This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server.

Under the copyright agreement entered into,

Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

ISBN 978-0-626-22811-8
SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Aerial bundled conductor systems

Part 1: Cores

WARNING — Can only be used

in conjunction with
SANS 1418-2.

Published by SABS Standards Division

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
www.sabs.co.za
© SABS
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope
Amdt 1 1987 Amended to add a further requirement for the marking of non-
strain-bearing neutral cores and supporting cores and to rectify the
omission of values for the diameter of supporting conductors.
Amdt 2 1990 Amended to delete a marking requirement.
Amdt 3 1994 Amended to change the diameter limits of some conductors, and
the outside diameter limits of the cores.
Amdt 4 1995 Amended to update a definition, and to clarify a marking
requirement.
Amdt 5 1996 Amended to add a test method to determine the breaking force of
aerial bundled conductors and to allow for different means of
printing information on a core.
Amdt 6 2007 Amended to delete the standardization mark, to increase the
allowable upper level of the acceptance range of tensile test
results, to change a marking requirement and to change the
designation of SABS standards to SANS standards.
Amdt 7 2009 Amended to remove resistance values for service connections from
table 1, which were included by error in an earlier amendment, and
to update a referenced standard.

Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee SABS TC 66, Electric cables, in
accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards Division, in compliance with annex 3 of the
WTO/TBT agreement.

This document was published in August 2009.

This document supersedes SANS 1418-1:2007 (edition 1.6).

A vertical line in the margin shows where the text has been technically modified by amendment
No. 7.

SANS 1418 consists of the following parts, under the general title Aerial bundled conductor
systems:

Part 1: Cores.

Part 2: Assembled insulated conductor bundles.

Appendix A forms an integral part of this document.

This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

Contents
Page
Foreword

1 Scope ................................................................................................................................ 3

2 Definitions .......................................................................................................................... 3

3 Requirements .................................................................................................................... 4

3.1 System operating conditions ...................................................................................... 4

3.2 Conductors (other than supporting conductors)......................................................... 4
3.3 Supporting conductors ............................................................................................... 5
3.4 Dielectric (insulation).................................................................................................. 6
3.5 Identification of cores ................................................................................................. 6

4 Marking............................................................................................................................... 7

Appendix A Test method to determine the breaking force of aerial

bundled conductors ............................................................................................. 9

1
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

This page is intentionally left blank

2
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

Aerial bundled conductor systems

Part 1:
Cores

1 Scope
1.1 This part of the specification covers cores consisting of stranded conductors that are insulated
with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and that are intended for use in aerial bundled conductor
(ABC) systems for overhead single-phase and three-phase electricity distribution operating up to
600/1 000 V.

1.2 It also covers

a) supporting cores of stranded aluminium alloy that are insulated with XLPE and that are
normally intended for use as strain-bearing neutral conductors in ABC systems; and

b) cores consisting of stranded aluminium or hard-drawn copper conductors that are insulated
with XLPE and that are intended for use as service connection cables.

NOTE 1 The standards referred to in this part of the specification are listed in appendix A of SANS 1418-2.

NOTE 2 The configuration of the finished aerial bundled conductors and the applicable tests are covered in
SANS 1418-2.

2 Definitions
2.1 For the purposes of this part of the specification the following definitions shall apply:
acceptable
acceptable to the authority administering this standard or to the parties concluding the purchase
contract, as relevant Amdt 4

aerial-bundled conductors (or ABC or bundle)

insulated conductors twisted together to form a cable that is intended to be suspended between
structures

core
insulated conductor

dielectric
covering of a conductor that is intended to insulate the conductor electrically

3
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

direction of lay
lateral direction of inclination to the axis (either left-hand or right-hand) of the receding helix formed
by a wire or a core in a cable

lay ratio
ratio of the axial length of a complete turn of the helix formed by an individual wire in a stranded
conductor, to the external diameter of the helix formed by the wire

standard operating voltage

relationship Uo/U, where Uo is the power frequency r.m.s. voltage between phase and neutral or
earth, and U is the power frequency r.m.s. voltage between phases

supporting conductor
stranded conductor made of high strength aluminium alloy wires

supporting core
insulated supporting conductor intended to be used as the only mechanical support for a bundle

3 Requirements
3.1 System operating conditions
Each core that is intended to form part of an aerial bundled conductor shall be suitable for use in a
system having a standard operating voltage not exceeding 600/1 000 V.

