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A S / N Z Sl l 2 5 : 2 0 0 1
This Joint Australian/NcwZealand standard was prcparcd by Joint Technical
committee_EL-003, Electric wires and cables.It wds dpprovedon beharf of thc
council of Standards
Australiaon 2l May 2001 and on'tehalf of the council of
Standards
New Zealandon 8 May 2001.lt waspublishedon 29 June2001.

The following interestsere reprcsentedon Committee EL-003;

AustralasianRailway Association
Australian Elcctrical and Elcctronic Manufacturcrs Association
Australian Industry Group
Departmentof Deience,Australia
Departmcnt of Mincral Rcsources,N.S.W.
Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand
Electricity Supply Associationof Australia
Institution of Engineers,Australia
Ministry of Economic Dcvclopment, Ncw Zealand
National Elcctrical and Communications Association
New Zealand Menufacturers Federation
Regulatory Authorities (Electrical)
Testing interests (Australia)
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KeepingStendrrdsup-to-drte
Standardsare living documentswhich rcflcct progrcssin sciencc,technologyand
systems.To maintaintheir currency,ail stand'ardiare periodicaliy reviewe?',and
new _editions are published.Between editions, amendmentsmav be isiued.
Standardsmay also be withdrawn.lt is importantthat rcadersassuiethemselves
they-are usrng a current standard,which should include any amendmcntswhich
may havebeenpublishcdsinccthe Standardwaspurchascd.
Detailedinformationaboutjoint Australian/NewzealandSrandards
can be found by
visiting the standardsAusiralia web site at www.standards.com.au
or standard's
New Zealandweb site at www.standards.co.nz
and lookingup the iJlcrant Standard
in the on-line catalogue.
Alternatively, both organizationsp_ublishan annual printed cataloguc with full
detarls of all currcnt Standards.For morc frcqucnt-listings or n6tification of
revisions,?mendmcntsand withdrawals,StandarfsAustralii-ani iianiaras 1.,"
Zcalandoffer a numberof updale options.For information"Uoutiirisc scrvices,
usersshouldcontacttheir respectivenationalstandardsorganization.
werco;1esuggestionsfor. improvemenrin our standards,
and especiaily
'inaccuraties
!!9^1!1
cnco.urage
readers to notify us immcdiately of any apparent
o'r
ambiguities.Pleaseaddresi your commentj to thc-chiif Exccutive of either
StandardsAustralia Internationalor standardsNew Zcalandat thc addrcssshown
on thebackcover.

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AS/NZS1125:2001

Australian/New
ZealandStandard"
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and flexiblecords
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Orlglnated as part of AS C32f-1960 and AS C4O7-1969.

Prevlous edltlcn AS 1125-1993.
Jolntly ravlsed rnd dElgnrted Agl,lZS 1I 25:2fi)1.

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COPYRIGHT

II

g Standlrds Austr.lis/St!ndards
lrlew Zealand
All rrghts rre resc'ed. No psrt ofthrs work may ba reproduced or copred In
lny fonn or by 8ny
m.!r|!, ercrronrcor mcchankar, rrErudrngphotocopyhg. withod the wrtnen pirmtsiton
of rne
puUlsher.

Joln0y publlshed.by Standards Austraila Intemarronar trd. Gpo Bor 5420. sydney,
Nsw 2ool
.nd Strnd.rd! Ner Z.hnd, prtvrro Blg 2439, Weillngton 60A0

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AS/NZStl23:2001

PREFACE
b{{i lA *

l/"

This Standardwas prcparcd by the Joint StandardsAustrafialStanaartd

i.lew' Zealand
committee EL-003, Electric wires and cables, to supersedeAs lr25-1993 and
NZS/AS I125-1993, Conductorsin insulatedelectriccablesandflexible cords.
The conductorsspecifiedhereinhavenominalcross-sectional
areasidcnticalwith thoseof
correspondingconductorsspecified in IEC 60228 (see below). This Standardincludes
conductorsfor which IEC makes no provision, namely Milliken conductorsand solid
sectoralcircularconductors.
This Standarddiffers from the previouseditionin the following ways:
(a)

It is publishcd as a Joint AustralianA.{cwZcalandStandard.

(b)

Therehas bccn considcrablereformattingincludingthe consolidationof a numberof

tablesofconductors.

(c)

conductorclassesl, 2, 5 and 6 from lBc 60228havebecnintroduced.

(d)

A definitionof'metal-coatedcopperconductor'hasbeenincluded.

(e)

The specificationfor tin coatingshasbeendeleted.

(f)

The sectionon silver-platedand nickel-coatedannealedcopprconductorshas been

consolidatedinto a gcneralsectionon copperconductors.

(g)

The constructional specificationfor multiplc-strandedcircular annealcd copper

conductors(ropc lay) hasbeen.deleted.

