Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(Reaffirmed 2005)
Edition 3.1
(1994-05)
B U R E A U O F I N D I A N S T A N D A R D S
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
Price Group 4
BIS 2007
Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR PVC INSULATED
(HEAVY DUTY) ELECTRIC CABLES
PART 2 FOR WORKING VOLTAGES FROM 3.3 kV UP TO AND INCLUDING 11 kV
( Second Revision )
(Incorporating Amendment No. 1)
UDC 621.315.211 : 621.315.616.96
IS : 1554 (Part 2) - 1988
1
Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR PVC INSULATED
(HEAVY DUTY) ELECTRIC CABLES
PART 2 FOR WORKING VOLTAGES FROM 3.3 kV UP TO AND INCLUDING 11 kV
( Second Revision )
0. F O R E W O R D
0.1 This Indian Standard (Second Revision)
was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards
on 25 July 1988, after the draft finalized by the
Power Cables Sectional Committee had been
approved by the Electrotechnical Division
Council.
0.2 The experience has shown that it is possible
to use PVC insulated cables for the voltage
grades covered by this standard, in place of
paper-insulated lead-sheathed cables.
0.3 This standard was first brought out in 1970
and revised in 1981. The second revision of the
standard has been undertaken to take into
account experience gained since last revision.
Opportunity has also been utilized to align the
format of this specification with other specifica-
tions on different types of cables.
0.4 Particular attention is drawn to the limita-
tions of the short-circuit ratings of the type of
cable covered by this standard owing to the
absence of the metallic sheath and the possible
loss of electrical contact between stands of
adjacent wires/strips of armouring as a result of
corrosion or the presence of compound between
them or both.
A separate standard about recommended
short-circuit ratings of these types of cables is
under preparation.
0.5 Attention is also drawn to the fact that the
current ratings of the type of cable covered by
this standard are different from those of the
paper-insulated metal-sheathed cables. This
standard does not include any data on the
current ratings but information on this aspect
will be covered later in a separate Indian
Standard.
Meanwhile, users are advised to consult the
manufacturers for information on this aspect.
0.6 The correct type of cables should be selected
for the system keeping in view whether the
system is earthed or unearthed.
NOTE It should be realized that in an electric system
where an earth fault is not automatically and promptly
eliminated, the extra stresses on the insulation of the
cables during the earth fault reduce the life of the cable
to a certain extent. Therefore, if the system is expected
to be operated quite often with a prolonged earth-fault,
it is advisable to select the cables suitable for unearthed
system.
0.7 A special category of cables with improved
fire performance has been included in this
standard. Classification of such cables is given
in Appendix A.
0.8 In preparing this standard, assistance has
been derived from IEC Publication 502 (1983)
Extruded solid dielectric insulated power
cables for rated voltages from 1 kV up to 30 kV,
issued by the International Electrotechnical
Commission.
0.9 This edition 3.1 incorporates Amendment
No. 1 (May 1994). Side bar indicates
modification of the text as the result of
incorporation of the amendment.
0.10 For the purpose of deciding whether a
particular requirement of this standard is com-
plied with, the final value, observed or
calculated, expressing the result of a test, shall
be rounded off in accordance with IS : 2-1960*.
The number of significant places retained in
the rounded off values should be the same as
that of the specified value in this standard.
SECTION 1 GENERAL
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard (Part 2) covers the require-
ments of the following categories of PVC
insulated and PVC sheathed power cables for
electricity supply purposes:
*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).
a) Types of Cables
1) Single-core unscreened, unarmoured
(but non-magnetic metallic tape
covered);
IS : 1554 (Part 2) - 1988
2
NOTE The cables conforming to this standard may be
operated continuously at a power frequency voltage up
to 10 percent higher than rated voltage.
1.2 The cables covered in this standard are
used where combination of ambient
temperature and temperature rise due to load
results in conductor temperature not exceeding
70C under normal operation and 160C under
short-circuit conditions.
