Ul 1425 2015

UL 1425
Cables for Non-Power-Limited

Fire-Alarm Circuits
JANUARY 26, 2015 − UL 1425 tr1
UL Standard for Safety for Cables for Non-Power-Limited Fire-Alarm Circuits, UL 1425
Third Edition, Dated January 26, 2015
Summary of Topics
The Third Edition of the Standard for Safety for Cables for Non-Power-Limited Fire-Alarm
Circuits, UL 1425, has been issued to reflect the reaffirmation of the ANSI approval. No changes
in requirements have been made.
The revisions are substantially in accordance with Proposal(s) on this subject dated December 5, 2014.
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tr2 JANUARY 26, 2015 − UL 1425
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JANUARY 26, 2015
1
ANSI/UL 1425-2010 (R2015)
UL 1425
Standard for Cables for Non-Power-Limited Fire-Alarm Circuits
First Edition – January, 1998

Second Edition – October, 2005
Third Edition
January 26, 2015
This ANSI/UL Standard for Safety consists of the Third Edition.
The most recent designation of ANSI/UL 1425 as an American National Standard

(ANSI) occurred on January 26, 2015. ANSI approval for a standard does not
include the Cover Page, Transmittal Pages, Title Page, or effective date
information.
Comments or proposals for revisions on any part of the Standard may be

submitted to UL at any time. Proposals should be submitted via a Proposal
Request in UL’s On-Line Collaborative Standards Development System (CSDS)
at http://csds.ul.com.
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COPYRIGHT © 2015 UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC.

2 CABLES FOR NON-POWER-LIMITED FIRE-ALARM CIRCUITS - UL 1425 JANUARY 26, 2015
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JANUARY 26, 2015 CABLES FOR NON-POWER-LIMITED FIRE-ALARM CIRCUITS - UL 1425 3
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2 Units of Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
CONSTRUCTION
4 Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
5 Circuit and Grounding Conductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
6 Metal Coating of Conductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
7 Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
7.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
7.2 Conductors other than NEC wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
7.3 NEC wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
8 Electromagnetic Shields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
9 Optical-Fiber Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
10 Binders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
11 Core Wrap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
12 Assembly of the Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
13 Overall Cable Jacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
13.1 Material, application, and thicknesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
13.2 Thicker jacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
13.3 Cable temperature rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
14 Metal Covering (Armor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
14.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
14.2 Smooth metal sheath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
14.3 Welded and corrugated metal sheath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
14.4 Extruded and corrugated metal sheath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
14.5 Interlocked armor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
15 Jacket over Armor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
PERFORMANCE
16 Continuity Test of Conductors and Shields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

17 D-C Resistance Test of Conductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
17.1 Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
17.2 General method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
17.3 Kelvin-bridge referee method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
18 Heat Shock Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
19 Deformation Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
20 Cold Bend Test of the Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
21 Cold Bend Test of the Complete Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
22 Smoke and Flame Testing of NPLFP Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
23 Flame Testing of Riser Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
24 Alternative Vertical-Tray Flame Tests of General-Purpose Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
24.1 Choice of test by the manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
24.2 Changes in construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
24.3 UL test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
24.4 FT4/IEEE 1202 test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
25 Sunlight-Resistance Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

26 Alternative Spark and Dielectric Voltage-Withstand Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
26.1 Choice of test by the manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
26.2 Spark test of insulated conductors before cable assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
26.3 Dielectric voltage-withstand test between insulated conductors after cable assembly .37
27 Test for Insulation Resistance at 60.0°F (15.6°C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
28 Test Procedure for Determining the Multiplying-Factor Column for Adjusting Insulation
Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
29 Crushing Test of Cable Marked for Direct Burial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
30 Mechanical Water Absorption Test of Insulation in Direct-Burial Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
31 Long Term Insulation Resistance Test in Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
32 Copper Sulphate Test of Zinc Coating on Steel Strip for and from Interlocked Steel Armor . .45
33 Abrasion Resistance Test of Overall Jacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
34 Tension Test of Interlocked Armor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
35 Flexibility Test of Cable Having Interlocked Armor or a Smooth or Corrugated Metal Sheath .52
36 Durability Test of Ink Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
37 Circuit Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
38 Limited Combustible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
MARKINGS
39 Intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
40 Coding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
41 Information on or in the Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
42 Information on the Tag, Reel, or Carton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
43 Date of Manufacture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
44 Multiple Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
INTRODUCTION
1 Scope
1.1 This Standard states the construction, test, and marking requirements covering the safety of electrical
and electrical/optical-fiber cables rated 60°C to 250°C and intended for 150-volt and lower-potential
non-power-limited circuits that are controlled and powered by a fire-alarm system. These cables are for
installation in buildings as specified in Article 760 and other applicable parts of the National Electrical
Code (NEC), NFPA 70. Cables covered by these requirements are:
a) Type NPLFP – These cables are for installation in ″other spaces used for environmental air″
[See NEC 300-22(c)].
b) Type NPLFR – These cables are for installation in vertical runs in a shaft or for installation in
vertical runs that penetrate more than one floor.
c) Type NPLF – These cables are for general-purpose fire-alarm use in buildings. General
purpose does not include use as plenum or riser cable.
1.2 These cables contain two or more insulated circuit conductors with or without one or more insulated
or bare equipment-grounding conductor(s). Each insulated circuit and grounding conductor is rated for
600 volts. These cables do not contain any coaxial members. These cables are rated for 150 volts and
are so marked.
1.3 Armored cables are covered by interlocked metal strip or a smooth or corrugated metal sheath with
or without a jacket over the armor. Cables for encasement in concrete, mortar, other masonry, plaster, or
similar construction have metal armor and a jacket over the armor. Cables for direct burial in the earth
(see markings in 1.8) are subject to a 1000-pound crushing test. Cables for direct burial are not required
to be armored. Cables for direct burial that are armored have a jacket over the armor. All other cables
(unarmored, flat or round) have an overall jacket.
1.4 Cables of materials that qualify for temperatures above 60°C (140°F) are marked with a temperature
rating. Temperature marking is not required for cables that qualify for a temperature rating of 60°C
(140°F).
1.5 Cables that contain one or more electromagnetic shields (see 8.1 – 8.3 regarding constructions) are
not required to be marked to indicate the presence of the shielding. A shielded cable that is marked has
″shielded″ on the tag and either on the overall cable jacket or legible through the jacket.
1.6 Cables that qualify for exposure to sunlight (720-hour sunlight-resistance test – see 25.1) have ″sun
res″ or ″sunlight resistant″ on the tag and either on the overall cable jacket or legible through the jacket.
1.7 Cables that qualify for burial directly in the earth (1000-pound crushing test – see 29.1) have ″dir bur″,
″direct burial″, or ″for direct burial″ on the tag and either on the overall cable jacket or legible through the
jacket. Each insulated circuit and grounding conductor in direct-burial cables is insulated for wet locations
(see 7.3.1 and 30.1 – 30.8).
1.8 A cable that contains one or more optical-fiber members has “OF “ supplementing the type letters and
is marked in accordance with 42.1(c).
1.9 These requirements do not cover cables that contain only optical fibers. Optical-fiber cables without
electrical conductors are covered in the Standard for Optical Fiber Cable, UL 1651.
1.10 These requirements do not cover cables for electric-light, power, control, Class 1, Class 2, or Class
3 circuits.
1.11 These requirements do not cover cables for power-limited fire-alarm circuits (see UL 1424).
1.12 Smoke and flame tests are as follows for the cables covered in these requirements:
a) PLENUM CABLES – All Type NPLFP cables are tested for smoke and flame characteristics
as specified in Smoke and Flame Testing of Plenum Cables, Section 22, which references the
National Fire Protection Association Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of
Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces, ANSI/NFPA 262. A cable that complies
exhibits a maximum flame-propagation distance that is not greater than 5 ft, 0 inch or 152 cm, a
peak optical density of smoke produced of 0.50 or less (32 percent light transmission), and an
average optical density of smoke produced of 0.15 or less.
b) RISER CABLES – Jacketed Type NPLFR cables are tested for flame-propagation
characteristics as specified in Flame Testing of Riser Cables, Section 23, which references the
Standard Test for Flame-Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables Installed
Vertically in Shafts, UL 1666. A cable that complies exhibits a flame-propagation height under
12 ft, 0 inch or 366 cm and attains a temperature no higher than 850.0°F (454.4°C) at a height
of 12 ft, 0 inch or 366 cm.
c) GENERAL-PURPOSE CABLES – Jacketed Type NPLF cables comply with one of the two
70,000 Btu/h (20.5 kW) vertical-tray flame tests specified in Alternative Vertical-Tray Flame
Tests of General-Purpose Cables, Section 24. The cable manufacturer chooses one of the
following tests:
1) The UL test referenced in 24.1.2 – 24.3.3. These paragraphs apply the test method
described as the UL Flame Exposure (smoke measurements are not applicable) in the
Standard for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and
Optical-Fiber Cables, UL 1685.
2) The FT4/IEEE 1202 test referenced in 24.1.2 and 24.4.1. These paragraphs apply
the test method described as the FT4/IEEE 1202 Type of Flame Exposure (smoke
measurements are not applicable) in the Standard for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation
and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables, UL 1685. This test
differs from the UL test in loading (a greater number of cable lengths are used, with
small cables bundled, and the spacing between cables or bundles is limited), burner
angle, and failure criterion. A cable that complies is eligible to be marked ″FT4/IEEE
1202″ or ″FT4″ on the surface or on a marker tape as indicated in 41.1(i).
2 Units of Measurement
2.1 In addition to being stated in the inch/pound units that are customary in the USA, each of the
requirements is also stated in units that make the requirement conveniently usable in countries employing
the various metric systems (practical SI and customary). Equivalent – although not exactly identical –
results are to be expected from applying a requirement in USA or metric terms. Equipment calibrated in
metric units is to be used when a requirement is applied in metric terms.
3 References
3.1 Wherever the designation ″UL 1581″ is used in this wire standard, reference is to be made to the
designated part(s) of the Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables, and Flexible Cords, UL 1581.
3.2 Any undated reference to a code or standard appearing in the requirements of this standard shall be
interpreted as referring to the latest edition of that code or standard.
CONSTRUCTION
4 Materials
4.1 Each material in a cable shall be compatible with all of the other materials in the cable.
4.2 Cables for non-power-limited fire-alarm circuits shall comply in all respects with the applicable
requirements for construction details, test performance, and markings.
5 Circuit and Grounding Conductors
5.1 Each circuit and grounding conductor shall be of soft-annealed copper that complies with the
American Society for Testing and Materials Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire,
ASTM B 3. See Electromagnetic Shields, Section 8, concerning drain wires (copper).
5.2 Each circuit and grounding conductor shall be round.
5.3 Each circuit and grounding conductor shall be solid or stranded. A stranded conductor shall consist
of round strands with a right- or left-hand direction of lay. The length of lay of the wires (strands) of a
stranded conductor shall not exceed 20 times the calculated diameter over the assembled conductor.
Seven strands, concentric, is the stranding assumed in these requirements; however, individual strand
diameter, any mix of different strand diameters, the number of strands, and the stranding type are not
specified. See Metal Coating of Conductors, Section 6.
5.4 Circuit and grounding conductors shall be of standard 18 – 12 AWG sizes. See the final sentence of
12.2 regarding grounding conductor size relative to the size(s) of the circuit conductors.
5.5 All solid and stranded circuit conductors are to be identified as a particular AWG size in the marking
[see 41.1(b)] on or in the cable and on the tag, reel, or carton. The size of a solid conductor shall be
verified either by determination of the d-c resistance or, as described in 5.6, by determination of the
diameter. The size of a stranded conductor shall be verified either by determination of the d-c resistance
or by determination of the cross-sectional area as described in 5.7. Determination of the conductor size
by measurement of the d-c resistance as described in D-C Resistance Test of a Conductor, Section 17,
is the referee method in all cases.
5.6 Where measured as the means of size verification (see 5.5), the diameter of a solid circuit or
grounding conductor shall not be smaller than the minimum diameter indicated for the size in Table 5.1
when the diameter of the conductor is determined from measurements made as follows:
a) Measurements of the diameter of a solid conductor are to be made over the metal-coated or
uncoated conductor by optical means or by means of a machinist’s micrometer caliper having
flat surfaces both on the anvil and on the end of the spindle. In either case, the equipment is to
be calibrated to read directly to at least 0.001 inch or 0.01 mm, with each division of a width
that facilitates estimation of each measurement to 0.0001 inch or 0.001 mm. The maximum and
minimum diameters at a given point on the solid conductor are each to be recorded to the
nearest 0.0001 inch (0.1 mil) or 0.001 mm, added together, and divided by 2 without any
rounding of the sum or resulting average.
b) Each minimum diameter indicated in Table 5.1 is an absolute minimum. The unrounded
average of the two diameter readings is therefore to be compared directly with the minimum in
the table for the purpose of determining whether the solid conductor does or does not comply
with the diameter requirement.
5.7 Where measured as the means of size verification (see 5.5), the cross-sectional area of a stranded
circuit or grounding conductor shall not be smaller than the minimum area indicated for the size in Table
5.1. The cross-sectional area of a stranded conductor is to be determined as the sum of the areas of its
component round strands. However, where the sum of the strand areas does not comply, the conductor
area is to be determined by the weight method outlined in Conductor Cross-Sectional Area by the Weight
Method, Section 210 of UL 1581.
5.8 The nominal diameters indicated in Table 5.1 for solid and stranded circuit and grounding conductors
are to be used in calculating the dimensions needed for various parts of the cable when using Tables 13.1,
13.2, 14.1, 14.2, 18.1, and 20.1.
Table 5.1
Dimensions of conductors
AWG size Diameter of solid conductor Cross-sectional area of stranded conductor Nominal diameter of
of stranded conductor
conductor Nominal See 5.8 Minimum See 5.6(b) Nominal Minimum (7 strands)
mils mm mils (0.99 mm cmil mm2 cmil (0.98 mm2 mils mm
× ×
nominal) nominal)
18 40.3 1.02 39.9 1.013 1620 0.823 1588 0.807 45.6 1.16
17 45.3 1.15 44.8 1.138 2050 1.04 2009 1.02 51.3 1.30
16 50.8 1.29 50.3 1.278 2580 1.31 2528 1.28 57.6 1.46
15 57.1 1.45 56.5 1.435 3260 1.65 3195 1.62 64.7 1.64
14 64.1 1.63 63.5 1.613 4110 2.08 4028 2.04 72.7 1.85
13 72.0 1.83 71.0 1.81 5180 2.63 5076 2.58 81.6 2.07
12 80.8 2.05 80.0 2.03 6530 3.31 6399 3.24 91.5 2.32
5.9 Each circuit and grounding conductor and each shield shall be continuous throughout the entire
length of the finished cable as determined by the Continuity Test of Conductors and Shields, Section 16.
5.10 A joint in a solid circuit or grounding conductor or in one of the individual wires of a stranded circuit
or grounding conductor shall be made in a workmanlike manner, shall be smooth, and shall not have any
sharp projections. A joint in a stranded conductor is to be made by separately joining each individual wire
or by machine brazing or welding of the conductor as a whole so that the resulting solid section of the
stranded conductor is not longer than 1/2 inch or 13 mm, there are no sharp points, and the distance
between brazes or welds in a single conductor does not average less than 3000 ft or 915 m in any reel
length of insulated single conductor. A joint made before insulation is applied to a conductor shall not
increase the diameter of the solid conductor or individual wire (strand). A joint made after insulating shall
not increase the diameter of the solid conductor or individual wire (strand) by more than 20 percent. Joints
made after insulating shall be insulated by applying a bonded patch or by molding. The insulation shall
comply with the requirements in this Standard. An individual member jacket or an overall cable jacket that
is damaged to the point of exposing the underlying assembly or that is opened for the purpose of making
any repair under the jacket either shall be stripped and replaced in its entirety or a second, duplicate jacket
shall be applied over the first for the entire length of the member or cable. The total thickness of the two
jackets shall not exceed any limitation determined for a particular cable in an applicable flame or
smoke-and-flame test or other test specified in this Standard.
5.11 Any section of a circuit or grounding conductor that includes a factory joint shall have a tensile
strength that is not less than 85 percent of the tensile strength of an adjacent section of the conductor not
having a joint.
6 Metal Coating of Conductors
6.1 Where any copper circuit or grounding conductor contacts insulating, jacketing, or other nonmetallic
cable material that corrodes unprotected copper in the test described in Conductor Corrosion, Section 500
of UL 1581, the copper conductor shall be covered with a coating of tin, a tin/lead alloy, nickel, silver, or
of another (evaluation required) metal or alloy.
6.2 Use of a metal coating is not specified on a solid circuit or grounding conductor or the individual wires
(strands) of a stranded circuit or grounding conductor on which a metal coating is not required for
corrosion protection.
6.3 The temperature rating of the cable shall not exceed the temperature indicated in Table 6.1 for the
diameter and metal coating of the individual strands.
Table 6.1
Maximum temperature rating of cable relative to diameter and metal coating of conductor
strands
Metal coating of copper strands Diameter of each strand

