bare hard-drawn or
medium-hard-drawn conductors.

feasible to test the very large-sized conductors as a unit. Where such is where:
imperative, special arrangements for the testing shall be agreed upon R = conductor resistance in ohms/1000 ft,
between the manufacturer and the purchaser. k = increment due to stranding from Table 4 and Explanatory Note 7,
NOTE 6—The value of density of copper is in accordance with the r = volume resistivity in ohms·cmil/ft determined in accordance with
International Annealed Copper Standard. The corresponding value at 0°C Test Method B 193, and
is 8.90 g/cm (0.32150 lb/in.). As pointed out in the discussion of this A = cross-sectional area of conductor in kcmil determined in accor-
subject in NBS Handbook 1004, there is no appreciable difference in dance with Section 11.
values of density of hard-drawn and annealed copper wire. In calculations NOTE 9—It is of some importance that hard-drawn and medium-hard-
involving density it must be borne in mind that the apparent density of
drawn Class AA conductors be placed on reels having drum diameters
coated wire is not constant but a variable function of wire diameter. The
sufficiently large that the bending will not unduly modify the physical
smaller the diameter, the greater the percentage of coating present and
properties of the completed conductor. It is suggested that consideration
hence the greater departure from the density of copper.
NOTE 7—The increment of mass or electrical resistance of a complete be given to standardizing on reel dimensions approximately as prescribed
concentric-lay-stranded conductor, k, in percent, is calculated as follows: in Table 6 for such conductors when ordered in the lengths shown. The
drum diameters are not intended to indicate definite minimum desirable
k 5 100 ~m – 1! diameters for the associated conductors, there being considerable leeway
where m is the lay factor, and is the ratio of the mass or electrical in this dimension for most conductor sizes and constructions.
resistance of a unit length of stranded conductor to that of a solid
conductor of the same cross-sectional area or of a stranded conductor with NOTE 10—For the convenience of the users of this specification Table
infinite length of lay, that is, all wires parallel to the conductor axis. The 3 has been prepared giving the approximate diameters, areas, dc resis-
lay factor m for the completed stranded conductor is the numerical tance, and mass per unit length of the various constructions referred to in
average of the lay factors for each of the individual wires in the conductor, Table 1.
including the straight core wire, if any (for which the lay factor is unity). NOTE 11—Because of the prohibition of joints in hard-drawn or
The lay factor, mind, for any given wire in a concentric-lay-stranded medium-hard-drawn Class AA conductors of seven wires or less, it is
conductor is necessary that the lengths of conductors specified in the purchase order be
such as practicably may be furnished by the manufacturer. In general, the
mind 5 = 1 1 ~9.8696/n2!
maximum practicable length of such conductors is determined by the mass
where n = length of lay/diameter of helical path of wire.
of one of the component wires which can be placed on a spool or bobbin
The derivation of the above is given in NBS Handbook 100.3
NOTE 8—The DC resistance, on a given construction, shall be calcu- in the stranding machine. It is suggested that consideration be given to
lated using the following formula: standardizing package lengths of Class AA conductors as prescribed in
Table 6, which is based on a constant mass for the individual wires
S k
R 5 100 1 1 r/A D composing the conductor. To cooperate with the manufacturer in avoiding
the accumulation of excessive amounts of scrap wire, it is suggested that
package sizes permit ordinary variations of 610 % in package lengths,
and that occasional short lengths be permitted, such packages to be
4
distinctly marked.
NBS Handbook 100, available from the National Technical Information
Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Va 22161.

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