3.2 Conductors (other than supporting conductors)

3.2.1 Material

a) The material of phase, neutral and auxiliary conductors shall be hard-drawn aluminium wire
which, subject to the requirements of 3.2.3 and when tested in accordance with subsection 6.4.3
of part 2 of the specification, has a tensile strength, before stranding, of not less than 140 MPa
and not more than 225 MPa. Amdt 6

b) The material of service connection conductors shall be either hard-drawn aluminium wire as in
(a) above or hard-drawn copper wire that complies with the relevant requirements of
SANS 1411-1.

3.2.2 Construction

The conductors shall be stranded circular and, except where otherwise stated, shall comply with all
the requirements for class 2 compacted stranded circular conductors of SANS 1411-1.

3.2.3 Joints

In a stranded conductor, joints in individual wires are permitted (in addition to those made in the
base rod or wire before final drawing) but two such joints shall be at least 15 m apart in the
completed stranded conductor. Such joints shall have been made by resistance or cold-pressure
butt-welding. The section of wire containing a joint is not required to comply with the requirements
for mechanical properties of an unjointed wire.

3.2.4 Compaction

A conductor shall be so compacted as to comply with the dimensional requirements given in table 1.

4
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

3.2.5 Separator
A separator, e.g. kraft paper or polyester tape, may be applied over a conductor to minimize sliding
of the dielectric over the conductor.

3.2.6 Nominal cross-sectional areas of auxiliary and service connection conductors

a) Auxiliary conductors. A conductor intended for auxiliary purposes, e.g. earthing or public
lighting, shall have a nominal cross-sectional area of at least 16 mm².

b) Service connection conductors. A conductor intended for service connection cables shall have
a nominal cross-sectional area of at least 10 mm² if constructed from hard-drawn copper wires
and at least 16 mm² if constructed from hard-drawn aluminium wires.

3.2.7 Electrical and physical properties and dimensions.

The electrical and physical properties and the dimensions of a conductor and of a core shall comply
with the appropriate requirements given in table 1.

3.3 Supporting conductors

3.3.1 Material
A supporting conductor shall be constructed from aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy wires which,
before stranding, comply with the requirements given in table 1A (compliance being assessed by
the use of the appropriate test method):

Table 1A — Tensile strength and modulus of elasticity

1 2 3
Test method
Requirement

Tensile strength, MPa, min. 295 6.4.3 of SANS 1418-2:2009

Modulus of elasticity, MPa 59 000 *
-6
Coefficient of linear expansion, 23 × 10 *
per degree Celsius
*Under consideration.
Amdt 7

3.3.2 Joints

In a supporting conductor, joints in individual wires are permitted (in addition to those made in the
base rod or wire before final drawing) but two such joints shall be at least 50 m apart in the
completed supporting conductor. Such joints shall have been made by resistance or cold-pressure
butt-welding, and wires containing joints shall, when tested in accordance with 6.4.3 of
SANS 1418-2:2009, have at least 90 % of the tensile strength of unjointed wires of the same
material. Amdt 7

3.3.3 Stranding

a) The lay of the wires shall be right-hand (Z lay).

b) The lay ratio shall be not less than 10 and not more than 14.

5
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

3.3.4 Construction

The number of wires in a supporting conductor and their nominal diameter shall be one of the
combinations of values given in column 3 of table 1.

3.3.5 Separator

A separator, e.g. kraft paper or polyester tape, may be applied over a conductor to minimize sliding
of the dielectric over the conductor (see also 4.1.5 and 4.1.6 of SANS 1418-2:2009), and to facilitate
stripping of the XLPE dielectric. Amdt 7

3.3.6 Electrical and physical properties and dimensions

The electrical and physical properties and the dimensions of a supporting conductor shall comply
with the appropriate requirements given in table 1.

