IEC 60811-403:2012

IEC 60811-403 ®
Edition 1.0 2012-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –
Part 403: Miscellaneous tests – Ozone resistance test on cross-linked
compounds
Câbles électriques et à fibres optiques – Méthodes d’essai pour les matériaux
non-métalliques –
Partie 403: Essais divers – Essai de résistance à l'ozone sur les mélanges
réticulés
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IEC 60811-403 ®
Edition 1.0 2012-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –

Part 403: Miscellaneous tests – Ozone resistance test on cross-linked

compounds
Câbles électriques et à fibres optiques – Méthodes d’essai pour les matériaux

non-métalliques –
Partie 403: Essais divers – Essai de résistance à l'ozone sur les mélanges

réticulés
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX M
ICS 29.035.01; 29.060.20 ISBN 978-2-88912-963-8

– 2 – 60811-403  IEC:2012
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Test method . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Apparatus . 6
4.3 Pre-conditioning of the samples . 7
4.4 Sampling and preparation of test pieces . 7
4.4.1 Sampling of insulation . 7
4.4.2 Sampling of sheath . 7
4.4.3 Preparation of test pieces from insulation . 7
4.4.4 Preparation of test pieces from sheath . 7
4.5 Conditioning and deformation procedure of test pieces . 7
4.5.1 Test pieces of insulation . 7
4.5.2 Test pieces of sheath . 8
4.6 Exposure to ozone . 8
4.7 Evaluation of results . 9
4.8 Determination of ozone concentration . 9
4.8.1 Chemical analysis. 9
4.8.2 Direct measurement with an ozone meter . 10
5 Test report. 11
Bibliography . 12

Table 1 – Mandrel diameters. 8

60811-403  IEC:2012 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
ELECTRIC AND OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
TEST METHODS FOR NON-METALLIC MATERIALS –

Part 403: Miscellaneous tests –
Ozone resistance test on cross-linked compounds

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60811-403 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 20:
Electric cables.
This Part 403 of IEC 60811 cancels and replaces Clause 8 of IEC 60811-2-1:1998, which is
withdrawn. Full details of the replacements are shown in Annex A of IEC 60811-100:2012.
There are no specific technical changes with respect to the previous edition, but see the
Foreword to IEC 60811-100:2012.

– 4 – 60811-403  IEC:2012
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
20/1287/FDIS 20/1336/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
This part of IEC 60811 shall be used in conjunction with IEC 60811-100.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60811 series, published under the general title Electric and
optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials, can be found on the IEC
website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
60811-403  IEC:2012 – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
The IEC 60811 series specifies the test methods to be used for testing non-metallic materials
of all types of cables. These test methods are intended to be referenced in standards for
cable construction and for cable materials.
NOTE 1 Non-metallic materials are typically used for insulating, sheathing, bedding, filling or taping within cables.
NOTE 2 These test methods are accepted as basic and fundamental and have been developed and used over
many years principally for the materials in all energy cables. They have also been widely accepted and used for
other cables, in particular optical fibre cables, communication and control cables and cables for ships and offshore
applications.
– 6 – 60811-403  IEC:2012
ELECTRIC AND OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
TEST METHODS FOR NON-METALLIC MATERIALS –

Part 403: Miscellaneous tests –
Ozone resistance test on cross-linked compounds

1 Scope
This Part 403 of IEC 60811 specifies the method for the ozone resistance test, which typically
applies to cross-linked compounds.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60811-100:2012, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic
materials – Part 100: General
IEC 60811-501, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –
Part 501: Mechanical tests – Tests for determining the mechanical properties of insulation and

sheathing compounds
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60811-100 apply.
4 Test method
4.1 General
This part of IEC 60811 shall be used in conjunction with IEC 60811-100.
WARNING Attention is drawn to the toxicity of ozone. Precautions should be taken to minimize exposure of
personnel to it at all times and the concentration in the workroom environment should not be allowed to exceed
-5
1×10 % by volume, or the value in the current industrial hygienic standard, whichever is the lower.
Unless otherwise specified, tests shall be carried out at room temperature.
4.2 Apparatus
The following apparatus shall be used:
a) a device for generating a controlled amount of ozone;
b) a means for circulating ozonized air under controlled conditions of humidity and
temperature through a chamber containing the test pieces to be tested;
c) a means for determination of ozone concentration;
d) a suitable device for the clamping and elongation of test pieces;
e) cylindrical mandrels consisting of wood or metal;

