ASTM B263/B263M-14(2020)

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.
Designation: B263/B263M − 14 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded
Conductors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B263/B263M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.1.1 lot, n—a lot is any amount of stranded conductor of
one type and size presented for acceptance at one time.
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
3.1.2 sample, n—a sample is a quantity of production units
the cross-sectional area of stranded conductors by the mass
(reels, spools, coils, and so forth) selected at random from the
method.
lot for the purpose of determining conformance of the lot to the
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound or SI units are to be
requirements of this test method.
regarded separately as the standard. The values in each system
3.1.3 specimen, n—a specimen is a length of stranded
are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
conductor removed for test purposes from any individual
independently of the other. Combining values from the two
production unit of the sample.
systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Apparatus
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Balance, for measurement of mass, accurate to 0.1 %.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.2 Steel Scale, for measurement of length, with smallest
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
divisions not greater than ⁄32 in. [1 mm].
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.3 Jig, or equivalent equipment, for cutting the conductor
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
to length and at right angles to its axis.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Sampling
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.1 Samples shall be taken from the outer end of reel or
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
spool lengths, or from either end of coiled lengths.
2. Referenced Documents
5.2 Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser at the time
of placing the order, a sample shall consist of the number of
2.1 The following documents form a part of this test method
production units (reels or coils) shown in Table 1 or in
to the extent referenced herein.
accordance with Specification B830.
2.2 ASTM Standards:
B830 Specification for Uniform Test Methods and Fre-
6. Test Specimens
quency
6.1 The length of test specimens shall be as follows:
Nominal Size of Test Specimen, Length of Test Specimen min,
3. Terminology
cmil [mm ] ft [mm]
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Up to 17 000 [9], incl 4 [1220]
Over 17 000 [9] 2 [610]
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on
7. Procedure
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.02 on
Methods of Test and Sampling Procedure.
7.1 Cut the test specimen, making sure that the ends are at
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2020. Published January 2020. Originally
the right angles to the axis of the conductor.
approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as B263/B263M – 14.
DOI: 10.1520/B0263_B0263M-14R20.
7.2 Measure the length of the specimen at room temperature
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
(see Note) to the nearest ⁄32 in. [1 mm], and measure the mass
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
to within 60.1 %, converting to pounds [grams] if weighed in
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. other units.
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B263/B263M − 14 (2020)
TABLE 1 Number of Production Units Required per Sample
L = length of test specimen, ft [mm],
Number of Production Units in
f = mass factor, in lb/cmil·1000 ft [g/cm ], (Table 2), and
Sample
k = increment (increase) in mass and electrical resistance
For first For each additional
Nominal Conductor Size,
of the conducting material (from product
100 000 ft 100 000 ft
cmil [mm ]
A A
specifications), %.
[30 000 m] [30 000 m]
or or
fraction thereof fraction thereof 8.3 Calculate the cross-sectional area (expressed as the
Up to 83 690 [50] incl 1 1
hard-drawn copper equivalent) of composite copper and
B
Over 83 690 to 211 600 [50 to 110], incl 2 1
copper-c
...