Smaller than 0.015 inch or 0.38 mm At least 0.015 inch or 0.38 mm
Uncoated or coated with tin or a tin/ 150°C (302°F) 200°C (392°F)
lead alloy
Coated with silver 200°C (392°F) 200°C (392°F)
Coated with nickel over 200°C (392°F) over 200°C (392°F)
7 Insulation
7.1 General
7.1.1 Each circuit conductor and insulated grounding conductor shall be insulated for its entire length.
7.1.2 The insulated circuit and grounding conductors used in the cable shall consist of either or both of
the following conductors (the mix is not specified):
a) CONDUCTORS OTHER THAN NEC WIRES – Insulated conductors that are unmarked
except for size where used as a circuit conductor [the size marking is not required – see
40.1(b)] and that comply with the construction requirements in 7.2.1.1 and 7.2.1.2 and the
performance requirements (six tests) referenced in 7.2.1.2 (a) – (f).
b) NEC WIRES – Constructions of NEC wires that are as specified in 7.3.1 and are unmarked
except for size where used as a circuit conductor [the size marking is not required – see
40.1(b)]. The six tests referenced in 7.2.1.2 (a) – (f) do not apply to NEC wires.
7.2 Conductors other than NEC wires
7.2.1 Material and application
7.2.1.1 Where, for an insulated circuit or grounding conductor, the cable manufacturer chooses to use an
insulated conductor (non-NEC conductor) other than an unmarked National Electrical Code wire (NEC
wire) constructed as specified in 7.3.1, the conductor shall be insulated with a material appropriate for
insulating a 600-volt fixture wire or branch-circuit wire; the material shall be one of the insulation materials
specified in Table 7.1 or referenced in note (a) to Table 7.1. An overall nonmetallic braid shall be used on
conductors insulated with silicone rubber. The braid on a conductor insulated with silicone rubber shall be
a single braid complying with the Standard for Fixture Wire, UL 66.
Exception: A protective covering is not required for silicone insulation that has a tensile strength of at
least 1200 lbf/in2 or 8.27 MN/m2 or 827 N/cm2 or 0.844 kgf/mm2 or an insulation thickness at least 50%
more than required in Table 7.3.
Table 7.1
Index to insulation and jacket materials
Material(s)a Temperature rating of Temperature rating of Applicable table of physical

insulation jacket properties in UL 1581 (see
7.2.2.1 and 7.2.2.2)
CP 90°C (194°F) 90°C (194°F) 50.1
75°C (167°F) 75°C (167°F) 50.1
Thermoplastic CPE – 90°C (194°F) 50.28
Thermoset CPE – 90°C (194°F) 50.29
– 75°C (167°F) 50.30
ECTFE 150°C (302°F) 150°C (302°F) 50.63
ETFE
EPCV 90°C (194°F) 90°C (194°F) 50.62
75°C (167°F) 75°C (167°F) 50.62
FEP 200°C (392°F)b 200°C (392°F)b 50.70
NBR/PVC – 90°C (194°F) 50.83
LDFRPE and HDFRPE – 75°C (167°F) 50.133
– 75°C (167°F) 50.80
Neoprene – 90°C (194°F) 50.124
– 75°C (167°F) 50.123
PTFE (TFE) 250°C (482°F)b 250°C (482°F)b 50.219
PFA and MFA 200°C (392°F)b 200°C (392°F) 50.137
250°C (482°F)b 250°C (482°F) 50.137
PVC 105°C (221°F) 105°C (221°F) 50.182
90°C (194°F) 90°C (194°F) 50.182
75°C (167°F) 75°C (167°F) 50.182
60°C (140°F) 60°C (140°F) 50.182
PVDF and PVDF copolymer – 150°C (302°F) 50.185
– 125°C (257°F) 50.185
SRPVC (semirigid PVC) 105°C (221°F) – 50.183
90°C (194°F) – 50.183
75°C (167°F) 75°C (167°F) 50.183
60°C (140°F) 60°C (140°F) 50.183
Silicone rubber 200°C (392°F)b 200°C (392°F)b 50.210
150°C (302°F) 150°C (302°F) 50.210
TPE 105°C (221°F) 105°C (221°F) 50.223
90°C (194°F) 90°C (194°F) 50.224
XL:
XLPE
XLPVC 105°C (221°F) 105°C (221°F) 50.245
XLEVA 90°C (194°F) 90°C (194°F) 50.237
blends of these 75°C (167°F) 75°C (167°F) 50.241
aSee 7.2.1.2 for a long-term evaluation of an insulation or jacket material not named in the first column (new material) or
not complying with the short-term tests referenced in the last column.
b 150° (302°F) is stated in Table 6.1 as the limit for the cable temperature rating (see 13.3.3) where conductor strands are
used that are smaller in diameter than 0.015 inch or 0.38 mm and are uncoated or are coated with tin or a tin/lead alloy.
The indicated rating higher than 150°C (302°F) applies where, regardless of diameter, the solid conductor or strands are
coated with silver [200°C (302°F)] or nickel [250°C (482°F)].
7.2.1.2 The insulation shall be solid with or without a solid dielectric skin (a thin, solid, extruded layer that
is or is not separable) applied over the solid insulation. A skin is not required to be of the same material
as the insulation. The insulation shall be applied directly to the metal conductor, shall have a circular cross
section, and shall fit tightly to the conductor with no more than nominal adherence (a test is not specified).
The insulation shall be uniform and shall not have any defects (bubbles, open spots, rips, tears, cuts, or
foreign material) that are visible with normal or corrected vision without magnification. The insulation shall
comply with the physical property requirements in 7.2.2, and the following performance tests apply to the
insulated conductors (non-NEC conductors) described in this paragraph and in 7.2.1.3:
a) Heat Shock Test, Section 18.
b) Deformation Test, Section 19.
c) Cold Bend Test of Insulation, Section 20.
d) Test for Insulation Resistance at 60.0°F (15.6°C), Section 27.
e) Mechanical Water Absorption Test of Insulation in Direct-Burial Cable, Section 30. (Not
required if conductors comply with the requirements in item (f).
f) Long Term Insulation Resistance in Water Test of conductors in cables marked ″Wet
Location″, Section 31.
7.2.1.3 Insulation or a jacket that is of material generically different from any insulation/jacket material
named in Table 7.1 (new material), or that is of material named in Table 7.1 yet does not comply with the
applicable short-term tests, shall be of a material and in thicknesses and with a temperature rating
appropriate for a non-power-limited fire-alarm cable. The material shall be evaluated for the requested
temperature rating as described in Long-Term Aging, Section 481 of UL 1581. Long-term air-oven aging
is not required for any material for which Table 47.1 of UL 1581 indicates a table of physical properties
requirements under Specific Materials, Section 50 of UL 1581. Investigation of the electrical, mechanical,
and physical characteristics of the cable using either material shall show the material to be comparable in
performance to an insulation or jacket material named in Table 7.1 for the applicable temperature rating.
The investigation shall include tests such as crushing, impact, abrasion, deformation, heat shock, and
dielectric voltage-withstand.
7.2.2 Physical properties tests
7.2.2.1 Specimens prepared from samples of the insulation and overall jacket shall have values of tensile
strength and ultimate elongation that comply with the applicable table of physical properties in UL 1581
referenced in Table 7.1 (see 7.2.1.2 regarding noncompliance with these short-term tests). The samples
are to be taken from the finished cable. The specimens are to be prepared from the samples and the
testing is to be conducted as indicated in 7.2.2.2.
7.2.2.2 The methods of preparation of samples, of selection and conditioning of specimens, and of
making the measurements and calculations for ultimate elongation and tensile strength shall be as
indicated under the heading ″Physical Properties Tests of Insulation and Jacket″ in the Reference
Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables, and Flexible Cords, UL 1581. For jackets from cables having an
overall diameter not greater than 0.200 inch or 5.1 mm, tubular or die-cut specimens are to be tested.
Tubular specimens are not to be prepared from jackets of larger cables.
7.2.3 Thicknesses
7.2.3.1 General
7.2.3.1.1 The average thickness and the minimum thickness at any point of the insulation (including any
skin) shall not be less than indicated in Table 7.2.
Table 7.2
Thicknessesa of insulation (including any skin) on 18 – 12 AWG conductors
Material in Table 7.1 Minimum average Minimum at any point
inch mm inch mm
Silicone rubber 0.030 0.76 0.027 0.69
FEP, ETFE, ECTFE, 0.020 0.51 0.018 0.46
PTFE, TFE
PVC under a nylona 0.015 0.38 0.012 0.30
jacket
PVC not under a nylon 0.030 0.76 0.027 0.69
jacket, TPE
Any material named or 0.030 0.76 0.027 0.69
referenced in Table 7.1
yet not named in this
table
a The thickness of the nylon is to be measured by means of a micrometer microscope or other optical instrument that is
calibrated to read directly to at least 0.0001 inch (0.1 mil) or 0.010 mm. The measurement at the thinnest point of the nylon is
to be recorded to the nearest 0.0001 inch or 0.010 mm and shall not be less than 0.0040 inch (4.0 mils) or 0.10 mm.
7.2.3.1.2 The thicknesses are to be determined by means of measurements made as described in

