6.1 Electrical tests, properly interpreted, provide information with regard to the electrical properties of the insulation. The electrical test values give an indication as to how the insulation will perform under conditions similar to those observed in the tests. Electrical tests provide data for research and development, engineering design, quality control, and acceptance or rejection under specifications.

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for electrical testing of thermoplastic insulations and jackets used on telecommunications wire and cable and for the testing of electrical characteristics of completed products. To determine the procedure to be used on the particular insulation or jacket compound, or on the end product, reference should be made to the specification for the product.

1.2 These test methods appear in the following sections of this standard:

Test Method

Sections

Electrical Tests of Insulation—In-process

5 – 9

     DC proof test

9

     Insulation Defect or Fault Rate

8

     Spark Test

7

Electrical Tests of Completed Wire and Cable

10 – 52

     Attenuation

25

     Attenuation, Effects Due to Aging

32

     Attenuation, Effects Due to Elevated Temperature

30

     Attenuation, Effects Due to Humidity

31

     Attenuation to Crosstalk Ratio—Far End (ACR-F)

29

     Attenuation to Crosstalk Ratio—Near End (ACR-N)

27

     Capacitance Deviation

20

     Capacitance Difference

21

     Capacitance Unbalance, Pair-to-ground (CUPG)

23

     Capacitance Unbalance, Pair-to-pair (CUPP)

22

     Capacitance Unbalance, Pair-to-support Wire

24

     Characteristic Impedance—Test Method 1: Propagation Constant and Capacitance

48

     Characteristic Impedance—Test Method 2: Single-ended Measurements

49

     Characteristic Impedance—Test Method 3: Least Squares Function Fit

50

     Coaxial Capacitance (Capacitance to Water)

18

     Conductor Continuity

12

     Conductor Resistance (CR)

14

     Conductor Resistance Unbalance (CRU of Pairs)

16

     Continuity of Other Metallic Elements

13

     Crosses Test (Continuity Between Wires of Different Pairs)

36

     Crosstalk Loss, Far-end

28

     Crosstalk Loss, Near-end

26

     DC Proof Test, Core-to-internal Shield (Screen)

41

     DC Proof Test, Core-to-shield

39

     DC Proof Test, Core-to-support Wire

40

     DC Proof Test, Internal Shield (Screen)-to-shield

42

     DC Proof Test, Other Required Isolations

43

     DC Proof Test, Wire-to-wire

38

     Fault Rate Test (Air Core Only)

34

     Insulation Resistance (IR)

33

     Jacket Voltage Breakdown Rating Test

37

     Mutual Capacitance (CM)

19

     Mutual Conductance

17

     Phase Constant

45

     Phase Delay

46

     Phase Velocity

47

     Resistance of Other Metallic Cable Elements

15

     Shorts Test (Continuity Between Wires of a Pair)

35

     Structural Return Loss and Return Loss

51

     Unbalance Attenuation (Conversion Losses)

52

     Voltage Surge Test

44

1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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. Specific hazard statements are given in Sections 7 and 38.

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.