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Attentionis drawn to the fact that the conductorsspecifiedrepresent(with thc exceptionof

conductorsfor specialpurposes)the overallrangein the typesofmetals currentlysfecified.
It doesnot necessarilyfollow that eachof the typesand sizesof conductoris to bc usedfor
a particularcable.Thc individual Standardfor suchcablewill spccify the size and type of
conductorsthat are applicable,from thc rangegivenin this standard.
In thepreparationof this Standard,consideration
wasgivento the following Standards:
IEC
60228 Conductorsof insulatedcables
BS
3988

Specificationfor wroughtaluminiumfor clectricalpurposes.Solid conductorsfor

insulatedcables

Acknowledgment
is madcof thc assistance
receivcdfrom thcsedocuments.
The term 'informative' has been used in this Standardto define the applicationof the
-information
appendixto which it applies. An 'informativc' appcndix is only for
and
guidance.

AS/l{ZSll25:2001

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AS/NZSll25:2001

STANDARDS
AUSTRALIA/STANDARDS
NEWZEALAND
Australlan/NewZealand Standard
Conductors In Insulated electrlc cables and flexlble cords

S E C T I O N I

S C O P EA N D

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G E N E R A L

t;U

This Standardspeiifieirequirenients-forconductorsin insulatedelectriccablesand flexible

cords used for general wiring cablcs for tand installationsand, in the case of copper
conductors
only, for ships'wiring
ThisStandardappliesparticularlyto conductorsfor thosetypesofcable and flcxible cord to
which the relevant Australian or AustralianA.{ewZealandStandardmakcs cross-reference.
This Standardis not necessarilylimited to conductorsof suchcablesand cordsand should
be applied,whereverpracticable,to cablesdesignedfor generaland specialpurposes.
Theconductorsspecifiedheredo not apply to the following:
(a)

Magnetwindingwire includinglitz wire (seeAS/NZS I 194.1).

(b)

Mineral-insulated
metal-sheathed
(MIMS) cables(seeASA{ZS 3lg?).

(c)

Cablesintendedfor useat audioor higherfrequencies,

e.g.telecommunication
cables.

(d) Weldingcables(seeASA.{ZS1995).
NOTE:Themethodof calculation
uscdto cstablish
theconductor
maximum
d.c.resistance
valucs
is givcnin Appcndix
A.
1.2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
Thefollowing documentsare rcferredto in this Standard:

AS
2848
2848.1

Aluminium andaluminiumalloys- compositionsanddesignations

Partl: Wroughtproducts

t6

AS/NZS
n94
ll94.l

Windingwires
Partl: Enamelledroundcopperwindingwires

1574

Copperandcopperalloys-Wire for elccricalpurposes

1660

Testmethodsfor elecnicalcables,cordsandconductors

1995

Weldingcables

3000

Elcctical installations(knownastheAustralianAlewTnalandWiringRules)

3187

Approvalandlestspecification-Mineral-insulated
metal-sheathed
cables

.a

.u

\-f

fr

BS
3988

Specificationfor wrought atuminiumfor electricalpurposes.Solid conductorsfor

insulatedcablcs

COPYRIGHT

AS/NZSll25:2001

r.3 DEFrNrirroNS
.'l.g'a?*

ail

-.. .
For the puiposeof this Standard,the definitionsbelow apply.
1.3.1 /,iocfreO circulsr conductor tt
A conductorconsistingof a numberof individualcircularwires helically laid up togetherin
randommannerall in the samedirection.
t.3.2 Clrculer conductor
A solid conductor,the cross-sectionof which is circular,or a group of wires assembled
suchthat their combincdcross-section
is approximatelycircular.
1.3.3 Compactedconductor
A circularor shapedstrandedconductorin which, to reduceoverall dimensions,pre-shaped
wireshavebeenassembled
or circularwires havebeenassembled
and pressedtogether.
1.3.4 Compressed
conductor

- l

A circularstrandedconductorin which the wires havebeenpressedtogetherafter assembly

whichresultsin a smoothersurfaceand an overalldiametcrbctweenthoseof the equivalent
strandedandcompactedconductors.
f .3.5 Conductor
Thatportionof a cablewhich hasthe specificfunctionof conveyingcurrent.
id

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1.3.6 Metel-coetedcopperconductor
A copperconductor,the individualstrandsof which are coatedwith a metal suchas silver,
tin or nickel.
1.3.7 Mllllken conductor
A circularconductorcomprisingshaped,strandedconductorsofequal size helically laid up
togetherand lightly insulatedfrom each other to reduceskin and proximity effectswhen
carrying alternatingcurrents.
1.3.8 Multlple strandedcircular conductor(rope lay)
A helical arrangementof groupsof wires in one or more layers,the wircs in each group
bcingassemblcdeitherby bunchingor stranding.
1.3.9 Routinctestr
Testsmade by the manufactureron conductorsin each manufacturedlength of cable to
checkthat eachconductormeetsthe specifiedrequirements.
1.3.10 Sampletests
Testsmade by thc manufactureron conductorstaken from samplcsof completedcable,
adequate
to verify that thc finishedproductmectsthe designspccifications.
1.3.11 Shapedconductor
A conductor,the cross-section
of which is otherthan circularby design.It may be a single
wire of other than circular cross-seclion,or a group of wires assembledsuch that their
combinedcross-section
is otherthancircular
1.3.12 Solld conductor
A conductorconsistingof a singlewire.
1.3.13 Solld sectorelclrcular conductor
A conductorcomprisingfour solid sectorsof equalsizehelicallylaid up together.