Thicknesses of Insulation on Flexible Cord and on Fixture Wire, Section 250 of UL 1581. The 0.003-inch
(3-mil) or 0.08-mm thickness-reduction allowance in 250.5 of UL 1581 is to be applied only to insulation
that has an average thickness (including any skin) of at least 0.015 inch or 0.38 mm and that is from a
stranded conductor that leaves one or more strand impressions in the insulation that are too small to
accommodate the smaller pin referred to in 250.11 of UL 1581. For this application, the pin is to be 0.0200
inch (20.0 mils) or 0.508 mm in diameter.
7.2.3.1.3 The average thickness resulting from the five sets of measurements taken as described in 250.3
of UL 1581 is to be rounded to the same number of decimal places as the average thickness is stated in
Table 7.2. The rounding is to be done as described in 7.2.3.2 – 7.2.3.5, which apply the American Society
of Testing and Materials Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine
Conformance with Specifications, ASTM E 29.
7.2.3.2 Rounding to the nearest 0.0001 inch
7.2.3.2.1 A figure in the fourth decimal place is to remain unchanged where the figure in the fifth decimal
place is 0 – 4 and the figure in the fourth decimal place is odd or even, or where the figure in the fifth
decimal place is 5 and the figure in the fourth decimal place is even (0, 2, 4, and so forth). A figure in the
fourth decimal place is to be increased by 1 where the figure in the fifth decimal place is 6 – 9 and the
figure in the fourth decimal place is odd or even, or where the figure in the fifth decimal place is 5 and the
figure in the fourth decimal place is odd (1, 3, 5, and so forth).
7.2.3.3 Rounding to the nearest 0.001 inch
7.2.3.3.1 A figure in the third decimal place is to remain unchanged where the figure in the fourth decimal
place is 0 – 4 and the figure in the third decimal place is odd or even, or where the figure in the fourth
decimal place is 5 and the figure in the third decimal place is even (0, 2, 4, and so forth). A figure in the
third decimal place is to be increased by 1 where the figure in the fourth decimal place is 6 – 9 and the
figure in the third decimal place is odd or even, or where the figure in the fourth decimal place is 5 and
the figure in the third decimal place is odd (1, 3, 5, and so forth).
7.2.3.4 Rounding to the nearest 0.001 mm
7.2.3.4.1 A figure in the third decimal place is to remain unchanged where the figure in the fourth decimal
place is 0 – 4 and the figure in the third decimal place is odd or even, or where the figure in the fourth
decimal place is 5 and the figure in the third decimal place is even (0, 2, 4, and so forth). A figure in the
third decimal place is to be increased by 1 where the figure in the fourth decimal place is 6 – 9 and the
figure in the third decimal place is odd or even, or where the figure in the fourth decimal place is 5 and
the figure in the third decimal place is odd (1, 3, 5, and so forth).
7.2.3.5 Rounding to the nearest 0.01 mm
7.2.3.5.1 A figure in the second decimal place is to remain unchanged where the figure in the third
decimal place is 0 – 4 and the figure in the second decimal place is odd or even, or where the figure in
the third decimal place is 5 and the figure in the second decimal place is even (0, 2, 4, and so forth). A
figure in the second decimal place is to be increased by 1 where the figure in the third decimal place is 6
– 9 and the figure in the second decimal place is odd or even, or where the figure in the third decimal
place is 5 and the figure in the second decimal place is odd (1, 3, 5, and so forth).
7.3 NEC wires
7.3.1 Where the cable manufacturer chooses to use a National Electrical Code wire (NEC wire) as an
insulated circuit or grounding conductor, the wire used shall be one of the constructions of 600-volt NEC
fixture wire or branch-circuit wire specified in Table 7.3. The conductor shall be of copper. The finished
insulated conductor shall comply with the wire Standard indicated in Table 7.3 except that there shall not
be any marking or temperature identification. Conductors insulated for wet locations (the first column of
Table 7.3 shows a ″W″ in the type letters for these conductors) shall be used in cables that are marked
[see marking in 41.1(f)] for burial directly in the earth. The six performance tests referenced in 7.2.1.2 (a)
– (f) do not apply to NEC wires.
Table 7.3
600-volt NEC constructions
Type Constructions for the UL 1425 application Standarda
PAF, PTF 250°C (482°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66

KF-2, KFF-2 200°C (392°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
PAFF 150°C (302°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
PF, PGF 200°C (392°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
FEP 200°C (392°F) dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 83
SF-2 200°C (392°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
PTFF 150°C (302°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
PFF, PGFF 150°C (302°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
SFF-2 150°C (302°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
ZF, ZFF 150°C (302°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
Z 150°C (302°F) dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 83
XHHW-2 90°C (194°F) wet or dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 44
RHW-2 90°C (194°F) wet or dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 44
RFHH-2 90°C (194°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
RFHH-3 90°C (194°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
TFN, TFFN 90°C (194°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
THHN 90°C (194°F) dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 83
XHH 90°C (194°F) dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 44
RHH 90°C (194°F) dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 44
THHW 75°C (167°F) wet or 90°C (194°F) dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 83
XHHW 75°C (167°F) wet or 90°C (194°F) dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 44
THWN 75°C (167°F) wet or dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 83
THW 75°C (167°F) wet or dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 83
RHW 75°C (167°F) wet or dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 44
RFH-2 75°C (167°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
SA 90°C (194°F) dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 44
TW 60°C (140°F) wet or dry, 14 or 12 AWG UL 83
TF, TFF 60°C (140°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66
aStandard for Thermoset-Insulated Wires and Cables, UL 44; Standard for Fixture Wire, UL 66; Standard for
Thermoplastic-Insulated Wires and Cables, UL 83.
8 Electromagnetic Shields
8.1 An electromagnetic shield is not required. Except that a reduction in metal-shield mass and/or
coverage affects the performance of the cable in the applicable flame test (see 24.2.2), the construction
is not specified for any shield that is applied over an individual insulated conductor, over a pair of insulated
conductors, over one or several groups of insulated conductors with or without one or more optical-fiber
members in any group, or over the entire cable assembly. The number of shields in a cable is not
specified. Material applied as insulation between shields shall be an insulation grade of one of the
materials named or referenced in Table 7.1 (thickness not specified). These requirements (UL 1425) do
not specify or test for the electrostatic/electromagnetic performance of a shield. Each shield shall be
continuous throughout the entire length of the finished cable as determined by the continuity test
described in Continuity Test of Conductors and Shields, Section 16.
8.2 An electromagnetic shield shall be of metal. The following constructions are typical:
a) A laminated shield tape of polymeric material and metal(s) with or without a bare metal-
coated or uncoated (uncoated copper is not to be used with an aluminum-faced tape) copper
drain wire in contact with the metal(s) part of the tape. The application of the tape with the
metal(s) side in or out is not specified. The size of a drain wire is not specified. A drain wire is
to be solid or stranded.
b) A corrugated or smooth single-metal or bi-metal tape applied longitudinally or helically with or

without a bare metal-coated or uncoated (uncoated copper is not to be used with an aluminum
tape) copper drain wire in contact with the metal tape (a specific version of this shield is
described in 8.3). A jacket or other covering is not required under this shield. A polymer coating
is not required. Where used, a polymer coating is to be on only one side of a tape that is
applied with a drain wire. In the case of an inward-facing coating on a metal tape applied over
the insulation, bonding of the coating to the insulation is not specified. Any inward-facing
coating on a metal tape applied over more than one optical-fiber member or insulated conductor
is not to bond to the conductors or members. The size of a drain wire is not specified. A drain
wire is to be solid or stranded (the stranding is not specified). A metal sheath used as a shield
shall comply with 14.1.1 (a), (b), or (c) as applicable.
c) A serving, wrap, or braid of aluminum wires or of metal-coated or uncoated (uncoated copper

