Abstract
This specification covers electrical contact alloys with the nominal composition of 75% silver, 24.5% copper, and 0.5% nickel in the form of rods, wires, strips, and sheets. Raw materials shall be of such quality and purity that the products, which shall be finished by such operations as cold working, heat treatment, annealing, turning, grinding, or pickling, shall adhere to the chemical composition and mechanical property requirements prescribed here. Besides analysis for the elements silver, copper, and nickel, further analysis is to be made for suspected or indicated impurities, such as zinc, iron, cadmium, and lead, to make sure that their total does not exceed specified limits. Mechanical tests, which are to be conducted at room temperature, shall evaluate the materials’ tensile strength, elongation, Rockwell hardness, and area and thickness reduction.
Scope
1.1 This specification covers bare combination unilay-stranded conductors made from round copper wires, either uncoated or coated with tin or lead alloy for insulated conductors for electrical purposes. These conductors shall be constructed with a central core wire surrounded by two layers of helically laid wires, resulting in an outer diameter equal to the compressed-stranded equivalent conductor. (See Explanatory Note 1 and Note 2.)
NOTE 1: For the purpose of this specification, combination unilay conductor is defined as follows: a central core wire surrounded by a layer of six helically laid wires of the same diameter as the core wire with a helically laid outer layer containing six smaller wires alternated between six wires of the same diameter as the wires in the layer underneath. Both layers have a common length and direction of lay (see Fig. 1).
FIG. 1 Cross Section of Conductor
1.2 For the purpose of this specification, normal conductor classification (Class AA, A, B, C) is not applicable as these conductors are intended for subsequent insulation. The descriptive term combination unilay-stranded shall be used in place of conductor classification.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3.1 For conductor sizes designated by AWG or kcmil, the requirements in SI units have been numerically converted from corresponding values, stated or derived, in inch-pound units.
1.3.2 For conductor sizes designated by SI units only, the requirements are stated or derived in SI units.
1.3.3 For density, resistivity, and temperature, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
