IS 694: 1990

Indian Standard

PVC INSULATED CABLES FOR WORKING VOLTAGES UP TO AND INCLUDING 1100 VOLTS-SPECIFICATION
( Third Revision)
SECTION 1 1 SCOPE 1.1 This standard covers the requirements and tests for the following types of unarmoured PVC insulated cables with copper or aluminium conductors and flexible cords with copper conductors for electric power and lighting (including weather proof cables and cables for low temperature conditions) for yoltages up to and including 1100 V.
NOTES 1 For use as weatherproof cables. the cables shall meet the requirements of additional ageing test ( e 15.4 (ell. 2 The cables intended for low-temperature conditions shall meet the requirements of cold bend or .cold impact test whichever is applicable (see lSA. (a) and (b)l.

GENERAL

1.4 The cables covered in this standard are also suita~lc for use under outdoor or low temperature conditions provided these meet the additional requirements as given under type te'ts. For still lower temperature, the purchaser Olay specify the additional requirements. 2 'REFERENCES 2:::1The standards given in Annex A are necessary adjuncts to this standard.
~>

3 TERMINOLOGY

:iii

For the purpose of this standard, the definitions given in IS 1885 (Part 32) : 1911 and IS 10810 (Part Ie): 1984sballapp/y.
~'."

3.2 Type TeSts Tests required to be made before supply on a general co"1mercial basis on a type of cable in order to demopstrate satisfactory performance characteris~~, to meet the intended application.
NOTE - The~ tests are of such a nature that after they have been made they need not be repeated unless chaniL"S ar~ made in the cable materials or d~sign which might change the performance l;haracte:isti(;s.

1.1.1 Type. of Cable. a) Cables for lixed wiring: i) Single core ( unsheatbed); ii) Single core ( sheathed ); iii) Circular twin. three and four ( sheathed ); iv) Flat twin with or without ( sheathed ); and v) Flat three core (sheathed ).

core ECC

3.3 Acceptanee Tesls Tests carried out on salnples taken from a lot for the purpose of acceptance'of the lot. 3.4 Rnntine Tests Tests made by manufacturer on all finished cable lengths to demonstrate the integrity of the cable. 3.5 Optional Tests Special tests to be carried ont when required by agreement between the purchaser and the supplier. SECTION 2 4 CONDUCTOR 4.1 Copper Cnndnctnr The conductor ~h.t11 ce annealed high ctmductiyity plying with IS 1984. MATERIALS

b) Flexible cables, single core ( unsheathed). c) Flexible cords: i) Single core ( unsheathed); ii) Single core (sheathed); iii) Parallel twin ( unsheathed ); iv) Twisted twin ( unsheathed ); v) Circular twin, three, four and live core ( sheathed ); and vi) Flat twin ( sheathed ). 1.2 The cables covered in this standard are suitable for use on ac single phase or three phase ( earthed or unearthed) systems for rated voltages up to and including I 100 V. These cables may be used on de systems for rated voltages up to and including I SOO V. I..} The cables covered in this standard are suitable for use where the combination of ambient temperature and temperature rise due to load results in a continuous conductor temperature not cxceedinB 71lC ..

('omptlscd of pl:lin copper wires com-

4.2 Aluminium

ondUciOT

The conductor shall be comjlosed of aluminium wires complying ",ith IS 8130: 1984. 4.3 A separator tat! malk of suitable material may be applied OVer conductor at tbe discretion of the manufacturer.

IS 694 : 11190 5 INSULATION 5.1 The insulation shall be of PVC compound' conforming to the requirements of Type A of IS 5831 : 1984. t-FILLERS 6.1 The fillers shaH consist of vulcanized rubber, unvulcanized rubber, thermoplastic compound or te"tile materials. 6.2 The filler materials shall be .uitable operating temperature of the cable and comp with oth<:f components of the cable". These lIot be hai'der than PVC used for insulatio sheath. 7 BINDER TAPE
, ?,..;~

10.3 ToIennce oa Thidmess of Iuulatloa The smallest of the measured values of thickness of insulatioa .han not faD below the nominal value ( It ) specified in the reJevant tables Ily more than (0'1 mm + 0'1

'1 ).

