BS 6480 Paper Insulated Cables

BRITISH STANDARD BS 6480:1988
Incorporating
Amendments Nos. 1
and 2 and
Corrigendum No. 1
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Specification for
Impregnated
paper-insulated lead or
lead alloy sheathed
electric cables of rated
voltages up to and
including 33 000 V
ICS 29.060.20
12&23<,1*:,7+287%6,3(50,66,21(;&(37$63(50,77('%<&23<5,*+7/$:
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BS 6480:1988
Committees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the General
Electrotechnical Engineering Standards Committee (GEL/-) to Technical
Committee GEL/3, upon which the following bodies were represented:
Aluminium Federation
Association of Consulting Engineers
Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Electrical Appliances
British Approvals Service for Electric Cables
British Cable Makers’ Confederation
British Plastics Federation
British Railways Board
British Shipbuilders
British Telecommunications plc
Department of Energy (Electricity Division)
Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency)
Department of Trade and Industry (Consumer Safety Unit, CA Division)
ERA Technology Ltd.
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Engineering Equipment and Materials Users’ Association
Institution of Electrical Engineers
London Regional Transport
Ministry of Defence
The following bodies were also represented in the drafting of the standard,
through subcommittees and panels:
Association of Supervisory and Executive Engineers

British Cable Makers’ Confederation (Supertension Cables Group)
British Gas plc
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the General
Electrotechnical Engineering
Standards Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Board of BSI and comes
into effect on 29 February 1988.
© BSI 21 February 2003

Amendments issued since publication
First published, as
BS 6480-1, November 1969
Amd. No. Date Comments
First revision, as BS 6480,
February 1988
8407 March 1995
The following BSI references 9263 March 1997

relate to the work on this
standard: 14229 21 February 2003 Changes to national foreword
Committee reference GEL/20 Corrigendum No. 1
Draft for comment 85/27979 DC
ISBN 0 580 16105 6

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BS 6480:1988
Contents
Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword iv
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 Voltage designation 1
4 Conductors 2
5 Conductor screening 2
6 Insulation 2
7 Identification of cores 3
8 Insulation screening 3
9 Laying-up 4
10 Impregnation 4
11 Identification of manufacturer 5
12 Lead or lead alloy sheath 5
13 Bedding 5
14 Armour 6
15 Serving and oversheath 7
16 Compounds for lapped bedding and serving 8
17 Cable markings 8
18 Sealing and drumming 10
19 Schedule of tests 10
20 Test conditions 12
21 Routine tests 12
22 Regular sample tests 14
23 Special sample tests 14
24 Type tests 15
Appendix A Recommendations for the selection of paper insulated cables 44
Appendix B Recommendations for the installation of paper insulated
cables 46
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Appendix C Type tests for 19 000/33 000 V cables 48

Appendix D Resistance values of phase conductor, and lead or lead alloy
sheath and single-wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables 50
Appendix E Methods of test 56
Appendix F Information to be provided with enquiry or order 58
Table 1 — Maximum drainage 5
Table 2 — Mass of zinc coating 6
Table 3 — Schedule of tests 11
Table 4 — Routine tests 12
Table 5 — Power factor, tand, of 19 000/33 000 V cables 12
Table 6 — Test voltage on completed cable at works 13
Table 7 — Regular sample tests 14
Table 8 — Special sample tests 14
Table 9 — Papers containing tears 15
Table 10 — Type tests 15
Table 11 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) single-core cables with stranded
aluminium or copper conductors 16
Table 12 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) single-core cables with solid sectoral
circular aluminium conductors 16

i
BS 6480:1988
Page
Table 13 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) two-core belted cables with
stranded aluminium or copper conductors 17
Table 14 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) two-core belted cables with solid
aluminium or copper conductors 18
Table 15 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) three-core belted cables with
Table 16 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) three-core belted cables with
solid aluminium or copper conductors 20
Table 17 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) four-core belted cables with
stranded aluminium or copper conductors of equal area 21
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solid aluminium or copper conductors of equal area 22
stranded aluminium or copper conductors including a
reduced neutral conductor 23
Table 20 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) five-core belted cables with
stranded aluminium or copper conductors including a special
purpose conductor 24
Table 21 — 1 900/3 300 V (Um = 3 600 V) single-core cables with
Table 22 — 1 900/3 300 V (Um = 3 600 V) three-core belted cables with
Table 28 — 6 350/11 000 V (Um = 12 000 V) three-core belted cables
with stranded aluminium or copper conductors 32
Table 29 — 6 350/11 000 V (Um = 12 000 V) three-core screened cables
Table 30 — 8 700/11 000 V (Um = 12 000 V) three-core belted cables
Table 32 — 8 700/15 000 V (Um = 17 500 V) three-core screened cables
Table 34 — 12 700/22 000 V (U m = 24 000 V) three-core screened cables
Table 35 — 12 700/22 000 V (Um = 24 000 V) three-core SL cables with
ii
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BS 6480:1988
Page
Table 37 — 19 000/33 000 V (Um = 36 000 V) three-core screened cables with
Table 38 — 19 000/33 000 V (Um = 36 000 V) three-core SL cables
Table 39 — Calculated values of minimum thickness of extruded layers 43
Table 40 — Selection of cables for a.c. systems 45
Table 41 — Minimum bending radius during installation 47
Table 42 — Minimum bending radius for 19 000/33 000 V cables
adjacent to joints or terminals 47
Table 43 — Test voltages on commissioning 48
Table 44 — D.C. conductor resistance at 20 °C and d.c. resistance
at 20 °C of lead or lead alloy sheath of 600/1 000 V single-core cables 51
at 20 °C of lead or lead alloy sheath and single steel wire armour
of 600/1 000 V cables: two-core stranded conductor cable 52
of 600/1 000 V cables: two-core solid conductor cable 52
of 600/1 000 V cables: three-core stranded conductor cable 53
of 600/1 000 V cables: three-core solid conductor cable 53
of 600/1 000 V cables: four cores of equal area stranded conductor cable 54
of 600/1 000 V cables: four cores of equal area stranded conductor cable 54
of 600/1 000 V cables: four-core including a reduced neutral conductor
stranded conductor cable 55
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of 600/1 000 V cables: five-core including a special purpose conductor
stranded conductor cable 55
Table 53 — Diameter of test cylinder 57
Publications referred to Inside back cover

iii
BS 6480:1988
Foreword
This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the General
Electrotechnical Engineering Standards Committee.
This reprinted edition incorporates Amendments Nos. 1 and 2, which have been
prepared under the direction of the Electrotechnical Sector Board.
BS 6480, as amended by Amendment No. 1:1995 and Amendment No. 2:1997,
includes the technical content of HD 621 S1:1996, sections 3-J1, 3-J2, 4-J1
and 4-J2.
NOTE BS 7894 implements HD 621 S1:1996, section 4-J3.
Attention is drawn to the recommendations for the selection and operation of
cables, and installation, which are given in Appendix A and Appendix B.
The contents of this British Standard cover subject matter similar to that covered
by IEC 60055-1 and IEC 60055-2. The dimensional requirements for the cables
specified in the British Standard are, however, at variance with those quoted in
the IEC publication. This is due to the fact that because of different installation
conditions in the UK, it has not been possible to adopt the IEC publication as a
national standard, although it is recognized that IEC 60055 was approved as
being the best agreement, from a world-wide point of view, possible at present.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 58, an inside back cover and a back cover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.
iv © BSI11/24/2004
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BS 6480:1988
1 Scope
This British Standard specifies requirements for construction and dimensions and describes methods of
test for impregnated paper-insulated lead or lead alloy sheathed cables for operation in systems of nominal
voltages up to and including 33 000 V between phases. It applies to mass-impregnated non-draining cables
of the categories stated below, for continuous operation at conductor temperatures not exceeding the values
given.
600/1 000 V: single-core, two-core, three-core, four-core and five-core (80 °C max.).
1 900/3 300 V and 3 800/6 600 V: single-core and three-core belted (80 °C max.).
3 300/3 300 V and 6 600/6 600 V: three-core belted (80 °C max.).
6 350/11 000 V and 8 700/11 000 V: three-core belted (65 °C max.).
6 350/11 000 V and 8 700/15 000 V: single-core and three-core screened (70 °C max.).
12 700/22 000 V and 19 000/33 000 V: single-core and three-core screened, and three-core lead or lead
alloy sheathed (SL) (65 °C max.).
NOTE 1 The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.
NOTE 2 Attention is drawn to Appendix F which lists information to be supplied with the enquiry or order.
2 Definitions
For the purposes of this British Standard the definitions given in BS 4727-2:Group 08 apply, together with
the following.
2.1
rated voltage, Uo
the nominal power-frequency voltage between conductor(s) and earth for which the cable is suitable
2.2
rated voltage, U
the nominal power-frequency voltage between phase conductors for which the cable is suitable
2.3
maximum voltage, Um
the maximum sustained power-frequency voltage between phase conductors for which the cable is suitable
2.4
nominal value
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the value by which a quantity is designated and which is often used in tables
NOTE Usually, in this standard, nominal values give rise to values to be checked by measurements taking into account specified
tolerances.
2.5
approximate value
a value which is only indicative
NOTE In this standard, values described as “approximate” do not constitute requirements to be checked by measurements.
3 Voltage designation
The cables shall be designated by the rated voltages Uo and U, expressed in the form Uo/U.
In addition, in the heading of each of the Table 11 to Table 38 the value of Um is shown in parentheses.
NOTE Guidance on the selection of cables of appropriate voltage designations for particular systems is given in Appendix A .

1
BS 6480:1988
4 Conductors
The conductors shall be either plain annealed copper conductors or aluminium conductors complying
with BS 6360.
The type of conductor, i.e. whether circular or shaped solid (class 1), circular, circular compacted or shaped
stranded (class 2), sectoral circular (class 1) or Milliken circular (class 2) shall be as indicated for the type
and rated voltage of the cable in Table 11 to Table 38.
Conductors shall have a regular profile.
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5 Conductor screening
Cables having a nominal rated voltage U of 11 000 V and above shall have a screen on each conductor
consisting of two layers of semi-conducting carbon paper tape having a total approximate thickness
of 0.2 mm. The two layers shall be applied helically in the same direction and breaking joint.
6 Insulation
6.1 General
The conductors, after screening if required by Clause 5, shall be insulated with layers of paper tapes.
For belted cables further layers of paper tapes shall be applied over the laid-up cores in accordance
with 9.2.
6.2 Material
6.2.1 The paper used for cable insulation shall be uniform in texture and long fibred. It shall be free from
dark spots, and shall contain no imperfectly pulped materials, woody material, lime spots, metallic
particles and other deleterious substances and shall comply with 6.2.2, 6.2.3, 6.2.4 and 6.2.5.
6.2.2 The paper shall be free from chemical impurities, acids, alkalis and salts to such an extent that not
more than 1 % by mass is soluble in water when tested in accordance with E.8.
6.2.3 The conductivity of the aqueous extract shall not exceed 6 mS/m when determined in accordance
with BS 5626-2.
6.2.4 The pH value of the aqueous extract shall be not less than 6.0 and not more than 8.0 when determined
in accordance with BS 5626-2.
6.2.5 The ash content of the paper shall not exceed 1.5 % on a moisture free (oven-dry) basis, when
determined in accordance with BS 5626-2.
6.3 Method of application
The paper shall be applied in the form of tapes laid helically. When applied in the same direction successive
layers shall break joint so as to form a reasonably smooth and compact covering of uniform thickness. The
registration shall be generally between 60/40 and 80/20. However in cables having voltage ratings of
3 800/6 600 V and above, it is permissible to have a group of three coincident gaps in adjacent tapes but
there shall be not more than two such groups in the insulation thickness.
6.4 Thickness of paper
The thickness of the individual paper tapes of the core and belt insulation shall be not greater
than 0.15 mm and 0.2 mm respectively.
6.5 Thickness of insulation
The thickness of insulation excluding all screening tapes, determined in accordance with E.1 shall be not
less than that specified in Table 11 to Table 38.
2
BS 6480:1988
7 Identification of cores
Multicore belted cables shall have the core identified by numbers as shown below printed in white on the
outer layer (or layers) of insulating paper.
Multicore screened cables shall have the cores identified by numbers as shown below printed in white
either on the outer layer (or layers) of insulating paper or, at the manufacturer’s discretion, on the paper
tape intercalated with the metal tape.
The height of the figures shall be not less than 4.5 mm and they shall be sufficiently closely spaced to
provide complete and ready identification of all cores in any 25 mm of cable. Any dyes used shall not fade
unduly, shall be chemically neutral and shall have no injurious effects on the fibres of the paper.
Number of cores Numbers
Two-core 0, 1
Three-core 1, 2, 3
Four-core 0, 1, 2, 3
Five-core 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
NOTE The numbers “1”, “2” and “3” are intended to indicate phase conductors and “0” the neutral. In a five-core cable, the
number “4” indicates the special purpose conductor.
Compliance shall be verified by visual examination and measurement.
Compliance of durability shall be checked by rubbing the core 10 times with a piece of cotton wool or cloth
soaked in water.
8 Insulation screening
The cores of the following cables shall be screened:
a) single-core cables having a rated voltage of 6 350/11 000 V and above;
b) three-core cables having a rated voltage of 8 700/15 000 V and above;
c) three-core cables having a rated voltage of 6 350/11 000 V if screened type is required;
d) three-core SL cables having rated voltage of 12 700/22 000 V and 19 000/33 000 V.
In screened cables, a complete screen shall be applied over each individual core and at the manufacturer’s
discretion shall consist of either:
a) perforated metallized paper which incorporates a layer of aluminium approximately 0.013 mm thick
or for 19 000/33 000 V cables only, a layer of semi-conducting carbon paper tape or tapes followed by a
perforated metallized paper which is intercalated with a semi-conducting paper; or
b) one of the following, as appropriate.
1) For cables up to and including 12 700/22 000 V, a non-ferrous metal tape approximately 0.075 mm
thick intercalated or not with an insulating or semi-conducting carbon paper tape; the application of
an overlapped metal tape without intercalation is not permitted. Additionally, the application of
semi-conducting carbon paper or papers under the non-ferrous metal tape is permitted at the
discretion of the manufacturer but shall be applied when the non-ferrous metal tape is applied with a
gap.
2) For 19 000/33 000 V cables, two semi-conducting carbon paper tapes followed by a non-ferrous metal
tape approximately 0.075 mm thick applied with a gap or intercalated with an insulating or
semi-conducting carbon paper tape. Application of an overlapped metal tape without intercalation is
not permitted.
For 6 350/11 000 V single-core cables only, a screen consisting of a layer of semi-conducting carbon paper
is permitted at the discretion of the manufacturer. This semi-conducting carbon paper tape shall have an
approximate thickness of 0.1 mm and shall be applied with an overlap over the insulation.
Single-core screened cables having conductor sizes of 500 mm2 and larger shall have a fabric tape
incorporating interwoven copper wires applied over the screen.
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3
BS 6480:1988
9 Laying-up
9.1 General
The cores of cables shall be laid-up in the sequence of the core numbers specified in Clause 7.
9.2 Belted cables
In multicore belted cables, the cores shall be laid-up together with paper or jute fillers to form a compact
and circular cable, and covered with further layers of paper to provide the belt insulation. The interstices
between the cores shall be adequately filled to prevent excessive longitudinal creasing of the belt papers.
6 350/11 000 V and 8 700/11 000 V belted cables shall have a screen consisting of a semi-conducting carbon
paper tape of approximate thickness 0.1 mm applied with an overlap over the belt insulation.
9.3 Screened cables
In three-core screened cables, the screened cores shall be laid-up together with paper or jute fillers to form
a compact and circular cable, and shall be lapped with a binder of fabric tape incorporating interwoven
copper wires.
9.4 Screened SL cables
In screened SL cables the sheathed cores, each protected in the manner specified in 13.1, shall be laid-up
together, filled with compounded jute or other suitable material, and shall have a binder of compounded
hessian or other suitable tape applied over the laid-up cores.
9.5 Direction of lay
The direction of lay of the cores of multicore cables shall be right-hand.
10 Impregnation
10.1 General
Before lead or lead alloy sheathing, drying and mass impregnation with an insulating compound shall be
carried out so that the cable, in its sheathed state, complies with 10.2 and 10.3.
10.2 Drainage test
10.2.1 Requirement. The sheathed cable shall be tested in accordance with 10.2.2 and the maximum
drainage of compound into the space provided shall be documented.
NOTE Unless specified at the time of ordering (see Appendix F), cables should not exceed the maximum drainage values given
in Table 1.
10.2.2 Method. Carry out the test on a sample not less than 900 mm long, cut from a selected length of cable
in its sheathed state. Seal the test sample at both ends, and leave a space at one end for the collection of
any compound which may drain out of the cable during the test. Suspend the sample vertically, with the
drainage space at the lower end, in a heated chamber for 7 days, at not less than the appropriate
temperature given in Table 1. Measure the amount of compound which has drained into the space provided
at the end of this period.
10.3 Breaking load and elongation at break of impregnated paper
When tested in accordance with E.7, the paper, after removal from an impregnated core, shall comply with
the following:
a) the breaking load of the test strip shall be not less than 650 N/mm of thickness;
b) the elongation at break of the test strip shall be not less than 1.5 %.
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BS 6480:1988
Table 1 — Maximum drainage

