ASTM D2308-07(2020)e1
(Specification)Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyethylene Jacket for Electrical Wire and Cable
Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyethylene Jacket for Electrical Wire and Cable
ABSTRACT
This specification covers a thermoplastic jacketing compound substantially consisting of pigmented polyethylene for use in electrical wires and cables with specified nominal thicknesses and operating at specified voltages. Since the jacket material cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable, tests shall then be done on jacketed wires and cables solely to determine the relevant property of the jacket material and not to test the jacketed conductor or completed cable. Materials shall be suitably sampled and tested, and shall conform accordingly to the following physical and electrical properties: unaged tensile strength and elongation at rupture; tensile strength and elongation at rupture after air oven aging; absorption coefficient; heat distortion; environmental stress-cracking; surface resistivity; and U-bend discharge.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a thermoplastic jacketing compound for 2 to 35 kV wire and cable, of at least 0.030 in. (0.76 mm) nominal thickness, consisting substantially of pigmented polyethylene.
1.2 In many instances the jacket material cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable. Therefore, tests done on jacketed wire and cable in this specification are solely to determine the relevant property of the jacket material and not to test the jacketed conductor or completed cable.
1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 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.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Jul-2020
- Technical Committee
- D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
- Drafting Committee
- D09.07 - Electrical Insulating Materials
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2024
- Effective Date
- 15-Nov-2016
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Aug-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2007
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2007
Overview
ASTM D2308-07(2020)e1 is the international standard specification governing the use of thermoplastic polyethylene jacketing compounds for electrical wire and cable. Published by ASTM International, this specification applies to polyethylene jackets that are pigmented and used for electrical wires and cables with voltages from 2 to 35 kV and a minimum nominal thickness of 0.030 in. (0.76 mm). The standard ensures that the polyethylene material provides essential protection, electrical insulation, and durability for electrical wires and cables operating in varied environmental conditions.
Compliance with ASTM D2308 supports product consistency, safety, and interoperability in manufacturing and construction industries where electrical wiring reliability is critical. This standard was developed in line with internationally recognized standardization principles established by the WTO TBT Committee.
Key Topics
ASTM D2308 addresses several important areas for thermoplastic polyethylene jackets on electrical wire and cable:
- Material Composition: Focuses on pigmented polyethylene that meets or exceeds the defined requirements for physical and electrical protection.
- Physical Properties:
- Tensile strength and elongation before and after air oven aging
- Heat distortion performance under specified conditions
- Resistance to environmental stress-cracking, assessed via standardized tests
- Electrical Properties:
- Minimum surface resistivity to ensure electrical insulation
- U-bend discharge resistance at designated voltages
- Testing Procedures:
- All testing is performed on jacketed wires or cables to assess jacket material properties (not the conductor or finished cable assembly).
- Sampling and testing methods align with referenced ASTM methods for consistency and accuracy.
- International Consideration:
- Specifies dual units (imperial and metric) with the primary values defined by the standard’s designated system.
- Developed in accordance with global standards development principles for wide acceptance and applicability.
Applications
The standard is crucial in applications where electrical wires and cables need robust external protection and stable dielectric properties, including:
- Power Transmission and Distribution: Ensures cables can operate reliably at voltages from 2 to 35 kV, in both indoor and outdoor installations.
- Industrial Electrical Installations: Used in areas subject to mechanical stress, sunlight, and diverse environmental conditions, where polyethylene jackets provide long-term protection.
- Utility and Telecommunications Cabling: Supports manufacturing of cables for harsh environments, ensuring durability and electrical safety.
- Infrastructure Projects: Widely referenced in building construction and infrastructure sectors where standardized wire and cable jacketing ensures safety and regulatory compliance.
Using wire and cable products compliant with ASTM D2308 provides assurance of reliable performance, longevity, and suitability for demanding electrical applications.
Related Standards
ASTM D2308 references several associated ASTM standards that guide testing and material specification for polyethylene insulation and jacketing:
- ASTM D1248 - Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
- ASTM D1693 - Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of Ethylene Plastics
- ASTM D1711 - Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
- ASTM D2633 - Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and Jackets for Wire and Cable
- ASTM D3349 - Test Method for Absorption Coefficient of Ethylene Polymer Material Pigmented with Carbon Black
These related standards ensure consistent methods for verifying physical and electrical properties, supporting manufacturers and end-users in selecting materials that meet rigorous safety and performance requirements.
