NEMA Publishes Power Cable Standard

NEMA Publishes Power Cable Standard ANSI/NEMA WC 70-2009/ICEA S-95-658-2009 contains all construction requirements for the manufacturing of wire and cables and production and qualification testing requirements

The NEMA, Rosslyn, Va., has published ANSI/NEMA WC 70-2009/ICEA S-95-658-2009, "Power Cables Rated 2000 Volts or Less for the Distribution of Electrical Energy," the first revision since 1999. The standard was produced by Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA) Working Group 658 and approved by the NEMA Power and Control Cable membership.

WC 70-2009/S-95-658 contains all construction requirements for the manufacturing of wire and cables, both single conductor and multiple conductor, as well as production and qualification testing requirements. Special requirements for grounding conductors, if shielding is required, and messenger type cables are also included.

The publication has been technically and editorially brought up to date. Revisions include:

• Added text and a new table for grounding conductors.
• Information regarding use of shielding over a low-voltage multiple conductor cable core.
• Low smoke, zero halogen jacket requirements.
• A new appendix, “Procedure for Determining Dimensional Requirements of Jackets and Associated Coverings.”
• Requirements of insulation and jacket thickness changed to minimum point, with the thickness tables changed accordingly. Nominal thickness for insulations and jackets has been added to the appropriate tables in Sections 3 and 4. A clarification has been added that the nominal thickness is not a requirement, making this standard agree with ICEA’s other low-voltage standards.

“ANSI/NEMA WC 70/ICEA S-95-658 is the essential resource for low-voltage, 2000V and below power wire and cable construction requirements,” says E.J. Bartolucci, chair of the ICEA WG 658 that produced the standard. “With the substantial revisions prepared by the ICEA WG 658 committee, this standard is a valuable addition to the libraries of businesses in the utility, industrial, and commercial industries, as well as original equipment manufacturers.”

The contents and scope of ANSI/NEMA WC 70-2009/ICEA S-95-658-2009 may be viewed, or a hardcopy or electronic copy purchased for $136, by visiting the NEMA Web site.