COPYRIGHT

AS/NZStt25:200t

S E C T I O N

C O P P E R C O N D U C T O R S

2.1 GENERAL
The material,form and constructionof plain or metal-coatedanneatedcopperconductors
and plain or metal-coated hard-drawn copper conductors shall comply with the
specifiedin clauses2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.s, 2.6, 2.7, 2.g, 2.g, 2.lb and 2.ll as
rcquirements
appropriate,and the tests specifiedin Table2.1. The tests,criteria for tests,categoriesof
testsandreferencesfor test methodsshallbe as specifiedin Table2.1.
2.2 MATERIAL
Conductorsshall bc madefrom high conductivitycopperwire complyingwith the chemical
composition
designation
Cl l000 in ASAIZS 1574.
2.3 FORM OF'CONDUCTOR
Conductorsshall be circular, shaped,solid, uniaxial, stranded,multiple-stranded
circular,
bunchedcircular, compressed,compacted,Milliken or tinsel as requiredfor a particular
cable.
2.4 JOINTS IN CONDUCTORS
2.4.t JointsIn enneeledconductors
Jointsarepermittedin a solid conductorby weldingonly.
Joints are also permitted in the individual wires of a stranded,uniaxial or bunched
conductorand in the individual bunchesor strandsof a multiple-strandcd
conductor,from
which it is formed.Whenjoining conductorsby silver-soldering,
resistance
butt weldingor
fusionwelding, no joint in a wire shall be closerthan 60 mm io that in any other wire
or
bunchin the samelayer.
Thisrestrictionshall not apply whenweldingby cold pressurewelding.
2.4.2 Jolntsln herd-dralvnconductors
2.4.2.1 Conductorscontainingsevenwires
Jointsin the individual wires shall be madeonly by cold-pressurebutt welding
and thc
minimumdistancebetweentwo suchjoints shallbe l5 m.
2,4,2.2 Conductorscontainingmorethansevenwires
Jointsin the individual wires shall be madeonly by cold-pressure
butt welding,resistance
butt welding or resistancebrazingand the minimumdistancebetweentwo
sucijoints shall
be 15m.
2.s solrD CONDUCTORS(CLASSl)
Thc solid conductorsshall bc plain or metal-coated,anncaled
or hard-drawncopper,as
requiredby the appropriatecablcStandard.
maximumd-c' resistanccof conductorsat 20oCshall be as specificdin Tablc 2.2
for
, \,7^Iht
^'l.ne:glgyail nominalcross-sectional
areaof conductor.
#f
The useof solid conductorsshall be restrictedto
a maximumof 2.5 mm2unlessotherwise
specifiedin the appropriatecableStandard.

COPYRIGHT

AS/NZSll25:200t

2.6 STRANDED CONDUCTORS (CLASS 2)

The wires in strandedconductorsshall be plain or metal-coated,
annealedor harddrawn
copper,as requiredby the appropriatecable Standard.
The minimum number of wircs and the maximum d.c. resistanceat 2poC shall bc as
specifiedin Table2.3 for the relevantnominalcross-sectional
areaof conductor.
For strandedcircular, uniaxial and circular compressedconductorsthe individual wires
shallbe the samenominaldiameter.
For strandedshaped,circular compactedand Milliken conductorsthe ratio of the largest
wire cross-sectional
areato the smallestwire cross-sectional
arcain the conductorshall not
cxceed4.
The useof circularcompactcdconductorsshall be restrictcdto conductorsizesof 6 mm2or
greaterunlessotherwisespecifiedin the appropriatecableStandard.
When a Milliken conductor is rcquired, thc conductorshall consist of sector-shaped
strandedconductorslightly insulatedfrom eachother.
r|
-1 +
Wc
_i_d4___ CONDUCTORS w
2.7 UNTAXTAL
/7F1(
wr "Jd. (/.
r

The afy'licatlbnof uniaxial conductorsshall be restricte4to conductorsup to and including

lo mm2.
bl ^I oL['

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I

The minimum number of wires and the maximum d.c. resistanceat 20oC shall be as
specifiedin Table2.3 for the releyantnominalcross-sectional
areaof conductorfor circular
or compressedconductors. d(lrrtr".1

2.8 FLEXTBLE CONDUCTORS(CLASS s)

Thewires in Class5 flexible conductorsshall be plain or metal-coated
annealedcopper,as
requiredby the appropriatecableStandard.
Theindividual wires shall be the samenominaldiameter.The maximumwire diameterand
the maximum d.c. resistanceat 20oC shall be as specifiedin Table 2.4 for the relevant
nominalcross-sectional
areaof conductor.
2.9 FLEXTBLE CONDUCTORS(CLASS 6)
Thewires in Class6 flexible conductorsshall be plain or metal-coated
annealedcopper,as
requiredby the appropriatecable Stindard. Class6 conductorsare more flexible than
Class5.
The individual wires shall have the samenominal diamcter.The maximum wire diameter
andthe maximumd.c. resistanceat 20"C shall be as specifiedin Table 2.5 for the rclevant
nominalcross-sectional
areaof conductor.