1 2 3 4
Voltage designation Type Test temperature Maximum drainagea
V °C %
Up to and including All types 80 3.0
6 600/6 600
6 350/11 000 Screened single-core and 70 2.5
three-core
6 350/11 000 and 8 700/11 000 Belted three-core 65 2.5
8 700/15 000 All types 70 2.5
12 700/22 000 All types 65 2.5
19 000/33 000 All types 65 2.5
a Percentage drainage based on volume of interior of sheath of sample.
11 Identification of manufacturer
A tape printed at intervals of not greater than 300 mm with the manufacturer’s name and year of
manufacture shall be provided throughout the length of the cable under the lead or lead alloy sheath.
12 Lead or lead alloy sheath

12.1 A lead or lead alloy sheath shall be extruded over the impregnated cable.
12.2 The composition of the lead or lead alloy sheath, (see A.3), shall be in accordance with BS 801.
12.3 The lead or lead alloy sheath shall be impervious to moisture, reasonably close-fitting and free from
defects.
12.4 The minimum thickness of the lead or lead alloy sheath measured in accordance with E.2 shall not
fall below the appropriate value given in Table 11 to Table 38 by an amount more than (5 % plus 0.1 mm),
(0.05 mm rounded upwards).
NOTE Minimum thickness, evaluated according to this requirement, is given in Table 39.
13 Bedding
13.1 Lapped bedding
Lapped bedding under the armour shall have an approximate thickness of 1.5 mm after application of the
armour.
Lapped bedding, except in screened SL cables, shall consist of two compounded paper tapes applied
immediately over the previously compounded lead or lead alloy sheath, followed by one or more layers of --`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
suitable compounded fibrous materials applied either with or without additional compound
(see Clause 16).
NOTE The additional compound will not be applied in the case of bright wire armoured cables or armoured cables having a PVC
oversheath, unless requested by the purchaser at the time of enquiry or order (see Appendix F).
In screened SL cables one compounded paper tape and one compounded cotton or synthetic fibre tape shall
be applied over each of the previously compounded metallic sheathed cores, followed, over the laid-up cores
by one or more layers of suitable compounded fibrous materials applied with additional compound
(see Clause 16).
13.2 Extruded bedding
The bedding shall consist of an extruded layer of TM 1 PVC compound complying with BS 7655-4.1 applied
over the metallic sheath. It is permissible to apply a layer of compound over the metallic sheath before
application of the extruded bedding.
The minimum thickness of extruded bedding, measured in accordance with E.3, shall not fall below the
appropriate value given in Table 11 to Table 38 by more than (15 % plus 0.1 mm), (0.05 mm rounded
upwards). When tested in accordance with BS 5099, the extruded bedding shall not break down.
NOTE Minimum thickness, evaluated according to this requirement, is given in Table 39.

5
BS 6480:1988
14 Armour
14.1 General
When armouring of multicore cables is required, the armour for cables having a nominal diameter over the
lead or lead alloy sheath exceeding 12 mm shall consist of either:
a) two layers of steel tape applied over the bedding; or
b) one layer of galvanized steel wire (single-wire armour) applied over the bedding; or
c) two layers of galvanized steel wire (double-wire armour) applied over the bedding.
For cables having a nominal diameter over the metallic sheath not exceeding 12 mm, the armour shall
consist of wires and not tapes.
NOTE 1 Armoured cables will be supplied with an armouring as specified in a) or b) unless method c) is requested by the purchaser
at the time of enquiry or order (see Appendix F).
NOTE 2 In the relevant tables. STA denotes steel tape armour and SWA denotes steel wire armour single layer.
NOTE 3 At the manufacturer’s discretion it is permissible to apply a synthetic or suitable compounded fibrous tape over the SWA
when an oversheath is applied.
14.2 Steel tape armour

The steel tape shall have a tensile strength in the range of 300 MN/m2 to 475 MN/m2. The thickness of the
steel tape shall be in accordance with the appropriate table with a tolerance of ±10 %.
The tape shall be coated on both sides with a preservative compound.
NOTE At the manufacturer's discretion the steel tape may be galvanized in lieu of preservative compound.
The layers shall be laid on helically with a left-hand lay so that the outer tape is approximately central over
the gap of the inner tape. The gap between adjacent turns of each tape shall not exceed 50 % of the width
of the tape. The outer tape shall overlap the inner tape on both sides by not less than 15 % of the tape width.
Joints in steel tape shall be welded and surface irregularities removed to give a smooth finish.
14.3 Single-wire armour
Single-wire armour shall consist of one layer of wires of the appropriate size specified in Table 11 to
Table 38 and the armour shall be applied helically with a left-hand lay.
The armour wire shall comply with the following.
a) When determined in accordance with E.4, the diameter of the armour wire shall not fall below its
nominal value given in the appropriate table by more than 5 %.
b) When determined in accordance with E.5, the mass of zinc coating of galvanized steel armour wire
shall be not less than that given in Table 2.
Table 2 — Mass of zinc coating
Nominal diameter of armour wire (in mm) 1.25 1.6 2.0 2.5 3.15
Minimum mass of zinc coating per square metre (in g) 150 172 180 195 206
Joints in armour wire shall be brazed or welded and any surface irregularity shall be removed. A joint shall
be not less than 1 m from the nearest joint in any other armour wire in the completed cable.
14.4 Double-wire armour
Double-wire armour shall consist of two layers of wires. The nominal diameter of wire for both layers shall
be the same as that for the appropriate single-wire armoured cable specified in Table 11 to Table 38. The
requirements of 14.3 as to quality and joints in each separate layer shall apply.
The direction of lay of the inner layer of armour shall be left-hand.
The direction of lay of the outer layer of armour shall be either left-hand or right-hand.
NOTE Cables will be supplied with the direction of lay of the outer layer of armour right-hand unless a left-hand direction is
requested by the purchaser at the time of enquiry or order (see Appendix F ).
There shall be a separator consisting of a layer of suitable compounded fibrous material between the two
layers of wire.
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BS 6480:1988
15 Serving and oversheath

15.1 Oversheath for unarmoured cables
The oversheath for unarmoured cables shall be an extruded layer of either TM1 PVC compound complying
with BS 7655-4.1 or of TS2 MDPE compound complying with BS 7655-10.1.
Where a graphite coating is required the oversheath shall be black.
NOTE 1 Cables will be supplied without a layer of compound applied to the lead or lead alloy sheath before application of the
oversheath unless requested by the purchaser at the time of enquiry or order (see Appendix F).
NOTE 2 Oversheaths are normally black but colours other than black may be provided by agreement between the manufacturer and
purchaser, subject to their suitability for the particular exposure conditions under which the cables are to be used.
The thickness of the oversheath, determined by taking the average of a number of measurements in
accordance with E.3, shall be not less than the appropriate value given in Table 11 to Table 38 and the
smallest of the measured values shall not fall below the value in the appropriate table by an amount more
than (15 % plus 0.1 mm), (0.05 mm rounded upwards).
NOTE 3 Minimum thickness, evaluated according to this requirement, is given in Table 39.
When spark tested in accordance with BS 5099, the extruded oversheath shall not break down.
NOTE 4 Cables will be spark tested unless a d.c. voltage test is requested by the purchaser at the time of enquiry or order
(see Appendix F ).
If a d.c. voltage test (see 21.5) is to be carried out (see A.4.4), a coating of graphite shall be applied over the
surface of the oversheath. For 19 000/33 000 V cables, the thicknesses of oversheath having a graphite
coating are given in the appropriate columns of Table 36 and Table 37. For cables of lower voltage ratings,
the manufacturer shall be consulted to determine an appropriate thickness for these conditions, increased
beyond the values for standard cables given in the tables.
15.2 Serving for armoured cables
For armoured and served cables, the serving of the armour shall consist of one or more layers of suitable
compounded fibrous materials applied with additional compound and having an approximate radial
thickness of 2.0 mm.
In order to prevent adhesion, a coating of whitewash or other suitable material shall be applied to the
outside of the cable.
15.3 Oversheath for armoured cables
The oversheath for armoured cables shall be an extruded layer of either TM1 PVC compound complying
with BS 7655-4.1 or of TS2 MDPE compound complying with BS 7655-10.1.
Where graphite coating is required the oversheath shall be black.
NOTE 1 Cables will be supplied without a layer of compound applied to the armour before application of the oversheath unless
requested by the purchaser at the time of enquiry or order (see Appendix F ).
NOTE 2 Oversheaths are normally black but colours other than black may be provided by agreement between the manufacturer and
purchaser, subject to their suitability for the particular exposure conditions under which the cables are to be used.
When the thickness of the oversheath is determined in accordance with E.3, the smallest of the measured
values shall not fall below the appropriate value specified in Table 11 to Table 38 by an amount more than
(20 % plus 0.2 mm), (0.05 mm rounded upwards).
NOTE 3 Minimum thickness, evaluated according to this requirement, is given in Table 39.
When spark tested in accordance with BS 5099, the extruded oversheath shall not break down.
NOTE 4 Cables will be spark tested unless a d.c. voltage test is requested by the purchaser at the time of enquiry or order
(see Appendix F ).
If a d.c. voltage test (see 21.5) is to be carried out (see A.4.4), a coating of graphite shall be applied over the
surface of the oversheath. For 19 000/33 000 V cables, the thickness of the oversheath having a graphite
coating are given in the appropriate columns of Table 36, Table 37 and Table 38. For cables of lower voltage
ratings, the manufacturer shall be consulted to determine an appropriate thickness for these conditions,
increased beyond the values for standard cables given in the tables.
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7
BS 6480:1988
16 Compounds for lapped bedding and serving

Compounds used in the protective bedding and serving shall be of such a nature that in the finished cable
they do not crack or run at the temperatures likely to be attained in transit to the site or on the site, during
installation or when the cables are in operation.
The compound shall adhere to the armour and lead or lead alloy sheath so that if the coverings are
unwrapped it shall be evident that the metal surfaces were completely covered by the closely adherent
compound before the removal of the wrapping. Care shall be taken to ensure that the amount of compound
applied is retained evenly around the cable. The compounds used shall have no deleterious effect on the
metallic sheath, armour or protective coverings. They shall be derived from bitumen and shall be free from
the distillation products of coal or wood.
NOTE 1 The suitable fibrous materials referred to in 9.4, 13.1, 14.4 and 15.2 include crepe paper (other than for the outer layer of
serving), jute yarn, hessian tapes and tapes made from natural or synthetic fibres.
NOTE 2 Where galvanized steel tape is used it will be recognized that the under tape will not be bitumen coated where overlapped
by the top tape.
17 Cable markings
17.1 General
The cable shall be marked in accordance with 17.2, 17.3 and 17.4.
17.2 Marking of oversheathed cables
17.2.1 External marking
Where the cable is provided with an extruded oversheath, the external surface shall be legibly marked with
the following.
a) The wording “ELECTRIC CABLE”
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b) Voltage designation:
600/1 000 600/1 000 V;
1 900/3 300 and 3 300/3 300 3 300 V;
3 800/6 600 and 6 600/6 600 6 600 V;
6 350/11 000 and 8 700/11 000 11 000 V;
8 700/15 000 15 000 V;
12 700/22 000 22 000 V;
19 000/33 000 33 000 V;
c) British Standard number BS 6480a
d) Manufacturer’s identification XYZ
e) Number of cores, type and nominal area of phase/neutral/special purpose
conductors, where applicable
(1) Copper conductor cables 4 × 50
NOTE 4 × 50 indicates a 4-core cable with 50 mm2 copper conductors.
(2) Copper conductor cables with reduced neutral and a special purpose 3 × 300/150/16
conductor
NOTE 3 × 300/150/16 indicates a 5-core cable with three 300 mm2 copper phase
conductors, one 150 mm2 copper neutral conductor and one 16 mm2 copper special
purpose conductor.
(3) Aluminium conductor cables 4 × 50 AL
NOTE 4 × 50 AL indicates a 4-core cable with 50 mm2 aluminium conductors.
The marking of items a) to d) shall be by embossing or indenting on the oversheath.

a Marking BS 6480 on or in relation to a product represents a manufacturer’s declaration of conformity, i.e. a claim by or on behalf
of the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of the claim is solely the claimant’s
responsibility. Such a declaration is not to be confused with third party certification of conformity, which may also be desirable.
8
BS 6480:1988
For cables with tabulated approximate overall diameters above 15 mm, items a), b) and c) shall appear, in
any sequence that neither confuses nor conflicts, on two or more primary lines along the axis of the cable,
approximately equally spaced around the circumference of the cable. Items d) and e) shall appear on at
least one line, which may be one of the primary lines, or a secondary line or lines. They may appear in any
sequence that neither confuses nor conflicts, and need not be on the same line.
For cables with tabulated approximate overall diameters of 15 mm or smaller, the elements of marking
shall be disposed as for cables above 15 mm except that the marking for items a) to d) shall appear on one
or more primary lines.
The letters and figures shall consist of upright block characters. The characters shall have a minimum
height of 3 mm. The distance between the end of one element of marking and the beginning of the next
identical element of marking shall be not greater than 550 mm, for items a), b) and c), and not greater
than 1 100 mm for items d) and e).
Compliance shall be checked by visual examination and measurement.
17.2.2 Identification of year of manufacture
A means of identifying the year of manufacture of the cable shall be provided throughout the length of the
cable internally in accordance with Clause 11.
Where additional marking is provided on the surface of the cable, it shall comply with the requirements
given for items d) and e) of 17.2.1 in respect of maximum distance between marks.
17.2.3 Mark of an approval organization
If the mark of an approval organization is used it shall be provided throughout the length of the cable.
If the mark is applied to the cable it shall be on the surface in the form of the symbol(s) specified by the
approval organization, and shall comply with requirements given for items d) and e) of 17.2.1 in respect of
maximum distance between marks.
NOTE As an alternative to the mark of the approval organization, an identification thread may be incorporated into the cable, as
specified by the approval organization.
17.2.4 Additional marking

The use of additional marking is permitted. Where such marking is made it shall be throughout the length
of the cable, and may be on the external surface of the cable, or by means of a tape or thread within the
cable, or by combination of these methods. If the additional marking is applied to the surface of the cable
it shall not render illegible the marking specified in 17.2.1, 17.2.2 and 17.2.3.
The additional marking, however made, shall be repeated at intervals not exceeding 1 100 mm.
17.3 Identification of 600/1 000 V cables
In order to distinguish between 600/1 000 V cables and cables of higher voltage rating, 600/1 000 V cables
shall be identified by a varnished yellow paper, cellulose acetate or similar tape bearing the letters “LV” at
intervals not greater than 100 mm. The “LV” tape shall be applied longitudinally over the two compounded
paper tapes on the lead or lead alloy sheath, when the protective covering includes these tapes. If the
protective covering does not include the two compounded tapes, the “LV” tape shall be applied immediately
over the lead or lead alloy sheath.
NOTE This “LV” tape is not required for cables having an extruded oversheath.
For the purpose of inspection at the factory, compliance shall be checked by visual examination at the ends
of the cable.
When a perforated yellow paper tape is used, it shall be approximately 0.13 mm thick and 16 mm wide. The
letters shall be approximately 6.5 mm high and shall be formed by perforating the tape with 0.8 mm
(approximately) diameter holes spaced 0.8 mm (approximately) apart.
When yellow cellulose acetate or similar tape is used, it shall be not less than 6 mm wide and legibly
printed in black. The printing shall be readily decipherable, after removing any adhering compound.
17.4 End markings
The ends of each drum length of cable having three, four or five cores shall be marked “A” and “Z”, “A” being
the end at which the sequence of the core numbers (see Clauses 7 and 9) is clockwise and “Z” the end at
which the sequence is anti-clockwise.
9
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BS 6480:1988
18 Sealing and drumming

