This specification covers a thermoplastic jacketing compound substantially consisting of pigmented polyethylene for use in electrical wires and cables with specified nominal thicknesses and operating at specified voltages. Since the jacket material cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable, tests shall then be done on jacketed wires and cables solely to determine the relevant property of the jacket material and not to test the jacketed conductor or completed cable. Materials shall be suitably sampled and tested, and shall conform accordingly to the following physical and electrical properties: unaged tensile strength and elongation at rupture; tensile strength and elongation at rupture after air oven aging; absorption coefficient; heat distortion; environmental stress-cracking; surface resistivity; and U-bend discharge.

1.1 This specification covers a thermoplastic jacketing compound for 2 to 35 kV wire and cable, of at least 0.030 in. (0.76 mm) nominal thickness, consisting substantially of pigmented polyethylene.

1.2 In many instances the jacket material cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable. Therefore, tests done on jacketed wire and cable in this specification are solely to determine the relevant property of the jacket material and not to test the jacketed conductor or completed cable.

1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

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.