What Standards and Test Reports Can Cable Buyers Request?

Which standards does a cable order need to reference?

A cable may reference a construction standard plus separate test standards for conductor resistance, flame propagation, and smoke or halogen gases. The construction standard depends on the voltage class and the product. IEC 60502-1 is commonly used for certain extruded power cables, such as 0.6/1 kV cables. For medium voltage, IEC 60502-2 covers extruded-insulation cables from 6 kV (Um 7.2 kV) to 30 kV (Um 36 kV), and IEC 60840 covers the range above 30 kV up to 150 kV (Um 170 kV). Other cable families use different standards, so the standard for the product being bought should be named in the quotation rather than assumed.

Conductor construction and resistance are covered by IEC 60228. As an example, the standard gives a maximum DC resistance at 20 °C of 7.41 Ω/km for a 2.5 mm² plain copper class 1 or class 2 conductor. Tinned conductors have slightly higher limits, so the conductor type in the offer should match the limit being checked.

What do routine, sample and type tests each prove?

Routine tests are performed on manufactured lengths as the applicable standard requires. Sample tests examine selected production samples or check dimensions. Type tests demonstrate that a cable design can meet the specified performance requirements. Typical routine checks include conductor resistance and voltage testing, while sample checks often cover dimensional verification.

For 0.6/1 kV cables, datasheets commonly list a routine voltage test of 3.5 kV AC for 5 minutes, based on the IEC 60502-1 routine test. For medium-voltage cables, a routine partial-discharge limit commonly cited for IEC 60502-2 cables is no discharge above 10 pC at 1.73 U0. The medium-voltage routine AC withstand test voltage and duration depend on the cable and the standard edition, so take those values from the manufacturer's datasheet.

Check the sample description and the test date on every report, not only the result page.

What should a document review cover?

Before accepting any report, check the following details against the offer. Each item shows whether the report describes the cable being bought.

• Manufacturer and production site
• Cable designation and tested construction
• Standard edition and test clauses
• Sample identification and test date
• Result and acceptance criteria
• Laboratory or certification body status

Test scope is set by the standard and the project, so a complete review also confirms which tests were required and which were actually performed. For the wider inspection plan, see factory testing and inspection.

How do I check whether a report applies to my order?

Match the report's manufacturer, factory, cable construction, voltage, size range, material and standard edition to the product offered. A genuine report for a different construction may still be irrelevant to the purchase. Three habits help avoid this mistake:

• Read the sample description, not only the result page.
• Check the test date and the identity of the laboratory.
• Keep approved documents with the purchase record.

Does a management-system certificate cover my cable?

No. A management-system certificate shows that the manufacturer's quality system has been certified. It does not certify an individual cable product, so the routine test report and the relevant type-test evidence are still needed for the cable being ordered.

Which fire tests are worth requesting?

Fire performance is covered by several separate standards, and the required values depend on the project. IEC 60332-1-2 is a flame test on a single vertical cable. IEC 60754-1 measures halogen acid gas, where 0.5 % or less is a commonly used LSZH acceptance value. IEC 61034-2 sets a minimum light transmittance of 60 %, which is commonly used to classify low smoke, and some sectors, such as rolling stock, require higher values. Ask the supplier which of these tests the offered construction has been subjected to, and for what results.

Frequently asked questions