Before despatch, the manufacturer shall seal both ends of all cables by means of metal caps fitted over the
ends and plumbed to the lead or lead alloy sheath so as to prevent the ingress of water during
transportation and storage.
For multicore unarmoured cables rated at 19 000/33 000 V, conductor pulling eyes shall be fitted to the
leading end of the cable, and a plumbed seal made between the pulling eye and the lead alloy sheath. Any
lead alloy sheath exposed between the pulling eye and the polyethylene oversheath shall be reinforced, for
example, by the application of a heat shrink sleeve.
Cable drums shall be lagged so as to protect the cable from damage, and the end of the cable projecting from
the drum shall also be protected from mechanical damage.
Each drum shall be durably marked with a distinguishing number on the outside of the flange and
particulars of the cable, i.e. voltage, length, conductor size and cable type. The gross mass shall be shown
and the direction for rolling shall be indicated by an arrow.
19 Schedule of tests
Table 3 lists the complete range of tests applicable to the cables covered by this standard and refers to the
relevant clauses of the standard specifying the requirements and test methods. The last column shows the
category of each test, i.e. R, RS, SS and T.
The categories and corresponding designations are as follows.
a) Routine tests (R): tests made at the manufacturer’s works on all cables in the finished state or, as
appropriate (e.g. spark test) during manufacture.
b) Regular sample tests (RS): tests made at the manufacturer’s works on representative samples selected
regularly by the manufacturer, or as specified by the purchaser at the time of ordering.
c) Special sample tests (SS): tests made on samples if specified by the purchaser at the time of ordering
at a frequency agreed between the purchaser and the manufacturer provided that the quantity ordered
exceeds 10 km.
d) Type tests (T): tests made on cable as produced by a specific manufacturer to demonstrate the
manufacturer’s ability to satisfactorily produce a range of cables designed to comply with this standard.
These tests, after they have been successfully completed, need not be repeated unless changes are made
which might affect compliance with the test requirements. (See Appendix C and Clause 24.)
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10
BS 6480:1988
Table 3 — Schedule of tests

1 2 3 4
Test Requirement Test procedure Category
(clause reference)
Tests on components
Conductor construction 4 BS 6360 RS
Insulation and screening:
(a) material 6.2 and 8 E.8 and BS 5626-2 SS
(b) application 6.3 Visual examination RS
(c) thickness of individual paper (if required) 6.4 Measurement SS
(d) total thickness 6.5 E.1 RS
(e) tensile strength and elongation at break 10.3 E.7 SS
Core identification 7 7 RS
Laid-up cores 9 Visual examination RS
Lead or lead alloy sheath:
(a) material 12.3 BS 801 RS
(b) thickness of sheath 12.4 E.2 RS
Bedding:
(a) lapped 13.1 Visual examination RS
(b) extruded
(1) material 13.2 BS EN 60811-1-1 T
(2) thickness 13.2 E.3 RS
(3) spark test 13.2 BS 5099 R
Armour:
(a) steel tape armour:
(1) material 14.2 14.2 SS
(2) application 14.2 Visual examination and SS
measurement
(b) wire armour:
(1) diameter 14.3 and 14.4 E.4 SS
(2) mass of zinc coating 14.3 and 14.4 E.5 SS
Oversheath
(a) material 15.1 and 15.3 BS EN 60811-1-1 T
(b) thickness, unarmoured cable 15.1 E.3 RS
(c) thickness, armoured cable 15.3 E.3 RS
Spark test 15.1 and 15.3 BS 5099 R
Test on complete cables
Cable markings 17 Visual examination and R
measurement
Conductor resistance test 21.2 BS 6360 R
Tan $ measurement test for 19 000/33 000 V cables 21.3 21.3 R
Voltage test on complete cable 21.4 21.4 R
Bending test 23.2 E.6 SS
Drainage test 10.2 10.2 SS
D.C. voltage test on oversheath (optional, 21.5 21.5 R
see Clause 15 and Appendix A )
Type tests for 19 000/33 000 V cables 24.2 Appendix C T
11
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BS 6480:1988
20 Test conditions
20.1 Ambient temperature
Tests shall be made at an ambient temperature of 20 ± 15 °C, unless otherwise specified in the details for
the particular test.
20.2 Frequency and waveform of power-frequency test voltages
Unless otherwise specified in the particular test, a.c. test voltages shall have a frequency between 49 Hz
and 61 Hz. The waveform shall be substantially sinusoidal.
21 Routine tests
21.1 General
Routine tests shall be as given in Table 4.
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Table 4 — Routine tests
1 2 3
Test Requirement given in Test method
clause
Conductor resistance 21.2 BS 6360
Tan $ (19 000/33 000 V cables) 21.3 21.3
Voltage test on complete cable 21.4 21.4
D.C. voltage test on oversheath (optional) 21.5 21.5
Spark test 15.1, 15.3 BS 5099
21.2 Conductor resistance

The d.c. resistance of each conductor shall comply with BS 6360 when measured and corrected to 20 °C in
accordance with that standard.
21.3 Power factor, tand
21.3.1 Requirement. When cables rated at 19 000/33 000 V are tested as described in 21.3.2 the value
of tan $ determined by the test at 0.5 U0 shall not exceed the appropriate value specified in column 1 of
Table 5. The difference in tan $ between 0.5 U0 and 1.25 U0, and between 1.25 U0 and 2.0 U0 shall not
exceed the appropriate value specified respectively in columns 2 and 3 of Table 5.
The tand of the insulation shall be measured at ambient temperature and the test shall be made before the
voltage test described in 21.4.
21.3.2 Method. The sequence of testing shall be at 0.5 U0, 1.25 U0 and 2.0 U0, i.e. 9.5 kV, 24 kV and 38 kV.
Apply the test voltage between each conductor and the lead or lead alloy sheath, the other conductors
connected to the lead or lead alloy sheath when three-core cable is tested.
Make the measurement with a suitable bridge, using a loss free capacitor as standard. Correct any
measurements made at temperatures below 20 °C either by subtracting from the measured value 2 % of
this value per degree Celsius of the difference between the test temperature and 20 °C, or by the use of a
correction curve appropriate to the insulant if agreement on such a curve has been reached between the
purchaser and the manufacturer. Make no correction for a test temperature of 20 °C or greater.
Table 5 — Power factor, tan d, of 19 000/33 000 V cables
1 2 3
Maximum tan d at 0.5 times U0 at 20 °C Maximum difference in tan d between
0.5 and 1.25 times U0 1.25 and 2.0 times U0
–4 –4
30 × 10 20 × 10 40 × 10–4
12
BS 6480:1988
21.4 Voltage test on complete cable

21.4.1 Requirement. When tested as described in either method A (21.4.2 or method B (21.4.3) there shall
be no breakdown of insulation.
NOTE Cables will be tested in accordance with method A unless the manufacturer requests permission to carry out the test in
accordance with method B.
21.4.2 Method A. Make the test with a power-frequency voltage using either three-phase or single-phase
or a combination of both at the discretion of the manufacturer. When using three-phase on a belted cable,
connect the neutral point of the transformer to the lead or lead alloy sheath, thus applying a voltage
between the conductor and the lead or lead alloy sheath equal to the value in column 2 of Table 6 divided
by Æ3. This is equivalent to the value in column 3 except for cables rated 600/1 000 V, 3 300/3 300 V,
6 600/6 600 V and 8 700/11 000 V for which an additional test is required. Make this additional test by
applying a single-phase voltage between the conductors connected together and the lead or lead alloy
sheath.
In all cases the test voltage shall be increased gradually to the appropriate values specified in Table 6 and
maintained constant for 5 min.
21.4.3 Method B. Carry out the test as described in 21.4.2, except that the voltage test shall be made with
direct current, the applied voltage being equal to 2.4 times the appropriate alternating test voltage and the
duration of each application being 5 min.
21.5 D.C. voltage test on oversheath
NOTE This is an optional routine test requirement, and needs to be specified by the purchaser in the enquiry or order
(see Clause 15) and Appendix F).
21.5.1 Requirement. The oversheath shall not break down on the application of a test voltage as described
in 21.5.2.
21.5.2 Method. The d.c. test voltage shall be applied between the underlying metal layer at negative
polarity and the outer conducting layer for a period of 1 min.
Table 6 — Test voltage on completed cable at works
1 2 3 4
Voltage designation Alternating test voltage (r.m.s.)
Belted cables Single-core and
screened cables
Between conductors Between any Between any
conductor and lead or conductor and lead
lead alloy sheath or lead alloy sheath
V V V V
600/1 000 3 500 3 500 3 500
1 900/3 300 10 000 5 800 6 000
3 300/3 300 10 000 10 000 —
3 800/6 600 17 000 9 800 10 000
6 600/6 600 17 000 17 000 —
6 350/11 000 25 000 14 400 15 000
8 700/11 000 25 000 22 000 —
8 700/15 000 — — 22 000
12 700/22 000 — — 30 000
19 000/33 000 — — 45 000
The voltage applied shall be equal to 8 kV per millimetre of specified thickness of oversheath subject to a
maximum of 25 kV.
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13
BS 6480:1988
22 Regular sample tests
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Regular sample tests shall be as given in Table 7.
Table 7 — Regular sample tests
1 2 3
Test Requirement Test method
given in clause
Insulation thickness 6.5 E.1
Lead or lead alloy sheath thickness 12.4 E.2
Extruded bedding thickness 13.2 E.3
Oversheath thickness:
unarmoured 15.1 E.3
armoured 15.3 E.3
23 Special sample tests

23.1 General
Special sample tests shall be as given in Table 8.
Table 8 — Special sample tests

1 2 3
Test Requirement given in clause Test method
Thickness of individual insulating papers 6.4 Micrometer
Wire armour diameter 14.3, 14.4 E.4
Mass of zinc coating 14.3, 14.4 E.5
Bending test 23.2 E.6
Drainage test 10.2 10.2
Tensile strength and elongation at break of 10.3 E.7
impregnated paper
Material tests on insulating papers 6.2 E.8 and BS 5626-2
23.2 Bending test

After being subjected to the bending test as specified in E.6, the sample shall comply with the following.
a) The sample shall withstand a voltage test in accordance with 21.4, but with the test voltage increased
by 50 %.
b) After the voltage test, a 300 mm length cut from the middle of the sample shall be stripped and
examined. The serving or oversheath shall be free from splits, the armour shall not be noticeably
displaced and the lead or lead alloy sheath shall be free from splits and cracks.
c) The number of papers in the 300 mm length that contain longitudinal or edge tears exceeding
in length 6 mm or 50 % of the paper width, whichever is the smaller, shall not exceed the amount given
in Table 9.
At no point throughout the insulation of cables having voltage ratings of 3 800/6 600 V and above shall
there be more than three coincidental tears of any length in adjacent papers.
14
BS 6480:1988
Table 9 — Papers containing tears

1 2 3
Cable Belt papers of multicore Core papers of single-core
belted cables cables and each core of
multicore cables
% %
600/1 000 V, 1 900/3 300 V and 3 300/3 300 V No limit 50
3 800/6 600 V and 6 600/6 600 V 50 25
6 350/11 000 V and 8 700/11 000 V 20 10
8 700/15 000 V — 10
12 700/22 000 V and 19 000/33 000 V — 5
For the purpose of this clause conductor screening papers shall be considered together with the insulating
papers. Belt screening papers shall not contain any tear which extends across their complete width.
The conductor shall be examined visually. Impregnating compound shall be seen to have penetrated
through the interstices of stranded conductors.
24 Type tests
24.1 General
Type tests shall be as given in Table 10.
These tests shall not be invoked if a certificate can be produced, showing that the test procedure has been
successfully carried out on cable made in accordance with this British Standard and of the type it is
proposed to supply but not necessarily of the same conductor size.
Table 10 — Type tests
1 2 3
Test Requirement given in Test method
clause
Extruded bedding material 13.2 BS 6469
Oversheath material 15.1, 15.3 BS 6469
Tests for 19 000/33 000 V cables 24.2 Appendix C
24.2 Type tests for 19 000/33 000 V cables

NOTE A water penetration type test is under consideration.
24.2.1 Loading cycle test. When tested in accordance with C.2, a graphical interpretation of the tan d
measurements shall not show any tendency towards a progressive increase.
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24.2.2 Impulse voltage test. When tested in accordance with C.3, the cable shall not fall.
24.2.3 Drainage test. A drainage test shall be carried out as described in 10.2. using a sample of cable taken
from the same manufacturing length as used for the type tests described in C.2 and C.3.
24.2.4 Test a 3-core 185 mm2 conductor
24.2.4.1 At the commencement of the test the cable sample shall be at least 15 m in length excluding
terminations. A termination shall be deemed to include 200 mm of cable below any seal on the lead sheath.
NOTE A termination should be designed to accommodate the selected voltage for at least 100 h. Should a termination fail, the end
may be reterminated, the test continued and the test time accumulated provided the cable sample is never less than 10 m in length
excluding the termination.
All termination failures shall be recorded.
24.2.4.2 The power factor shall be first measured in accordance with 21.3 and then an a.c. voltage
of 4U0 (76 kV) shall be applied either simultaneously or consecutively to each phase of the cable at ambient
temperature.