is not to be in contact with aluminum wires) copper wires (see 6.3). A braid floodant is not
required and is not specified. Where the overall cable jacket is thinner in average thickness
than 0.013 inch or 0.33 mm and is thinner at any point than 0.010 inch or 0.25 mm, a wrap or
other protective covering shall be provided over the wire serving, wrap, or braid (see note c to
Tables 13.1 and 13.2). The construction of the protective covering is not specified. The
protective covering shall keep bobbin ends and other wire bulges or projections from
penetrating the overall cable jacket during and after application of the overall jacket.
d) An investigated equivalent of (a), (b), or (c).
8.3 The specific metal sheath to which reference is made in 21.2 (regarding use of a
15-times-cable-diameter mandrel in the cold-bend testing of the cable) is to be a version of the shield
covered in 8.2(b). A jacket or other covering is not required under this shield. The metal sheath is to
consist of a metal tape that is 0.008 inch or 0.2 mm thick with or without a coating on one side. The
coating is to be of vinyl or other resin that is bonded to the metal. The tape is to be corrugated or smooth
and is to be applied to the cable assembly longitudinally using a positive overlap. Any bonded coating
used is to face outward. An inward-facing coating is not to bond to the conductors or optical-fiber
members in the cable.
9 Optical-Fiber Members
9.1 Each optical-fiber member shall consist of one of the following and shall be separated from the rest
of the cable by material that is electrically nonconductive (an insulation grade is not required):
a) One or more glass fibers that are individually coated and tight buffered and then are covered
by a nonmetallic tape, wrap, or braid (complete coverage is required) or by a jacket. Except that
the covering shall be electrically nonconductive, the materials, thickness, and other features of
these elements are not specified.
b) One or more glass fibers that are individually coated, are or are not tight buffered, are
enclosed with or without a gel in a loose buffer tube, and then are or are not covered by a
nonmetallic tape, wrap, or braid (complete coverage is required) or by a jacket. Any covering
applied shall be electrically nonconductive. A covering is not required over a loose buffer tube
that is electrically nonconductive. Except that the tube or covering shall be electrically
nonconductive, the materials, thickness, and other features of these elements are not specified.
9.2 No electrical element of the cable shall be located in an optical-fiber member or group of optical-fiber
members. Strength members, moisture barriers, heat shields, and other nonelectrical parts of an
optical-fiber member are not specified; however, where any such part is of metal or other electrically
conductive material, its presence shall be indicated by a marking as detailed in 42.1(d).
9.3 The energy that an optical-fiber cable carries in some laser systems presents a potential risk of eye,
or other injury to people. Consequently, where optical-fiber cables are installed in a laser system, the
recommendations of the ANSI Z136 laser system safety standards should be applied. To help protect
optical-fiber cable installers, users, service personnel, and anyone who handles the optical-fiber cable
component of the system after installation, 42.1(c) specifies a tag, reel, or carton marking.
10 Binders
10.1 Use of a binder is not specified over any group of conductors (with or without one or more
optical-fiber members in the group) or optical-fiber members, or several such groups within the cable.
Where used, a binder shall consist of a binder jacket (extruded binder); an open, skeleton wrap of
nonmetallic threads or tape; a metal shield as described in Electromagnetic Shields, Section 8; or a core
wrap as described in Core Wrap, Section 11. Except for thickness, which is not specified, a binder jacket
shall comply with Overall Cable Jacket, Section 13. The average thickness and the minimum thickness at
any point of a binder jacket shall be determined as described in Thicknesses of Jacket on Flexible Cord,
Fixture Wire, and Elevator Cable, Section 280 of UL 1581. The material, construction, manner of
application, and other details of a thread or tape binder are not specified.
11 Core Wrap
11.1 Enclosure of an assembly or group of conductors (with or without one or more optical-fiber members
in the group or assembly) or optical-fiber members under a core wrap (cable wrap) consisting of a serving,
wrap, tape, or other construction, or under a metal shield as described in Electromagnetic Shields, Section
8, is not specified. Any core wrap used shall completely cover the assembly or group. The material,
construction, manner of application, and other details of a nonmetallic core wrap are not specified. See
Binders, Section 10.
12 Assembly of the Cable
12.1 A cable shall not consist of optical-fiber members alone. Non-current-carrying electrically conductive
parts such as a metal strength element and/or a metal vapor barrier shall not be in a group of optical-fiber
members that contains one or more electrical conductors. Where metal parts are used in a group of only
optical-fiber members, the construction of the metal parts is not specified.
12.2 A cable shall be constructed flat or round. Fillers are not specified. All of the insulated circuit and
grounding conductors, bare grounding conductor(s), and optical-fiber member(s) in any group or assembly
shall be cabled with the length and direction of lay not specified. Any group or assembly shall be round.
Preassembly of two or more cabled conductors or members into a group or other assembly is not
specified. In a cable consisting of 12 or fewer twisted circuit-conductor pairs or 2, 3, or 4 single conductors
[insulated circuit conductors and any insulated or bare grounding conductor(s)], the pairs or conductors
shall be cabled or laid straight. In other cables, all elements (individual insulated conductors, individual
bare grounding conductors, individual optical-fiber members, groups, and assemblies) shall be cabled. In
any case, the length of lay is not specified. Changes in the direction of lay are not specified. The change
intervals are not required to be identical in length. The elements are not required to be of the same
dimensions or of the same materials. Except that the grounding conductor(s) in a cable shall not be of any
size that is smaller than the size of the smallest circuit conductor, the mixture of conductor insulation,
temperature ratings, sizes, stranding, and metal and optical-fiber member materials and sizes is not
specified in a cable.
13 Overall Cable Jacket
13.1 Material, application, and thicknesses
13.1.1 An overall jacket is required on each flat or round unarmored cable and on each armored cable
intended (see 15.1) for encasement in concrete, mortar, other masonry, plaster, or similar construction [a
cable jacket or other covering is not required under any form of armor (see 14.1.2) or under any of the
shields discussed in 8.2(b)]. The overall cable jacket shall be of one of the jacket materials named in Table
7.1 or referenced in note a to Table 7.1 (see 7.2.1.2, 7.2.2.1, and 7.2.2.2 regarding compliance with
physical properties requirements).
13.1.2 The overall jacket shall be of the thicknesses indicated in inches in Table 13.1 or in millimeters in
Table 13.2 or the overall jacket shall be thicker as indicated in 13.2.1 when measured as described in
Thicknesses of Jacket on Flexible Cord, Fixture Wire, and Elevator Cable, Section 280 of UL 1581. See
40.2 regarding the color of an overall jacket.
Table 13.1
Jacket thicknessesa, d in inches
Calculatedb diameter of round Jacket of ECTFE, ETFE, FEP, PFA, Jacket of CP, thermoplastic CPE,
assembly under jacket or Calculatedb MFA, PTFE, TFE, PVDF, or PVDF thermoset CPE, EPCV, HDFRPE,
equivalent diameter of flat assembly copolymer LDFRPE, NBR/PVC, neoprene, PVC,
under jacket SRPVC, TPE, or XL
Minimum average Minimum at any Minimum average Minimum at any

point point
Over ... inches But not over ... Inch Inch (0.80 × Inch Inch (0.80 ×
inches average) average)
0 0.200 0.008c 0.006c 0.035 0.028

0.200 0.250 0.008c 0.006c 0.040 0.032
0.250 0.300 0.010c 0.008c 0.040 0.032
0.300 0.350 0.010c 0.008c 0.050 0.040
0.350 0.500 0.013 0.010 0.050 0.040
0.500 0.700 0.015 0.012 0.060 0.048
0.700 0.750 0.020 0.016 0.060 0.048
0.750 1.100 0.020 0.016 0.070 0.056
1.100 1.450 0.020 0.016 0.080 0.064
1.450 1.500 0.020 0.016 0.090 0.072
1.500 1.800 0.025 0.020 0.090 0.072
1.800 2.250 0.025 0.020 0.110 0.088
aA thicker jacket is required to enable some cables to comply with one or more tests. See 13.2.1.
bSee 5.8 regarding the conductor diameter(s) to use in the calculation. The equivalent diameter of a flat assembly is to be
calculated as 1.1284× (TW)1/2, in which T is the thickness of the assembly and W is the width of the assembly.
c A jacket that is applied directly over the wire serving, wrap, or braid mentioned in 8.2(c) as not having any intervening wrap or
other protective covering shall not be thinner in average thickness than 0.013 inch and shall not be thinner at any point than
0.010 inch.
d A jacket of thickness other than indicated in this table is acceptable if, upon evaluation, it has been found to comply with the
applicable requirements of this standard. Evaluation of thinner jackets may include but not be limited to crush, impact, and
abrasion tests.
Table 13.2
Jacket thicknessesa, d in millimeters
point point
Over ... mm But not over ...mm mm mm mm mm
0 5.08 0.20c 0.15c 0.89 0.76

5.08 6.35 0.20c 0.15c 1.02 0.81
6.35 7.62 0.25c 0.20c 1.02 0.81
7.62 8.89 0.25c 0.20c 1.27 1.02
8.89 12.70 0.33 0.25 1.27 1.02
12.70 17.78 0.38 0.30 1.52 1.22
17.78 19.05 0.51 0.41 1.52 1.22
19.05 27.94 0.51 0.41 1.78 1.42
27.94 36.83 0.51 0.41 2.03 1.63
Table 13.2 Continued on Next Page

Table 13.2 Continued

point point
Over ... mm But not over ...mm mm mm mm mm

36.83 38.10 0.51 0.41 2.29 1.83
38.10 45.72 0.64 0.51 2.29 1.83
45.72 57.15 0.64 0.51 2.79 2.24
a A thicker jacket is required to enable some cables to comply with one or more tests. See 13.2.1.
bSee 5.8 regarding the conductor diameter(s) to use in the calculation. The equivalent diameter of a flat assembly is to be
calculated as 1.1284× (TW)1/2, in which T is the thickness of the assembly and W is the width of the assembly.
c A jacket that is applied directly over the wire serving, wrap, or braid mentioned in 8.2(c) as not having any intervening wrap or
other protective covering shall not be thinner in average thickness than 0.33 mm and shall not be thinner at any point than 0.25
mm.
d A jacket of thickness other than indicated in this table is acceptable if, upon evaluation, it has been found to comply with the
applicable requirements of this standard. Evaluation of thinner jackets may include but not be limited to crush, impact, and
abrasion tests.
13.2 Thicker jacket
13.2.1 A cable on which a jacket thicker than indicated in Table 13.1 or 13.2 is used to enable the cable
to comply with any applicable flame or smoke-and-flame test or other test specified in this Standard shall
be made with whatever greater thickness of jacket is intended for this purpose. In this case, the minimum
thickness at any point of the heavier jacket shall not be less than 80 percent of the average thickness of
the heavier jacket. See the last sentence of 5.8 regarding the maximum total thickness of two overall cable
jackets.
13.3 Cable temperature rating
13.3.1 For a cable in which the jacket and insulation are rated for 60°C (140°F), the temperature rating
of the cable is to be 60°C (140°F).
13.3.2 For a cable in which the insulation is rated for 75 – 105°C (167 – 221°F), the jacket material shall
have a temperature rating that is not more than 15°C (27°F) lower than the temperature rating of the
insulation in the cable, and the temperature rating of the cable is to be the same as the temperature rating
of the insulation in the cable.
13.3.3 For a cable in which the insulation is rated for 125 – 250°C (257 – 482°F), the relationship between
the temperature ratings of the insulation and the overall cable jacket and any binder jacket is not specified
and, with the exception stated in note b to Table 7.1 regarding strand diameter and coating, the
temperature rating of the cable is to be that of whichever insulation or jacket in the cable has the lowest
temperature rating.
14 Metal Covering (Armor)
14.1 General
14.1.1 Where used on a flat or round cable (see 1.4), armor shall consist of interlocked metal strip or a
metal sheath. See Copper Sulphate Test of Zinc Coating on Steel Strip for and from Interlocked Steel
Armor, Section 32; Tension Test of Interlocked Steel or Aluminum Armor, Section 34; and Flexibility Test
of Cable Having Interlocked Armor or a Smooth or Corrugated Metal Sheath, Section 35. See 40.2
regarding the color of armor that is the outermost covering on a cable. Any armor used shall be as follows:
a) A smooth metal sheath shall comply with 14.1.3 and with Smooth Metal Sheath, Section
14.2.
b) A welded and corrugated metal sheath shall comply with 14.1.3, 14.1.4, and with Welded
and Corrugated Metal Sheath, Section 14.3.
c) An extruded and corrugated metal sheath shall comply with 14.1.3, 14.1.4, and with Extruded
and Corrugated Metal Sheath, Section 14.4.
d) Interlocked metal strip shall comply with 14.1.3 and with Interlocked Armor, Section 14.5.
14.1.2 A jacket or other covering is not required under any form of armor.
14.1.3 The metal sheath, or the strip forming the interlocked armor, shall be continuous throughout the
entire length of the cable. A metal sheath shall not have flaws that affect its integrity– that is, a metal
sheath shall not have any weld openings, cracks, splits, foreign inclusions, or similar flaws. Splicing of the
strip from which interlocked armor is formed shall not include any cut or broken ends (see 14.5.3).
14.1.4 The number of convolutions per unit length of a welded or extruded corrugated metal sheath is not
specified. The adequacy of the convolutions is to be judged on the basis of the performance of the finished
cable in the tests specified or referenced in this Standard.
14.2 Smooth metal sheath
14.2.1 A smooth metal sheath shall be of an aluminum-base alloy having a copper content of 0.40
percent or less. The sheath shall be tightly formed around the underlying cable. Smooth metal shields are
covered in 8.2(b).
14.2.2 The average thickness and the minimum thickness at any point of the smooth sheath shall not be
less than indicated in Table 14.1. The thicknesses of the smooth sheath are to be determined by means
of a machinist’s micrometer caliper that has a hemispherical surface on the anvil, has a flat surface on the
end of the spindle, and is calibrated to read directly to at least 0.001 inch or 0.01 mm. The spindle shall
be round.
Exception: When the performance of the sheath meets the requirements in the Standard for Metal-Clad
Cables, UL 1569, dimensions of the sheath may differ from those shown in Table 14.1.
Table 14.1
Thicknessesa of smooth aluminum sheath
Calculateda diameter of round assembly under sheath or Minimum average Minimum at any point
Calculateda equivalent diameter of flat assembly under
sheath
Over .... inches But not over .... inches Inch Inch (0.90 × average)
0 0.400 0.035 0.032
0.400 0.740 0.045 0.041
0.740 1.050 0.055 0.050
1.050 1.300 0.065 0.059
1.300 1.550 0.075 0.068
1.550 1.800 0.085 0.077
Over 1.800 0.095 0.086
Over .... mm But not over .... mm mm mm
0 10.16 0.89 0.81

