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Clause numbers refer to this section unless stated otherwise.

Table 3 - General constructional requirements for preferred designs of cables with copper conductors

Class according to HD 383

Shape: R = round, S , = sector

For information only

May be round as alternativeSECTION Е» CABLES WITH COPPER OR ALUMINIUM CONDUCTORS AND

WIRE JPfLSW- ARMOUR

Replace the complete Section by the following:'BLANK PAGE'

SECTION E - CABLES WITH COPPER OR ALUMINIUM CONDUCTORS AND
WIRE OR STRIP ARMOUR

CONTENTS

PAGE

1. Scope 3-E-2

2. Additional general requirements

   1. Identification of cores 3-E-2

   2. Thickness of inner sheath 3-E-2

   3. Cable marking 3-E-3

   4. Additional test requirements 3-E-4

   5. Compatibility test 3-E-6

   6. Oversheath resistance test 3-E-7

3. (Not applicable) 3-E-7

4. Cables with metallic covering

   1. Code designation 3-E-7

   2. Rated voltage 3-E-7

   3. Construction 3-E-7

   4. Tests 3-E-9

Tables: 1 - 27 3-E-10

Appendix: Guide to use 3-E-37

REFERENCES

Section E of Part 3 of HD 604 incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to Section E of Part 3 of HD 604 only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies.

EN 60811 Common test methods for insulating and sheathing materials of electric cables

HD 383 Conductors of insulated cables (Endorsing IEC 228 and 228A)

HD 405 Tests on electric cables under fire conditions

HD 605 Electric cables : Additional test methods

IEC 183 Guide to the selection of high voltage cables

SECTION E

1. Scope

This section specifies requirements for and dimensions of single core and multi-core PVC insulated and sheathed cables having reduced fire propagation performance.

The maximum continuous conductor temperature shall not exceed 70°C. The maximum temperature for short-circuit condition is 160°C for conductor sizes up to and including 300mm^x and 140°C for larger conductor sizes.

This section covers the following classes of cable:

1. 2,3 and 4 core cables having copper conductor and steel wire armour;

2. 2,3 and 4 core cables having solid aluminium conductors and aluminium wire or strip armour;

3. Single core cables having stranded copper or stranded aluminium conductor and aluminium wire armour;

4. Single core cables having solid or sectoral aluminium conductors and aluminium wire or strip armour; (v) Multicore auxiliary cables having 2 up to 48 cores with copper conductors and steel wire armour.

An informative guide to use is given in the appendix of this section.

2. Additional general requirements

The following general requirements shall be read in conjunction with those given in Part 1.

The cores of all cables shall be identified either by numbers or by colours in accordance with the following sequence:

Number of cores

Identification

R

One Two

Three Four

Auxiliary cables

ed or black

Red, black

Red, yellow, blue

Red, yellow, blue, black

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and upwards

The height of individual numbers shall be not less than 1.5mm and the interval between adjacent numbers shall not exceed 70mm.

The thickness of lapped beddings need not be checked by measurement.

The minimum thickness of extruded inner covering shall not be less than the specified value for each type and size of cable shown in the tables by an amount more than 15% + 0.1 mm. Compliance shall be checked by the test given in clause 2.1.2 of HD 605.

The method of cable marking shall comply with clause 3 of Part 1 and the following additional requirements: -

The external surface of all cables shall be legibly marked with the following elements of marking:*

Element Example of marking

11. Electric cable ELECTRIC CABLE

12. Voltage designation 600/1000 V 600/1000V AUX 1900/3300V

13. Standard number HD 604-3-E

14. Manufacturer's XYZ

identification

11. Number of cores, type and nominal area of conductor

12. Copper conductor cables: 4 x 50

(NOTE: 4 x 50 shall indicate a 4-core cable with 50mm’ copper conductors).

11. ) Aluminium conductor cables: 4 x 50AL _:

(NOTE: 4 x 50 AL shall indicate a 4-core cable with 50mm’ aluminium conductors).

111. ) Copper conductor cables with reduced neutral: 3 x 50/25

(NOTE: 3 x 50/25 shall indicate a 4-core cable with three 50mm’ copper phase conductors and one 25mm’ copper neutral conductor.)

The marking of the Elements 1-4 shall be by embossing or indenting on the oversheath.

For cables with tabulated approximate overall diameters above 15mm, Elements 1,2 and 3 shall appear, in any sequence that neither confuses nor conflicts, on two or more primary lines along the axis of the cable, approximately equally spaced around the circumference of the cable. Elements 4 and 5 shall appear on at least one line, which may be one of the primary lines, or a secondary line or lines. They may appear in any sequence that neither confuses nor conflicts, and need not all be on the same line.

