This specification covers bare modified concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from round copper wires, either uncoated or coated with tin, lead, or lead alloy for general use in insulated electrical cables. These conductors shall be constructed with a central core consisting of not more than seven wires, surrounded by one or more layers of helically laid wires. For the purposes of this specification, conductors are classified as Class B modified, class C modified, and Class D modified. The conductors shall meet the prescribed construction requirements such as number of wires and diameter. Welds and brazes may be made in rods or in wires prior to final drawing. Welds and brazes may be made in the finished individual wires composing the conductor, but shall not be closer together than prescribed distance. Tests for the electrical properties of wires composing conductors made from soft or annealed copper wire, bare or coated, shall be made before stranding. Tests for the physical properties of these materials may be made upon the wires before stranding or upon wires removed from the complete stranded conductor.

1.1 This specification covers bare modified concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from round copper wires, either uncoated or coated with tin, lead, or lead alloy for general use in insulated electrical cables. These conductors shall be constructed with a central core consisting of not more than seven wires, surrounded by one or more layers of helically laid wires.

1.2 For the purposes of this specification, conductors are classified as follows (Explanatory Note 1 and Note 2):

1.2.1 Class B Modified—Conductors to be insulated with various materials such as rubber, paper, and crosslink polyethylene.

1.2.2 Class C Modified and Class D Modified—Conductors where greater flexibility is required than is provided by Class B Modified conductors.

1.3 The values stated in inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining the values from the two systems may result in non- conformance with the specification. For conductor sizes designated by AWG or kcmil sizes, the requirements in SI units are numerically converted from the corresponding requirements in inch-pound units. 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. For conductor sizes designated by SI units only, the requirements are stated or derived in SI units.

1.3.1 For density, resistivity and temperature, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

Note 1: The significant differences in this specification from Specification B8 are as follows: (1) The central core is permitted to contain up to seven wires drawn into the assembly with an infinite length of lay while Specification B8 permits only one, and (2) The construction is applicable only to stranded assemblies of 19 or more wires.

1.4 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.