2.10 MULTTPLE-STRANDEDCTRCULAR FLEXTBLE CONDUCTORS (ROPE

h
LAU
The wires in multiple-stranded circular flexible conductors (ropc lay) shall be plain
or
tinne(^ann-galedcopper, as required by the appropriate cable Standlard.
Th. iffJfr"d
wires shalt be the same nominal diamcter. The maximum wire diameter and
the maximum d.c. rcsistancc at 20"C shall be as specified in Table
2.6 for the relevant
nominal cross-sectionalarea of conductor.

COPYRIGHT

;t 1,"

- I
4 tl-,,'d

l,a'

AS/NZS ll25:2001

2.II

TINSEL CONDUCTORS

Tinsel conductorsshall consist of an assemblyof strands,either rope-laidin groups,or

rope-laidindividually arounda centrecore ofcotton or suitabletextile thread.Eachstrand
shall consistof one or more fine, flattened,plain copperwires wrappedaroundarounda
centrecoreofcotton or suitabletextilethread.
The rope lay shall be such that the strandsare laid up helically and symmetricallyso that
within any one layer,the pitch of the strandsis uniform.
Thed.c. resistance
of the conductorshallnot exceed270 O/km at 20oC.

COPYRIGHT

AS/flZS ll25:2001

TABLE 2.1
TESTS FOR PLAIN OR METAL.COATED COPPIR CONDUCTORS
Tert

Elongrlionof solid
circularannealed
conductors ano wlrcs tatcn
from uniaxial, stranded
circularand bunchcd
circular annealcd
c o n d u c t o r so n l Y r

Crlterle

Crtcgory of tert

Refcrcnccfor
tcrt mcthod

Thc clongationshallbc not lcasthan rhc following

vllue, as appropriste

Samplc

AS/NZSr660

Semple

AS/NZS 1660

Wire diametcr

Minimum
averageclongation

mm

Yo

>0.| 4
>0.2t
> 0 . 5t
>t.36
Tcnsilcstrcngthof
hard-drrwnsolid
conductors
and wircs takcn
from strandcdcircular
hard-drawnconductors
only

<0.t4
s0.21
s0.51
<t.36

5
9
t4
IE
22

For metal-coatedwires,thc tensilestrcngthshall

bc not lcssthan 370 Mpa
For plain wircs, thc tcnsilestrcngthshall bc not
lcss than thc following value as appropriatc
Wire diamctcr

Minimum
tensilestrength

mm

MPa

s1.50
> I .50 <2.50
>2.50 <3.00
>3.00

425
405
395
380

Wntppingtestof
hard-drawn solid
conductors and wires takcn
frorn strandcd circular
hard.drawn conductors
only

Thc wirc shall not brcak

Sample

AS/NZS t660

Tcnrilctestof tinscl
conductors
onlv

At lcastthrecof thc fivc samplesshall cach

withstanda forcc of90N without fracturc

Samplc

AS/NZSr660

Coatingcontinuitytcst for
tinncdrnd silver plated
conductors

The colour of thc rcstsolutionaftcr immcrsionof

tbe tcst specimcnshall not be darkcrthan that of
thc rcfcrcncecolour standardsolution

Sample

AS/NZS1660

Cortingcontinuitytest for
nickcl-coated
conductors

Thcre shell bc no bhckcning of the conductorf

Sample

ASTNZSt660

Conductorrcsistance

Rcsistancevalucsshall be in accordance
with
Tables2.2,2.3,2.4,2.5or 2.6 asappropriatc

If not specified
thc tcst shell be a
samplctcst

AS/NZS 1660

'

Providedthat thc minimum avcragcelongation

of all wircs testcd is maintaincd,any individual wire or group of
wircs removcd from a multipte wirc
conductor may have an elongationof not less than 50 perccnt of thc
rppropristcvaluc in thc sccondcolumn.

1 Grcyishappcaranceofthi coatingshall not conslitutefailure.

NorE: For samplc tests the minimum
numbcrof individual wires to bc tesredfor thc clongarion,tensilc strength,
sorting continuiryand wrapping tests
shall bc thc squareroot of thc total numbcr of wircs in thc conductor(to thc
ncrctt wholcnumbcr),subject
to a maximumof 20 wires.

COPYRIGHT

tl

ASNZS l125:2001

TABLE 2.2
CLASS r
SOLID COPPER CONDUCTORSFOR SINGLE-CORE
AND MULTICORE CABLES
Nomlnrl crorrsectlonrlrrcr

Mulrnum d.c, rerlttrncc of conductor rt 20oC

fUkn
Phln or
dlvcr-plrtcd
rnncrlcd coppcr.

Tlnncd rnncrlcd
coppcrr

Nlckcl-coetcd
rnncrlcd coppcr

0.5
0.75
1.0

36.0
24.5
r8 . l

36.7
24.8
tE.2

39.6

t {

t2.l
7.41
4.61

t2.2
7.56
4.70

t3.2

6
l0
t6

3.0E
r.83
t.t5

3.il
1.84
l .t 6

25

o.727

mtn2

2.5
4

19.7

* To obtainthc maximumresirtancc
for hard-drawncopperconductors,the rabulated
valucsshouldbc divided by 0.97.