10.16 18.80 1.14 1.04
18.80 26.67 1.40 1.27
26.67 33.20 1.65 1.50
33.02 39.37 1.90 1.73
39.37 45.72 2.16 1.96
Over 45.72 2.41 2.18
a See 5.8 regarding the conductor diameter(s) to use in the calculation. The equivalent diameter of a flat assembly is to be
calculated as 1.1284 × (TW)1/2, in which T is the thickness of the assembly and W is the width of the assembly.
14.2.3 Where a smooth or corrugated metal sheath does not comply with the requirements in this
Standard and the cable manufacturer repairs the cable, the original sheath is to be stripped from the entire
length of the cable and the cable is to be resheathed.
14.3 Welded and corrugated metal sheath
14.3.1 A welded and corrugated metal sheath shall be of an aluminum-base alloy having a copper
content of 0.40 percent or less, a copper alloy, or a bronze alloy. The sheath shall be tightly formed
around the underlying cable and shall be welded and corrugated. The sheath shall be tightly formed
around the underlying cable. Stripping and replacement of a noncomplying sheath are covered in 14.2.3.
Corrugated metal shields are covered in 8.2(b).
14.3.2 The minimum thickness at any point of the unformed metal tape from which the welded and
corrugated sheath is made shall not be less than 0.022 inch or 0.56 mm. The thickness of the unformed
tape is to be determined by means of a machinist’s micrometer caliper having an anvil and spindle that
are round and are not larger than 0.200 inch or 5.1 mm in diameter, with flat surfaces on each.
Exception: When the performance of the metal sheath meets the requirements in the Standard for
Metal-Clad Cables, UL 1569, dimensions of the metal tape may differ from those required in 14.3.2.
14.4 Extruded and corrugated metal sheath
14.4.1 An extruded and corrugated metal sheath shall be of an aluminum-base alloy having a copper
content of 0.40 percent or less. The sheath shall be tightly formed around the underlying cable. Stripping
and replacement of a noncomplying sheath are covered in 14.2.3. Corrugated metal shields are covered
in 8.2(b).
14.4.2 The minimum thickness at any point of the unformed metal tube from which the extruded and
corrugated sheath is made shall not be less than 0.022 inch or 0.56 mm when determined as indicated in
14.2.2.
Exception: When the performance of the metal sheath meets the requirements in the Standard for
Metal-Clad Cables, UL 1569, dimensions of the metal tape may differ from those required in 14.4.2.
14.5 Interlocked armor
14.5.1 Interlocked steel or aluminum strip shall comply with 14.1.3 and 14.5.2 – 14.5.10. Dimensions of
the metal strip shall comply with 14.5.9. The strip shall be tightly formed around the underlying cable.
14.5.2 The strip shall be made of steel or of an aluminum-base alloy with a copper content of 0.40 percent
or less. Steel strip shall be protected against corrosion by a coating of zinc on all surfaces, including edges
and splices. The coating on each surface shall be evenly distributed, shall adhere firmly at all points, and
shall be smooth and free from blisters and all other defects capable of diminishing the protective value of
the coating.
14.5.3 The steel or aluminum strip shall be uniform in width, thickness, and cross section and shall not
have any burrs, sharp edges, pits, scars, cracks, or other flaws capable of damaging the underlying cable
or any jacket over the armor. Splices shall not increase the width or thickness of the strip nor shall they
lessen the mechanical strength of the strip or adversely affect the formed armor.
14.5.4 Zinc-coated steel strip shall have a tensile strength of not less than 40,000 lbf/in2 or 276 MN/m2
or 27,600 N/cm2 or 28.1 kgf/mm2 and not more than 70,000 lbf/in2 or 483 MN/m2 or 48,300 N/cm2 or 49.2
kgf/mm2. The tensile strength shall be determined on longitudinal specimens, which shall consist of the
full width of the strip where practical. Where this is not practical, the tensile strength shall be determined
on a straight specimen slit from the center of the strip. The test shall be made prior to application of the
strip to the cable.
14.5.5 Zinc-coated steel strip shall have an elongation of not less than 10 percent in 10 inches or not less
than 10 percent in 254 millimeters. The elongation shall be determined as the permanent increase in
length of a marked section of the strip (originally 10 inches or 254 mm in length) measured after the
specimen has fractured. The test shall be made prior to application of the strip to the cable.
14.5.6 Finished zinc-coated steel strip, prior to being applied to the cable, shall have a zinc coating that
remains adherent without flaking or spalling when the strip is subjected to a 180° bend over a mandrel
that is 1/8 inch or 3.3 mm in diameter. The zinc coating complies with this requirement when the strip is
bent around the specified mandrel and the coating does not flake or fly off and none of it is removed from
the strip by rubbing with the fingers.
14.5.7 Loosening or detachment during the adherence test and superficial (tiny) particles of zinc formed
by mechanical polishing of the surface of the zinc-coated steel strip do not constitute reason for rejection.
14.5.8 Unformed and formed zinc-coated steel strip shall comply with the Copper Sulphate Test on Steel
Strip for and from Interlocked Steel Armor, Section 32.
14.5.9 The width of unformed aluminum strip or of unformed zinc-coated steel strip shall not be greater
than indicated in Table 14.2. The minimum thickness at any point of the formed metal strip removed from
the finished cable shall not be less than indicated in Table 14.2 when measured by means of a machinist’s
micrometer caliper having an anvil and spindle that are round and are not larger than 0.020 inch or 0.51
mm in diameter, with flat surfaces on each.
Exception: When the performance of the armor meets the requirements in the Standard for Metal-Clad
Cables, UL 1569, dimensions of the armor may differ from those shown in Table 14.2.
14.5.10 The color of the steel or aluminum strip is not specified. Typically, where there is no jacket over
the armor, the strip face that is to be outermost on the cable is red.
Table 14.2
Dimensions of zinc-coated steel strip or aluminum strip for interlocked armor
Calculatedb diameter of round assembly Maximum widthb of Minimum thickness at any point of the formed
under armor or Calculatedb equivalent unformed strip strip removed from the finished cable
diameter of flat assembly under armor
Steel Aluminum
Over .... inches But not over .... mils
inches
0 0.500 500 17 22
0.500 1.000 750 17 22
1.000 1.500 875 17 22
1.500 2.000 875 22 27
Over 2.000 1000 22 27
Over .... mm But not over .... mm mm
0 12.70 12.7 0.43 0.56

12.70 25.40 22.2 0.43 0.56
25.40 38.10 22.2 0.43 0.56
38.10 50.80 22.2 0.56 0.69
Over 50.80 25.4 0.56 0.69
aSee 5.8 regarding the conductor diameter(s) to use in the calculation. The equivalent diameter of a flat assembly is to be
calculated as 1.1284 × (TW)1/2, in which T is the thickness of the assembly and W is the width of the assembly.
b Tolerances for the width of steel strip are not to exceed plus 10 mils and minus 5 mils or plus 0.2 mm and minus 0.1 mm.
Tolerances for the width of aluminum strip are not to exceed plus and minus 10 mils or plus and minus 0.2 mm.
15 Jacket over Armor
15.1 A jacket is required over any armor that is on a cable intended for burial directly in the earth (see
1.4). A jacket is required over the armor on each cable intended for encasement in concrete, mortar, other
masonry, plaster, or similar construction. A jacket is not required over armor on other cables (see 1.4). A
jacket over armor shall comply with Overall Cable Jacket, Section 13. The same calculated (see 5.8) core
dimension that is used in determining the thicknesses of an overall cable jacket that is not over armor is
to be used in determining the thicknesses required for an over-armor jacket – that is, an over-armor jacket
is not required to be thicker than a cable jacket that is not over armor. See 40.2 regarding the color of an
overall jacket.
PERFORMANCE
16 Continuity Test of Conductors and Shields
16.1 Finished cable shall be tested for continuity of each conductor and for continuity of each shield. This
continuity test is to be conducted before the voltage test is performed as described in Alternative Spark
and Dielectric Voltage-Withstand Tests, Section 26. The continuity test is to be conducted in one of the
following ways on 100 percent of production by the cable manufacturer at the cable factory:
a) The finished cable is to be tested on each master reel before the final rewind operation, or
each individual shipping length is to be tested after the final rewind operation. A master reel is
any reel containing a single length of finished cable that is intended to be cut into shorter
lengths for shipping.
b) The assembled cable is to be tested before the overall cable jacket is applied, in which
case, one shipping length from each master reel of the finished cable is also to be tested. For
any conductor or any shield in the shipping length found not to be continuous, 100 percent of
the finished cable on the master reel from which the test length was taken is to be tested.
16.2 For a cable that contains one or more shields, each conductor and shield taken separately is to be
connected in series with a light-emitting diode (LED), lamp, buzzer, bell, or other indicator, and an a-c or
d-c power supply of less than 30 V.
16.3 For a cable that does not contain any shielding, either the procedure in 16.2 or the eddy-current
method in 16.4 and 16.5 is to be used.
16.4 For eddy-current testing, the equipment is to comply with each of the following:
a) The equipment is to apply current at one or several frequencies in the range of 1 – 125 kHz
to a test coil for the purpose of inducing eddy currents in the conductors moving through the
coil at production speed.
b) The equipment is to detect the variation in impedance of the test coil caused by each break
in one or more of the conductors.
c) The equipment is to show a visual indication to the operator.