15
BS 6480:1988
24.2.4.3 The test shall continue until each core has withstood 100 h without failure (excluding termination
failure).
Table 11 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) single-core cables with stranded aluminium or copper
conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6
Nominal area of Thickness of Lead alloy sheath Extruded oversheath
conductora insulation Thickness Approximate Thickness Approximate overall
diameter diameter
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm
50 1.2 1.2 13.9 1.4 17.0
70 1.2 1.2 15.7 1.4 18.8
95 1.3 1.2 17.8 1.4 20.9
120 1.3 1.3 19.6 1.4 22.7
150 1.4 1.3 21.4 1.4 24.4
185 1.4 1.4 23.4 1.4 26.5
240 1.6 1.4 26.4 1.4 29.5
300 1.7 1.5 29.3 1.4 32.4
400 1.8 1.6 32.6 1.4 35.7
500 2.0 1.7 36.4 1.5 39.7
630 2.0 1.8 40.6 1.6 44.1
800 2.0 1.9 45.0 1.7 48.8
1 000 2.0 2.0 49.8 1.8 53.8
NOTE The approximate diameters are based on uncompacted conductors. When compacted conductors are used, the actual values
can be lower than those given.
a Circular or compacted circular stranded conductors (class 2).
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Table 12 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) single-core cables with solid sectoral circular aluminium
conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6
conductora insulation Thickness Approximate Thickness Approximate overall
diameter diameter
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm
380 1.8 1.6 29.2 1.4 32.2
480 2.0 1.7 32.5 1.5 35.8
600 2.0 1.8 35.4 1.6 38.9
740 2.0 1.9 38.9 1.7 42.6
960 2.0 2.0 43.6 1.8 47.5
1 200 2.0 2.1 48.0 1.9 52.2
a Circular solid sectoral conductors (class 1).
16
Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
Copyright British Standards Institution
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Table 13 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) two-core belted cables with stranded aluminium or copper conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Nominal Thickness of insulation Lead or lead alloy Armour dimensions Thickness of extruded coverings Approximate overall diameter for cables
area of sheath finished with
conductor Between Between Thickness Approximate Thickness Diameter Oversheath Bedding Oversheath Extruded Textile Textile Extruded
conductors conductors diameter of each of armour for for for sheath bedding bedding bedding
and sheath steel tape wire unarmoured armoured armoured only textile extruded and
cables cables cables serving sheath sheath
STA SWA STA SWA STA SWA
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
4a 1.2 1.0 1.2 11.3 — 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.5 14.4 — 20.8 — 19.8 — 18.4
6a 1.2 1.0 1.2 12.4 — 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 15.5 — 21.9 — 21.1 — 19.7
10a 1.2 1.0 1.2 14.3 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 17.4 23.3 23.8 22.5 23.0 21.1 21.6
16a 1.2 1.0 1.2 16.4 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 19.5 25.4 26.6 24.8 26.0 23.8 25.0
25b 1.4 1.2 1.2 15.9 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 19.0 24.9 26.1 24.3 25.5 23.3 24.5
35 1.4 1.2 1.2 17.7 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 20.7 26.7 27.9 26.3 27.5 25.3 26.5
50 1.4 1.2 1.3 19.6 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 22.7 28.6 29.8 28.4 30.6 27.4 28.6
70 1.4 1.2 1.4 22.4 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 25.5 31.4 33.4 31.4 33.4 30.8 32.8
01:14:16 MST Questions or comments about this message: please call the Document
Document provided by IHS Licensee=Bureau Veritas/5959906001, 11/24/2004
95 1.4 1.2 1.5 25.3 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.1 28.4 34.3 36.3 34.5 36.5 33.9 35.9
120 1.4 1.2 1.6 27.8 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 31.1 36.8 38.8 37.2 39.2 36.6 38.6
150 1.8 1.4 1.7 31.0 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 34.5 40.0 43.0 40.6 43.6 40.4 43.4
185 1.8 1.4 1.8 33.8 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 37.6 42.8 45.8 43.6 46.6 43.4 46.4
240 2.0 1.6 1.9 38.4 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.6 42.3 48.6 50.4 49.8 51.6 49.6 51.3
300 2.0 1.6 2.0 42.0 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 46.4 52.2 54.0 53.6 55.4 53.8 55.6
400 2.0 1.6 2.2 46.6 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 51.5 56.8 58.6 58.6 60.4 58.8 60.6
b Conductors of nominal area 25 mm2 and above are shaped stranded (class 2).
BS 6480:1988
17
Table 14 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) two-core belted cables with solid aluminium or copper conductors
18
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
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conductors conductors diameter of each of for for for sheath bedding bedding bedding
and sheath steel tape armour unarmoured armoured armoured only textile extruded and
wire cables cables cables serving sheath sheath
4a 1.2 1.0 1.2 10.7 — 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.5 13.8 — 20.2 — 19.2 — 17.8
6a 1.2 1.0 1.2 11.7 — 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 14.8 — 21.2 — 20.4 — 19.0
10a 1.2 1.0 1.2 13.3 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 16.4 22.3 22.8 21.5 22.0 20.1 20.6
16a 1.2 1.0 1.2 15.2 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 18.3 24.2 25.4 23.6 24.8 22.6 23.8
25b 1.4 1.2 1.2 14.2 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 17.3 23.2 24.4 22.6 23.8 21.6 22.8
35 1.4 1.2 1.2 15.6 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 18.7 24.6 25.8 24.2 25.4 23.2 24.4
50 1.4 1.2 1.3 17.3 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 20.4 26.3 27.5 26.1 27.3 25.1 26.3
a Circular solid conductors (class 1).
b Conductors of nominal area 25 mm2 and above are shaped solid (class 1).
Document provided by IHS Licensee=Bureau Veritas/5959906001,
© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
Table 15 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) three-core belted cables with stranded aluminium or copper conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
4a 1.2 1.0 1.2 11.9 — 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 15.0 — 21.4 — 20.6 — 19.2
6a 1.2 1.0 1.2 13.2 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 16.2 22.2 22.7 21.4 21.9 20.0 20.5
10a 1.2 1.0 1.2 15.2 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 18.2 24.2 24.7 23.4 23.9 22.0 22.5
16a 1.2 1.0 1.2 17.4 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 20.5 26.4 27.6 25.8 27.0 24.8 26.0
25b 1.4 1.2 1.2 17.8 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 20.9 26.8 28.0 26.4 27.6 25.4 26.6
35 1.4 1.2 1.3 20.1 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 23.2 29.1 30.3 28.7 29.9 27.7 28.9
50 1.4 1.2 1.4 22.4 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 25.5 31.4 32.6 31.2 32.4 30.2 31.4
70 1.4 1.2 1.4 25.4 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 28.5 34.4 36.4 34.4 36.4 33.8 35.8
95 1.4 1.2 1.5 28.8 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.1 32.1 37.8 39.8 38.0 40.0 37.4 39.4
120 1.4 1.2 1.6 31.8 0.5 2.0 1.6 1.2 2.2 35.3 40.8 42.8 41.2 43.2 40.6 42.6
150 1.8 1.4 1.8 35.6 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 39.3 44.6 47.6 45.4 48.4 45.2 48.2
185 1.8 1.4 1.9 39.0 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 43.0 49.2 51.0 50.2 52.0 50.0 51.8
240 2.0 1.6 2.0 44.2 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 48.4 54.4 56.2 55.6 57.4 55.8 57.6
300 2.0 1.6 2.1 48.5 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 53.1 58.7 60.5 60.3 62.1 60.5 62.3
400 2.0 1.6 2.3 53.9 0.8 2.5 2.3 1.6 3.0 59.0 64.1 65.9 66.1 67.9 66.3 68.1
BS 6480:1988
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
19
Table 16 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) three-core belted cables with solid aluminium or copper conductors
20
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
4a 1.2 1.0 1.2 11.3 — 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 14.4 — 20.8 — 20.0 — 18.6
6a 1.2 1.0 1.2 12.4 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 15.5 21.4 21.9 20.6 21.1 19.2 19.7
10a 1.2 1.0 1.2 14.1 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 17.2 23.1 23.6 22.3 22.8 20.9 21.4
16a 1.2 1.0 1.2 16.1 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 19.2 25.1 26.3 24.5 25.7 23.5 24.7
25b 1.4 1.2 1.2 16.7 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 19.8 25.7 26.9 25.3 26.5 24.3 25.5
35 1.4 1.2 1.3 18.6 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 21.7 27.6 28.8 27.2 28.4 26.2 27.4
50 1.4 1.2 1.4 20.8 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 23.8 29.8 31.0 29.6 30.8 28.6 29.8
70 1.4 1.2 1.4 23.5 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 26.6 32.5 34.5 32.5 34.5 31.9 33.9
95 1.4 1.2 1.5 26.6 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.1 30.0 35.6 37.6 35.8 37.8 35.2 37.2
120 1.4 1.2 1.6 29.3 0.5 2.0 1.6 1.2 2.2 32.8 38.3 40.3 38.7 40.7 38.1 40.1
150 1.8 1.4 1.8 32.8 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 36.6 41.8 44.8 42.6 45.6 42.4 45.4
185 1.8 1.4 1.9 35.9 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 39.8 46.1 47.9 47.1 48.9 46.9 48.7
240 2.0 1.6 2.0 40.6 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 44.8 50.8 52.6 52.0 53.8 52.2 54.0
300 2.0 1.6 2.1 44.6 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 49.2 54.8 56.6 56.4 58.2 56.6 58.4
b Conductors of nominal area 25 mm2 and above shall be aluminium and are shaped solid (class 1).
© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Table 17 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) four-core belted cables with stranded aluminium or copper conductors of equal area
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
4a 1.2 1.0 1.2 13.0 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 16.0 22.0 22.5 21.2 21.7 19.8 20.3
6a 1.2 1.0 1.2 14.3 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 17.4 23.3 23.8 22.5 23.0 21.1 21.6
10a 1.2 1.0 1.2 16.6 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 19.7 25.6 26.8 25.0 26.2 24.0 25.2
16a 1.2 1.0 1.2 19.1 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 22.2 28.1 29.3 27.5 28.7 26.5 27.7
25b 1.4 1.2 1.3 20.4 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 23.5 29.4 30.6 29.0 30.2 28.0 29.2
35 1.4 1.2 1.3 22.9 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 26.0 31.9 33.1 31.7 32.9 30.7 31.9
50 1.4 1.2 1.4 25.6 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 28.7 34.6 36.6 34.6 36.6 34.0 36.0
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
70 1.4 1.2 1.5 29.4 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.1 32.7 38.4 40.4 38.6 40.6 38.0 40.0
95 1.4 1.2 1.6 33.5 0.5 2.0 1.6 1.2 2.2 37.0 42.5 44.5 42.9 44.9 42.3 44.3
120 1.4 1.2 1.7 36.9 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.3 40.6 45.9 48.9 46.5 49.5 46.3 49.3
150 1.8 1.4 1.9 41.3 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 45.3 51.5 53.3 52.5 54.3 52.3 54.1
185 1.8 1.4 2.0 45.3 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 49.5 55.5 57.3 56.7 58.5 56.9 58.7
240 2.0 1.6 2.2 51.6 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 56.3 61.8 63.6 63.4 65.2 63.6 65.4
300 2.0 1.6 2.3 56.7 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 61.6 66.9 68.7 68.7 70.5 68.9 70.7
400 2.0 1.6 2.5 63.1 0.8 3.15 2.5 1.8 3.2 68.6 73.3 76.4 75.7 78.8 76.3 79.4
b Conductiors of nominal areas 25 mm2 and above are shaped stranded (class 2).
BS 6480:1988
21
Table 18 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) four-core belted cables with solid aluminium or copper conductors of equal area
22
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
area of sheath finished with --`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
4a 1.2 1.0 1.2 12.2 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 15.3 21.2 21.7 20.4 20.9 19.0 19.5
6a 1.2 1.0 1.2 13.5 0.5 1.25 1.4 0.8 1.6 16.6 22.5 23.0 21.7 22.2 20.3 20.8
10a 1.2 1.0 1.2 15.4 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 18.5 24.4 25.6 23.6 25.0 22.8 24.0
16a 1.2 1.0 1.2 17.7 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 20.8 26.7 27.9 26.1 27.3 25.1 26.3
25b 1.4 1.2 1.3 19.0 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 22.1 28.0 29.2 27.6 28.8 26.6 27.8
35 1.4 1.2 1.3 21.1 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 24.2 30.1 31.3 29.9 31.1 28.9 30.1
50 1.4 1.2 1.4 23.6 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 26.7 32.6 34.6 32.6 34.6 32.0 34.0
70 1.4 1.2 1.5 27.1 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.1 30.4 36.1 38.1 36.3 38.3 35.7 37.7
95 1.4 1.2 1.6 30.8 0.5 2.0 1.6 1.2 2.2 34.3 39.8 41.8 40.2 42.2 39.6 41.6
120 1.4 1.2 1.7 33.9 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.3 37.6 42.9 45.9 43.5 46.5 43.3 46.3
150 1.8 1.4 1.9 37.9 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 41.9 48.1 49.9 49.1 50.9 48.9 50.7
185 1.8 1.4 2.0 41.6 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 45.8 51.8 53.6 53.0 54.8 53.2 55.0
240 2.0 1.6 2.2 47.3 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 52.0 57.5 59.3 59.1 60.9 59.3 61.1
300 2.0 1.6 2.3 52.0 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 56.8 62.2 64.0 64.0 65.8 64.2 66.0
b Conductors of nominal area 25 mm2 and above shall be aluminium and are shaped solid (class 1).
© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Table 19 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) four-core belted cables with stranded aluminium or copper conductors including a reduced
neutral conductor
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Nominal area Nominal area Thickness of insulation Lead or lead alloy sheath Armour dimensions Thickness of extruded coverings Approximate overall diameter for cables finished with
of phase of neutral Between Between Thickness Approximate Thickness of Diameter of Oversheath for Bedding for Oversheath Extruded Textile Textile Extruded
conductora conductorb conductors conductors diameter each steel tape armour wire unarmoured armoured for armoured sheath only bedding bedding bedding and
and sheath cables cables cables textile extruded sheath
serving sheath
mm2 mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
25 16 1.4 1.2 1.2 20.2 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 23.3 29.2 30.4 28.8 30.0 27.8 29.0
35 16 1.4 1.2 1.3 22.2 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 25.3 31.2 32.4 31.0 32.2 30.0 31.2
50 25 1.4 1.2 1.4 24.8 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 27.9 33.8 35.8 33.8 35.8 33.2 35.2
70 35 1.4 1.2 1.5 28.6 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.1 31.6 37.6 39.6 37.8 39.8 37.2 39.2
95 50 1.4 1.2 1.6 33.0 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 36.2 42.0 44.0 42.4 44.4 41.8 43.8
120 70 1.4 1.2 1.7 36.8 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 40.3 45.8 48.8 46.4 49.4 46.2 49.2
150 70 1.8 1.4 1.8 39.8 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 43.6 48.8 51.8 49.6 52.6 49.4 52.4
185 95 1.8 1.4 1.9 44.1 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 48.0 54.3 56.1 55.3 57.1 55.1 56.9
240 120 2.0 1.6 2.1 49.8 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 54.2 60.0 61.8 61.4 63.2 61.6 63.4
300 150 2.0 1.6 2.2 54.8 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 59.4 65.0 66.8 66.6 68.4 66.8 68.6
300 185 2.0 1.6 2.2 56.5 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 61.4 66.7 68.5 68.5 70.3 68.7 70.5
400 185 2.0 1.6 2.4 60.9 0.8 3.15 2.3 1.8 3.0 66.0 71.1 74.2 73.1 76.2 73.7 76.8
a Shaped stranded conductors (class 2).
b Shaped, circular or compacted circular stranded conductor (class 2) except that 16 mm2 shall be circular stranded {class 2) or solid (class 1).
BS 6480:1988
23
Table 20 — 600/1 000 V (Um = 1 100 V) five-core belted cables with stranded aluminium or copper conductors including a special
24
BS 6480:1988
purpose conductor
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Nominal Nominal Nominal Thickness of insulation Lead or lead alloy sheath Armour dimensions Thickness of extruded coverings Approximate overall diameter for cables finished with
area of area of area of Between Between Thickness Approximate Thickness of Diameter of Oversheath Bedding Oversheath Extruded Textile Textile Extruded
phase neutral special conductors conductors diameter each steel armour for for for sheath only bedding bedding bedding and
conductora conductorb
purpose and sheath tape wire unarmoured armoured armoured textile extruded sheath
conductorc cables cables cables serving sheath
mm2 mm2 mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
25 25 10 1.4 1.2 1.3 22.0 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 25.1 31.0 32.2 30.8 32.0 29.8 31.0
35 35 10 1.4 1.2 1.4 24.7 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 27.8 33.7 35.7 33.7 35.7 33.1 35.1
50 50 10 1.4 1.2 1.5 27.3 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 30.4 36.3 38.3 36.3 38.3 35.7 37.7
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
70 70 16 1.4 1.2 1.6 31.4 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 34.7 40.4 42.4 40.8 42.8 40.2 42.2
95 95 16 1.4 1.2 1.7 35.5 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 39.0 44.5 47.5 45.1 48.1 44.9 47.9
120 120 16 1.4 1.2 1.8 38.9 0.8 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 42.6 49.1 50.9 49.9 51.7 49.7 51.5
150 70 16 1.8 1.4 1.8 41.6 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 45.5 51.8 53.6 52.8 54.6 52.6 54.4
150 150 16 1.8 1.4 1.9 43.0 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.4 2.6 47.2 53.2 55.0 54.4 56.2 54.2 56.0
185 95 16 1.8 1.4 2.0 46.0 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 50.2 56.2 58.0 57.4 59.2 57.6 59.4
185 185 16 1.8 1.4 2.0 47.0 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 51.4 57.2 59.0 58.6 60.4 58.8 60.6
240 120 16 2.0 1.6 2.1 51.5 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 55.9 61.7 63.5 63.1 64.9 63.3 65.1
240 240 16 2.0 1.6 2.2 53.3 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 58.0 63.5 65.3 65.1 66.9 65.3 67.1
300 150 16 2.0 1.6 2.3 56.7 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 61.5 66.9 68.7 68.7 70.5 68.9 70.7
300 185 16 2.0 1.6 2.3 58.5 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 63.3 68.7 70.5 70.5 72.3 70.7 72.5
300 300 16 2.0 1.6 2.4 58.7 0.8 3.15 2.3 1.8 3.0 63.7 68.9 72.0 70.9 74.0 71.5 74.6
a Shaped stranded conductors (class 2).
b Shaped, circular or compacted circular stranded conductor (class 2).
c Circular or compacted circular stranded conductor (class 2).
© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
BS 6480:1988
Table 21 — 1 900/3 300 V (Um = 3 600 V) single-core cables with stranded aluminium or copper
conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6
conductora insulation Thickness Approximate Thickness Approximate
diameter overall diameter
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm
50 1.8 1.2 15.1 1.4 18.2
70 1.8 1.2 16.9 1.4 20.0
95 1.8 1.2 18.8 1.4 21.9
120 1.8 1.3 20.6 1.4 23.7
150 1.8 1.3 22.2 1.4 25.2
185 1.8 1.4 24.2 1.4 27.3
240 1.8 1.4 26.8 1.4 29.9
300 1.8 1.5 29.5 1.4 32.6
400 1.9 1.6 32.8 1.4 35.9
500 2.0 1.7 36.4 1.5 39.7
630 2.0 1.8 40.6 1.6 44.1
800 2.0 1.9 45.0 1.7 48.8
1 000 2.0 2.0 49.8 1.8 53.8
NOTE The approximate diameters are based on uncompacted circular conductors. When compacted conductors are used, the
actual values can be lower than those given.
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

25
Table 22 — 1 900/3 300 V (Um = 3 600 V) three-core belted cables with stranded aluminium or copper conductors
26
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
10a 2.4 1.8 1.2 17.1 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.7 20.2 26.1 27.3 25.5 26.7 24.5 25.7
16b 2.4 1.8 1.2 20.4 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 23.5 29.4 30.6 29.9 30.2 28.0 29.2
25c 2.4 1.8 1.3 20.3 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 23.4 29.3 30.5 28.9 30.1 27.9 29.1
35 2.4 1.8 1.3 22.4 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 25.5 31.4 32.6 31.2 32.4 30.2 31.4
50 2.4 1.8 1.4 24.7 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 27.8 33.7 35.7 33.7 35.7 33.1 35.1
70 2.4 1.8 1.5 28.0 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.1 31.0 37.0 39.0 37.2 39.2 36.6 38.6
95 2.4 1.8 1.6 31.4 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 34.7 40.4 42.4 40.8 42.8 40.2 42.2
120 2.4 1.8 1.7 34.3 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 37.8 43.3 46.3 43.9 46.9 43.7 46.7
150 2.4 1.8 1.8 37.1 0.8 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 40.8 47.3 49.1 48.1 49.9 47.9 49.7
185 2.4 1.8 1.9 40.5 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 44.4 50.7 52.5 51.7 53.5 51.5 53.3
240 2.4 1.8 2.0 45.1 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 49.5 55.3 57.1 56.7 58.5 56.9 58.7
300 2.4 1.8 2.2 49.6 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 54.2 59.8 61.6 61.4 63.2 61.6 63.4
400 2.4 1.8 2.4 55.0 0.8 3.15 2.3 1.8 3.0 60.0 65.2 68.3 67.2 70.3 67.8 70.9
a Circular solid conductor (class 1).

b Circular or compacted circular stranded conductor (class 2).
c Conductors of nominal area 25 mm2 and above are shaped stranded (class 2).
© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