COPYRIGHT

AS/NZSll25:2001

It

TABLE

2.3

CLASS 2
STRANDED COPPER CONDUCTORSFOR SINGLE.CORE
AND MULTICORE CABLES
t

Nominrl
crotlrcctlonrl rret

Mlnlmum numbcr of wlrcr In conductor

Mrrlmnm d.c. rcsktrncc of conductorrt 20"C

O/km

Clrculrr or
comprercd
conductor

Clrculrr
comprclcd

Shrpcd
conductor

conductor

mml

0.5
0.75

Plrln or
rllvcr-plrtcd
rnncrlcd
coppcrr

Tlnned
rnncrlcd
coppcrr

Nlckcl-cortcd
enncrlcd
copperr

3E.4
25.1
2t.2

19.6
26.0
2t.6

i.t

r.0

1.5
2.5

3
3

6
6
6

r3 . 6
7.41
4 . 6t

I3.E
7.56
4.70

t4.9
8 .t 4
5.06

6
6
6

3.08
r.E3
t.l5

3.1I
r.E4

3.34
2.00

6
l0
t6
25
35
50
10
95
120

r50
185
240
300
400
500

1
I

1
1

l9
t9
t9
J I

11
|
5t
I
6r

I
I

6r
I
6 r l

6r

l.l6

6
6
6

6
6
6

0.727
0.524
0.387

0.'t34
0.529
0 . 3 9r

l2
l5
IE

t2
l5
l8

0.268
0.t93
0 . 15 3

0.270
0.t95
0.r54

l8
30
34

t8
30
t4

0.t24
0.099
r
0.0154

0.126
0.100
0.0't62

34
53
53

34
53
53

0.060
l
0.0470
0.03661

0.060?
0.0475
0.03691

0.02831
0.0221
0.0189

0.02E6t
0.0224
0.08
19

I
630
er
53
I
E00
et
53
I
960(4 x 240) Numberof wirc not spccificd

| 000
| 200
| 600

e
l
l
53
Numbcr of wirt not spccificd
Numbcrof wirc not spccificd

0.0176
0.0t51
0 . 0 |r 3

0.0t77
0.0t5|
0.0r3

2000

Numberof wirc not spccified

0.0090

0.0090

To obtainthc maximumrcsistanccfor hard-drawn

copperconductors,thc tabulatcdvalucsshouldbc dividcd
by 0.9?.

Rcsistencevalues arc applicable

only to singlc-corecablcs, For multi-corc cables,thcsc resistanccvalucs
rbouldbc multipliedby 1.02.

COPYRIGHT

t3

ASAIZSll25:2001

TABLE 2.4
CLASS 5
FLEXIBLE COPPERCONDUCTORSF'ORSINGLE.COREAND
MULTICORE CABLES AND FLEXIBLE CORDS
Nomlnel crosccectlonel rrcr

Mrrlmum dhrnctcr
of wlrtr ln
conductor

Mrrlmum d.c. rcrlrtrncc of conductorrt 20.C

(Ukm
Phln or
rllvcr-plttcd
rnnctlcd
coppcr

mm1

Tlnncd
rnnctlcd
coppcr

NIckcl-corted
rnnctlcd
coppcr

0.5
0.75
1.0

0 . 2r
0.21
0.21

39.0
26.0
19.5

40.l
26.7
20.0

43.1
28.7
21.5

1.5
2.5
4

0.26
0.26
0.3r

r3.3
7.98
4.95

t3.7
8.2l
5.09

t4.7
8.82
5.47

6
IO
l6

0.3r
0.4l
0.41

3.30
|.9E
t.2l

3.39
2.02
1.24

3.65

25
35
50

0.4I
0.41
0.41

0.780
0.554
0.386

0.795
0.565
0.393

70
95
120

0.5I
0 . 5t
0 . 5r

0.272
0.206
0 .1 6 1

0.277
0.2t0
0.164

150
185
240

0.51
0.51
0 . 5|

0.t29
0.r06
0.0E01

0.t32
0 . 10 8
0.08t 7

300
400
500

0.5l
0.5r
0.6t

0.064
|
0.M86
0.0384

0.0654
0.0495
0.0391

0.6t

0.0287

0.0292

COPYRTGHT

r
r

l4

AS/NZS ll25z2o0l

TABLE 2.5
CLASS6
FLEXIBLE COPPERCONDUCTORSFOR SINGLE-CORE
AND MULTICORE CABLES
rcctlonrl rrcr

Mulmum dlrmcter of
rvlrcr In conductor

mmr

mm

Nomlnrl crols-

Mrrlmum d.c. rcrlrtrncc of conductorrt 20oC

fUkrn
Phln or rllvcr-plrtcd
rnncrlcd copp.r

Tlnncd rnncrlcd copper

0.5
0.75
I

0.lt
0 .l t
0.lr

39.0
26.0
19.5

40.I
26.7
20.0

r.5
4

0 .l r
0.lt
0 . lt

13.3
7.98
4.95

13.7
8.21
5.09

6
t0
t6

0,2
0.2
0.2

3.30
l . 9t
t.2l

3.39
l.95
t.24

25
35
50
'to

0.2
0.2
0.3

0.780
0.554
0,3E6

0.795
0.565
0.393

95
t20

0.3
0.3
0.3

0.272
0.206
0.161

0.277
0.210
0.t64

150
rE5
240

0.3
0.4
0.4

0.t29
0.106
0.080l

0.t32
0.t0E
0.0Er7

0.4

0.064|

0.0654

a (

TABLE 2.6
FLEXIBLE MULTIPLE.STRANDED CIRCULAR COPPER CONDUCTORS
(ROPE LAY) FOR SINGLE-CORE AND MULTICORE FLEXIBLE CABLES
Nomlnrl crorcrcctlonrl rrcr