Summary
Compliance with ASTM D2308-07(2020)e1 assures that thermoplastic polyethylene jackets for electrical wire and cable meet industry-recognized benchmarks for mechanical strength, environmental resistance, and electrical insulation. Adhering to this standard helps manufacturers, installers, and inspectors maintain product safety, quality, and reliability in diverse electrical installations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D2308-07(2020)e1 is a technical specification published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyethylene Jacket for Electrical Wire and Cable". This standard covers: ABSTRACT This specification covers a thermoplastic jacketing compound substantially consisting of pigmented polyethylene for use in electrical wires and cables with specified nominal thicknesses and operating at specified voltages. Since the jacket material cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable, tests shall then be done on jacketed wires and cables solely to determine the relevant property of the jacket material and not to test the jacketed conductor or completed cable. Materials shall be suitably sampled and tested, and shall conform accordingly to the following physical and electrical properties: unaged tensile strength and elongation at rupture; tensile strength and elongation at rupture after air oven aging; absorption coefficient; heat distortion; environmental stress-cracking; surface resistivity; and U-bend discharge. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers a thermoplastic jacketing compound for 2 to 35 kV wire and cable, of at least 0.030 in. (0.76 mm) nominal thickness, consisting substantially of pigmented polyethylene. 1.2 In many instances the jacket material cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable. Therefore, tests done on jacketed wire and cable in this specification are solely to determine the relevant property of the jacket material and not to test the jacketed conductor or completed cable. 1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in parentheses are for information only. 1.4 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.
ABSTRACT This specification covers a thermoplastic jacketing compound substantially consisting of pigmented polyethylene for use in electrical wires and cables with specified nominal thicknesses and operating at specified voltages. Since the jacket material cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable, tests shall then be done on jacketed wires and cables solely to determine the relevant property of the jacket material and not to test the jacketed conductor or completed cable. Materials shall be suitably sampled and tested, and shall conform accordingly to the following physical and electrical properties: unaged tensile strength and elongation at rupture; tensile strength and elongation at rupture after air oven aging; absorption coefficient; heat distortion; environmental stress-cracking; surface resistivity; and U-bend discharge. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers a thermoplastic jacketing compound for 2 to 35 kV wire and cable, of at least 0.030 in. (0.76 mm) nominal thickness, consisting substantially of pigmented polyethylene. 1.2 In many instances the jacket material cannot be tested unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable. Therefore, tests done on jacketed wire and cable in this specification are solely to determine the relevant property of the jacket material and not to test the jacketed conductor or completed cable. 1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in parentheses are for information only. 1.4 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.
ASTM D2308-07(2020)e1 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D2308-07(2020)e1 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D1711-24, ASTM D1248-16, ASTM D1711-15, ASTM D1711-14a, ASTM D1711-14, ASTM D1711-13, ASTM D1693-13, ASTM D1693-12, ASTM D1248-12, ASTM D3349-12, ASTM D1711-11a, ASTM D1711-08, ASTM D1693-08, ASTM D1693-07a, ASTM D1693-07. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D2308-07(2020)e1 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
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.
´1
Designation:D2308 −07 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Thermoplastic Polyethylene Jacket for Electrical Wire and
Cable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2308; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ε NOTE—Editorially corrected Table 2 October 2020.
1. Scope D3349Test Method for Absorption Coefficient of Ethylene
Polymer Material Pigmented with Carbon Black
1.1 Thisspecificationcoversathermoplasticjacketingcom-
pound for 2 to 35 kVwire and cable, of at least 0.030 in. (0.76
3. Terminology
mm) nominal thickness, consisting substantially of pigmented
polyethylene. 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Refer to Terminology D1711 for definitions of terms
1.2 In many instances the jacket material cannot be tested
used in this specification.
unless it has been formed around a conductor or cable.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Therefore, tests done on jacketed wire and cable in this
3.2.1 aging, (act of), n—exposure of materials to air at 100
specification are solely to determine the relevant property of
the jacket material and not to test the jacketed conductor or °C for either 24 or 48 h.
completed cable.
4. Physical Properties
1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different
units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in
4.1 The polyethylene before application to the wire or cable
parentheses are for information only.
shall comply with the requirements for Type I, Class C,
Category 4 or 5, Grade E5 or J3 of Specification D1248,or
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Class B with equivalent weathering requirements to Class C
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
materials. The requirements of Specification D1248 shall not
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
apply to the jacket removed from the wire or cable. The
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
compound is suitable for exposure to sunlight and other
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
atmospheric environments at temperatures between −55
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and+75 °C, and a minimum installation temperature of−40
2. Referenced Documents
°C.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 Specimensremovedfromthewireorcableandtestedat
D1248Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion
20to28°C(68to82°F)shallconformtotherequirementsfor
Materials for Wire and Cable
physical properties specified in Table 1. Alternatively, the
D1693Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of
jacket shall be air-oven aged without removal from the
Ethylene Plastics
conductor.
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
4.3 Environmental Stress-Cracking Test—The jacket shall
D2633Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and
conform to the requirements for Grade E5 as specified in
Jackets for Wire and Cable
Table3 of Specification D1248.
4.4 Absorption Coeffıcient—See Test Method D3349. In-
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
stead of testing the jacket removed from the conductors, a
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials. certification by the polyethylene compound manufacturer that
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
this requirement has been complied with shall suffice.
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D2308 – 07 (2013).
DOI: 10.1520/D2308-20E02.
2 5. Electrical Properties
For referenced ASTM standards, vi
...
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