1.3 Heavy duty armoured cables specified in
this standard are suitable for use in mines also.
However, for such cables, additional require-
ments have been included, wherever necessary
[ see 3.1.1, 16.5, 18.3(d) and 20.2 ].
1.4 This standard also covers cables with
improved fire performance, categories C1 and C2,
as given in Appendix A. For such cables additional
requirements have been included wherever
necessary ( see 8.2, 18.1.3, 18.2.2 and 20.2.1 ).
NOTE Normal cables to this standard can be
classified as meeting there requirements of category 01.
2. TERMINOLOGY
2.0 For the purpose of this standard, the follow-
ing definitions, in addition to those given in
IS : 1885 (Part 32)-1971*, shall apply.
2.1 Routine Tests Tests made by the
manufacturer on all finished cable lengths to
demonstrate the integrity of the cable.
2.2 Type Tests Tests required to be made
before supply on a general commercial basis a
type of cable in order to demonstrate satisfactory
performance characteristics to meet the
intended application.
NOTE These tests are of such a nature that, after they
have been made, they need not be repeated unless
changes are made in the cable materials or design which
might change the performance characteristic.
2.3 Acceptance Tests Tests carried out on
samples taken from a lot for the purpose of
acceptance of the lot.
2.4 Optional Tests Special tests to be
carried out, when required, by agreement
between the purchaser and the supplier.
2.5 Earthed SystemAn electric system
which fulfils any of the following conditions:
2.6 Unearthed SystemAn electric system
which does not fulfil the requirement of the
earthed system ( see 2.5 ).
SECTION 2 MATERIALS
3. CONDUCTOR
3.1 The conductor shall be of plain copper or
aluminium wires complying with
IS : 8130-1984*.
3.1.1 Cables to be used in gassy mines shall be
of copper conductor only.
4. INSULATION
4.1 The insulation shall be of polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) compound conforming to the require-
ments of Type A compound for cables with
rated voltages up to and including 3.3/3.3 kV
and Type B compound for cables with rated
voltages above 3.3/3.3 kV of IS : 5831-1984.
5. SCREENING
5.1 The screening shall consist of one or more of
the following, as specified:
NOTE The semi-conducting tape and semi-conducting
compound shall be suitable for the operating temperature
of the cable and compatible with the insulating material.
5.1.1 Non-magnetic Metallic Tape for Single-
Core Unscreened and Unarmoured Cables
Requirements for this tape shall be as agreed to
between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
6. FILLERS AND INNER SHEATH
6.1 The fillers and inner sheath shall be of the
2) Single-core screened, unarmoured;
3) Single-core armoured (non-magnetic),
screened or unscreened; and
4) Three-core armoured, screened or
unscreened.
b) Voltage Grade ( U
0
/U )
*Electrotechnical vocabulary: Part 32 Cables, con-
ductors and accessories for electricity supply.
a) The neutral-point or the mid-point
connection is earthed in such a manner
that, even under fault conditions, the
maximum voltage that can occur between
any conductor and the earth does not
exceed 80 percent of the nominal system
voltage;
b) The neutral-point or the mid-point
connection is not earthed but a protective
device is installed which automatically
cuts out any part of the system which
accidentally becomes earthed; or
c) In case of ac systems only, the neutral
point is earthed through an arc
suppression coil with arrangement for
isolation within 1 h of occurrence of the
fault for the non-radial field cables and
within 8 h for radial cables, provided that
the total of such periods in a year does
not exceed 125 h.
*Specification for conductors for insulated electric
cables and flexible cords ( first revision ).
Specification for PVC insulation and sheath of electric
cables ( first revision ).
a) Non-metallic semi-conducting tape;
b) Non-metallic semi-conducting compound;
and
c) Non-magnetic metallic tape wire, strip or
sheath.
IS : 1554 (Part 2) - 1988
3
following types:
6.2 Unvulcanized rubber or thermoplastic
material shall not be harder than PVC used for
insulation (4.1) and for outer sheath (8.1). The
materials shall be chosen to be compatible with
the temperature rating of the cable and shall
have no deleterious effect on any other
component of the cable.