Merlmum dhmctcr of
wlrcr In conductor

mmr

mm

Phln rnnetlcd coppcr

6
t0
l6

0.3r
0.41
0.4l

3.30
l.9E
t.2l

3.39
2.02
1.24

25
35
t0

0.4r
0.41
0.41

0.731
0.536
0.402

0.746
0.547
0.4t0

10
95
r20

0.68
0.68
0.68

0.266
0.20&
0.t6r

0.271
0.212
0.164

t50
lE5
240

0.6t
0.68
0.68

0.t26
0.104
0.0803

0.t29
0.t06
0.0E
|8

300
400
500

0.68
0.68
0.6E

0.0632
0.0465
0.0384

0.0644
0.0475
0.0392

Mrrlrnum d.c. rcrlrtrncc of conductor rt 20cC

fUkm

COPYRIGHT

Tlnncd enncdcd coppcr

l5

S E C T I O N 3

AS/NZSt t25:200t

A L U M I N I U M C O N D U C T O R S

3.1 GENERAL
The material, form and constructionof aluminium conductorsshall comply with the
specifiedin clauses3.2,3.3,3.4, 3.5 and 3.6, as appropriate
requirements
and thc tests
specifiedin Table 3.1. The tests,criteria for tests,categoryoftests and referencesfor test
methodsshall be as specifiedin Table3.1.
NOTE: Rcstrictionsarc placedon thc minimumsize of aluminiumconductors.
For dctailcd
seeAS/NZS3000.
requirements
3.2 MATERIAL
3.2.1 Alloy
shallbe madefrom alloy 1350as specifiedin AS 2848.1
Conductors
3.2.2 Strandedconductors
Tensilestrengthshallcomplywith Table3.1.
Strandedaluminium conductorsnormally do not have a cross-sectional
area less than
- 10mm2,but 4 mm2 and 6 mm2sizesmay be used subjectto specialconsiderationof the
fsuitaUilityof the conductorfor thetype of cableand its apqication.
--,'.
Vl arrfr- r<
,6qt
q
,r,,.
\^ir -. | 3.2.3
"t-:l
-Soltdconductors
Solid sector-shaped
conductorsand solid sectoralcircular conductorsshall be madeto the
dimensions
specifiedin BS 3988.
Tensilestrengthshallcomplywith Table3.1.
3.3 FOR]VIOF CONDUCTOR
The conductorsshall be circular,shaped,solid, stranded,compressed,
compacted,Milliken,
or solidsectoralcircular,as requiredfor a particularcable.
3.4 JOINTS IN CONDUCTORS

+.qlc'

3.4.1 Strandedconductorsother-th1ryinserial crbles

Joints.arepermittedonly in tne ilH?lrfoualwires. Whenjoining by resistanceburt welding
or fusionwelding,no joint shallbe within 60 mm of any otherjoint ln the samelayer.This
restrictiondoesnot apply whenjoining by cold-pressura
weldini.
3.4.2 Strandedconductorsln aerialcables
Jointsshallbe madeby cold-pressure
butt welding and the minimumdistancebetweentwo
suchjointsshallbe l5 m.
3.4.3 Solld conductors
Jointsshallnot be madein the finishedsolid conductor.
3.s solrD CONDUCTORS (CLASS r)
The-maximumd.c. resistanceof conductorsat
20"C shall be as specifiedin Table 3.2 for
ttrcrclevaDtnominalcross-sectional
areaof thc conductor.

COPYRIGHT

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A S / N Z SI 1 2 5 : 2 0 0 t

3.6 STRANDEDCONDUCTORS(CLASS2)
The minimum .number of wircs in conductorsand the maximum d.c. resistanceof
conductors at 20"c shall be as specified in Table 3.3 for the relcvant nominal
cross-sectional
areaof conductor.
For strandedcircular and circular compressed
conductorsthe individual wires shall be the
samenominaldiameter.
For strandedshaped,circular compactedand Milliken conductorsthe ratio of the largest
wire cross-sectional
areato the smallestwire cross-sectional
areain the conductorshalliot
cxceed4.
When a Milliken conductor is required, the conductor shall consist of sector-shaped
strandedconductorslightly insulatedfrom eachother.