60811-403  IEC:2012 – 7 –
f) a desiccator filled with silica gel or equivalent material;
g) an accurate laboratory balance reading to 0,1 mg.
4.3 Pre-conditioning of the samples
All the tests shall be carried out not less than 16 h after the extrusion or cross-linking, if any,
of the insulating or sheathing compounds.
If the test is carried out at ambient temperature, the test pieces shall be kept for at least 3 h
at a temperature of (23 ± 5) °C.
4.4 Sampling and preparation of test pieces
4.4.1 Sampling of insulation
Whether the cable is single or multicore, only one core needs to be tested. Sufficient length of
core shall be cut from a position not less than 1,5 m from the end of the length of cable to
provide two test pieces, unless the core has an extruded semi-conductor layer on the outside,
in which case sufficient length for four test pieces shall be taken.
Any sample that shows signs of mechanical damage shall not be used for the tests.
4.4.2 Sampling of sheath
One sample of the cable or cord to be tested, or of the sheath removed from the cable, shall
be taken of sufficient size to provide a minimum of two test pieces.
Any sample that shows signs of mechanical damage shall not be used for the tests.
4.4.3 Preparation of test pieces from insulation
Any protective coverings present on the core shall be removed without damaging the
insulation, unless they were applied directly to the insulation prior to vulcanization and are
adherent to it.
If the core has a semi-conducting layer in the form of tape on the outside, this shall be
removed.
If the core has an extruded semi-conducting screen on the outside, this shall be removed from
two test pieces and left in position on the other two.
4.4.4 Preparation of test pieces from sheath
Two dumb-bell test pieces shall be prepared in accordance with IEC 60811-501. The
minimum test piece thickness shall be 0,6 mm.
In the case of cables of such small size that it is not possible to prepare dumb-bell test
pieces, the test method used shall be that specified for insulation.
4.5 Conditioning and deformation procedure of test pieces
4.5.1 Test pieces of insulation
If the core does not have an extruded semi-conducting screen, one test piece shall be bent in
the direction and plane of its existing curvature, without twisting, for one complete turn around
a mandrel, and bound with twine or tape where the ends cross, and a second test piece of the
same core shall be bent similarly in the plane of its existing curvature but in the opposite
direction.
– 8 – 60811-403  IEC:2012
If the core as manufactured has an extruded core screen on the outside, two test pieces, one
with the semi-conducting layer removed and one with the semi-conducting layer left in
position, shall be bent, as above, in each direction.
The bending shall be carried out at temperature 20 °C to 28 °C using a brass, aluminium or
suitably treated wooden mandrel with a diameter according to Table 1.
Table 1 – Mandrel diameters
Outside diameter of Mandrel diameter
insulated core d (as a multiple of the outside
diameter of insulated core)
mm
d ≤12,5  4 ±0,1
12,5 20 30 8 ±0,1
45 If the test piece is too rigid to permit the ends to be crossed, it shall be bent and tied so that
at least 180° bend round a mandrel of the specified diameter is obtained.
The surface of each test piece shall be wiped with a clean cloth to remove dirt or moisture.
The bent test pieces on their mandrels shall be kept in air at ambient temperature without any
further treatment for 30 min to 45 min before being tested.
4.5.2 Test pieces of sheath
The surface of each test piece shall be wiped with a clean cloth to remove dirt or moisture.
The test piece shall then be stored in the desiccator for at least 16 h at (23 ± 5) °C.
Clamp both ends of the test piece in the clamping device, and elongate it by (33 ± 2) % and
keep the test piece elongated in the clamping device.
NOTE To avoid possible ozone cracks near the clamps, the test pieces may be covered locally by a suitable
ozone resistance lacquer.
4.6 Exposure to ozone
The conditioned test pieces prepared as in 4.4 shall be placed in the middle of the test
chamber fitted with a test cock; the test pieces shall be at least 20 mm from each other.
The test pieces shall be maintained at a temperature of (25 ± 2) °C, unless otherwise
specified in the cable standard, and exposed to a circulating current of dry air with the
required ozone concentration.
The ozone concentration and the exposure time shall be as specified in the relevant cable
standard.
The ozone concentration shall be measured inside of the test chamber in accordance with
4.8.
The air with the required ozone concentration shall have a flow rate of between 280 l/h and
560 l/h, and the air pressure shall be maintained slightly above atmospheric pressure.

