ASTM B8-23

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B8 − 11 (Reapproved 2017) B8 − 23
Standard Specification for
Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard,
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Medium-Hard, or Soft
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B8; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers bare concentric-lay-stranded conductors made from round copper wires, either uncoated or coated
with tin, lead, or lead alloy for general use for electrical purposes. These conductors shall be constructed with a central core
surrounded by one or more layers of helically laid wires.
NOTE 1—This specification also permits conductors for use as covered or insulated electrical conductors.
NOTE 2—Sealed conductors, that are intended to prevent longitudinal water propagation and are further covered/insulated, are also permitted within the
guidelines of this specification.
1.2 For the purposes of this specification, conductors are classified as follows (Explanatory Note 1 and Note 2):
1.2.1 Class AA—For bare conductors usually used in overhead lines.
1.2.2 Class A—For conductors to be covered with weather-resistant (weather-proof), slow-burning materials, and for bare
conductors where greater flexibility than is afforded by Class AA is required.
1.2.3 Class B—For conductors to be insulated with various materials such as rubber, paper, varnished cloth, and so forth, and for
the conductors indicated under Class A where greater flexibility is required.
1.2.4 Class C and Class D—For conductors where greater flexibility is required than is provided by Class B conductors.
1.3 The SI values for density are regarded as the standard. For all other properties, the inch-pound values are to be regarded as
standard and the SI units may be approximate.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.04 on Conductors
of Copper and Copper Alloys.
Current edition approved April 1, 2017Nov. 1, 2023. Published April 2017November 2023. Originally approved in 1915. Last previous edition approved in 20112017 as
B8 – 11.B8 – 11 (2017). DOI: 10.1520/B0008-11R17.10.1520/B0008-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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B8 − 23
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
B1 Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
B2 Specification for Medium-Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
B3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
B33 Specification for Tin-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
B172 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Bunch-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conductors
B173 Specification for Rope-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors Having Concentric-Stranded Members, for Electrical Conduc-
tors
B174 Specification for Bunch-Stranded Copper Conductors for Electrical Conductors
B189 Specification for Lead-Coated and Lead-Alloy-Coated Soft Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials
B246 Specification for Tinned Hard-Drawn and Medium-Hard-Drawn Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes
B263 Test Method for Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Stranded Conductors
B354 Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electrical Conductors
B787/B787M Specification for 19 Wire Combination Unilay-Stranded Copper Conductors for Subsequent Insulation
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
3. Ordering Information
3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include the following information:
3.1.1 Quantity of each size and class,
3.1.2 Conductor size: circular-mil area or AWG (Section 6),
3.1.3 Class (see 1.2 and Table 1),
3.1.4 Temper (see 13.214.2),
3.1.5 Whether coated or uncoated; if coated, designate type of c
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