UL 1581 Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables, and Flexible Cords

The standard "UL 1581 Reference standard for electrical wires, cables, and flexible cords," developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), describes specific details of conductors, insulation, jackets, and other coverings required in standards for thermoset insulated wires and cables (UL 44), thermoplastic insulated wires and cables (UL 83), flexible cord and connector wire (UL 62), and service-entry cables (UL 854), and sample preparation methods, sample selection and conditioning, and measurement and calculation. Elements of this standard are also referenced in other requirements.

The requirements for the specific materials, construction, performance and marking of a particular type of wire, cable or flexible cord are specified in the standard covering the finished type. They are not part of this reference standard.

In every case where an element of this standard does not apply, the standard covering the finished type shall specify what applies.

A product that contains new or different features, characteristics, components, materials or systems from those covered by the requirements of this standard and that presents a risk of fire or electric shock or injury to persons shall be evaluated using appropriate additional component and end-product requirements to maintain the level of safety originally anticipated by the intent of this standard. A product whose features, characteristics, components, materials or systems conflict with specific requirements or provisions of this standard does not conform to this standard. Revisions to the requirements shall be proposed and adopted in accordance with the methods used for the development, revision and implementation of this standard.

The term wire standard as used in this standard means any standard covering finished electrical wires, cables or flexible cords and to which reference is made to this reference standard.

Requirements for 8000 Series alloy aluminum conductors:

The 8000 series electrical conductor class covers annealed and intermediate tempered aluminum wire using aluminum alloys. These alloys are for use in solid conductors in sizes No 6 4/0 AWG and in round stranded and compacted stranded conductors in sizes No 12 AWG 2000 kcmil.
The wire shall be a registered 800 series electrical conductor grade aluminum alloy conforming to ASTM B 94-8000. The conductor diameter and cross-sectional area shall conform to this standard. The dc resistance of the conductors shall conform to this standard.
The temper of the finished conductor wire shall be annealed (-0) or medium (-H1X) or (-H2X). The tensile strength and elongation of the finished stranded conductor, whether as individual strands removed from the finished conductor or as a unit of the finished solid conductor, shall conform to this standard when specimens are tested at a speed of 557 mm/min using the equipment and procedure described in ASTM B 94-25.

Requirements for copper clad aluminum conductors:

Copper clad aluminum conductors should be drawn from copper clad aluminum rod.
The copper must be metallurgically bonded to the aluminum core, occupy 10 percent or more of the cross-section of a solid conductor and each strand (strand) of a stranded conductor, and be concentric with the aluminum.
The thickness of the copper shall not be less than 2,56 percent of the diameter of the solid conductor or wire (strand) as determined by microscopic examination of the polished right section of the round wire or round solid conductor.
The tensile strength of the finished copper-clad aluminum conductor or of strands from the finished stranded copper-clad aluminum conductor and the finished solid copper-clad aluminum conductor, tested as a unit, shall not exceed 566 MN/m93 or 138 N/cm2 or 13.800 kgf/mm2 when specimens are tested using the speed, equipment and procedure specified in ASTM B14-2. The elongation of the same specimens shall not be less than 250 percent at 15 mm.

These methods are described on the following basis:

Conductor size sand resistance
Insulation and sword thicknesses
Insulation and sword physical properties tests
Compound analysis of polyvinylchloride (PVC) compounds
Nylon and TPE compounds
Conductive corrosion
Insulation fall
Heat shock
Deformation
Cold bending
Low temperature flexibility
Normally low temperature impact
Crush resistance
Dielectric tests
Spark test
Insulation resistance
Stability factor
Capacitance and connected permit efficiency
Mechanical water absorption
Swelling and bubbling in water
Flame tests
Resistance to sunlight
Asbestos, glass or asbestos and glass content
Insulation sealing
Leakage
Impact resistance
Heater cord durability
No. 22 AWG type CXT cable and cord wear
Wear
No. 22 AWG type CXT cable and cord flexibility
Cracking of the nylon sheath on the coaxial cable elements of elevator cables or the nylon sheath on the TFN, TFFN AND SPT-1 types and the insulated conductors in service
Bending of fixture wires type SF-1, SF-2, SFF-1 and SFF-2
Bending of AF type wire
Bending of shielded cables
Mandrel testing of nylon sheath on THWN-2, THWN and THHN type wires
Moisture absorption by fibrous coatings outside the belt
Particles and dripping falling from fibrous coated wire and cable
Dripping of compounds from Class 19 insulation
Springing of HPNC type cables
Durability of permanent ink printing

Our organization, which has been trying to support businesses from every sector with its testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies carried out in a wide range for years, has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in the world in the field of science and technology and constantly improves itself. In this context, testing services in accordance with the "UL 1581 Reference standard for electrical wires, cables and flexible cords" standard are also provided to businesses.