60811-403  IEC:2012 – 9 –
4.7 Evaluation of results
After the specified test duration, the test pieces shall be removed from the test chamber and
examined with normal or corrected vision without magnification.
The insulation in the 180° section of the bent portion furthest from the tie shall be free from
cracks.
The surfaces of the central narrow portions of the dumb-bell test pieces shall be free from
cracks.
Any cracks near the clamps shall be disregarded.
4.8 Determination of ozone concentration
4.8.1 Chemical analysis
4.8.1.1 Reagents
The reagents shall be of a recognized analytical reagent quality.
Distilled water shall be used throughout the test.
a) Starch indicator solution: 1 g of soluble starch shall be stirred into 40 ml of cold water and
heated to boiling point with constant stirring until the starch is completely dissolved. This
dissolution shall be diluted with cold water to about 200 ml and 2 g of crystallized zinc
chloride added. The solution shall be allowed to settle and the supernatant liquid poured
off for use. If being used repeatedly, the solution shall be renewed every two or three
days.
Alternatively, a fresh solution of 1 g of soluble starch in 100 ml of boiling water may be
prepared.
When either of these starch solutions is used as indicator, a few drops of 10 % acetic acid
shall be added to the solution being titrated.
b) Standard iodine solution: 2 g of potassium iodide (KI) and 10 ml of water shall be placed in
a weighing tube, which shall then be weighed. Iodine shall be added directly to the
solution in the tube on the balance pan until the total iodine in solution is about 0,1 g. The
solution with the added iodine shall be accurately weighed and the amount of added iodine
determined. The solution shall then be poured into a beaker; the weighing tube, held over
the beaker, shall be washed with water. The solution shall be poured from the beaker into
a flask calibrated at 1 000 ml, the beaker rinsed with water into a flask and the solution in
the flask diluted to 1 000 ml.
NOTE This solution is fairly stable if kept in a cool dark place in a well-stoppered brown bottle.
c) Sodium thiosulphate solution: Sodium thiosulphate (Na S O ) solution of approximately
2 2 3
the same strength as the standard iodine solution shall be prepared by placing about
0,24 g of Na S O ⋅ 5 H O in a 1 000 ml flask and diluting to 1 000 ml. Since it gradually
2 2 3 2
loses its strength, the solution shall be standardized against the iodine solution on the day
of the ozone test.
The strength, E, of the Na S O solution, calculated as iodine equivalence and expressed
2 2 3
as milligrams of iodine per millilitre of the solution is:
F×C
S
where
F is the volume of the iodine solution in millilitres;
C is the concentration of iodine in milligrams per millilitre;

– 10 – 60811-403  IEC:2012
S is the volume of the Na S O solution used to titrate the solution.
2 2 3
d) Potassium iodide solution: about 20 g of pure KI shall be dissolved in 2 000 ml of water.
e) Acetic acid: a 10 % solution (by volume) shall be prepared.
4.8.1.2 Procedure
A measured volume of the air containing ozone shall be bubbled from the test chamber
through the KI solution, or a measured volume of the air containing ozone shall be collected
and mixed with the KI solution by a suitable means.
Two alternative methods which may be employed are described below:
a) A sampling bottle containing 100 ml of KI solution is connected to the sampling cock of the
test chamber on one side and to a 500 ml gas burette on the other. The glass tube
connecting the sampling bottle to the sampling cock of the gas chamber reaches well
below the level of the KI solution in the sampling bottle. The two-way stop-cock on the
burette is opened to the atmosphere and the burette filled to its full mark with water by
lifting the aspirator connected to the bottom of the burette. The stop-cock on the burette is
then closed to the atmosphere and opened to the sampling bottle and the sampling cock
on the test chamber is opened to the bottle. The aspirator is then lowered until the water is
emptied from the burette. When this point is reached, 500 ml of the gas from the test
chamber will have bubbled through the KI solution. The stop-cocks are then closed and
the bottle withdrawn for titration.
b) A separating funnel of 400 ml capacity is filled with the KI solution and the filling hole is
connected to the test cock of the test chamber. The test cock and the stop-cock on the
bottom of the separating funnel are opened simultaneously until about 200 ml of the KI
solution have drained into a graduated cylinder placed below it. The test cock and stop-
cock are quickly closed and the separating funnel, which then contains a volume of gas
equal to the volume of KI solution in the measuring cylinder, is removed and stoppered.
The separating funnel shall be shaken to produce complete reaction with the KI solution.
The solution in the graduated cylinder shall be tested with a starch indicator for the
presence of free iodine and if any is detected, the gas sample shall be rejected and
another collected.
The KI solution
...