10a 2.4 2.4 1.2 18.3 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 21.4 27.3 28.5 26.9 28.1 25.9 27.1
16b 2.4 2.4 1.2 21.6 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 24.7 30.6 31.8 30.2 31.4 29.2 30.4
25c 2.4 2.4 1.3 21.5 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 24.6 30.5 31.7 30.3 31.5 29.3 30.5
35 2.4 2.4 1.4 23.8 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 26.9 32.8 34.8 32.8 34.8 32.2 34.2
50 2.4 2.4 1.5 26.1 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 29.2 35.1 37.1 35.1 37.1 34.5 36.5
70 2.4 2.4 1.6 29.4 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 32.6 38.4 40.4 38.8 40.8 38.2 40.2
95 2.4 2.4 1.7 32.8 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 36.3 41.8 44.8 42.4 45.4 42.2 45.2
120 2.4 2.4 1.7 35.5 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.3 39.2 44.5 47.5 45.1 48.1 44.9 47.9
150 2.4 2.4 1.8 38.3 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 42.2 48.5 50.3 49.5 51.3 49.3 51.1
185 2.4 2.4 1.9 41.7 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.4 2.6 45.8 51.9 53.7 53.1 54.9 52.9 54.7
240 2.4 2.4 2.1 46.5 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 50.9 56.7 58.5 58.1 59.9 58.3 60.1
300 2.4 2.4 2.2 50.8 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 55.4 61.0 62.8 62.6 64.4 62.8 64.6
400 2.4 2.4 2.4 56.2 0.8 3.15 2.3 1.8 3.0 61.2 66.4 69.5 68.4 71.5 69.0 72.1
BS 6480:1988
27
BS 6480:1988
conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm
50 2.4 1.2 16.5 1.4 19.6
70 2.4 1.2 18.3 1.4 21.4
95 2.4 1.3 20.4 1.4 23.5
120 2.4 1.3 22.0 1.4 25.1
150 2.4 1.4 23.8 1.4 26.8
185 2.4 1.4 25.6 1.4 28.7
240 2.4 1.5 28.4 1.4 31.5
300 2.4 1.5 30.9 1.4 34.0
400 2.4 1.6 34.0 1.5 37.4
500 2.4 1.7 37.4 1.5 40.7
630 2.4 1.8 41.6 1.6 45.1
800 2.4 1.9 46.0 1.7 49.8
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
1 000 2.4 2.0 50.8 1.9 55.0

NOTE The approximate diameters are based on uncompacted circular conductors. When compacted conductors are used, the
actual values can be lower than those given.
28
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
10a 4.2 2.7 1.3 21.6 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.8 24.7 30.6 31.8 30.2 31.4 29.2 30.4
16b 4.2 2.7 1.3 25.0 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 28.0 34.0 35.2 33.8 35.0 32.8 34.0
25b 4.2 2.7 1.4 28.0 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 31.1 37.0 39.0 37.0 39.0 36.4 38.4
35c 4.2 2.7 1.5 27.0 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 30.1 36.0 38.0 36.0 38.0 35.4 37.4
50 4.2 2.7 1.5 29.1 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.1 32.4 38.1 40.1 38.3 40.3 37.7 39.7
70 4.2 2.7 1.6 32.4 0.5 2.0 1.6 1.2 2.2 35.9 41.4 43.4 41.8 43.8 41.2 43.2
95 4.2 2.7 1.7 35.8 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.3 39.5 44.8 47.8 45.4 48.4 45.2 48.2
120 4.2 2.7 1.8 38.7 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 42.7 48.9 50.7 49.9 51.7 49.7 51.5
150 4.2 2.7 1.9 41.5 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.6 45.4 51.7 53.5 52.9 54.7 52.7 54.5
185 4.2 2.7 2.0 44.9 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 49.1 55.1 56.9 56.3 58.1 56.5 58.3
240 4.2 2.7 2.2 49.7 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 54.3 59.9 61.7 61.5 63.3 61.7 63.5
300 4.2 2.7 2.3 54.0 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 58.8 64.2 66.0 66.0 67.8 66.2 68.0
400 4.2 2.7 2.5 59.4 0.8 3.15 2.4 1.8 3.1 64.7 69.6 72.7 71.8 74.9 72.4 75.5
BS 6480:1988
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
29
30
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
10a 4.2 3.8 1.3 23.8 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.9 26.9 32.8 34.0 32.6 33.8 31.6 32.8
16b 4.2 3.8 1.4 27.4 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 30.4 36.4 38.4 36.4 38.4 35.8 37.8
25b 4.2 3.8 1.5 30.4 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 33.5 39.4 41.4 39.4 41.4 38.8 40.8
35c 4.2 3.8 1.5 29.2 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.1 32.5 38.2 40.2 38.4 40.4 37.8 39.8
50 4.2 3.8 1.6 31.5 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 34.8 40.5 42.5 40.9 42.9 40.3 42.3
70 4.2 3.8 1.7 34.8 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 38.3 43.8 46.8 44.4 47.4 44.2 47.2
95 4.2 3.8 1.8 38.2 0.8 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 41.9 48.4 50.2 49.2 51.0 49.0 50.8
120 4.2 3.8 1.9 41.1 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 45.1 51.3 53.1 52.3 54.1 52.1 53.9
150 4.2 3.8 2.0 43.9 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 48.1 54.1 55.9 55.3 57.1 55.5 57.3
185 4.2 3.8 2.1 47.3 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 51.7 57.5 59.3 58.9 60.7 59.1 60.9
240 4.2 3.8 2.2 51.9 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 56.5 62.1 63.9 63.7 65.5 63.9 65.7
300 4.2 3.8 2.4 56.4 0.8 2.5 2.3 1.6 3.0 61.4 66.6 68.4 68.6 70.4 68.8 70.6
400 4.2 3.8 2.5 61.6 0.8 3.15 2.5 1.8 3.2 67.1 71.8 74.9 74.2 77.3 74.8 77.9

© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
BS 6480:1988
conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm
50 2.8 1.2 18.0 1.4 21.1
70 2.8 1.3 20.0 1.4 23.1
95 2.8 1.3 21.9 1.4 25.0
120 2.8 1.4 23.7 1.4 26.8
150 2.8 1.4 25.2 1.4 28.3
185 2.8 1.5 27.3 1.4 30.4
240 2.8 1.5 30.0 1.4 33.0
300 2.8 1.6 32.6 1.4 35.7
400 2.8 1.7 35.8 1.5 39.0
500 2.8 1.7 39.8 1.6 43.3
630 2.8 1.8 44.0 1.7 47.7
800 2.8 1.9 48.4 1.8 52.4
1 000 2.8 2.1 53.4 1.9 57.6
960b 2.8 2.0 54.0 1.9 58.2
1 200b 2.8 2.2 59.3 2.0 63.7
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
NOTE The appropriate diameters are based on uncompacted conductors. When compacted conductors are used, the actual values
b Milliken circular conductor (copper only) (class 2).

31
32
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
16a 5.6 3.4 1.4 29.3 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 32.4 38.3 40.3 38.3 40.3 37.7 39.7
25a 5.6 3.4 1.5 32.4 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.1 35.5 41.4 43.4 41.6 43.6 41.0 43.0
35a 5.6 3.4 1.6 35.3 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 38.6 44.3 46.3 44.7 46.7 44.1 46.1
50b 5.6 3.4 1.7 33.6 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 37.2 42.6 45.6 43.2 46.2 43.0 46.0
70 5.6 3.4 1.8 36.9 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 40.6 45.9 48.9 46.7 49.7 46.5 49.5
95 5.6 3.4 1.9 40.3 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 44.2 50.5 52.3 51.5 53.3 51.3 53.1
120 5.6 3.4 1.9 43.0 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 47.2 53.2 55.0 54.4 56.2 54.6 56.4
150 5.6 3.4 2.0 45.8 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 50.2 56.0 57.8 57.4 59.2 57.6 59.4
185 5.6 3.4 2.1 49.2 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 53.8 59.4 61.2 61.0 62.8 61.2 63.0
240 5.6 3.4 2.3 54.0 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 58.8 64.2 66.0 66.0 67.8 66.2 68.0
300 5.6 3.4 2.4 58.3 0.8 3.15 2.3 1.8 3.0 63.3 68.5 71.6 70.5 73.6 71.1 74.2
400 5.6 3.4 2.6 63.7 0.8 3.15 2.5 1.8 3.2 69.2 73.9 77.0 76.3 79.4 76.9 80.0
© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
Table 29 — 6 350/11 000 V (Um = 12 000 V) three-core screened cables with stranded aluminium or copper conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Nominal Thickness Lead or lead alloy sheath Armour dimensions Thickness of extruded coverings Approximate overall diameter for cables
area of of finished with
conductor insulation Thickness Approximate Thickness Diameter Oversheath Bedding Oversheath Extruded Textile Textile Extruded
diameter of each of for for for sheath bedding bedding bedding
steel tape armour unarmoured armoured armoured only textile extruded and sheath
wire cables cables cables serving sheath
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
16a 2.8 1.4 29.2 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 32.3 38.2 40.2 38.2 40.2 37.6 39.6
25a 2.8 1.5 32.2 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 35.3 41.2 43.2 41.2 43.2 40.6 42.6
35a 2.8 1.5 34.9 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.1 38.2 43.9 45.9 44.1 46.1 43.5 45.5
50b 2.8 1.6 33.5 0.5 2.0 1.6 1.2 2.2 37.1 42.5 44.5 42.9 44.9 42.3 44.3
70 2.8 1.7 36.8 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 40.3 45.8 48.8 46.4 49.4 46.2 49.2
95 2.8 1.8 40.2 0.8 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 44.0 50.4 52.2 51.2 53.0 51.0 52.8
120 2.8 1.9 43.2 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 47.2 53.4 55.2 54.4 56.2 54.2 56.0
150 2.8 2.0 46.0 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 50.2 56.2 58.0 57.4 59.2 57.6 59.4
185 2.8 2.1 49.4 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 53.8 59.6 61.4 61.0 62.8 61.2 63.0
240 2.8 2.2 54.1 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 58.9 64.3 66.1 66.1 67.9 66.3 68.1
300 2.8 2.4 58.6 0.8 3.15 2.3 1.8 3.0 63.7 68.8 71.9 70.8 73.9 71.4 74.5
400 2.8 2.6 64.1 0.8 3.15 2.5 1.8 3.2 69.6 74.3 77.4 76.7 79.8 77.3 80.4
BS 6480:1988
33
34
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Nominal Thickness of Lead or lead alloy Armour dimensions Thickness of extruded coverings Approximate overall diameter for cables
area of insulation sheath finished with
16a 5.6 4.2 1.5 31.1 0.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 2.1 34.2 40.1 42.1 40.3 42.3 39.7 41.7
25a 5.6 4.2 1.6 34.2 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 37.5 43.2 45.2 43.6 45.6 43.0 45.0
35a 5.6 4.2 1.6 36.8 0.5 2.0 1.6 1.2 2.2 40.4 45.8 47.8 46.2 48.2 45.6 47.6
50b 5.6 4.2 1.7 35.2 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 38.8 44.2 47.2 44.8 47.8 44.6 47.6
70 5.6 4.2 1.8 38.5 0.8 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 42.2 48.7 50.5 49.5 51.3 49.3 51.1
95 5.6 4.2 1.9 41.9 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 45.8 52.1 53.9 53.1 54.9 52.9 54.7
120 5.6 4.2 2.0 44.8 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 49.0 55.0 56.8 56.2 58.0 56.4 58.2
150 5.6 4.2 2.1 47.6 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 52.0 57.8 59.6 59.2 61.0 59.4 61.2
185 5.6 4.2 2.2 51.0 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 55.6 61.2 63.0 62.8 64.6 63.0 64.8
240 5.6 4.2 2.3 55.6 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 60.4 65.8 67.6 67.6 69.4 67.8 69.6
300 5.6 4.2 2.5 60.1 0.8 3.15 2.4 1.8 3.1 65.4 70.3 73.4 72.5 75.6 73.1 76.2
400 5.6 4.2 2.6 65.3 0.8 3.15 2.6 1.8 3.3 71.0 75.5 78.6 78.1 81.2 78.7 81.8
© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
BS 6480:1988
conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm
50 3.6 1.3 19.8 1.4 22.9
70 3.6 1.3 21.6 1.4 24.7
95 3.6 1.4 23.7 1.4 26.8
120 3.6 1.4 25.3 1.4 28.4
150 3.6 1.5 27.0 1.4 30.1
185 3.6 1.5 28.9 1.4 32.0
240 3.6 1.6 31.8 1.4 34.8
300 3.6 1.6 34.2 1.5 37.5
400 3.6 1.7 37.4 1.6 40.9
500 3.6 1.8 41.6 1.6 45.1
630 3.6 1.9 45.8 1.7 49.5
800 3.6 2.0 50.2 1.8 54.2
1 000 3.6 2.1 55.0 2.0 59.4
960b 3.6 2.1 55.8 1.9 60.0
1 200b 3.6 2.2 60.9 2.1 65.5
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

35
36
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
diameter of each of armour for for for sheath bedding bedding bedding
steel tape wire unarmoured armoured armoured only textile extruded and sheath
cables cables cables serving sheath
25a 3.6 1.6 35.9 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.2 39.2 44.9 46.9 45.3 47.3 44.7 46.7
35a 3.6 1.7 38.8 0.5 2.5 1.6 1.4 2.3 42.3 47.8 50.8 48.4 51.4 48.2 51.2
50b 3.6 1.8 38.4 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 42.2 47.4 50.4 48.2 51.2 48.0 51.0
70c 3.6 1.8 41.6 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 45.6 51.8 53.6 52.8 54.6 52.6 54.4
95 3.6 2.0 45.3 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 49.5 55.5 57.3 56.7 58.5 56.9 58.7
120 3.6 2.0 48.2 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 52.6 58.4 60.2 59.8 61.6 60.0 61.8
150 3.6 2.1 51.1 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 55.7 61.3 63.1 62.9 64.7 63.1 64.9
185 3.6 2.2 54.6 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 59.4 64.8 66.6 66.6 68.4 66.8 68.6
240 3.6 2.4 59.6 0.8 3.15 2.3 1.8 3.0 64.7 69.8 72.9 71.8 74.9 72.4 75.5
300 3.6 2.5 64.1 0.8 3.15 2.4 1.8 3.1 69.4 74.3 77.4 76.5 79.6 77.1 80.2
400 3.6 2.7 69.7 0.8 3.15 2.6 1.8 3.3 75.4 79.9 83.0 82.5 85.6 83.1 86.2

b Circular or compacted circular or shaped stranded conductors (class 2). The diameters provided are based on shaped stranded conductors.
© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
BS 6480:1988
conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm
50 4.9 1.4 23.1 1.4 26.2
70 4.9 1.4 24.9 1.4 28.0
95 4.9 1.5 27.0 1.4 30.1
120 4.9 1.5 28.6 1.4 31.7
150 4.9 1.6 30.4 1.4 33.4
185 4.9 1.6 32.2 1.4 35.3
240 4.9 1.7 35.0 1.5 38.4
300 4.9 1.7 37.5 1.6 41.0
400 4.9 1.8 40.6 1.6 44.2
500 4.9 1.9 44.6 1.7 48.3
630 4.9 2.0 48.8 1.8 52.7
800 4.9 2.1 53.2 1.9 57.4
1 000 4.9 2.2 58.0 2.0 62.4
960b 4.9 2.2 58.8 2.0 63.2
1 200b 4.9 2.3 63.9 2.1 68.5
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

