This specification covers crosslinked polymer insulation material consisting substantially of polyethylene or a polyethylene copolymer for electrical wires and cables in conductor, suitable for continuous use on power cables in wet and dry locations, having specified sizes and operating at specified voltage ratings and conductor temperatures. Materials covered by this specification are not sunlight and weather resistant unless they are carbon black pigmented or contain an additive system designed for this protection. Since the insulation cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor, tests shall then be done on insulated wire solely to determine the relevant property of the insulation and not to test the conductor or completed cable. Materials shall meet the physical properties as follows: unaged tensile strength and elongation at rupture; tensile strength and elongation at rupture after air oven aging; heat distortion; filled and unfilled percent hot creep; and filled and unfilled percent hot set. Insulations shall also perform satisfactorily during tests for AC and DC voltage, insulation resistance, and accelerated water absorption.

1.1 This specification covers a crosslinked polyethylene insulation for electrical wires and cables in conductor sizes 14 AWG [2.08 mm²] and larger. The base polymer of this insulation consists substantially of polyethylene or a polyethylene copolymer.

1.2 This type of insulation is suitable for continuous use on power cables in wet and dry locations, for voltage ratings not exceeding 2000 V and at conductor temperatures not exceeding 90 C for normal operation. For copper conductors, the insulation may be applied over the uncoated metal.

1.3 Materials covered by this specification are not sunlight and weather resistant unless they are carbon black pigmented or contain an additive system designed for this protection.

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

1.5 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in parentheses are for information only.