10.4 Appllcatioa of IasalatioB The insulation shaD be so applied that it fits closely on the conductor and it shall be. possihl~ to remove it without damage to the conductor. II CORE .IDEN11FICATION .'U.I Cores shan be indentified by different louring of PVC insulation. The colour' scheme s given in Table 7 'Shall be adopted. OF CORES Tbreeo:Core Cables ( Witloout

for

7,1 Binder tape shall consist of plastic orproofC!l~.;. 11 LAYING-UP textile material. 8 SHEATH
'~

11.1 Flat Twin _ ECC)

8.1 The sheath shall consist of PV~\l?OmP;;1111d Two or three cores shall be'laid side by side. conforming to the requirements of ~I typeof IS 5831 : 1984. .. IU F1at~ia GUles ( Ith ECC) SECTION 3 II CONDUcrOR 9.0 Nominal cross sectional area ot1ocoriductor Of cables covered in this standard"is"given in respective tables. !U Cables for Fixed Wiring The construction of conductors shan be as given in Table I. ,for. fixed wiring CONSTRUCnON Two coteS ,,!iiK a bare ECC shall be laid side by side in the.'~me plane (ECC occupying the central position ). U.j'lreular Twin, Three- and Four-Core Cables

Two;. three' or lour cores shall be laid toget!!.r wit~a, suitable right-band. lay .. The interstices ,between the cOres may be filled with fillers. A binder tape may be applied over the laid-up cores. U.4CireuIar Twht, Three. FOllr and Five Core FIlixible Cords Twb, three, four or five cores shall be twisted together with a suitable right-hand lay.' The interstices may be filled witb sheathing material, Iillers or strengtheniag cords of textile or any other suitable materiat U.S ParaDel Twin ( Uaslaeatbed ) Fle"ible Cords

11.1.1 Conductors of nominal arelt. less than 16 mm" shall be circular onlY'... C0!lductors of nominal arca 16 mm' and a"'9Vc;~LJ:1taybc circular or shaped. '~"\;.', 11.2 Flnible Cables and Cords. ..

The conductor Class 5 of IS

J! 30 : 1984.

shall

be according . may

to flexibility over the

9.3 A separator tape eOllductor (see 4.3). 10 INSULATION

be applied

Two conductors shall be laid parallel and insulated simultaneously sucb that the cores can be separated readily without damage. with PVC 11.6 Twisted Twin ( UnSheathed) Fluible cords

10~l The conductor shall be provided' insulation applied by ex~rusion. 10.2 Thickness of Insulation

Two cores shall be twisted togetber with ~ suilable right hand lay: U.7 Flat Twin ( Slleathed ) Flexitlle Cor" Two cores shall be laid side by side . 2

The average thickness of insulation shall be not less than the nominal value ('1) specified in Tables 2 to 6.. '

IS 694: 13 SHEATHING 13.1 Thc sheath. where applicablc, shall be applied by cxtrusion. It shall be applied: a) Over thc insulation in case of singlc-c:orc cables, and 'b) Over thc laid-up cores in other cascs. 13.1.1 The sheath 'shall be so applied that it fits closcly on the laid-np cores and it shall be possible to remove it without damage to the iusulation. 13.2 Colour of the Sheath

19M

15.2.1 A recommended sampling plan for acceptance tests'is given in Annex B. 15.3 Routine Tests Thc followin&,shall constitute routinc tests: a) ConductOr resistance test, and b) High voltaiC test. 15.4 OptlODaJ Test Thc tesf given in Table 9 shall constitute telts. OF TESTS of Tests optional

~".