16.5 During eddy-current testing, the longitudinal axis of the cable is to be coincident with the electrical
center of the test coil. The cable is to have little or no vibration as it passes through the test coil and is
to clear the coil by a distance not greater than 1/2 inch or 13 mm. Variations in the speed of the cable
through the test coil are to be limited to plus 50 percent and minus whatever percentage (50 percent
maximum) keeps the signal amplitude from falling below the level at which a break is detectable. Separate
calibration, balance, and adjustments for sensitivity, maximum signal-to-noise ratio, and maximum
rejection of signals indicating gradual variations in diameter and other slow changes are to be made for
each size, type of stranding, and conductor material. Calibration without any cable in the test coil is to be
made at least daily to check whether the equipment is functioning. Variations in the temperature along the
length of the cable being tested from the temperature at which the equipment was calibrated and adjusted
for that size, type of stranding, and conductor material are to be gradual without hot or cold spots that
cause false signals.
17 D-C Resistance Test of Conductors
17.1 Requirements
17.1.1 The direct-current resistance of any length of metal-coated or uncoated copper conductor in ohms
based on 1000 conductor feet or in ohms based on a conductor kilometer shall not be higher than the
maximum value indicated for the marked size of the conductor (see 5.5) in the applicable Table 17.1 (solid
conductors) or Table 17.2 (stranded conductors) when measured at or adjusted to a temperature of 20°C
(68°F) or 25°C (77°F). The direct-current resistance of each conductor in a finished cable shall not exceed
the single-conductor value in the applicable Table 17.1 or 17.2 multiplied by whichever of the following
factors is appropriate:
Construction Multiplier
Cabled in one layer 1.02
Cabled in more than one layer 1.03
Cabled as one pair 1.04
Cabled as an assembly of pairs or other precabled units 1.04
Table 17.1
Maximum direct-current resistance of solid conductors
AWG size of Uncoated Coated

conductor
20°C 25°C 20°C 25°C
Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per
1000 feeta kilometer 1000 feeta kilometer 1000 feetb kilometer 1000 feetb kilometer
18 6.52 21.4 6.64 21.8 6.78 22.2 6.91 22.7
17 5.15 16.9 5.25 17.2 5.36 17.6 5.46 17.9
16 4.10 13.5 4.18 13.7 4.26 14.0 4.35 14.3
15 3.24 10.6 3.30 10.8 3.37 11.1 3.43 11.3
14 2.57 8.45 2.62 8.61 2.68 8.78 2.72 8.96
13 2.04 6.69 2.08 6.82 2.12 6.96 2.16 7.09
12 1.62 5.31 1.65 5.42 1.68 5.53 1.71 5.64
a 1.02 × nominal.
b 1.06 × nominal.
Table 17.2
Maximum direct-current resistance of stranded conductors
AWG size of Uncoated Coated

conductor
20°C 25°C 20°C 25°C
Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per Ohms per
1000 feeta kilometer 1000 feeta kilometer 1000 feetb kilometer 1000 feetb kilometer
18 6.66 21.9 6.79 22.3 6.92 22.7 7.04 23.1

17 5.29 17.4 5.40 17.7 5.47 17.9 5.57 18.3
16 4.19 13.7 4.27 14.0 4.35 14.3 4.44 14.6
15 3.30 10.8 3.37 11.1 3.44 11.3 3.50 11.5
14 2.62 8.60 2.67 8.76 2.73 8.96 2.77 9.09
13 2.08 6.82 2.12 6.96 2.16 7.09 2.20 7.22
12 1.65 5.41 1.68 5.51 1.71 5.61 1.74 5.71
a 1.04 × nominal.
b 1.08 × nominal.
17.2 General method
17.2.1 The method is not specified. Measurements are to be made to an accuracy of 2 percent or better
by means of a Kelvin-bridge ohmmeter or its equivalent (see 17.2.2 concerning measurement at other
temperatures). Where the results of any measurement indicate noncompliance, the results of referee
measurements made under the conditions outlined in Kelvin-Bridge Referee Method, Section 17.3, are to
be taken as conclusive. Determination of the conductor diameter or area instead of its d-c resistance is
described in 5.5 – 5.7.
17.2.2 The resistance of a conductor measured at a temperature other than 20°C (68°F) or 25°C (77°F)
is to be adjusted to the resistance at 20°C (68°F) or 25°C (77°F) by means of the applicable multiplying
factor from Table 17.3. Where the resistance measurements are made at a temperature higher the 20°C
(68°F) and the resistance values read are lower than those specified in Table 17.1 or 17.2, the conductor
complies without adjustment of the resistance values read.
Table 17.3
Factors for adjusting d-c resistance of conductorsa
Temperature of conductor Multiplying factor for Temperature of conductor Multiplying factor for
adjustment to resistance at adjustment to resistance at
°C °F 25°C (77°F) 20°C (68°F) °C °F 25°C (77°F) 20°C (68°F)
0 32.0 1.107 1.085 27 80.6 0.992 0.973

1 33.8 1.102 1.081 28 82.4 0.989 0.970
2 35.6 1.098 1.076 29 84.2 0.985 0.966
3 37.4 1.093 1.072 30 86.0 0.981 0.962
4 39.2 1.089 1.067 31 87.8 0.977 0.958
5 41.0 1.084 1.063 32 89.6 0.974 0.955
6 42.8 1.079 1.059 33 91.4 0.970 0.951
7 44.6 1.075 1.054 34 93.2 0.967 0.948
8 46.4 1.070 1.050 35 95.0 0.963 0.944
9 48.2 1.066 1.045 36 96.8 0.959 0.941
10 50.0 1.061 1.041 37 98.6 0.956 0.937
11 51.8 1.057 1.037 38 100.4 0.952 0.934

Temperature of conductor Multiplying factor for Temperature of conductor Multiplying factor for
adjustment to resistance at adjustment to resistance at
°C °F 25°C (77°F) 20°C (68°F) °C °F 25°C (77°F) 20°C (68°F)

12 53.6 1.053 1.033 39 102.2 0.949 0.930
13 55.4 1.048 1.028 40 104.0 0.945 0.927
14 57.2 1.044 1.024 41 105.8 0.942 0.924
15 59.0 1.040 1.020 42 107.6 0.938 0.921
16 60.8 1.036 1.016 43 109.4 0.935 0.917
17 62.6 1.032 1.012 44 111.2 0.931 0.914
18 64.4 1.028 1.008 45 113.0 0.928 0.911
19 66.2 1.024 1.004 46 114.8 0.925 0.908
20 68.0 1.020 1.000 47 116.6 0.922 0.905
21 69.8 1.016 0.996 48 118.4 0.918 0.901
22 71.6 1.012 0.992 49 120.2 0.915 0.898
23 73.4 1.008 0.989 50 122.0 0.912 0.895
24 75.2 1.004 0.985 51 123.8 0.909 0.892
25 77.0 1.000 0.981 52 125.6 0.906 0.889
26 78.8 0.996 0.977 53 127.4 0.902 0.885
54 129.2 0.899 0.822 72 161.6 0.846 0.830
55 131.0 0.896 0.879 73 163.4 0.844 0.828
56 132.8 0.893 0.876 74 165.2 0.841 0.825
57 134.6 0.890 0.873 75 167.0 0.838 0.822
58 136.4 0.887 0.870 76 168.8 0.835 0.819
59 138.2 0.884 0.867 77 170.6 0.833 0.817
60 140.0 0.881 0.864 78 172.4 0.830 0.814
61 141.8 0.878 0.861 79 174.2 0.828 0.812
62 143.6 0.875 0.858 80 176.0 0.825 0.809
63 145.4 0.872 0.856 81 177.8 0.822 0.807
64 147.2 0.869 0.853 82 179.6 0.820 0.804
65 149.0 0.866 0.850 83 181.4 0.817 0.802
66 150.8 0.863 0.847 84 183.2 0.815 0.799
67 152.6 0.860 0.844 85 185.0 0.812 0.797
68 154.4 0.858 0.842 86 186.8 0.810 0.794
69 156.2 0.855 0.839 87 188.6 0.807 0.792
70 158.0 0.852 0.836 88 190.4 0.805 0.789
71 159.8 0.849 0.833 89 192.2 0.802 0.787
90 194.0 0.800 0.784
a No referee resistance measurement is to be made at a temperature outside the range of 15 – 30°C (59 – 86°F). See 17.3.5
regarding temperature equilibrium.
17.3 Kelvin-bridge referee method
17.3.1 A referee determination of the direct-current resistance of a conductor is to be made to an

accuracy of 0.2 percent or better by means of a general-purpose Kelvin bridge, or its investigated
equivalent, using a straight specimen of the conductor that is 24 – 48 inches or 610 – 1220 mm long. See
17.3.5 regarding temperature equilibrium.
17.3.2 Each general-purpose Kelvin-bridge current electrode is to be attached to a specimen in a way –

conductor not damaged or bent, conductor in contact with the full length of the electrode, uniform pressure
by the electrode at all points of contact, and so forth – that results in a uniform distribution of current.
17.3.3 The distance between each general-purpose Kelvin-bridge potential electrode and its
corresponding current electrode is to equal or exceed 1.5 times the circumference of the conductor
specimen. The resistance of the Kelvin-bridge yoke between the reference standard and the specimen is
not to be more than 0.1 percent of the resistance of the reference standard or the specimen, whichever
is less, unless compensation is made for the potential leads or unless the coil and lead ratios are
balanced.
17.3.4 Each general-purpose Kelvin-bridge potential electrode shall contact the conductor specimen with
a surface that is a sharp knife edge as specified in the first sentence of 17.3.7. The length of the conductor
specimen between the knife edges is to be measured to the nearest 0.01 inch or 0.2 mm.
17.3.5 When using the general-purpose Kelvin bridge, the conductor specimen, all equipment, and the
surrounding air are to be in thermal equilibrium with one another at one temperature in the range of 15 –
30°C (59 – 86°F). All of the referee resistance measurements are to be made at that one temperature. No
referee resistance measurement is to be made at a temperature outside the range of 15 – 30°C (59 –
86°F).
17.3.6 Because the bridge measuring the current raises the temperature of the specimen, the magnitude
of the current is to be low and the time of its use is to be brief. Too much current, too much time, or both,
are being used for a measurement where any change in resistance is detected by the galvanometer in
two successive readings.
17.3.7 The contact surfaces of the general-purpose Kelvin-bridge current electrodes, the surface of the
conductor specimen, and the knife edges of the general-purpose Kelvin-bridge potential electrodes are to
be clean and undamaged. Contact-potential imbalance is to be minimized by having the potential
electrodes made of the same material. Contact-potential error is to be eliminated by taking two readings
in direct succession: the first with the current flowing in one direction and the second with the current
flowing in the other direction. Where the two readings are within 0.25 percent of one another, the average
of the two readings is to be taken as the referee value of the resistance of the specimen. Where the two
readings differ from one another by 0.25 percent or more, the specimen is to be turned end for end and
two additional readings identified as the third and fourth readings are to be taken in direct succession: the
third with the current flowing in one direction and the fourth with the current flowing in the other direction.
Where the third and fourth readings are within 0.25 percent of one another, the average of the third and
fourth readings is to be taken as the referee value of the resistance of the specimen. Where the third and
fourth readings differ from one another by 0.25 percent or more, the equipment and procedure are to be
checked for compliance with 17.3.1– 17.3.6 and the referee determination is to be repeated (two or four
readings as indicated in this paragraph) using the same specimen or a new specimen.
18 Heat Shock Test
18.1 The overall PVC jacket in place on the finished cable, and each diameter of non-NEC PVC-insulated
conductor removed from the finished cable, shall not show any cracks on the inside or outside surface of
the PVC after being wound onto mandrels in the manner described in 540.1 and 540.2 of UL 1581 and
then subjected to a temperature of 121.0 ±1.0°C (249.8 ±1.8°F) in an air oven for 60 min. A mandrel 0.062
inch or 1.6 mm in diameter is to be used for the insulated conductors regardless of their AWG size or their
diameter. For nylon-jacketed conductors, the test is to be conducted with the nylon in place. Insulated
conductors are to be wound onto the mandrel for six complete turns. The number of turns and the mandrel
diameter to use for testing the jacket on the cable are specified in Table 18.1. Flat cable is to be wound
flatwise onto the mandrel.
Table 18.1
Mandrel diameter and number of turns for heat shock test of jacket on cable
Calculateda diameter over cable jacket of round cable or Calculateda Mandrel diameter Number of
equivalent diameterb over cable jacket of flat cable turns
Over ... inches But not over ... Over ... mm But not over ... inches mm
inches mm
0 0.375 0 9.53 0.750 19.05 6
0.375 0.625 9.53 15.88 1.625 41.28 6
0.625 1.000 15.88 25.40 3.000 76.20 6
1.000 2.000 25.40 50.80 3 × calculated 3 × calculated 1/2 (U bend)
diameter diameter
Over 2.000 Over 50.80 4 × calculated 4 × calculated 1/2 (U bend)
diameter diameter
a See 5.8 regarding the conductor diameter(s) to use in the calculation.
b The equivalent diameter of a flat cable is to be calculated as 1.1284 × (TW)1/2, in which T is the thickness of the cable and W is
the width of the cable.
19 Deformation Test
19.1 The thickness of the overall cable jacket and the thickness of the insulation on conductors other than
NEC wires shall not decrease more than the percentage indicated in Table 19.1 when the overall cable
jacket and the non-NEC insulated conductors are removed from the finished cable and subjected to the
load indicated in Table 19.1 while being maintained at the temperature indicated in Table 19.1. The test
is to be conducted and the measurements and calculation are to be made as described under
Deformation Test, Section 560 of UL 1581. Each diameter of non-NEC insulated conductor used in the
cable is to be tested. For nylon-jacketed conductors, the nylon is to be in place throughout the test and
the measurements are to be made over the nylon.
Table 19.1
Specifications for the deformation test
Insulation or jacket Maximum percent Loada Oven temperature