7. ARMOURING
7.1 Armouring shall be of the following types:
7.2 The galvanized steel wire/formed wires/
tapes shall comply with the requirements of
IS 3975 : 1988, except that the provisions of 3.3.1
and 3.3.2 shall not apply. The requirements of
non-magnetic material shall be as agreed to
between the purchaser and the supplier.
8. OUTER SHEATH
8.1 The outer sheath shall be of polyvinyl chlo-
ride (PVC) compound conforming to the
requirements of Type ST1 compound of
IS : 5831-1984*.
8.2 For cables with improved fire performance,
the outer sheath shall, in addition, meet the
requirement of tests applicable for the required
category (18.1.3 and 18.2.2).
SECTION 3 CONSTRUCTION
9. CONDUCTOR
9.1 The conductor shall be of stranded
construction, size 25 mm
2
and above complying
with Class 2 of IS : 8130-1984*.
9.2 In case of 3.3 and 6.6 kV cables, a protective
barrier may be applied between the conductor
and insulation. Such barrier, when used, shall be
compatible with insulating material and suitable
for the operating temperature of the cable.
10. CONDUCTOR SCREENING
10.1 Cables rated for 6.35/11 kV shall be
provided with conductor screening. Conductor
screening shall be provided over the conductor
by applying non-metallic semi-conducting tape
or by extrusion of semi-conducting compound or
a combination of the two.
11. INSULATION
11.1 The conductor (with protective barrier or
screen, where applied) shall be provided with
PVC insulation applied by extrusion.
11.2 Thickness of Insulation The average
thickness of insulation shall not be less than
the nominal value ( t
1
) specified in Table 1.
11.3 Tolerance on Thickness of Insulation
The smallest of the measured values of the
thickness of insulation shall not fall below the
nominal values ( t
1
) specified in Table 1 by
more than 0.1 mm + 0.1 t
1
.
11.4 Application of Insulation The
insulation shall be so applied that it fits closely
on the conductor (or conductor screening or
barrier, if any) and it shall be possible to
remove it without damaging the conductor.
12. INSULATION SCREENING
12.1 Cables rated for 6.35/11 kV shall be
provided with insulation screening.
12.2 The insulation screening shall consist of
two parts, namely, metallic and non-metallic.
12.3 Non-metallic part shall be applied directly
over the insulation of each core and shall
consist of either a semi-conducting tape or
extruded semi-conducting compound or a
combination of the two or either material with
a semi-conducting coating.
12.4 Metallic part shall consist of either tape or
braid or concentric serving of wires or a sheath,
shall be non-magnetic and shall be applied over
the non-metallic part. For single-core armoured
cables, the armouring may constitute the
metallic part of the screening.
a) Unvulcanized rubber, or
b) Thermoplastic material, or
c) Proofed tapes (for inner sheath only).
a) Galvanized round steel wire, or
b) Galvanized steel formed wires, or
c) Any metallic non-magnetic wire/strip.
*Specification for PVC insulation and sheath of electric
cables ( first revision ).
*Specification for conductors for insulated electric
cables and flexible cords ( first revision ).
TABLE 1 THICKNESS OF INSULATION
( Clauses 11.2 and 11.3 )
NOMINAL THICKNESS OF INSULATION ( t
1
)
AREA OF
CONDUC- 1.9/3.3 and 3.8/6.6 kV 6.35/11 kV
TOR 3.3/3.3 kV
Single- Single- Single- Single- Single
core core core core core
armour- un- armour- un- and 3-
ed cable armour-
ed and
3-core
cables
ed
cables
armour-
ed and
3-core
cables
core
cables
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
mm
2
mm mm mm mm mm
25
35
50
70
95
120
150
185
240
300
400
500
630
800
1 000
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.8
3.1
3.4
3.9
3.9
3.9
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.5
2.7
3.0
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.1
4.1
4.1
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2