Thc colour of the sbeath sball be black or anyc .6 DETAILS other colour as agrC):d to between the purch~h"", . and the supplier. '"' "~"~6.l,Methods 13:Z.I'-f'oi" weatherproof cables, sheatb shall be black, only.."~ tbe colour

. ta'-d th 'h II be _.-'-' ~~ 0 erwlSC s "", e tests s '! '~,9!!t In accordance wtth appropnate part of 13.3 Thickness of Sheath '.. ,,~S. JOgI~, ~ing. int~ account, the additional . , .; > information given ID thIS standard. The' thickness of PVC shcath, determined.by..:#\~ , taking the averagc of a number of measurcolCints, ?<Il~1'Hlgla Voltage Test (Water Immersil!a Test) sball be not less than tbe nominal value ('t. )c',,( 1Jpe Test ) specified in Tablcs 4 aod"S; and thc small,st 0(,5, '". , the measured valucs shall not fall bel0l"",.tbc"'16.2.1 aC Test r(YlwJAc".,<l.o..r..J.. '\ nominal value (t.) specified in Tables 4;'ali'a S. '-!..:. ~ by more than 0'2 mm 14 OVERALL

Q~~ 0 ... ' th

+ 0'2 t..

DIMENSIONS

':~!'~;:i -:<"&y;"

~t::pJ:~o~f~~te';;

3c:~~~~

ft~e:~~"::::~

14.1 The mean overall dimensions of Ih;'eables shall not exceed thc limits specified in,.,.Tables 2to 6. 14.1.1 Ovality
..-.:....~

The difference between maximum and~'nJmum ~casured values of overall diameter ofshcatbcd circular cables shall not exceed IS percent ''0.. tbe maximum measured value at the. sam" crosssection. ~ , SECTION 4 15 CLASSIFICATION 15.1 Tn>e Tests The tcsts given in Table g sball'~onstit';te tests. 15.2 Acceptance Tests The following shall constitute acceptance lests: a) Annealing test ( for copper ), b) Tensile test ( for aluminium ). c) Wrapping test ( for aluminium ), d) Conductor resistance lest, e) Test ror thickness of insulation and .sheath. f) Tensile strength and elongation at break of insulation and sheath, g) Insulation resistance tcst. h) Higb voltage test, and j) Flammability test. type TESTS

cablc. Whcy shall be so immersed ina waterbath at 6O;:I;3'C thatthcir ends protrqde at least 200 mm,above thc water-Icvel. After 24 houn, a voltagc"~of 3 kV (f!IIs) 'shall be applied betW!lCn conduct9nl and water. This voltage shall be raiJcd to 6 kV (rms) within 10 seconds and held constant _. at this valuc for S minutes. If the , sampl';'{ails in this test, one more sample .bal1 be subjccsed\to this test, which should pass.
'~~

16.:l.2~dc Test Tbe c0tFs/ wbicb bave passed the preliminary test given in <16.2.1 shall be subseqncntly tested with a dc vol~gc of 1'2 leV in tbe same water-bath at the same tempctature. The conductors sball be connected to the negative polc and water to the positive pole. of dc supply I-y means of a cop~r clectrode. The core shall withs~d thIS dc voIge test lor 240 hours without breakdown. Thc voltagc shall be applied continuou.ly. but if there are auy unavoidable iDlcmlptions during tbe 4 hours period, that period shall be increaacd by the time of interniptions. The total of IUch interruptions shall not exceed I bour otherwise the test shall be started again. 16.3 High Voltage Test. (at ll_ ( AeeeplaDcc and lloutloe Test ) Tcmpen-.)

OF TESTS

16.3.t The cables and corda .halI withstand out breakdown an ac voltage of 3 tV ( mtI) or a dc voltaiC of 7'2 kV applied for a perio4 of $ min for eacb test collllCClioll.