37
38
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

diameter of each of armour for for for sheath bedding bedding bedding
steel tape wire unarmoured armoured armoured only textile extruded and sheath
cables cables cables serving sheath
25a 4.9 1.8 42.3 0.5 2.5 1.7 1.4 2.4 46.1 51.3 54.4 52.1 55.1 51.9 54.9
35a 4.9 1.9 45.2 0.8 2.5 1.8 1.4 2.5 49.2 55.4 57.2 56.4 58.2 56.2 58.0
50a 4.9 1.9 47.9 0.8 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.6 52.1 58.1 59.9 59.3 61.1 59.5 61.3
70b 4.9 2.0 48.2 0.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 2.7 52.6 58.4 60.2 59.8 61.6 60.0 61.8
95c 4.9 2.1 51.7 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 56.3 61.9 63.7 63.5 65.3 63.7 65.5
120 4.9 2.2 54.7 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 59.4 64.9 66.7 66.5 68.3 66.7 68.5
150 4.9 2.3 57.6 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 62.5 67.8 69.6 69.6 71.4 69.8 71.6
185 4.9 2.4 61.2 0.8 3.15 2.3 1.8 3.0 66.2 71.4 74.5 73.4 76.5 74.0 77.1
240 4.9 2.6 66.2 0.8 3.15 2.5 1.8 3.2 71.6 76.4 79.4 78.8 81.8 79.4 82.4
300 4.9 2.7 70.6 0.8 3.15 2.6 1.8 3.3 76.4 80.8 83.9 83.4 86.5 84.0 87.1
400 4.9 2.9 76.3 0.8 3.15 2.8 1.8 3.5 82.4 86.5 89.6 89.5 92.6 90.1 93.2

b Circular or compacted circular or shaped stranded conductors (class 2). The diameters provided are based on shaped stranded conductors.
© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
Table 35 — 12 700/22 000 V (Um = 24 000 V) three-core SL cables with stranded aluminium or copper conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Nominal Thickness Lead or lead alloy sheath Approximate Armour dimensions Thickness of Approximate overall diameter for cables
area of of diameter over oversheath finished with
conductora insulation Thickness Approximate laid-up cores Thickness of Diameter of Textile bedding Textile bedding
diameter each steel armour wire textile serving Extruded sheath
tape STA SWA STA SWA
mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
25 4.9 1.2 20.2 48.0 0.8 2.5 2.5 58.2 60.0 59.2 61.0
35 4.9 1.2 21.4 50.6 0.8 2.5 2.5 60.8 62.6 61.8 63.6
50 4.9 1.3 22.9 53.8 0.8 2.5 2.6 64.0 65.8 65.2 67.0
70 4.9 1.3 24.7 57.7 0.8 2.5 2.7 67.9 69.7 69.3 71.1
95 4.9 1.4 26.8 62.2 0.8 2.5 2.8 72.4 74.2 74.0 75.8
120 4.9 1.4 28.4 65.7 0.8 2.5 2.9 75.9 77.7 77.7 79.5
150 4.9 1.5 30.2 69.4 0.8 2.5 3.0 79.6 81.4 81.6 83.4
185 4.9 1.5 32.0 73.5 0.8 3.15 3.1 83.7 86.8 85.9 89.0
240 4.9 1.6 34.8 79.6 0.8 3.15 3.2 89.8 92.9 92.2 95.3
300 4.9 1.6 37.3 84.8 0.8 3.15 3.3 95.0 98.1 97.6 100.7
400 4.9 1.7 40.4 91.7 0.8 3.15 3.5 101.9 105.0 104.9 108.0
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
NOTE The approximate diameters are based on uncompacted conductors. When compacted conductors are used, the actual values can be lower than those given.
BS 6480:1988
39
BS 6480:1988
conductors
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Nominal area Thickness of Lead alloy sheath Extruded oversheath
of conductora insulation Thickness Approximate Thickness Approximate overall
diameter diameter
Without If graphite Without If graphite
graphite coating graphite coating
coating applied coating applied
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
50 7.3 1.5 28.3 1.4 1.9 31.4 32.5
70 7.3 1.5 30.1 1.4 2.0 33.2 34.5
95 7.1 1.6 31.8 1.4 2.0 34.9 36.2
120 7.1 1.6 33.4 1.5 2.1 36.7 38.0
150 6.8 1.7 34.6 1.5 2.1 37.8 39.1
185 6.8 1.7 36.4 1.5 2.2 39.7 41.2
240 6.8 1.8 39.2 1.6 2.3 42.8 44.3
300 6.8 1.8 41.7 1.7 2.3 45.4 46.7
400 6.8 1.9 44.8 1.8 2.4 48.8 50.1
500 6.8 2.0 48.8 1.8 2.5 52.8 54.3
630 6.8 2.1 53.0 1.9 2.7 57.1 58.9
800 6.8 2.2 57.4 2.0 2.8 61.8 63.6
1 000 6.8 2.3 62.2 2.1 2.9 66.8 68.6
960b 6.8 2.3 63.0 2.1 2.9 67.6 69.4
1 200b 6.8 2.4 68.1 2.2 3.1 72.9 74.9
b Milliken circular conductors (copper only) (class 2).
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Nominal Thickness Lead or lead alloy Armour dimensions Thickness of extruded coverings Approximate overall diameter for cables finished with Thickness of extruded Approximate overall diameter for cables
area of of sheath coverings finished with
conductor insulation Thickness Approximate Thickness Diameter Oversheath Bedding Oversheath Extruded Textile Textile Extruded Oversheath Oversheath Extruded Textile Extruded
diameter of each of for for for sheath bedding bedding bedding and for for sheath bedding bedding and
steel tape armour unarmoured armoured armoured only textile extruded sheath unarmoured armoured only if extruded sheath if
wire cables cables cables serving sheath cables if cables if graphite sheath if graphite
graphite graphite coating graphite coating applied
coating coating applied coating
applied applied applied
STA SWA STA SWA STA SWA STA SWA STA SWA
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
50a 7.3 2.2 59.1 0.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 2.8 63.7 69.3 71.1 70.9 72.7 71.1 72.9 2.9 3.2 64.6 71.7 73.5 71.9 73.7
70b 7.3 2.3 59.5 0.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.9 64.4 69.7 71.5 71.5 73.3 71.7 73.5 3.0 3.3 65.3 72.3 74.1 72.5 74.3
95c 7.1 2.4 62.2 0.8 3.15 2.3 1.8 3.0 67.2 72.4 75.5 74.4 77.5 75.0 78.1 3.1 3.4 68.1 75.2 78.3 75.8 78.9
120 7.1 2.5 65.2 0.8 3.15 2.4 1.8 3.1 70.5 75.4 78.5 77.6 80.7 78.2 81.3 3.2 3.5 71.3 78.4 81.5 79.0 82.1
150 6.8 2.6 66.8 0.8 3.15 2.5 1.8 3.2 72.3 77.0 80.1 79.4 82.5 80.0 83.1 3.4 3.6 73.3 80.2 83.3 80.8 83.9
185 6.8 2.7 70.3 0.8 3.15 2.6 1.8 3.3 76.0 80.5 83.6 83.1 86.2 83.7 86.8 3.5 3.7 77.0 83.9 87.0 84.5 87.6
240 6.8 2.8 75.1 0.8 3.15 2.7 1.8 3.4 81.1 85.3 88.4 88.1 91.2 88.7 91.8 3.6 3.8 82.1 88.9 92.0 89.5 92.6
300 6.8 2.9 79.6 0.8 3.15 2.8 2.0 3.5 85.8 89.8 92.9 92.8 95.9 93.8 96.9 3.8 3.8 86.9 93.4 96.5 94.4 97.5
400 6.8 3.1 85.2 0.8 3.15 3.0 2.0 3.7 91.8 95.4 98.5 98.8 101.9 99.8 102.9 3.8 3.8 92.7 99.0 102.1 100.0 103.1
b Circular or compacted circular or shaped stranded conductors (class 2). The diameters listed are based on shaped stranded conductors.
c Conductors of nominal area 95 mm2 and above are shaped stranded conductors (class 2).
BS 6480:1988
41
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Table 38 — 19 000/33 000 V (Um = 36 000 V) three-core SL cables with stranded aluminium or copper conductors
42
BS 6480:1988
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Nominal Thickness Lead or lead alloy sheath Approximate Armour dimensions Thickness Thickness Approximate overall diameter for cables
area of of diameter over of of finished with
conductora insulation Thickness Approximate laid up cores Thickness Diameter oversheath oversheath Textile Textile Textile
diameter of each of armour if graphite bedding bedding bedding
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
steel tape wire coating textile extruded extruded

applied serving sheath sheath if
graphite
coating
applied
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
50 7.3 1.4 28.1 65.0 0.8 2.5 2.9 3.2 75.2 77.0 77.0 78.8 77.6 79.4
70 7.3 1.4 29.9 68.9 0.8 2.5 2.9 3.3 79.1 80.9 80.9 82.7 81.7 83.5
95 7.1 1.5 31.6 72.6 0.8 3.15 3.0 3.4 82.8 85.9 84.8 87.9 85.6 88.7
120 7.1 1.5 33.2 76.0 0.8 3.15 3.1 3.5 86.2 89.4 88.4 91.6 89.2 92.4
150 6.8 1.6 34.4 78.5 0.8 3.15 3.2 3.7 88.7 91.8 91.1 94.2 92.1 95.2
185 6.8 1.6 36.2 82.6 0.8 3.15 3.3 3.7 92.8 95.9 95.4 98.5 96.2 99.3
240 6.8 1.7 39.0 88.7 0.8 3.15 3.5 3.8 98.9 102.0 101.9 105.0 102.5 105.6
300 6.8 1.7 41.5 93.9 0.8 3.15 3.6 3.8 104.1 107.2 107.3 110.4 107.7 110.8
400 6.8 1.8 44.6 100.8 0.8 3.15 3.8 3.8 111.0 114.1 114.6 117.7 114.6 117.7
NOTE The approximate diameters are based on uncompacted conductors. When compacted conductors are used, the actual values can be lower than those given.

© BSI11/24/2004
21 February
2003
BS 6480:1988
Table 39 — Calculated values of minimum thickness of extruded layers

1 2 3 4 5
Thickness specified in Lead or lead alloy Extruded PVC Extruded oversheath
Table 11 to Table 38 sheath bedding Unarmoured cables Armoured cables
Tolerance
(5 % + 0.1) (15 % + 0.1) (15 % + 0.1) (20 % + 0.2)
mm mm mm mm mm
1.0 — 0.75 — —
1.1 — 0.83 — —
1.2 1.04 0.92 — —
1.3 1.13 1.00 — —
1.4 1.23 1.09 1.09 —
1.5 1.32 1.17 1.17 1.00
1.6 1.42 1.26 1.26 1.08
1.7 1.51 1.34 1.34 1.16
1.8 1.61 1.43 1.43 1.24
1.9 1.70 1.51 1.51 1.32
2.0 1.80 1.60 1.60 1.40
2.1 1.89 1.68 1.68 1.48
2.2 1.99 1.77 1.77 1.56
2.3 2.08 1.85 1.85 1.64
2.4 2.18 — 1.94 1.72
2.5 2.27 — 2.02 1.80
2.6 2.37 — 2.11 1.88
2.7 2.46 — 2.19 1.96
2.8 2.56 — 2.28 2.04
2.9 2.65 — 2.36 2.12
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
3.0 2.75 — 2.45 2.20

3.1 2.84 — 2.53 2.28
3.2 — — 2.62 2.36
3.3 — — 2.70 2.44
3.4 — — 2.79 2.52
3.5 — — 2.87 2.60
3.6 — — 2.96 2.68
3.7 — — 3.04 2.76
3.8 — — 3.13 2.84
NOTE Minimum values of extruded bedding and sheath. The tabulated minimum values have been derived by calculating the
tolerances required in Clauses 12, 13, and 15, rounding according to IEC 55 and subtracting these from the nominal values given in
the dimensional tables.

43
BS 6480:1988
Appendix A
Recommendations for the selection of paper insulated cables
A.1 Voltage rating
The selection of standard cables of appropriate voltage designations for particular supply systems depends
on the system voltage and the system earthing arrangements.
To facilitate the selection of the cable, systems are divided into the following three categories.
a) Category A. This category comprises those systems in which any phase conductor that comes in contact
with earth or an earth conductor is automatically disconnected from the system.
b) Category B. This category comprises those systems that, under fault conditions, are operated for a
short time, not exceeding 8 h on any occasion, with one phase earthed.
NOTE In a system where an earth fault is not automatically and promptly eliminated, the increased stresses on the insulation
of cables during the earth fault are likely to affect the life of the cables to a certain degree. If the system is expected to be operated
fairly often with a sustained earth fault, it may be preferable to use cables suitable for category C. In any case, for classification
as category B the expected total duration of earth faults in any year should not exceed 125 h.
c) Category C. This category comprises all systems that do not fall into categories A and B.
Table 40 gives the lowest rated voltage of cable which should be used for an a.c. system according to the
system voltage and category.
The nominal system voltage, U, given in Table 40 is the power frequency voltage between phase conductors.
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
The maximum system voltage, Um, is the highest power frequency voltage between phase conductors which
may be sustained under normal operating conditions at any time and at any point in the system. It excludes
transient voltage variations, due, for example, to lightning impulses, fault conditions and rapid
disconnection of loads.
The nominal system voltages from 3.3 kV to 33 kV shown in Table 40 are taken from series 1 in IEC 38.
For nominal system voltages intermediate between these standard voltages and also between 1 kV
and 3.3 kV, the cables should be selected with a rated voltage not less than the next higher standard value.
For example, for a 13.8 kV system of category A or B, the cable should have a rated voltage not less
than 8.7/15 kV and for a 13.8 kV system of category C, not less than 12.7/22 kV.
The 600/1 000 V cables are suitable for d.c. systems up to 1 500 V and the 1 900/3 300 V cables for d.c.
systems up to 3 000 V to earth. However, consideration should be given to the peak value when determining
the voltage of a d.c. system derived from rectifiers, bearing in mind that smoothing does not modify the
peak value when the rectifiers are operating on an open circuit.
A.2 Non-draining cables
Where cable is to be installed in vertical, or steeply inclined, situations or where difficulties due to
migration of impregnating compound may reasonably be expected, it is specially recommended that
non-draining cables be used.
44
BS 6480:1988
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Table 40 — Selection of cables for a.c. systems

1 2 3 4 5
System voltage System category Minimum rated voltage of cable,
U0/U
Nominal voltage, U Maximum sustained Belted Single-core or
voltage, Um screened
kV kV kV kV
Up to 1.0 1.1 A, B or C 0.6/1 0.6/1
3.3 or 3 3.6 A or B 1.9/3.3 1.9/3.3
3.3 or 3 3.6 C 3.3/3.3 3.8/6.6
6.6 or 6 7.2 A or B 3.8/6.6 3.8/6.6
6.6 or 6 7.2 C 6.6/6.6 6.35/11
11 or 10 12.0 A or B 6.35/11 6.35/11
11 or 10 12.0 C 8.7/11 8.7/15
15 17.5 A or B — 8.7/15
15 17.5 C — 12.7/22
22 or 20 24.0 A or B — 12.7/22
22 or 20 24.0 C — 19/33
33 or 30 36.0 A or B — 19/33
A.3 Lead or lead alloy sheath

The types of lead or lead alloys (see BS 801) recommended for the cables specified in this British Standard
are as follows.
Unarmoured cables: alloy E or alloy B.
Armoured cables: lead or alloy E or alloy B.
Alloy E is more resistant to the effects of vibration than lead but alloy B should be used for the most severe
conditions, e.g. bridge crossings with sustained heavy traffic, or for aerial cables.
In cases of doubt as to which alloy should be used it is advisable to consult the cable manufacturer.
A.4 Protective coverings
A.4.1 Lapped coverings
The lapped beddings and servings for armoured cables referred to in 13.1 and 15.2 are suitable for lead and
lead alloy sheathed cables installed in most situations.
A.4.2 Extruded oversheath on unarmoured cables
For single-core and other unarmoured cables, an extruded oversheath is specified as standard on 15.1. This
is a general purpose covering suitable for cables in normal underground conditions, for installation in air
where a clean finish is desired.
When the extruded oversheath is to perform a special function (see A.4.4) such that a d.c. voltage test is
required, then an oversheath of greater thickness than for normal conditions should be used, as specified
in 15.1.
A.4.3 Extruded coverings for armoured cables
For armoured cables to be installed in corrosive situations, e.g. where the chemical composition of the soil
or the atmosphere would cause corrosion of the sheath, or electrolytic action is likely to occur, an extruded
covering should be used.
Where protection of the armour and the lead or lead alloy sheath is desirable, an extruded bedding and an
extruded oversheath should be used to give the maximum degree of protection.
Alternatively, an extruded oversheath with a lapped bedding may be used. In this case, the use of
galvanized steel wires rather than steel tape as the armour is preferred, as the galvanized steel wires are
more resistant to corrosion and provide a more suitable surface on which to apply an extruded covering.