material decrease
gf N
CP, thermoplastic CPE,
thermoset CPE, EPCV
Insulation 30 500 4.90 121.0 ±1.0°C
Jacket 30 2000 19.61 (249.8 ±1.8°F)
ECTFE, ETFE, FEP
Insulation 25 1000 9.81 121.0 ±1.0°C
Jacket 25 4000 39.23 (249.8 ±1.8°F)
PTFE, TFE
Insulation 25 1000 9.81 121.0 ±1.0°C
(249.8 ±1.8°F)
PVC
Insulation 50 500 4.90 121.0 ±1.0°C
Jacket 50 2000 19.61 (249.8 ±1.8°F)
75°C PVC insulation 30b 500 4.90 121.0 ±1.0°C
under a nylon jacket 249.8 ±1.8°F
90°C PVC insulation 25b 500 4.90 136.0 ±1.0°C
under a nylon jacket (276.8 ±1.8°F)
TPE
90 and 105°C 50 500 4.90 121.0 ±1.0°C
insulations (249.8±1.8°F)
90 and 105°C 50 2000 19.61 121.0 ±1.0°C
jackets (249.8 ±1.8°F)
XLPE, XLPVC, XLEVA,
blends of these
Insulation 30 500 4.90 121.0 ±1.0°C
Jacket 30 2000 19.61 (249.8 ±1.8°F)
NBR/PVC, neoprene
Insulation No test – –
Jacket No test – –
Semirigid PVC, silicone No test – –
rubber insulation
a The specified load is not the weight to be added to each rod in the test apparatus. The specified load is the total of the
weight added and the weight of the individual rod. Because the weight of the rod varies from one apparatus to another,
specifying the exact weight to be added to a rod to achieve the specified load on a specimen is impractical in all cases except
for an individual apparatus.
b Nylon in place, measurements over the nylon.
20 Cold Bend Test of the Insulation
20.1 After being conditioned for 4 h in circulating air that is precooled to and maintained at a temperature
of −20.0°C, +3.0°C, −2.0°C (−4.0°F, +5.4°F, −3.6°F), the insulation on conductors other than NEC wires
removed from the finished cable (before being conditioned) shall not crack on the inside or outside surface
when specimens of each diameter of conditioned non-NEC insulated conductor are wound onto the
applicable diameter of mandrel in the cold chamber as described in 20.2 – 20.4.
20.2 Round metal mandrels are to be used in this test. The diameter of the mandrel for each diameter
(calculated) of non-NEC insulated conductor used in the cable is to be as indicated in Table 20.1. The
mandrels are to be securely mounted in the chamber in a position that facilitates the winding.
20.3 The non-NEC insulated conductors are to be removed from a 24-inch or 610-mm length of the
finished cable and are to be separated from one another and individually placed in the precooled cold
chamber. The specimens and mandrels are to be conditioned for 4 h in circulating air that is precooled to
and maintained at a temperature of −20.0°C, +3.0°C, −2.0°C (−4.0°F, +5.4°F, −3.6°F). At the end of the
fourth hour, the specimens are to be wound individually, and in quick succession, onto the appropriate
mandrel for the number of complete turns indicated in Table 20.1. Adjacent turns are to touch one
another. The winding of each specimen is to be at a uniform rate of 4 – 6 turns per minute. The winding
is to be completed in the cold chamber.
20.4 With a minimum of handling and while remaining in the coiled form, each specimen is to be slid from
its mandrel, removed from the test chamber, and placed on a horizontal surface. The specimens are to
rest in the coiled form on that surface undisturbed for at least 60 min in still air to warm to a room
temperature of 24.0 ±8.0°C (75.2 ±14.4°F). Each specimen is then to be examined for cracks on the inside
and outside surfaces of the insulation. Circumferential depressions in the outer surface indicate cracks on
the inside surface of an insulation other than a fluoropolymer. Circumferential depressions in a
fluoropolymer surface are indicators of cracking or are yield marks (locally stronger points), so the inside
fluoropolymer surface is to be examined visually. The examinations are to be made with normal or
corrected vision without magnification.
Table 20.1
Mandrel diameter and number of turns for cold bend test of insulation
Calculateda diameter over the insulation Diameter of mandrel Number of