.,10-

IS 694: 1990

~~-...t.
indented or embossed on the cable, In case none of these methods can be employed, or if the purchaser so d<'Sires, colour identification thread(s) in accordance with a. scheme to be approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards shall be employed. The printing, indentation or emb01Sing shall be done on the insulation in case of unsheathed cables and on the sheath in case of sheathed cables. The distance between any two consecutive printings, indentations or embossings shall be not more than I m, 17.2 Cable Code The following code shall be used for designating the cable: COl1stituent Aluminium conductor PVC insulation , PVC sheath Earth continuity conductor Suitable for outdoor use Suitable for low temperature
NOTE - No code leU~r (s requirt:d ductor matn-ial is copper.

16.3.1.1 Single-core cables shall be immersed in water at ambient temperature one hOUT before the testing and the test voltage shall be applied between conductor and water for the specified period, 16.4 Spark Test ( Routine Test ) Spark: test may be carried out as an alternate 10 high voltage on single core unsheathed cables. The voltage shall be as specified below: Thickness of Insulation mm Up to Above Above Above Above and 1'0 1'5 2'0 2'5 including and up to and up to and up to resr Voltage kV lrms) 6 10 15 20 25

1'0 and including 1'5 and including 2'0 and including 2'5

Code Letter A~ y Y

16.5 Flammability

Test

The period of burning after removal of It.ame,.shall not exceed 60 seconds' and the, 'Ulla[ect$d ( uneharred) portion from the lower edge of the top clamp shall be at Irast SO mm. . 16.6 Additional Qlltdonr Use) Ageing TeJlt (For' Cables for

(BCC) OU
SZ
when the con~

!,11 PACKING "ND MARKING

... 18.1 The cable shall Qe either wound on drums (.ee.IS 10418: 1982) reels OT supplies in coils packed. 18.2. The cable shall carry the following tion either stencilled On the reel or drum tained in a label attached to it: informaor con-

16.6.1 Ageing of Sample

A sample, 6 m long, of the finished cable shall be suspended in a heating chamber and'exposed to a temperature of 80 2C during a 'period of 168 hOUri, Immediately after this, the sample shall be placed in a batb of boiling wa.ter for a period of 8 hours and in a water-bath at 25'C for 16 hours, This procedure shall be'repeated on 5 successive days. The ends of the <;ample shall protrude at least 200 mm above the water level. 16.6.2 Testing lind E vlI{uatioll A sample,S m long, taken ftom the. conditioned sample shall be tested for high voltage test in accordance with 16.3. The test has however, to be carried out on the finished cable and in a water bath at 603C. 16.6.2.1 The remaining conditioned be submitted to cold bend cold appropriate. 16.7 Flexing Test Under l:onsideration. SECTION 5 IDENTIFICATION. AND MARKING PACKING sample sball impact test as

a) Reference to this Indian Srandard, for example, Ref IS 694; bJ Manufacturer's name. brand name or trademark; . c) Type of cable and voltage grade; d) Number of cores; e) Nominal crosssectional area of conductor; Cable code; . ~olour of core (in case of single cor~ cables ); h) Length of cable on the reel, drum or coil; j) Number of lengths on the Teel, druin or coil ( if more than one ); k) Direction of rotarion of drum (by means of arrow); ( m~ Approximate gross mass; Country of manufacture; p) Year of manufacture; and q) The word 'suitable for outdoor use' or 'suitable for Jow temperaturc\ wherever applicable.

'-m'

17 IDE1\iTIFICATlON 17.1 Mallufacturer's Identification

The manufacturer shall be identified throughout the length of the cable by means of a tape beating Ihe manufacturers name or t!ade-mark. or by manufacturer's name or trade:mark being printed,

18.Z.1 The cable (packed coil, reel, drum or label) may also be marked with the Standard Mark.