45
BS 6480:1988
When the extruded oversheath is to perform a special function (see A.4.4), such that a d.c. voltage test is
required, then an oversheath of greater thickness than for normal conditions should be used, as specified
in 15.3.
A.4.4 Graphite layer on oversheath
Clauses 15.1 and 15.3 of this standard provide for the application of a semi-conducting coating containing
graphite to the surface of the extruded oversheath, if it is required that a d.c. voltage test be made on the
oversheath. Clause 21.5 specifies the details of the test to be made in the factory in these circumstances.
It is not envisaged that such a test would be required unless it was also intended to apply a voltage test to
the over-sheath after the cable had been laid, to confirm that the oversheath had not been substantially
damaged during the installation or to detect such damage as might have occurred to enable repair to be
made.
Conditions in which a d.c. voltage test on the oversheath might be required are as follows.
a) When the oversheath is to perform an insulating function during the operation of the cable. This
applies when the method of bonding of the lead or lead alloy sheaths of single-core cables is designed to
eliminate induced circulating currents, but gives rise to standing voltages between the sheaths of the
cables of different phases, e.g. bonding at one position only and cross-bonding.
b) When it is specially required to avoid corrosion of the underlying metallic layer, due to an aggressive
environment, which might occur if the anti-corrosion oversheath were damaged.
Clause B.5 gives recommended d.c. test voltages when the test is made after installation.
A.5 Current ratings
A.5.1 Cables installed in and around buildings
For current ratings of cables installed in and around buildings, reference should be made to the latest
edition of BS 7671.
A.5.2 Other cables
For the current ratings of cables installed in situations other than those covered by A.5.1, reference should
be made to Report 69-30-1 of the ERA Technology Ltd.1)
A.6 Short-circuit ratings
For the short-circuit ratings of cable, reference should be made to Report F/T 195 of the ERA Technology
Ltd.1) where applicable, and otherwise to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Appendix B
Recommendations for the installation of paper insulated cables
B.1 Compliance with regulations
Attention is drawn to the fact that cables covered by this standard should be installed and used in
association with other equipment in accordance with the Electricity Supply Regulations, 1937 published
by HMSO and that 600/1 000 V cables should also be used in accordance with the latest edition of IEE
Regulations, if applicable.
In countries outside the UK, any applicable corresponding national regulations should be observed.
Where special environments exist the appropriate regulations and codes of practice should be observed.
B.2 Minimum temperature during installation
Cables should be installed only when both the cable temperatures and ambient temperatures are
above 0 °C and have been kept so for the previous 24 h or where special precautions have been taken to
maintain the cable above this temperature. It should be noted that even at 0 °C there can be some danger
to coverings containing bitumen and also to PVC material where included.
1) Copies may be obtained from the ERA Technology Ltd., Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey.
46 © BSI11/24/2004
21 February 2003
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

BS 6480:1988
B.3 Minimum installation radius

None of the cables specified in the standard should be bent during installation, to a radius smaller than
that given in Table 41.
Table 41 — Minimum bending radius during installation
1 2 3 4
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Voltage rating Minimum bending radius during installation
Multicorea Single-core Individual core SL
cable
Up to and including 8 700/11 000 V 12D 15D —
Above 8 700/11 000 V, up to and including 15D 18D 18Ds
12 700/22 000 V
19 000/33 000 V 18D 21D 21Ds
NOTE 1 D is the overall diameter of the cable and Ds is the diameter over the lead or lead alloy sheath.
NOTE 2 Wherever possible larger installation radii should be used.
a Includes laid up SL cores but not individual cores.
The minimum installation bending radii for 19 000/33 000 V cables when they are placed in position,
adjacent to joints or terminals, as distinct from being pulled in during normal laying operations should be
as given in Table 42.
Table 42 — Minimum bending radius for 19 000/33 000 V cables adjacent to joints or terminals
1 2 3
Type of cable Minimum installation bending radius when cable placed in position
adjacent to joints or terminals
Without former With former
Single-core 20D 15D
Three-core screened 15D 12D
Three-core SL 15D 12D
Individual cores of SL cables 20Ds 15Ds
NOTE 1 D is the overall diameter of the cable and Ds is the diameter over the lead or lead alloy sheath.
NOTE 2 Wherever possible, larger installation radius should be used.
B.4 Prevention of moisture ingress

Care should be exercised during installation to avoid any damage to cable coverings.
Immediately prior to and after cable laying the end seals should be inspected for damage. If any end seal
is found to be faulty then the cable should be tested for moisture ingress and any cable found to have wet
insulation should be cut off to remove the affected portion and then re-sealed.
If the sealed ends are to be left exposed to moisture for any protracted period before jointing commences,
then they should be encapsulated in bitumen or other sealing compound as a precaution against moisture
ingress through possible defects in the end seals, not obvious during inspection.
B.5 Tests on commissioning
B.5.1 Tests on cable
Test on commissioning are not a requirement of this British Standard. However, it is recommended that a
d.c. voltage of the appropriate value given in Table 43 be applied between conductors and/or between
conductors and the lead or lead alloy sheath after all the terminating and jointing has been carried out but
before connection to the consumer’s system. The voltage should be applied gradually to the full value and
maintained for 15 min without break-down of the insulation.

47
BS 6480:1988
Table 43 — Test voltages on commissioning

1 2 3
Voltage designation D.C. voltage between conductors D.C. voltage between each conductor
and metal sheath
V V V
600/1 000 3 500 3 500
1 900/3 300 10 000 7 000
3 300/3 300 10 000 10 000
3 800/6 600 20 000 15 000
6 600/6 600 20 000 20 000
6 350/11 000 34 000 25 000
8 700/11 000 34 000 34 000
8 700/15 000 — 37 000
12 700/22 000 — 50 000
19 000/33 000 — 76 000
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NOTE 1 These test voltages are intended for cables immediately after commissioning and not for cables which have been in
service. When testing is required after cables have been in service, the manufacturer may be consulted for the appropriate test
conditions which will depend on the individual circumstances.
NOTE 2 Where switchgear or any other equipment cannot readily be isolated from terminals the test voltage should be a matter of
agreement between the parties concerned.
B.5.2 Test on oversheath

When a graphite coating has been applied to the oversheath in accordance with 15.1 and 15.3, a d.c. voltage
test may be carried out after installation.
The d.c. voltage test can only be carried out on the installed system if the joints are suitably insulated from
earth, otherwise the d.c. voltage test should be carried out prior to jointing.
For 19 000/33 000 V cables it is recommended that the test voltage should be equal to 4 kV per millimetre
of tabulated thickness of oversheath, as given in the appropriate Table 36 to Table 38, subject to a
maximum of 10 kV. For lower voltage cables, it is recommended that the test voltage should be 4 kV per
millimetre, but using the manufacturer’s recommended thickness of the oversheath, subject to a maximum
of 10 kV.
The voltage should be applied for 1 min without breakdown.
Appendix C
Type tests for 19 000/33 000 V cables
C.1 Preliminary procedure
As a preliminary to the type testing procedure check the insulation thickness of the cable submitted for test
by the method described in E.1 to confirm that it is in accordance with the specified thickness within a
tolerance of +0.4 mm.
C.2 Loading cycle test
C.2.1 Test installation
The installation shall include at least 30 m of cable and, if any accessories are included, there shall be at
least 4 m of cable between adjacent accessories.
All cable used in the test installation shall have been bent in accordance with the procedure described
in E.6.
The installation shall contain a vertical rise to the gland wipe of the terminations to give a head of not less
than 2 m; it shall be situated indoors in reasonably still air, and away from direct sunlight. The cable
installation shall include a vertical loop at least 6 m in height.
48
BS 6480:1988
C.2.2 Procedure
The test installation shall undergo at least 100 cycles at 25.4 kV (1.33 times normal working voltage) with
not more than five loading cycles in any 7 successive days. Each cycle shall consist of 6 h with conductor
current loading followed by 18 h without current loading. During the last 3 h of each current loading period
maintain the maximum conductor temperature at not less than 70 °C nor more than 75 °C.
Apply the test voltage, which shall be at normal power frequency and shall have an r.m.s. value of 25.4 kV,
continuously between the conductor(s) and the sheath. Measure one cold and one hot tan d value at this
voltage on each of the three cores in turn.
NOTE If the available conductor loading current supplies are inadequate to produce the above temperature it is permissible to apply
a uniform thickness of thermal insulation throughout the length of the test assembly, excluding the sealing ends.
Carry out the test for a maximum of 250 heat cycles, but if the tan d is shown to be stable after 100 heat
cycles the test may be discontinued.
C.3 Impulse voltage test
C.3.1 Test installation
Only a test installation which has satisfactorily completed the loading cycle test shall be submitted to this
test. No arcing horns shall be fitted to the sealing ends.
C.3.2 Principle
A loading current is applied to the test assembly until, for constant current, the cable sheath temperatures
have been steady (i.e. variations not greater than 2 °C, after due allowance has been made for ambient
temperature variations), for 2 h with the maximum conductor temperature not less than 65 °C and not
greater than 70 °C. With this loading current maintained, the test core of the test assembly is submitted
to 10 successive negative followed by 10 successive positive impulses at 194 kV (peak) and of waveshape as
follows:
Front time (T1) Between 0.5 µs and 5.0 µs
Tail time of half value (T2) 50 µs ± 20 %
Where T1 and T2 are defined in accordance with BS 923.

C.3.3 Detailed test method
C.3.3.1 General. Connect the test installation to the impulse generator and its associated voltage divider
system. Adjust the circuit values of the system to produce impulse voltage waveshapes complying with
C.3.2. Make oscillograms on suitable time sweeps to record both the wave front and wave tail duration of
the wave.
Do not alter the circuit values of the impulse generator for the remainder of the test period. In the case of
three-core power cable systems, test all three cores in sequence at each voltage level. Apply a loading
current to the test assembly to raise the maximum conductor temperature to its required value. Maintain
this current constant until the cable sheath temperatures have been steady (i.e. variations not greater
than 2 °C after due allowance has been made for ambient temperature variations) for at least 2 h.
During the period when the temperature of the cable is maintained at a constant value, before
commencement of the withstand test, calibrate the impulse generator system with the test installation
connected, using either a sphere gap complying with BS 358 (see C.3.3.2) or an impulse voltage divider
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
system of known ratio, complying with BS 923 (see C.3.3.3).

NOTE The choice of method is at the option of the manufacturer.
C.3.3.2 Calibration using a sphere gap in accordance with BS 358. For every given setting of the sphere
gap, adjust the charging voltage of the generator so as to give 50 % sparkover of the gap, and take an
oscillogram of the impulse voltage. Carry out this procedure for at least three different settings of the
sphere gap using negative impulses. Select the gap settings so that their 50 % sparkover voltages are
approximately 50 %, 70 % and 90 % of the specified test level.
Draw a curve showing the charging voltages as a function of the sphere gap sparkover voltage. Then
extrapolate this curve to establish the necessary charging voltage to obtain the specified test level.
Determine the ratio of the voltage divider from consideration of the oscillograms and the calibration curve
determined as described above.

49
BS 6480:1988
C.3.3.3 Calibration using an impulse voltage divider system of known ratio in accordance with BS 923.
Make a series of measurements using a calibrated impulse voltage divider with either a cathode ray
oscillograph or an impulse crest voltmeter, to establish the relationship between generator charging
voltage and the generator output voltage. Make these measurements using negative polarity impulses at
output voltage levels corresponding to approximately 50 %, 70 % and 90 % of the specified withstand level.
Draw a curve showing the charging voltage as a function of output voltage. Then extrapolate this curve to
establish the necessary charging voltage to obtain the specified test level.
If so required the impulse voltage divider system may be calibrated in the presence of an independent
witness.
C.3.3.4 Applications of impulses at withstand voltage specified. With the cable maintained at the required
temperature and the sphere gap setting increased, subject the sample to a series of 10 negative impulses
at the withstand voltage specified. The time interval between successive impulses shall be the minimum
possible, but should be adequate to ensure that the impulse generator is charged at the correct voltage.
Immediately after the application of the first 10 negative impulses, recalibrate the generator for positive
polarity using the conditions described in C.3.3.1 and the methods in tests described in C.3.3.2 and C.3.3.3
and apply a series of 10 positive impulses of the same voltage to the cable. The time interval between
successive impulses shall be the minimum possible, but should be adequate to ensure that the impulse
generator is charged at the correct voltage.
C.3.3.5 Oscillograms and readings. Make oscillograms of at least the first and the tenth impulses of each
sequence of 10 impulses, each including base and voltage calibration lines and a timing oscillation.
Take readings at least once an hour, of cable sheath and ambient temperature throughout the test period.
Appendix D
Resistance values of phase conductor, and lead or lead alloy sheath and
single-wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables
Table 44 to Table 52 contain values of the resistance of conductor, lead and lead alloy sheath, and
single-wire armour of two-core, three-core, four-core and five-core cables with a rated voltage of 600/1 000 V
(Table 11 to Table 20). The combined resistances specified for lead or lead alloy sheath and single-wire
armour are values which may be used in conjunction with the latest edition of the IEE Regulations. These
values, however, are not to be used for short-circuit calculations.
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
50
BS 6480:1988
Table 44 — D.C. conductor resistance at 20 °C and d.c. resistance at 20 °C of lead or lead alloy
sheath of 600/1 000 V single-core cables
1 2 3 4 5
Nominal area of Conductor Lead or lead alloy sheath
conductor Copper Aluminium Stranded conductor Solid sectoral conductor
cable (Table 11) cable (Table 12)
Max. Max. Approx. Approx.
mm2 7/km 7/km 7/km 7/km
50 0.387 0.641 4.47 —
70 0.268 0.443 3.92 —
95 0.193 0.320 3.42 —
120 0.153 0.253 2.87 —
150 0.124 0.206 2.62 —
185 0.0991 0.164 2.21 —
240 0.0754 0.125 1.95 —
300 0.0601 0.100 1.64 —
380 — 0.0800 — 1.55
400 0.0470 0.0778 1.38 —
480 — 0.0633 — 1.31
500 0.0366 0.0605 1.16 —
600 — 0.0515 — 1.13
630 0.0283 0.0469 0.98 —
740 — 0.0410 — 0.97
800 0.0221 0.0367 0.84 —
960 — 0.0313 — 0.82
1 000 0.0176 0.0291 0.72 —
1 200 0.0151 0.0250 — 0.71

--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

51
BS 6480:1988
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
sheath and single steel wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables: two-core stranded conductor cable
(see Table 13)
1 2 3 4 5 6
Nominal Conductor Lead or lead alloy Steel wire armour Combined lead or
conductor area Copper Aluminium sheath lead alloy sheath
and steel wire
armour resistance
Max. Max. Approx. Approx. Approx.
mm2 7/km 7/km 7/km 7/km 7/km
4 4.61 7.41 5.63 3.56 2.18
6 3.08 4.61 5.06 3.36 2.02
10 1.83 3.08 4.34 3.02 1.78
16 1.15 1.91 3.73 2.05 1.32
25 0.727 1.20 3.86 2.11 1.36
35 0.524 0.868 3.45 1.94 1.24
50 0.387 0.641 2.86 1.80 1.10
70 0.268 0.443 2.32 1.28 0.82
95 0.193 0.320 1.91 1.16 0.72
120 0.153 0.253 1.63 1.05 0.64
150 0.124 0.206 1.37 0.76 0.49
185 0.0991 0.164 1.19 0.71 0.44
240 0.0754 0.125 0.99 0.63 0.39
300 0.0601 0.100 0.86 0.59 0.35
400 0.0470 0.0778 0.70 0.53 0.30
sheath and single steel wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables: two-core solid conductor cable
(see Table 14)
1 2 3 4 5 6
Nominal Conductor Lead or lead alloy Steel wire armour Combined lead or
conductor area Copper Aluminium sheath lead alloy sheath
and steel wire
armour resistance
4 4.61 7.41 5.98 3.66 2.27
6 3.08 4.61 5.40 3.45 2.11
10 1.83 3.08 4.68 3.18 1.89
16 1.15 1.91 4.06 2.17 1.41
25 — 1.20 4.37 2.31 1.51
35 — 0.868 3.95 2.17 1.40
50 — 0.641 3.28 2.00 1.24
52
BS 6480:1988
sheath and single steel wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables: three-core stranded conductor cable
--`,,,,`,,,`,,`,,``,``,`,`,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
(see Table 15)
1 2 3 4 5 6
Nominal Conductor Lead or lead alloy Steel wire armour Combined lead or lead
conductor area Copper Aluminium sheath alloy sheath and steel
wire armour resistance
4 4.61 7.41 5.30 3.45 2.09
6 3.08 4.61 4.75 3.18 1.90
10 1.83 3.08 4.07 2.88 1.69
16 1.15 1.91 3.50 1.94 1.25
25 0.727 1.20 3.42 1.94 1.24
35 0.524 0.868 2.79 1.76 1.08
50 0.387 0.641 2.32 1.61 0.95
70 0.268 0.443 2.03 1.16 0.74
95 0.193 0.320 1.67 1.03 0.64
120 0.153 0.253 1.42 0.95 0.57
150 0.124 0.206 1.12 0.68 0.42
185 0.0991 0.164 0.97 0.62 0.38
240 0.0754 0.125 0.81 0.56 0.33
300 0.0601 0.100 0.70 0.52 0.30
400 0.0470 0.0778 0.58 0.47 0.26
sheath and single steel wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables: three-core solid conductor cable
(see Table 16)
1 2 3 4 5 6
4 4.61 7.41 5.64 3.56 2.18
6 3.08 4.61 5.08 3.36 2.02
10 1.83 3.08 4.39 3.02 1.79
16 1.15 1.91 3.80 2.11 1.36
25 — 1.20 3.67 2.05 1.32
35 — 0.868 3.03 1.85 1.15
50 — 0.641 2.52 1.72 1.02
70 — 0.443 2.20 1.21 0.78
95 — 0.320 1.81 1.10 0.68
120 — 0.253 1.54 1.01 0.61
150 — 0.206 1.23 0.72 0.45
185 — 0.164 1.06 0.68 0.41
240 — 0.125 0.89 0.61 0.36
300 — 0.100 0.77 0.55 0.32

