{'ry!

BRITISH STAT{DAITD BS EN
60811- 1- 1:19 95
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 and
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 Ltd-
British Telecommtrrications plc
Department ofTrade and Industry (Consumer Safety Unit, CADivisior)
Electricity Association
ERA Technology Ltd.
GAMBTCA (BEAMALtd.)
Institution of hrcorporated Executive Eugineers
London Underground Ltd.
Ministry 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

Amd.No. Date Cornments

t3461 27 May2OO2 Indicated by a sideline and see national

T'he lbllowing BSI references
relate to the work on this
foreword
standard:
Committee reference GEL,/l 7
Announed in
BSINews. July 1995

ISBNO 580 250fi) 8

 BS EN60811-1-1:1995

Contents

Page
Committees responsible lnside frontcover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Text ofEN 6081 l-l-l J

@BSl27 May 2OA2

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
dirnensiow - Testsfo" detertnining the mechanical properti* including
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 Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

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
April 1995
NORME EUROPEENNE
+Al
EUROPATSCTTPNORM June 200I

ICS29.r40.30 S u p e r s e d eHs D 5 0 5 . 1 - l5 3 : 1 9 9 1

Desuiptors: Electriccable, insulatedcable, electrical insulation, sheath, insulation, measurement ofdimension, thickness, mechaniel
prolrerty
Enslish version

Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical

cables - Comrnon test method
Part l-1: General application-
Measurement of thickness and overall dimensions -
Tests for determining the mechanical properties
(inclndes arnendment Al :200 1)
t.'?3:ri*"lt;Tri,ta,'tel*e.kstoffe
Mat6riaux et degai,'agt??"3lil;l
d'isolation fiir Kabelund
6lectriques et des c6bles optiques - isolierte kitungen - Allgemeine
Methodes d'essais communes - Priifuerfahren -
Partie 1-1: Application gdn6rale - Mesure des Teil 1-1: Allgemeine Anwendung - Messung
dpaisseurs et des dimensions ext€rieures - der Wanddicke und der AuBenmaBe -
D6termination des prcpri6t6s m6caniques Verfahren zur Bestimrnung der mechanischen
(inclut l'amendement Al :2001) Eigenschaften
( C E I 6 0 8 11 - 1 - 1 : 1 9 9 +
3 A1:2001) (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 member-
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CENELEC member 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 3 Applicability 4
4 Type tests and other tests 4
The text ofthe International Standard IEC 8 I l-1-l:
1993, prepared by IEC TC 20, Electric cables, was 5 Preconditioning 4
submitted to the Unique Acceptance Procedure and 6 Test temperature 4
was approved by CENELEC as EN 6081 1-l-l on 7 Definitions 4
1995-03-06 without any modification. 7.1 maximum tensile force 4
This European Standard supersedesHD 505.1.1 33: 7.2 tensile stress 4
199t. 7.3 tensile strength 4
Where reference is made to HD 505.1.1 53:1991 in 7.4 elorrgation at break 4
another standard, users should refer tothis 7.5 median value 4
EN 6081l-l-l for the current information. 8 Measurement of thicknesses and
The following dates were fixed: overall dimensiorrs 5
8.1 Meaiurement of insulation thickness 5
- latest date by which the 8.2 Measurement of thickness of
EN has to be itnplernented non-metallic sheath 6
at national level by
8.3 Measurement ofoverall dimensions 7
pnblication of an identical
national standard or by 9 Tests for determining the mechanical
endorsement (dop) 1996-03-01 properties of insulating and sheathing
- compounds 8
latest date by which the
national standards 9.1 Insulatingcompounds 8
conflicting with the EN 9.2 Sheathirrgcompounds l3
have to be withdrawn (dow) 1996-12-01 AnnexA (informative) Principle of operation
ofa typical rnachine for preparing test pieces 22
Annexes designated'honnative" are part of the
body ofthe standard. Annexes designated Annex ZA (normative) Normative references
"informative"are given for information only. In this to international publications with their
standard, annexZ,A is normative and annex A is corespondin g E uropean publicati or s ZJ

informative. Arurex ZA has been added bv Figure I - Measrlrernent of insulation or

CENELEC. sheath thickness (circular inner profile) l5
Figure 2 - Measurernent of insulation
Foreword to amendment Al thickn ess (sectora l-shaped conductor) l5
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) 16
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) l6
CENELEC asamendment Al toEN 60811-l-l:1995
Figure 5 - Measurernent of insulation
on 2001-05-01.
thickness (uneven outer profile) l7
- latest date by which the Figure 6- Measurement of insnlation
amendment has to be thickness (twin flat non-sheathed cord) t7
implemented at national Figure 7-Measufement of sheath
level by publication ofan thickness (irregular circular inner profile) 18
identical national stan dard
Figure 8 - Measurement of sheath
or by endorsernent (dop) 2002-02-01
thickness (nonrircular inner profile) l8
- latest date by which the
Fignre 9-Measurement of sheath
national standards
thickn ess (irregular outer s urface) l9
conflicting with the
Figure l0-Measurement of sheath
amendment have to be
withdrawn (dow) 2004-05-01 thickness (twin sheathed flat cord) l9
Figure 11 - Measurement of sheath
Contents thickness (flat cable with single cores) 20
Figure 12 - Dumb-bell test piece 20
Page
Figure 13 - Small dumb-bell test piece 2l
Foreword 2
Figure 14-Punch end showinggroove 2l
I Scope J
Figure I5 - Test pieces cut by grooved punch 2l
l.l Normativereferences -)
2 Test values J

@BSI27 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 ns 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 l r o p e r t i e sw
, h i c h a p p l yt o t h e m o s t c o m m o n
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

3 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 .

4 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.

5 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.

6 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

8 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 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

8.1.1 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 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

8.2.1 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 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

8 . 3 .1 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
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 .
m i c r o m e t eo
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 Insulatingcompounds

9.1.1 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 insu-
lation. 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
6 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.
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 ;
d 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 .
, 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 ,
T h e r a t e o f s e p a r a t i o ne
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 Sheathingcompounds

9.2.1 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 916t01

Figure 6 fr Measurement of insulation thickness

(twin flat non-sheathed cord)
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 publications with their corresponding
European publications

This EuropeanStandardincorporates provisionsfromotherpublications.

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 publication has been modified by CENELEC common modifications, indieted by (mod), the relevant
EN./FID applies.

IEC publication Date Titlel) trN/'IID Date

IEC 8l l-l-2 1985 Insulating and sheathingmaterials of electric EN 60811-l-22) 1995

utbles - Conmon test methoels - PatT I: Gctterctl
application
Section 2: 71tet-mal ageing methods
IEC8ll-1-3 1985 Sa,tion3:Mdho.lsfordetenniningthedensifit HD505.1.1S33) 1991
Water absoryttion tests - Shrinka-ge tast
IEC 8ll-2-l 1986 Part2: Mahodsspecifictoelastomet'icaxnpounds EN 60811-2-14) 1995
Section I : Ozone resistance test - Hot set test
Mineral oil immersion te.st

f ) IEC 538, lIlC 538,{ and IEC 540 are superseded by IEC 81 I and ILC 885 Eletriml test mahds elatric cabla
fu
2) 'l'he main title and title of Part I have been adapted to the new title decided by IEC/TC 20-
3)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.

]v{lay 2OO2 z5
@ BSI27
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60811-1-1:1995
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