IS 694: 1990 SECTION 4 Table 1 TABLES

CODltructlon of Conduclor ( Clause 9.1 )

SolidiStrande-d FI('xibilit~ Clas!';

~-----------~-----------Copper m~ Aluminium mrr'

Up 10 and including 6mm" .Above 6 mrnt

VI"

to

to

and induding
mm~

SolidjStranded

Class J ( Table I ) Or Class 2 ( Table 2 ) of IS 8130 : 1984 ClasS 2 ( Table 2) of IS 8130 : 1984

Stranded

Table 2
Nominal Cross stionaJ Area of Conductor

Singl.-Core PVC Insnbited (Unsheath.d) (Clauses 10.2. and 14.1 )

0..,,111 DiarDf:tfr~ ,

Cables
Ncmlaal Thickness of Insulation (Ii) mm (2) 1'4
('4

Nominal Thickness of Insulation (Ii )

Mql'
(3)
3'.2

NooI "~Cfoss.Sedlonal

0 . 11

mm'
(I) I

mm

A rc _
mmS I J)
SO

Diamuut
Max

mm
(3) 13'0 !S'O I1'S 19'0 21'0 23'S 26'S
29"5

(2)

n
2'S 4 6 10 16 2S 3S

0'7

0'7 0'8 0'8 0'8 1'0

)'0

1'2 12

3:4 4'2 4'8 5"6 1'0 8'2 10'0 U'S

0)
95 120 ISO 18S 240 300 400 SOU 630

1'6

"6
('8

2'0 2'-2 2'4 2'6

2"8

2'8

For COpper conductors only.

33"5 37'S 42'0

Table 3
NominatC...,.,. Sectional Ana of Conductor

Flexible PVC IDlulated (.Uosb.athed ) Cords (Clauses 10.2 and 14.1 )

Dimensions. ---~7----. _ _
()yuan J.,.

Nomiaal Tbieko6S or Insulation ( I, ,

Max

Single Core:
IIlnl

"Paranel

TWin

Twi~ted Twin

mm'
(I)

mm
(4 ) 2"6x 5"2 2'8xS'6
J'OX6'O

mm
(S) S'2 S'6 6'0 6'6 8'0 9'6

(3)

0" );O'7S
I

2'6 2"S )'0 3'8 4'0 4'8

I"S 2-5

3'3x6'6, 4'OX8'0 4'8x9'b

...i
Table 4
Nominal Cross-Stional - (If Conductor
Arnl

Single Core Unsheathed Flexibl. Cables ( Clulises 10.2 and 14.1 )

~ominal ThickMSS of IMutation ( Ii ) Overall Diameter ~ Max
(3)

tl,
6
III

16 2S 35 SO

6'4 8'0 9'6 U'S 13'0 IS'O

IS 694: 1990

t~;:
"0" ~~~
o

xxx

~II

ee:,

"'\D"\O~"",1lO

00000,0

., ........

(:)0 _:. . '

.,.".,..

IS 694: 1990 Table 7 Core Ideotification (Clause 11.1)

Cables Core 2 3
4 rOl'

Fixed WiriDl;t

FleIlbIe C 1Is Red. Blm. White or Grey Red and Black Red. Black and (for ECC) Yellowgreen Vellow. Blue.

Flexible Cables Red. Black. Vellow. Blue. White or Grey

Rfil. Black. Yellow. Blue. White or Grey Red and Black

Core

Cores Red. Yellow and Blue

Caul

Red. Yellow, Blue and Black

R~d. Yellow. Blue and Yellowgrecll (for ECC) Red. Grey Yellow. Bluc:~ Black and

Cpres

NOTES 1 In case of singlccore cables used for control wiri permissible as agreed to between tbe purchaser and.,t 2 The' coJour of insulation -for parallcl twin flexibl The Cores may be identified by longitudinal rib on

hgear any colour other

than

the above

shall

be

Yellow.

Blue. White

or Grey.