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COPYRIGHT

t7

ASAZS l125:2001

TABLE 3.I
TESTS FOR ALUMINIT'M CONDUCTORS
Test

Crltcrh

Tensilcstrength:

Crtcgory of test

Refcrenccfor
tcst mcthod

Sample

AS/NZS t660

(NOTE: All cross-sectional

areas
arc nominal)
(a) Solid:
(i)

Circularconductors
250 mm2and all scctor
shapcdconductors

90 MPa mar.

(ii) Circularconductors
J5 mm2and 25 mm2

125MPa max.

(iii) Circularconductors
sl6 mm2

165MPa max.

(b) Strandedconductorwircs:
(i)

for othcr than acrial

cables

(ii)

for acrial cables

Conductorrcsistancc

120MPa min.

205 MPa max.

Wire diametcr

Minimumtcnrilc
strcngth

mm

MPa

> t . 2 5< 1 . 5 0
> 1.50
< 1.75
> 1 . 7 5< 2 . 0 0

183
t79
t75

> 2 . 4 0s 2 . 2 5
> 2 . 2 5s 2 . 5 0
> 2 . 5 0s 2 . 7 5

t7l
t67
163

> 2.755 3.00

> 3 . 0 0< 3 . 2 5
> 3 . 2 5< 3 . 5 0

l6l
t57
156

> 3 . 5 0< 3 . 7 5
> 3 . 7 53 4 . 2 5
> 4.25< 5.00

154
t52
t5l

Thc rcsistanccvaluc shall bc in

rccordanccwith Tablcs3.2 or 3.3 as
appropriatc

lf not spccificdthc tcst

shall bc a samplctcst.

AS/NZS t660

NOTE: For samplcteststhe minimum number

of individuelwircs to be testcdfor thc tenrile strengthshall be thc squarc
root of thetotalnumberof wires in thc conductor(to
thc ncarestwholc numbcr),subjcctto a marimum of 20 wircs.

COPYRIGHT

AS/NZSll25:2001

l8

TABLE 3.2
CLASS I
SOLID ALI'MINII'M CONDUCTORSFOR
SINGLE-CORE AND MULTICORE CABLES
Muimum d.c. rcrlstrncc
of condrctor rt 20oC

3E0(4 x 95)
480(4 x t20)
600(4 x 150)
740(4 x lE5)
960(4 x 240)
1200(4 x 300)

0.04| 0
0 . 0 3l 3
0.0250

COPYRIGHT

t9

AS/NZSll25:2001

TABLE 3.3
CLASS 2
STRANDED ALI'MINIUM CONDUCTORS FOR
SINGLE.CORE AND MULTICORE CABLES
Noninrl
cr o s t - s t c t l o n r l

Mlnirnum numbcr of wlrct ln conductor

lrct

mm2

4
6
l0

t6
25
35

Clrculrr or
comprcrcd
conductor

Clrculrr
comprctcd
condrctor

Sbrped
conductor
O/km

7.41
4.61
3.08

'f

Mulmum d.c.
rcrlrtrncc of
condnctorrt 20oC

6
6

l .91
1.20
0.868

50
70
95

l9
l9
l9

6
t2
t5

t2
t5

0.64|
0.443
0.320

t20
150
t85

37
37
J I

l5
l5
30

t5
l5
30

0.253
0.206
0.164

240
300
400

6l
6l
6l

30
30
53

30
30
53

0.r25
0.1
00
0.0?78

500
630
800

6l
9l
9l

53
53
53

53
53

|
0.0605
0.0469r
0.0367

I 000

9l

53

0.0291

Rcsistanccvllucs arc applicableto singe-corccablcs For multicorc cablcs, thcsc rcsistancc

valucsshouldbc multiplicdby 1.02.

COPYRIGHT

AS/[{ZSll25:2001

APPEIIDD( A
METHODOF CALCULATIONOF CONDUCTOR
MAXIMUM B,ESISTANCE
(Informative)
AI

GENERAL

This Appendix showsthe mcthodof calculation

uscd to establishthe conductormaximum
d'c' resistancevalucs specificdin sectiois
z and 3 of this Standard.Thc cquationgiven
may also be usedto establishresistancc
for other copperor aluminiumconductorsizcsor
constructions'however,it may not covcr
att situations,c.g. whcreexceptionailyshort lays
areusedin cablesat eitherstrandingofconau"tors
or lay-upofcores.
Any adjustmentsto thc valuescstablishcd
by the methodgivcn hereinare specifiedin the
conductorTablesofthe appropriateSection
oftli, Standard.
TablesAl and 42 show the representative
notionalnumbcrand diameterof wires usedin
establishingthe maximum d.c. resistance.
Thcrc norionalconductorsizeswere necessary
becausefixed cables may compriscomprwsed
or compactedconductors(with wires of
inegular shape)and becauseoniy thc minimum
numbcror thc maximumdiamcterof wires
is specifiedfor eachconductorcioss-sectionar
areain this standard.
The resistances
calculatedfor aluminiumconductorsapply also
to solid circular and solid
sectorshapedconductors,andin thc cascof
eolid scctoralcircularconductors(Table3.2 of
Section3) the resistanlespecificdis equalto
onc qusrterthat of the maximumresistance
for a single(of the four) standardsoridscctors
thc conducto;;;;r"r.