3.4 Dielectric (insulation)

3.4.1 Material

The dielectric shall be cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) that complies with the requirements for
type C of SANS 1411-41). In addition, the XLPE shall, when tested in accordance with 6.4.2 of
SANS 1418-2:2009, contain at least 2,5 % (m/m) of carbon black. Amdt 7

3.4.2 Thickness of dielectric

The average thickness of dielectric, determined in accordance with 6.2 of SANS 1418-2:2009, shall
be at least equal to the appropriate value given in column 8 of table 1. The thickness at any point
may, however, be less than the average provided that the difference does not exceed
0,1 mm + 10 % of the average value. For ease of reference, the minimum values are given in
column 9 of table 1. Amdt 7

3.5 Identification of cores

3.5.1 Phase cores

A phase core shall be identified by means of the number 1, 2 or 3 (or, alternatively, I, II or III), as
appropriate, acceptably and legibly formed by indenting or embossing the exterior surface of the
core, at intervals not exceeding 100 mm. The height of the characters shall be not less than 3 mm
and not more than 10 mm. A phase core shall have no longitudinal ridge.

3.5.2 Non-strain-bearing neutral cores

A neutral core shall be identified by means of two longitudinal ridges situated approximately on
opposite sides of the exterior surface of the core. The height of each ridge shall be at least 0,5 mm
and the width of the ridge at its base shall be at least 1 mm.

1)
SANS 1411-4, Materials of insulated electric cables and flexible cords – Part 4: Cross-linked polyethylene
(XLPE).

6
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

3.5.3 Supporting cores

A supporting core shall be identified by a single longitudinal ridge on the exterior surface of the
core. The height of the ridge shall be at least 0,5 mm and the width of the ridge at its base shall be
at least 1 mm.

NOTE A supporting core is normally used as the system neutral, depending on the configuration of the
finished bundle.

3.5.4 Auxiliary cores

An auxiliary core shall be legibly and durably marked, at intervals not exceeding 100 mm, with the
characters "A1" but, if there are two auxiliary cores in a bundle, one shall be so marked "A1" and
the other shall be marked "A2".

The height of the characters shall be not less than 3 mm and not more than 10 mm.

3.5.5 Earth cores

An earth core shall be legibly and durably marked with the letter "E" at intervals not exceeding
100 mm.

4 Marking
4.1 Non-strain-bearing neutral core or supporting core
The surface of a non-strain-bearing neutral core and of a supporting core shall, in addition to the
identification required in terms of 3.5.2 and 3.5.3, respectively, be legibly and durably marked (by
indenting, embossing or by printing) with the following information given at regular intervals along
the length of each core: Amdt 5

a) The legend "600/1 000 V";

b) a marking that identifies the manufacturer. Amdt 1; amdt 2

The manufacturer's coloured identification thread2) shall be applied under the dielectric in addition to
(b) above if printing is used for the marking. If embossing is used for the marking, the coloured
identification thread may be applied as an alternative to (b) above. Amdt 5

A coloured thread that will identify the year of manufacture of the core shall be applied under the
dielectric of each non-strain-bearing neutral core and each supporting core, or alternatively the year
of manufacture shall be identified by the indenting or embossing of the dielectric. The characters
used in the marking shall be upright and of height not less than 3 mm and not more than 10 mm.
Amdt 4

Each specified mark shall be regarded as continuous if the distance between the end of the mark
and the beginning of the next identical mark does not exceed 275 mm. Amdt 6

4.2 Marking by printing

When printed marking is rubbed by hand for 15 s with a piece of cloth soaked with water and again
for 15 s with a piece of cloth soaked with petroleum spirit, it shall remain legible. Amdt 5

2)
Refer to the register of manufacturers' identification thread colours.

7
 This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

Edition 1.7
SANS 1418-1:2009
Table 1 — Properties of conductors and cores

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Conductor Core
Thickness of dielectric
Nominal cross- Number of Resistance at Diameter of conductor* Breaking mm Outside diameter*
‡
Type of conductor or core sectional area wires 20 °C mm force mm
mm2 min. Ω/km
Max. Min. Max. Min. Average Min. Min. Max.
+
Phase or auxiliary or non- 16 6 1,91 4,6 5,1 2 070 1,2 0,98 7,0 7,8
strain-bearing neutral 25 6 1,20 5,8 6,3 3 300 1,4 1,16 8,6 9,4
(aluminium) 35 6 0,868 6,8 7,3 4 500 1,6 1,34 10,0 10,9
50 6 0,641 7,9 8,4 6 200 1,6 1,34 11,1 12,0
70 12 0,443 9,7 10,2 8 900 1,8 1,52 13,3 14,2
95 15 0,320 11,0 12,0 12 300 1,8 1,52 14,6 16,0
120 15 0,253 12,5 13,5 15 600 1,8 1,52 16,3 17,5
150 15 0,206 13,9 15,0 19 200 1,8 1,52 17,1 18,6