For th

!irne being. green colour for ECC!is al

,}(,

-~:

T~ble stJype Tests (Clqf1e 15.1 )

Test

F"'~f'I"i Ref
IS 8130~; 1984 ~. IS~I~t'i~: 1984 :, IS 8130 : 1984 IS 8130 : 1984 aDd thikil~$$'Q.f 10.13. 14 ~ I to S oflS 694

F Test M.lbad. Ref Part No. of IS 10810

a) Tests on conductor i) Annealing tcst ( for copper) ii) Tensile test (for aluminium) iii) Wrapping test (for aluminium )"" iv) Resistance test b) Test for overall dimensions insulation and sheath

c) Physical tests for iosulation and Sh~~;\,: i) Tensile strength and elongation ii) Loss of mass test iii)

a\;:'r~'a~

'" '" 'CIS S831 ~ 1984 ";;, ..IS S83) : 1984 'IS S831 : 1984 IS S831 : 1984 IS S831 : 1984 IS S831 : 1984

to
II 12 14 IS 43 45 53

Agcina in air oven IV) Shrinkage test v) Heat shock lcst vi) Hot deformation resistance )

d) Insulation

is S831 : 1984
16.2 of IS 694 16.S of IS 694

e) High voltage test (water imarlersionJcsl [) flammability test

Table. 9 Optioaal Tests (Clause 15.4)

Test a)
Il)

For Requirements. IS S831 : 1984 IS 5831 : 1984 16.6 of IS 694 16.7 orIS 694 to carry out the routine

Ref

For Test M.lIIod. Ref Part No. IS 10810 20

Cold bend test Cold impact test Additional ageing test

21

~) d)

Flexing test

NOTE - It shan be permissible sbippina lengths~

tests on manufacturing

lengths

in place

of indiYidual

IS 694: 1990

ANNEX A ( Clause 2.1 )

LIST. OF REFERRED IS ~o. Title INDIAN STANDARDS Title Specification for PVC insulation and sheatb of electric cables ( first re.ision ) Specification for conductors for insulated electric cables and lIexible cords (first revision) Specification for drums for electric cables Methods of test for cables

IS No. 5831 : 1984

1885 ( Part 32 ): Electrotechnical vocabulary: 1971 Part 32 Cables, conductors and accessories for electricity supply 3035 (Part 1965 for thermoplastic I ) : Specification insulated weatherproof ca!>les: Part I PVC insulated and FVC sheathed Methocls for random sampli~g

8130:

1984

10418: 1982

4905 : 196~

_",NNEX B ( C.{D#:;~J 5.2.1

SAMPLING OF CABUS
8-1 LOT B-I.l h any consignment the cables of the s~me sizc and type manufactured under essentIally similar conditions of production sbaJI,be grouped together to constitute a lot. B-2 SCALE OF SAMPLING . B-2.1 Samples shall be laken and iWstedJrom each lot for ascertaining the conformity ..of the lot to the requirements of the specification. B-2.% The number of samples to be selected shall depend on col I and 2,of the following table. These samples shall be tak.e.n at random. NlUIlber 0/ Drums/ Coils/Reels in the Lot Number 6/ Drums/Cdils/ Reels to bee. Takmas' Sample
(n)

B-2.2.1 'In order to ensure the randomness of selection, prcedure given in IS 4905 : 1968 may be followed.

FOR, cONFORMITY

B-3 NUMBER

OF TESTS

AND

CRITERION

Permissible Numbu of Defectives (a)

(N

Up to 2S
26 to SO SI to 100 101 to 300 301 and above

>.

3 5 8 13 20

o o o

8-3.1 .From each of the drum/coils/reels selected accordIng to col I and 2 of the above table, suitable.J~ngths of test samples shall be taken. Thesc,testsamples shall be subjected to each of Ihe a~ptance tests. f> test sample is called defective'jf it fails in anyone of the acceptance tests. "'If the number of defectives is less than' or .equal to the corresponding permissible number given;n col 3 of the above table, the lot shall be declared as conforming to !be requirements of the acCeptance tests; otherwise not.

I I