ASTM B416 defines requirements for manufacturing bare concentric-lay-stranded conductors composed of hard-drawn, round, aluminum-clad steel wires with 20.3% conductivity. These conductors are designed for general electrical purposes. The standard explicitly excludes conductors intended as reinforcement cores in ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced) cables.
Conductor Composition:
Stranded conductors made from bare aluminum-clad steel wires.
Key Properties Defined:
Breaking strength, nominal diameter, number of individual wires, conductor diameter, mass per unit length, and electrical resistance.
Testing Protocol:
Physical and electrical tests must be performed on the wires before stranding.
Material Compliance:
Aluminum-clad steel wires must have 20.3% conductivity.
Dimensional & Mechanical Integrity:
Conductors must conform to specified values for breaking strength, diameter, mass, and resistance.
Unit System:
Inch-pound units are standard. SI conversions in parentheses are informational only (not binding).
Quality Assurance: Provides a standardized framework for producing reliable aluminum-clad steel conductors.
Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum cladding enhances durability in exposed electrical applications.
International Alignment: Developed per WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) principles (Section 1.3).
General Electrical Applications:
Grounding systems, static wires, and overhead electrical lines not requiring ACSR reinforcement.