For cables with tabulated approximate overall diameters of 15 mm or smaller, the Elements shall be disposed as for cables above 15mm except that the marking for Elements 1, 2 and 3 shall appear on one or more primary lines.

The letters and figures shall consist of upright block characters. The characters shall have a minimum height of 3 mm.

The distance between the end of one element of marking and the beginning of the next identical element of marking shall not be greater than 550 mm, for Elements 1, 2 and 3, and not greater than 1100 mm for Elements 4 and 5.

Compliance shall be checked by visual examination and measurement.

A means of identifying the year of manufacture of the cable shall be provided throughout the length of the cable, either internally or by marking on the surface of the cable.

If the identification is internal the distance between the end of one mark and the beginning of the next mark shall not be greater than 550 mm. As an alternative internal marking, an identification thread may be used.

If the identification is by marking on the surface it shall comply with the requirements given for Elements 4 and 5 in sub-clause 2.3.1 in respect of maximum distance between marks.

If the mark of an Approval Organisation is used it shall be provided throughout the length of the cable.

If the mark is applied to the cable it shall be on the surface in the form of the symbol(s) specified by the Approval Organisation, and shall comply with the requirements given for Elements 4 and 5 in sub-clause 2.3.1 in respect of maximum distance between marks.

As an alternative to the mark of the Approval Organisation, an identification thread may be incorporated into the cable, as specified by the Approval Organisation.

The use of optional marking is permitted. Where such marking is made it shall be throughout the length of the cable, and may be on the external surface of the cable, or by means of a tape or thread within the cable, or by a combination of these methods. If the additional marking is applied to the surface of the cable it shall not render illegible the marking specified in sub-clause 2.3.1 - 2.3.3.

The additional marking, however made, shall be repeated at intervals not exceeding 1100mm.

Make the measurements of thickness of insulation, extruded inner sheath and oversheath listed in the schedule of test requirements (Table 2) on a sample taken from one end of each drum length of cable selected for the test, having discarded any portion which may have suffered damage.

If any of the thicknesses measured does not comply with sub-clauses 4.3.2, 4.3.4 and 4.3.6 of this Part, then two further samples shall be checked for the non-compliant items. If both samples meet the specified requirements the cable is deemed to comply, but if either does not meet the requirements, the cable is deemed not to comply.

If single core cable is provided with a semi-conducting coating applied, it shall be subjected to an applied voltage of 3kV a.c. r.m.s. or 5kV d.c. for one minute, in accordance with sub-clause 3.2.3.1 of HD 605, and the oversheath shall not break down.

When the voltage test is carried out in accordance with sub-clause 3.2.1 of HD 605, using the test voltage below for a duration of 5 minutes, the insulation shall not break down.

¹¹¹ Voltage applied between conductors and from conductors to earth, respectively

When a sample of insulated core is tested in accordance with sub-clause 3.3.1 of HD 605 the К value at 70°C shall not be less than 0.037 MO.km.

When complete cable is tested in accordance with sub-clause 3.3.2 of HD 605 the values measured shall not be less than those given in table 26.

Type approval for the complete range of single-core cables specified for this type or limited range of sizes is obtained by carrying out the tests given in sub-clause 4.1.1 of HD 605 on one cable size.

The cable size selected for test from the range for which approval is sought shall be that which has the greatest ratio of sectional area in mm², of non-metallic material to that of all the metallic components. Tests carried out on cables having aluminium conductors will also cover cables having copper conductors but not vice versa. Tests carried out on aluminium strip armour will also gain approval for wire armour and vice versa.

Type approval for the complete range of multi-core cables specified for this type is obtained by carrying out the tests given in sub-clause 4.1.1 of HD 605 on a cable having copper conductors not exceeding 16mm¹ and also on a cable having aluminium conductors of 35mm¹ or larger.

Limited approval of 16mm¹ and below can be obtained by carrying out the tests in sub­clause 4.1.1 of HD 605 on a cable having copper conductors not exceeding 16mm¹. Limited approval for cables greater than 16mm¹ can be obtained by carrying out the tests in sub-clause 4.1.1 of HD 605 on a cable having aluminium conductors of 35mm¹ or larger.

The cable sizes selected for test shall be those which have the greatest ratio of sectional area in mm¹ of non-metallic material to that of all the metallic components. Tests carried out on aluminium strip armour will also gain approval for aluminium wire armour and vice versa.