Service connection 16 6 1,91 4,6 5,2 2 070 1,2 0,98 7,0 8,0
(aluminium) 25 6 1,20 5,6 6,5 3 300 1,4 1,16 8,6 9,6
Service connection (copper) 10 6 1,83 – 4,2 3 600 1,2 0,98 6,2 7,0
16 6 1,15 – 5,3 5 760 1,2 0,98 7,2 8,0
25 6 0,727 – 6,6 8 750 1,4 1,16 8,6 9,6
Supporting (aluminium) Number and
nominal
diameter of
wires
mm
54,6 7 × 3,15 0,63 9,2 9,6 16 600 1,6 1,34 12,3 13,0

70 7 × 3,50 0,50 10,0 10,4 20 100 1,6 1,34 12,9 13,6

*Ignoring markings and ridges.

+
Auxiliary conductors or cores only.
‡
Breaking force determined in accordance with appendix A.
Amdt 3; amdt 7
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SANS 1418-1:2009
Edition 1.7

Appendix A

Test method to determine the

breaking force of aerial bundled conductors

A.1 Apparatus
A power driven tensile testing machine, as shown in figure A.1, that is capable of testing a
specimen of length at least 10 m.

NOTE The working range of the apparatus should be such that the breaking force of the core is
approximately 10 % of the maximum force that the apparatus can exert.

A.2 Test specimen

One specimen of insulated or bare conductor (to be used in aerial bundled conductor systems or
removed from the completed bundle), of length at least 10 m.

A.3 Procedure
A.3.1 Using acceptable clamps, clamp the test specimen in the apparatus. Ensure that the
distance between the clamps is at least 10 m. Stretch the specimen uniformly until rupture occurs.

A.3.2 Record the breaking force of the specimen.

A.3.3 If a break occurs within the clamp or within 10 mm of the clamp, the test may be repeated.
However, if such a break occurred at a breaking force of 95 % or more of the minimum value
specified in table 1, the core is deemed to have passed the test.

Amdt 5

Figure A.1 — Apparatus for breaking force test

© SABS

9
This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

This page has been left blank intentionally

This eStandard is exclusively for Illovo Sugar Limited for use on a shared file server. Under the copyright agreement entered into,
Illovo Sugar Limited may make five (5) printouts of the standard and must see to it that no more
than five persons have concurrent access to the standard.

SABS – Standards Division

The objective of the SABS Standards Division is to develop, promote and maintain South African
National Standards. This objective is incorporated in the Standards Act, 2008 (Act No. 8 of 2008).

Amendments and Revisions

South African National Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of South African
National Standards should ensure that they possess the latest amendments or editions.

The SABS continuously strives to improve the quality of its products and services and would
therefore be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this standard would
inform the secretary of the technical committee responsible, the identity of which can be found in
the foreword.
Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 6666 Fax: +27 (0) 12 428 6928

The SABS offers an individual notification service, which ensures that subscribers automatically
receive notification regarding amendments and revisions to South African National Standards.
Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 6883 Fax: +27 (0) 12 428 6928 E-mail: [email protected]

Buying Standards

Contact the Sales Office for South African and international standards, which are available in both
electronic and hardcopy format.
Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 6883 Fax: +27 (0) 12 428 6928 E-mail: [email protected]
South African National Standards are also available online from the SABS website
http://www.sabs.co.za

Information on Standards

The Standards Information Centre provides a wide range of standards-related information on both
national and international standards, and is the official WTO/TBT enquiry point for South Africa. The
Centre also offers an individual updating service called INFOPLUS, which ensures that subscribers
automatically receive notification regarding amendments to, and revisions of, international
standards.
Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 6666 Fax: +27 (0) 12 428 6928 E-mail: [email protected]

Copyright

The copyright in a South African National Standard or any other publication published by the SABS
Standards Division vests in the SABS. Unless exemption has been granted, no extract may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior
written permission from the SABS Standards Division. This does not preclude the free use, in the
course of implementing the standard, of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade
designations. If these details are to be used for any purpose other than implementation, prior written
permission must be obtained.

Details and advice can be obtained from the Senior Manager.

Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 6666 Fax: +27 (0) 12 428 6928 E-mail: [email protected]