TABLE At
NOTIONAL SIZESOF CONDUCTORS
IN FIXED CABLESUSED
FORTHE CALCULATIONOF RESISTANCE
Nonrlnrl crotr-rcctlonrl ercr

Notloorl lrnrber rnd dhmctcr of

tlrcr h condoctor

mlnr

IiloJmn

0.5
0.5

t/0.80
7to.30.

0.75
0.75

UO.97
7t0.37.

t.0
1.0

I/t.t3
7/0.40.
t/t.38
7t0.50)

2.5
2.5

Ut.7E
.7to.67.

4
6
l0

7/0.85
1il.04
7n.35

t6
25

7il.70
7n.11
7n.52
(continued)

COPYEGHT

AS/NZSll25:2001

2l

TABLE Al

(conttnue$
Notload nlmbcr rnd dhmctcr of
wlr:l In conductor

Nosllnrl croll'rcctlonrl rrrt

mmt

NoJmm

50
10
95

tgll.7E
1912.l4
1912.52

t20
150
r85

3112.03
J712.25
3712.52

240
300
400

6112.25
6v2.52
6U2.85

500
630
t00

6113.20
t27n.52
t2712.85

r000

t2113.20

. Appllcd for conductorsS 2.5 mmr othcrthrn rolid.

TABLE A2
NOTIONALSIZESOF CONDUCTORTI
IN FLEXIBLECORDSAND
MULTI.STRANDED
CIRCULARCONDUCTORS
(ROPELAy) rN FLEXTBLE
CABLES USED FOR THE CALCULATION OF RESISTANCE
Nonlarl crolr-cectlonrl rrcr

mmr

Notloarl nrmbcr rnd dhmetcr of

wlrcr h conductor
NoJrnn

0.5
0.75
1.0

l6/0.20
21t0.20
3?,0.20

1.5
2.5
4.0

30/0.25
50/0.25
56/0.30

6
l0
I6

84/0.30
77t0.40
I 26/0.40

25
35
50

209/0.40
285/0.40
3t0/0.40

70
95
t20

2Ayo.67
259to.67
t36/0.6?

t50
It5
240

127t0.67
5tu0.67
67U0.67

300
400
500

t5{/0.6?
I t59/0.67
t{t3/0.6?

COPYRIGHT

22

AS/NZS l125:2001

A2METEoDoFCALCULATIoNoFcoNDUcToRMAXIMI]Md.c.
RESISTANCE
valuesgiven in the conductorTablesof sections2
The conductormaximumd.c. resistancc
conductorsizesgiven in TablesAl and A2' from
and 3 were c"t"utat"a, uring thc notional
the following equation:
p = - 34A
-xK,

xK, xKt

n7W'

at 20oC,Cl/km
the d.c. resistance

i.e.
thc standardresistivityof the conductormetalat 20"c, nf,lm,
l'1..241 for annealedcopper'
28.264 for aluminiumalloY 1350,or

K t -

18.947 for nickel-coatedcoPPer

the kind
a factor dependenton the diamcterof the wircs in the conductor'on
nickel-coated.
or
of metal"nd on whetheror not the copperwircs are tinned
The valuesfor this factor are given in TableA3'

K7

i'c'
on the conductorconstruction,
a factordependent
1.00

for solid conductors

for strandedor uniaxial conductorsin fixed cables, where the

1.02
diamcterof wircs is > 0.6 mm
for strandedconductorsin flexiblc cables,where the diameterof
1.03
wiresis > 0.6 mm
for strandedor bunchedconductorsin all cableswherethe diameter
1.04
of wires is S 0.6 mm

a factor depindenton whether or not the conductoris, typically, usedalso in

multicorecables,i.e.
area) 500
for conductorsin fixed cablesof nominalcross-sectional
1.00
mmt ltypically single-corecables)
area< 500
1.02
for conductorsin fixed cablesofnominal cross-sectional
mm2ltypic"lly alsousedin multicorecables)
1.05
for conductorsin all flexible cordsand cables(typically also used
in multicorccordsandcables)
thc numberof wiresin the conductor'(SceTablesAl and A2)

the diameterof wiresin the conductor.(SceTablesAl and A2)

Kt =

COPYRIGHT

AS/NZS ll23:2001

2l

TABLE A3
FACTOR.K'
Xr (SceNotc)

Dirmctcr of wlrer
ln conductor

mm

Strrndcd or nnlrrhl conductorr

Solld conductorr
Phln or
rllvcrplrtcd
coppcr

Tlnned
coppcr or
phln
rlumlnllm

<0.10
> 0 .l 0 < 0 . 3 1
>0.31 <0.91

r.03

l.05

>0.9l <3.60
>3.60 <4.50
>4.50

1.03
r.03
1.03

t.04
1.M
1.03

Nlckclcortcd
coppcr

Plrln or
rllvcrplrted
coppcr

Tlnncd
copPcr or
phln
rlumlnlurn

Nlckclcortcd
coppcr

l .l 2
1.07
1.04

r.rs

l.l3

r.07
1.04
1.02

'j

'j

'j

t.ll

L-tz

NOTE: The rable also covers wip sizcs outside the rangc listcd in Trblcs Al and A2, to facilitatc
calculationof maximumresistanccfor othcr spccialconductorconstructions.

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