53
BS 6480:1988
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sheath and single steel wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables: four-cores of equal area stranded
conductor cable (see Table 17)
1 2 3 4 5 6
4 4.61 7.41 4.83 3.27 1.95
6 3.08 4.61 4.32 2.95 1.75
10 1.83 3.08 3.69 2.05 1.32
16 1.15 1.91 3.17 1.85 1.17
25 0.727 1.20 2.75 1.72 1.06
35 0.524 0.868 2.43 1.57 0.95
50 0.387 0.641 2.02 1.13 0.72
70 0.268 0.443 1.63 1.01 0.62
95 0.193 0.320 1.34 0.90 0.54
120 0.153 0.253 1.14 0.66 0.42
150 0.124 0.206 0.91 0.60 0.36
185 0.0991 0.164 0.79 0.54 0.32
240 0.0754 0.125 0.63 0.48 0.27
300 0.0601 0.100 0.55 0.45 0.25
400 0.0470 0.0778 0.45 0.32 0.19
sheath and single steel wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables: four-cores of equal area stranded
conductor cable (see Table 18)
1 2 3 4 5 6
4 4.61 7.41 5.15 3.36 2.03
6 3.08 4.61 4.63 3.10 1.86
10 1.83 3.08 3.99 2.17 1.41
16 1.15 1.91 3.45 1.94 1.24
25 — 1.20 2.97 1.85 1.14
35 — 0.868 2.65 1.68 1.03
50 — 0.641 2.19 1.21 0.78
70 — 0.443 1.78 1.08 0.67
95 — 0.320 1.46 0.97 0.58
120 — 0.253 1.25 0.71 0.45
150 — 0.206 1.00 0.65 0.39
185 — 0.164 0.87 0.60 0.36
240 — 0.125 0.69 0.53 0.30
300 — 0.100 0.60 0.48 0.27
54
BS 6480:1988
sheath and single steel wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables: four-core including a reduced neutral
conductor stranded conductor cable (see Table 19)
1 2 3 4 5 6
Nominal Phase Conductor Lead or lead alloy Steel wire armour Combined lead or lead
25/16 0.727 1.20 2.99 1.76 1.11
35/16 0.524 0.868 2.51 1.61 0.98
50/25 0.387 0.641 2.08 1.16 0.74
70/35 0.268 0.443 1.68 1.03 0.64
95/50 0.193 0.320 1.36 0.91 0.55
120/70 0.153 0.253 1.15 0.66 0.42
150/70 0.124 0.206 1.00 0.61 0.38
185/95 0.0991 0.164 0.86 0.56 0.34
240/120 0.0754 0.125 0.68 0.50 0.29
300/150 0.0601 0.100 0.59 0.46 0.26
300/185 0.0601 0.100 0.57 0.45 0.25
400/185 0.0470 0.0778 0.49 0.33 0.20
sheath and single steel wire armour of 600/1 000 V cables: five-core including a special purpose
conductor stranded conductor cable (see Table 20)
1 2 3 4 5 6
Nominal Phase Conductor Lead or lead alloy Steel wire armour Combined lead or lead
mm 2 7/km 7/km 7/km 7/km 7/km
25/25/10 0.727 1.20 2.54 1.64 1.00
35/35/10 0.524 0.868 2.09 1.18 0.75
50/50/10 0.387 0.641 1.77 1.08 0.67
70/70/16 0.268 0.443 1.43 0.95 0.57
95/95/16 0.193 0.320 1.19 0.68 0.43
120/120/16 0.153 0.253 1.02 0.62 0.39
150/70/16 0.124 0.206 0.96 0.60 0.37
150/150/16 0.124 0.206 0.88 0.57 0.35
185/95/16 0.0991 0.164 0.78 0.54 0.32
185/185/16 0.0991 0.164 0.76 0.53 0.31
240/120/16 0.0754 0.125 0.66 0.49 0.28
240/240/16 0.0754 0.125 0.61 0.48 0.27
300/150/16 0.0601 0.100 0.55 0.45 0.25
300/185/16 0.0601 0.100 0.53 0.44 0.24
300/300/16 0.0601 0.100 0.51 0.34 0.20
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55
BS 6480:1988
Appendix E
Methods of test
E.1 Measurement of insulation thickness
E.1.1 Cables of voltage rating up to 12 700/22 000 V
E.1.1.1 Micrometer. The micrometer shall be capable of measuring the thickness with an error not greater
than ±0.006 mm. The pressure foot shall have a diameter of not less than 6 mm and not greater than 8 mm.
The pressure applied shall be 350 kN/m2 ± 5 %. The faces shall be concentric and parallel to
within 0.003 mm over the range of travel.
The faces of the micrometer shall be cleaned before each measurement.
E.1.1.2 Procedure. Make the measurement of the insulation thickness on a sample not more than 150 mm
long, taken not less than 200 mm from the end of each factory length of cable selected for the test. Bunch
together the individual paper tapes removed from the finished cable without removing surplus compound,
and measure the total thickness by a deadweight (dial) micrometer having the characteristics given
in E.1.1.1. Include all the tapes which make up the insulation in the measurement.
If necessary, separate the insulation into a few groups to obtain a satisfactory measurement and add the
thickness of all the groups to obtain the total thickness.
E.1.2 Cables of voltage rating 19 000/33 000 V
Make the measurement of the insulation thickness on a sample not more than 150 mm long, taken not less
than 200 mm from the end of each factory length of cable selected for the test.
Dismantle the sample until the dielectric screening tapes are removed. Measure the diameter of the core
in this condition by means of a diameter measuring tape, having scale divisions not exceeding 0.5 mm.
Take the measurements at 50 mm and 100 mm from one end of the sample.
Then remove the insulation until the conductor screen is exposed and measure the diameter over the
conductor screen at the same points with the diameter measuring tape.
Calculate the insulation thickness at each point of measurement by halving the difference between the two
diameters at each position.
E.2 Measurement of lead or lead alloy sheath thickness
Take the measurement either on a ring or, for cables less than 12 mm diameter over the sheath, on a
flattened circumferential strip carefully cut from a sample taken not less than 200 mm from the end of each
factory length of cable selected for the test.
Determine the thickness of the sheath at a sufficient number of points around the circumference of the ring
sample or along the surface of the strip sample, to ensure that the minimum thickness is measured.
Make the measurement with a micrometer having one flat nose and one ball nose or one flat nose and a flat
rectangular nose 0.8 mm wide and 2.4 mm long. When the measurements are made on the ring sample,
apply the ball nose or the flat rectangular nose to the inside of the ring.
E.3 Measurement of thickness (excluding insulation and metallic sheath)
E.3.1 Sampling
For the measurement of thickness of extruded bedding and oversheath listed in Table 3, take a sample of
not less than 200 mm from one end of each drum length of cable selected for the test.
If any of the thicknesses measured does not comply with 13.2, 15.1 and 15.3, check two further samples for
the non-compliant items. If both of the further pieces meet the specified requirements, the cable is deemed
to comply, but if either does not meet the requirements the cable is deemed not to comply.
E.3.2 Test procedure
Make measurements for thickness of extruded bedding and oversheath by the method described on
BS EN 60811-1-1.
When determining an average thickness from several measurements, round the resultant value to the
nearest 0.1 mm (0.05 mm rounded upwards).
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56
BS 6480:1988
For the sample tests, the measurements may be made generally in accordance with BS EN 60811-1-1, but
using a micrometer or optical device.
In case of dispute, the equipment specified in BS EN 60811-1-1 shall be used.
E.4 Measurement of diameter of round wire armour
Take 10 % of the total number of wires at random from one sample of completed cable and determine the
diameter of each wire with a micrometer by taking two measurements at right angles to each other.
The average of all the measurements shall be taken as the wire diameter.
E.5 Mass of zinc coating of galvanized steel wire
Take 10 % of the total numbers of wires at random from one sample of completed cable and determine the
mass of zinc coating by either a gravimetric or gas volumetric method as described in BS 443.
The average of all the measurements shall be taken as the mass of the zinc coating.
E.6 Bending test
E.6.1 Sampling
Carry out the bending test on a sample of completed cable with open ends, of sufficient length to give at
least one complete turn round the test cylinder specified in Table 53. Alternatively, for SL cables, the test
may be made on one of the lead sheathed cores, treating the cores as a single core cable.
E.6.2 Procedure
Bend the sample, at a room temperature between 15 °C and 25 °C, around a test cylinder to make one
complete turn. Then unwind the sample and repeat the process in the opposite direction. Perform this cycle
of operations three times. Bend the sample at a reasonably uniform speed, each half cycle of the test taking
between 0.5 s and 1.0 s per millimetre diameter of the lead or lead alloy sheath, but in no case shall the
time be less than 10 s.
The diameter of the test cylinder shall be as given in Table 53.
Table 53 — Diameter of test cylinder
1 2 3
Cable Multicore Single-core
Cables of voltage rating up to and including 8 700/11 000 V 12(D + d) 15(D + d)
Cables of voltage rating 8 700/15 000 V up to and 15(D + d) 18(D + d)
including 12 700/22 000 V
19 000/33 000 V cables 18(D + d) 21(D + d)
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NOTE D is the diameter over the lead or lead alloy sheath or for three-core SL cables the diameter over the laid up cores given in
the appropriate table and d is the diameter of a main conductor, or of the equivalent circular stranded conductor, if the conductors
are shaped, but in no case should the diameter of the test cylinder be less than 250 mm.
Following the bend test subject the sample to a voltage test and examine it as described in 23.2.
E.7 Measurement of breaking load and elongation at break of impregnated paper
Carry the test out on samples of crease free impregnated paper tapes, taken from the completed cable. Cut
the tapes into strips 15 mm wide and not less than 220 mm long. Condition the strips for 24 h at a relative
humidity of 65 % and a temperature between 17 °C and 21 °C. Remove the surplus compound and measure
the thickness of the conditioned strips to the nearest 0.002 mm. Test the strips in a tensile testing machine
having a distance of approximately 180 mm between grips.
Test six samples from each cable. Discard the highest and lowest measurements. The final recorded value
for elongation at break is the mean of the results of the remaining four samples.
E.8 Test for water soluble impurities in insulating paper
Dry approximately 10 g of the paper in an air oven at a temperature between 103 °C and 105 °C for 1 h and
weigh to an accuracy of 1 mg. Then cut it into squares of side approximately 15 mm and subject it to
extraction in a porcelain dish or glass beaker on a boiling water bath with 200 mL of distilled water
for 15 min. Decant off the extract through a filter paper and repeat the process until four extractions have
been made, the same filter paper being used in each case.

57
BS 6480:1988
Evaporate the total extracts to dryness on a water bath and finally dry to constant mass at a temperature
between 103 °C and 105 °C.
Then carry out a blank determination and subtract any mass obtained from the mass obtained in the test.
Calculate the value obtained as a percentage of the dry paper mass.
Appendix F
Information to be provided with enquiry or order
NOTE See Appendix A for recommendations for selection of cables.
The following information should be given with an enquiry or order:
a) number of this British Standard, i.e. BS 6480:1988;
b) length of cable required, and individual drum lengths if important;
c) voltage designation (see Clause 3 and Appendix A ); alternatively information relating to the system
on which cable will be used, as follows:
1) a.c. or d.c. system;
2) earthing arrangements;
3) voltage;
d) number of cores;
e) conductor sizes and, where applicable, size of reduced neutral conductor or alternatively current
carrying capacity required together with installation conditions;
f) conductor material, i.e. copper or aluminium;
g) type of conductor, i.e. stranded or solid (where alternatives are permitted, see item c));
h) for 11 000 V cable, whether belted or screened type is required;
i) for 22 000 V and 33 000 V cables, whether screened or SL type cables are required;
j) whether cables are to be supplied that do not comply with the maximum drainage values given in
Table 1 when tested in accordance with 10.2.1 (see 10.2;)
k) type of sheath, e.g. lead, lead alloy B or lead alloy E (see Appendix A and Clause 12);
l) type of finish, e.g. bedded armoured and served, unarmoured and served, type of oversheath material;
m) in lapped bedding, whether additional compound should be applied to bright wire armoured cables or
armoured cables having an oversheath (see 13.1);
n) for armoured cables, type or armour (see 14.1);
o) for armoured cables, whether the direction of lay of the outer layer of armour should be left-hand
(see 14.4);
p) for armoured cables, the type of serving preferred if important (see 15.2);
q) for unarmoured cables whether or not a layer of compound is required over the lead or lead alloy
sheath (see 15.1);
r) for cables with an oversheath, whether or not a d.c. voltage test is required and therefore a graphite
coating (see 15.1 and 15.3);
s) for armoured cables, whether or not a layer of compound is required over the lead or lead alloy sheath
(see 15.3);
t) any testing requirement in accordance with this specification additional to the normal routine tests
(see Table 2);
u) any handling limitations on drum weights or dimensions, if these are likely to be significant;
v) any requirements for fully lagged drums.
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58
BS 6480:1988
Publications referred to
BS 358, Method for the measurement of voltage with sphere-gaps (one sphere earthed).
BS 443, Specification for testing zinc coatings on steel wire and for quality requirements.
BS 801, Specification for composition of lead and lead alloy sheaths of electric cables.
BS 923, Guide on high-voltage testing techniques.
BS 4727, Glossary of eletrotechnical, power, telecommunication, electronic, lighting and colour terms.
BS 4727-2, Terms particular to power engineering.
BS 4727:Group 08, Electric cable terminology.
BS 5099, Specification for spark testing of electric cables.
BS 5626, Cellulosic papers for electrical purposes.
BS 5626-2, Methods of test.
BS 6360, Specification for conductors in insulated cables and cords.
BS 7655, Specification for insulating and sheathing materials for cables.
BS 7655-4, PVC sheathing compounds.
BS 7655-4.1, Harmonized types.
BS 7655-10, Polyethylene sheathing compound.
BS 7655-10.1, Types suitable for electricity supply cable application.
BS 7671, Requirements for electrical installations.
BS 7671, IEE Wiring regulations, sixteenth edition.
BS EN 60811, Insulating and sheathing materials of electric cables — Common test methods.
BS EN 60811-1-1, General application.
BS EN 60811-1-1-1, Measurement of thickness and overall dimensions — Tests for determining the
mechanical properties.
IEC 60038, IEC Standard voltages.
IEC 60055, Paper-insulated metal-sheathed cables for rated voltages up to 18/30 kV (with copper or
aluminium conductors and excluding gas-pressure and oil-filled cables).
IEC 60055-1, Tests2)
IEC 60055-2, General and construction requirements.2)
Current rating standards for distribution cables, ERA 69-30-1, ERA Technology Ltd.3)
Report F/T 195. A basis for short-circuit ratings for paper-insulated lead-sheathed cables up to 11 kV.4)
2) Referred to in the foreword only.

3) Obtainable from the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Savoy Place, Victoria Embankment, London WC2R OBL.
4) Available from ERA Technology Ltd., Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7SA.
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BS 6480:1988
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BRITISH STANDARD BS 6480:1988

Committees responsible for this

Association of Supervisory and Executive Engineers

© BSI 21 February 2003

The following BSI references 9263 March 1997

ISBN 0 580 16105 6

Appendix C Type tests for 19 000/33 000 V cables 48

© BSI 21 February 2003

© BSI 21 February 2003

Copyright British Standards Institution Document provided by IHS Licensee=Bureau Veritas/5959906001,

© BSI 21 February 2003

© BSI 21 February 2003

Copyright British Standards Institution Document provided by IHS Licensee=Bureau Veritas/5959906001,

Table 1 — Maximum drainage

12 Lead or lead alloy sheath

© BSI 21 February 2003

14.2 Steel tape armour

Copyright British Standards Institution Document provided by IHS Licensee=Bureau Veritas/5959906001,

15 Serving and oversheath

© BSI 21 February 2003

16 Compounds for lapped bedding and serving

a) The wording “ELECTRIC CABLE”

The marking of items a) to d) shall be by embossing or indenting on the oversheath.

17.2.4 Additional marking

© BSI 21 February 2003

18 Sealing and drumming

Table 3 — Schedule of tests

© BSI 21 February 2003

21.2 Conductor resistance

21.4 Voltage test on complete cable

© BSI 21 February 2003

22 Regular sample tests

23 Special sample tests

Table 8 — Special sample tests

23.2 Bending test

Table 9 — Papers containing tears

24.2 Type tests for 19 000/33 000 V cables

© BSI 21 February 2003

© BSI 21 February 2003

a Circular solid conductor (class 1).

wire cables cables cables serving sheath sheath

1 000 2.4 2.0 50.8 1.9 55.0

a Circular solid conductor (class 1).

© BSI 21 February 2003

© BSI 21 February 2003

a Circular or compacted circular stranded conductors (class 2).

© BSI 21 February 2003

area of of finished with

a Circular or compacted circular stranded conductors (class 2).

steel tape wire coating textile extruded extruded

a Circular or compacted circular stranded conductors (class 2).

Table 39 — Calculated values of minimum thickness of extruded layers

3.0 2.75 — 2.45 2.20

© BSI 21 February 2003

Table 40 — Selection of cables for a.c. systems

A.3 Lead or lead alloy sheath

© BSI 21 February 2003

Copyright British Standards Institution Document provided by IHS Licensee=Bureau Veritas/5959906001,