complete turns
Over ... inches But not over ... Over ... mm But not over ... Inches mm
of specimen on
inches mm mandrel
0 0.125 0 3.18 0.250 6.35 6
0.125 0.250 3.18 6.35 0.500 12.70 6
0.250 0.375 6.35 9.52 0.750 19.05 6
0.375 0.500 9.52 12.70 1.000 25.40 6
0.500 0.625 12.70 15.88 1.250 31.80 6
0.625 0.750 15.88 19.05 1.500 38.10 1
0.750 0.875 19.05 22.22 1.750 44.45 1
0.875 1.000 22.22 25.40 2.000 50.80 1
a See 5.8 regarding the conductor diameter to use in the calculation.
21 Cold Bend Test of the Complete Cable
21.1 After being conditioned for 4 h in circulating air that is precooled to and maintained at a temperature
of −20.0°C (−4.0°F), −30.0°C (−22.0°F), −40.0°C (−40.0°F), −50.0°C (−58.0°F), −60.0°C (−76.0°F), or
−70.0°C (−94.0°F), specimens of the complete cable shall not be damaged when the specimens are
individually wound onto a round mandrel as described in 21.2 and 21.3. See 41.1 (j) and (k) regarding
marking or not marking the cable with its low-temperature rating.
21.2 Four straight test lengths of the complete finished cable are to be cooled for 4 h in circulating air that
is precooled to and maintained at one of the following temperatures: −20.0°C (−4.0°F), −30.0°C (−22.0°F),
−40.0°C (−40.0°F), −50.0°C (−58.0°F), −60.0°C (−76.0°F), or −70.0°C (−94.0°F). Tolerance of +3.0°C,
−2.0°C (+5.4°F, −3.6°F) apply to each of these temperatures. At the end of the fourth hour, the specimens
are to be removed from the cold chamber one at a time and are to be wound individually for three full turns
around a round metal mandrel of a diameter equal to 15 times the calculated overall cable diameter in the
case of a round cable that is without armor and contains the specific metal sheath (shield) described in
8.3, 12 times the calculated overall cable diameter in the case of a round cable that is without armor and
contains any other sheath (shield), 8 times the calculated overall cable diameter in the case of a round
cable that is without armor and does not contain any sheath (shield) or, for all other cables, 15 times the
calculated overall cable diameter in the case of a round cable, or 15 times the equivalent diameter of a
flat cable. The equivalent diameter of a flat cable is to be calculated as 1.1284 × (TW)1/2, in which T is the
calculated thickness of the cable and W is the calculated width of the cable. A flat cable is to be wound
flatwise onto the mandrel. There is not to be any more tension applied to a specimen than keeps the
surface of the specimen in contact with the mandrel. Adjacent turns are to touch one another. The winding
of each specimen is to be conducted at a uniform rate of 4 – 6 turns per minute, and the time taken to
remove a specimen from the cold chamber and complete the winding is not to exceed 30 s. As an
alternative, the test is to be performed in the cold chamber.
21.3 With a minimum of handling and while remaining in the coiled form, each specimen is to be slid from
the mandrel and placed on a horizontal surface. The specimens are to rest on the surface undisturbed for
at least 4 h in still air to warm to a room temperature of 24.0 ±8.0°C (75.2 ±14.4°F) before being examined
for surface damage. Each specimen is then to be disassembled and examined further for damage. The
cable complies where, for the first length tested, there are no cracks, splits, tears, or other openings in
any part of the cable. Cracking on the inside surface of a jacket or of the insulation (on NEC wires and on
conductors other than NEC wires) is detectable as circumferential depressions in the outer surface of a
jacket or insulation of material other than a fluoropolymer. Circumferential depressions in a fluoropolymer
surface are indicators of cracking or are yield marks (locally stronger points), so the inside fluoropolymer
surface is to be examined visually. A white appearance (stress whitening) of a PVDF or PVDF copolymer
jacket after flexing is not cause for rejection. Where the first test length has any of the indicated faults,
compliance is to be judged by the results obtained from the three remaining test lengths. The cable does
not comply where any of the three test lengths have one or more faults. The examinations are to be made
with normal or corrected vision without magnification.
22 Smoke and Flame Testing of NPLFP Cables
22.1 Type NPLFP cables shall comply with the flame-propagation and smoke-density limits stated in
Appendix A of the National Fire Protection Association Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and
Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces, ANSI/NFPA 262 when specimens are tested
in sets in the manner described in NFPA 262. The test specimens shall be of the complete, finished cable.
The test specimens shall be representative of the entire size range that the manufacturer intends to
produce in each construction that is to be made. The test specimens that represent a given construction
typically are the smallest and largest diameters to be produced in that construction.
23 Flame Testing of Riser Cables
23.1 Cables with the metal covering described in Metal Covering (Armor), Section 14, and without the
jacket described in Jacket over Armor, Section 15, comply with the requirements in 23.2 and are not
required to be tested.
23.2 Jacketed Type NPLFR cables shall comply with the limits stated in the Standard Test for Flame
Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables Installed Vertically in Shafts, UL 1666 when
specimens are tested in sets in the manner described in UL 1666. The test specimens shall be of the
complete, finished cable. The test specimens shall be representative of the entire size range that the
manufacturer intends to produce in each construction made (see specification of specimens in 23.3 and
23.4). Where the flame-propagation height and/or the temperature exceed the limits specified in UL 1666
and repeated in 1.12(b) for any set of cable specimens tested, compliance in tests of additional sets of
specimens is required to qualify the full size range desired by the manufacturer. See 24.2.1 and 24.2.2
regarding shields and regarding construction changes that trigger repeat testing.
23.3 For cables with insulated conductors and coaxial and optical-fiber members that, when individually
tested after removal from the finished cable, comply with the horizontal flame test described in
Horizontal-Specimen Flame Test for Thermoplastic- and Thermoset-Insulated Wires and Cables, Section
1100 of UL 1581, the test specimens that represent a given cable construction for the riser flame test
typically are the smallest diameter of the cable to be produced in that construction. The number of cable
lengths in a set of specimens is to be determined as indicated in UL 1666.
23.4 For cables with insulated conductors and coaxial and optical-fiber members that, when individually
tested after removal from the finished cable, do not comply with the horizontal flame test referred to in
23.3, the test specimens that represent a given cable construction for the riser flame test typically are the
smallest and largest diameters of the cable to be produced in that construction. The number of cable
lengths in a set of specimens is to be determined as indicated in UL 1666.
24 Alternative Vertical-Tray Flame Tests of General-Purpose Cables
24.1 Choice of test by the manufacturer
24.1.1 Cables with the metal covering described in Metal Covering (armor), Section 14, and without the
jacket described in Jacket over Armor, Section 15, comply with the requirements in Sections 24.3 and
24.4 and are not required to be tested.
24.1.2 The manufacturer of Type NPLF cables is to specify either the test referenced in UL Test, Section
24.3, or the test referenced in FT4/IEEE 1202 Test, Section 24.4, for each construction of that
manufacturer’s jacketed cables. The same test is not required for all constructions. See 1.12(c).
24.2 Changes in construction
24.2.1 The construction of a cable is changed (and therefore the flame test is to be repeated) where
different materials and/or different amounts of the same materials are introduced that affect the flame
characteristics of the cable.
24.2.2 For a cable that contains a metal or metalized tape shield or a wire shield, the flame test is to be
conducted with the thinnest metal in the shield tape, smallest-diameter shield wire, and least shield
coverage that the manufacturer intends to use in production. The performance of the cable in the flame
test is affected by any change that reduces the tape metal thickness, shield wire size, and/or coverage of
the shield. Any reduction in one or more of these elements during production requires re-evaluation of the
cable in a repeat of the flame test.
24.3 UL test
24.3.1 Jacketed Type NPLF cables shall not exhibit damage (as defined in UL 1685) that equals or
exceeds a height of 8 ft, 0 inch or 244 cm when sets of cable specimens as described in 24.3.2 are
separately installed in a vertical ladder type of cable tray and are subjected to 20 min of flame as
described under UL Flame Exposure (smoke measurements are not applicable) in the Standard for
Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables, UL 1685.
The test specimens shall be of the complete, finished cable. The test specimens shall be representative
of the entire size range that the manufacturer intends to produce in each construction made (see
specification of specimens and evaluation of results in 24.3.2 and 24.3.3). See 24.2.1 and 24.2.2
regarding shields and regarding construction changes that trigger repeat testing.
24.3.2 For cables with insulated conductors and coaxial and optical-fiber members that, when individually
tested after removal from the finished cable, comply with the horizontal flame test described in
Horizontal-Specimen Flame Test for Thermoplastic- and Thermoset-Insulated Wires and Cables, Section
1100 of UL 1581, the test specimens that represent a given construction for the UL or FT4/IEEE 1202 tray
flame test typically are a cable that is 0.500 inch or 12.7 mm in overall diameter. The number of cable
lengths in a set of specimens is to be determined as indicated in UL 1685. Where the cable damage
height equals or exceeds 8 ft, 0 inch or 244 cm measured upward from the bottom of the cable tray for
any individual cable test length in the set of the cable specimens tested, compliance in tests of additional
sets of specimens is required to qualify the full size range desired by the manufacturer.
24.3.3 For cables with insulated conductors and coaxial and optical-fiber members that, when individually
tested after removal from the finished cable, do not comply with the horizontal flame test referred to in
24.3.2, the test specimens that represent a given construction for the UL or FT4/IEEE 1202 tray flame test
typically are the smallest and largest diameters to be produced in the construction represented. The
number of cable lengths in a set of specimens is to be determined as indicated in UL 1685. Where the
cable damage height equals or exceeds 8 ft, 0 inch or 244 cm measured upward from the bottom of the
cable tray for any individual cable test length in either set of cable specimens tested, compliance in tests
of additional sets of specimens is required to qualify the full size range desired by the manufacturer.
24.4 FT4/IEEE 1202 test
24.4.1 Jacketed Type NPLF cables shall not exhibit damage (as defined in UL 1685) that equals or
exceeds a height of 1.5 m or 4 ft, 11 inches when sets of specimens are tested as described under
FT4/IEEE 1202 Type of Flame Exposure (smoke measurements are not applicable) in the Standard for
Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables, UL 1685.
The test specimens shall be of the complete, finished cable. The test specimens shall be representative
of the entire size range that the manufacturer intends to produce in each construction made. See the
specification of specimens in 24.3.2 and 24.3.3 and, for evaluation of results in each case, substitute the
following sentence of this paragraph for the final sentence in 24.3.2 and in 24.3.3. Where the cable
damage height equals or exceeds 1.5 m or 4 ft, 11 inches measured upward from the lower edge of the
burner face for any individual cable in any set of specimens tested, compliance in tests of additional sets
of specimens is required to qualify the full size range desired by the manufacturer. See 24.2.1 and 24.2.2
regarding shields and regarding construction changes that trigger repeat testing. ″FT4/IEEE 1202″ or
″FT4″ is the applicable (not required) cable and tag marking – see Information on or in the Cable, Section
41, and Information on the Tag, Reel, or Carton, Section 42.
25 Sunlight-Resistance Test
25.1 Cable of any type on which there is an overall cable jacket on or through which the designation ″sun
res″ or ″sunlight resistant″ indicated in 41.1(g) is legible qualifies for use in sunlight where the ratio of the
average tensile strength and ultimate elongation of five conditioned specimens of the overall jacket to the
average tensile strength and ultimate elongation of five unconditioned specimens of the overall jacket is
0.80 or more when the overall jacket is tested as described in Carbon-Arc and Xenon-Arc Tests, Section
1200 of UL 1581, using 720 h of xenon-arc or carbon-arc conditioning.
26 Alternative Spark and Dielectric Voltage-Withstand Tests
26.1 Choice of test by the manufacturer
26.1.1 The insulation on each insulated circuit and grounding conductor (on NEC wires and on
conductors other than NEC wires) in the finished cable shall comply with either the spark test described
in 26.2.1 or the dielectric voltage-withstand test described in 26.3.1 – 26.3.3. The cable manufacturer shall
make the choice. Every insulated conductor shall be completely discharged at the conclusion of each test.
26.2 Spark test of insulated conductors before cable assembly
26.2.1 The spark-test alternative is to be either a d-c spark test at 10,500 V or an a-c rms spark test at
a 48 – 62 Hz potential of 7500 V. The potential shall be sinusoidal or nearly so. The insulated circuit and
grounding conductors (NEC wires and conductors other than NEC wires) are to be tested as single
conductors before being shielded or assembled into a group or into the cable, or as twisted pairs after
being paired and before further assembly. The test equipment and method are to be as described in Spark
Test, Section 910 of UL 1581. One hundred percent of production shall be tested by the manufacturer at
the factory. An insulated conductor does not comply where there are any faults in the spark testing of that
conductor.
26.3 Dielectric voltage-withstand test between insulated conductors after cable assembly
26.3.1 The dielectric voltage-withstand test alternative is to be either a d-c potential of 2500 V applied for
the time indicated in 26.3.2 or a 48 – 62 Hz potential of 1500 V applied for the time indicated in 26.3.2.
The potential shall be sinusoidal or nearly so. The test potential is to be applied between each insulated
circuit and grounding conductor (NEC wires and conductors other than NEC wires) taken separately and
all of the other insulated conductors, any shields, any bare grounding conductor, and any metal covering
connected together and to earth ground. The test equipment and method are to be as described in
Dielectric Voltage-Withstand Tests for Power-Limited Circuit Cable and Cable for Power-Limited
Fire-Alarm Circuits, Section 830 of UL 1581. The equipment is to apply the test potential automatically for
each test. The test potential is to be applied manually for longer than the 15 or 60 s. In all cases, the full
test potential is to be applied throughout the entire 15-s or longer test interval or throughout the entire 60-s
or longer test interval.
26.3.2 For routine production testing, the test potential is to be applied for at least 15 s. Otherwise, the
test potential is to be applied for at least 60 s.
26.3.3 The test is to be conducted in one of the following ways on 100 percent of production by the cable
manufacturer at the cable factory:
a) The finished cable is to be tested on each master reel before the final rewind operation, or
each individual shipping length is to be tested after the final rewind operation. A master reel is
any reel containing a single length of finished cable that is intended to be cut into shorter
lengths for shipping.
b) The assembled cable is to be tested before any overall cable jacket is applied, in which
case, one shipping length from each master reel of the finished cable is also to be tested.
Where there is a dielectric breakdown of the insulation on any insulated conductor in the
shipping length, 100 percent of the finished cable on the master reel from which the test length
was taken is to be tested.
27 Test for Insulation Resistance at 60.0°F (15.6°C)
27.1 The insulation on each insulated circuit and grounding conductor other than an NEC wire in all
finished cable shall be capable of exhibiting an insulation resistance at 60.0°F (15.6°C) of not less than
150 megohms based on 1000 conductor feet, or not less than 45.75 megohms based on a conductor
kilometer, when the cable is tested as described in 27.2 – 27.7.
27.2 The measuring equipment and test procedure shall be applicable. They are not otherwise specified.
A megohm bridge used for these measurements shall be of appropriate range and calibration, shall
present readings that are accurate to 10 percent or less of the value indicated by the meter, and shall
have a 100 – 550-V or higher open-circuit potential.
27.3 Individually insulated circuit and grounding conductors (any nylon or similar covering is to be in
place) that are not NEC wires are to be immersed in tap water for at least 12 h at room temperature before
the insulation-resistance reading is taken. The immersion vessel is to have an electrode for grounding the
water to the earth (the inside surface of a metal tank that is not painted or otherwise insulated from the
water). For the test in water, the immersed length of each specimen is to be at least 50 ft or 15 m, and
at least 2.5 ft or 750 mm at each end of each specimen is to extend out of the water and is to be kept dry
as leakage insulation.
27.4 Where at the time of immersion the temperature of any part of the coil differs by more than 5.0°F
(2.8°C) from the temperature of the water, one of the following is to be done to make certain that the
water, the insulation, and the conductor are at the same temperature at the time that the insulation
resistance is measured:
a) The insulation and the conductor are to be judged to be at the same temperature as the
water in which they are immersed whenever the same d-c resistance of the conductor is
obtained in each of three successive measurements made at intervals of 30 min by means of a
Kelvin-bridge ohmmeter that presents readings accurate to 2 percent or less of the value
indicated by the meter.
b) The water is to be heated or cooled to within 5.0°F (2.8°C) of the temperature of the
insulation and conductor before the coil is immersed.
27.5 The water and the entire length of the immersed insulated conductor, or nylon-jacketed or similarly
covered insulated conductor, are to be at any one temperature in the range of 40.0 – 95.0°F (4.4 – 35.0°C)
at the time that the insulation resistance is measured. Where their temperature at this time is other than
60.0°F (15.6°C), the resulting insulation resistance is to be multiplied by the applicable factor M indicated
in Table 27.1.
27.6 A test at 60.0°F (15.6°C) is to be made for a coil that shows results that do not comply when the
water temperature is other than 60.0°F (15.6°C).
27.7 Where coils are connected together for the insulation-resistance test and results that comply are not
obtained, the individual coils are to be retested to determine which ones have at least the required
insulation resistance.
Table 27.1
Multiplying factor Ma for adjusting insulation resistance to 60.0°F (15.6°C) from another room
temperature
Temperature Ma
CP, EPCV, PVCb and semirigid PVCb

XLPE, XLPVC,
°F °C and XLEVA I II III IV
40 4.4 0.53 0.12 0.17 0.21 0.31

41 5.0 0.55 0.13 0.19 0.23 0.33
42 5.6 0.57 0.15 0.21 0.25 0.35
43 6.1 0.59 0.16 0.22 0.27 0.37
44 6.7 0.60 0.18 0.25 0.29 0.39
45 7.2 0.62 0.20 0.27 0.31 0.42
46 7.8 0.64 0.23 0.29 0.34 0.44
47 8.3 0.66 0.25 0.32 0.36 0.47
48 8.9 0.68 0.28 0.35 0.39 0.49
49 9.4 0.70 0.31 0.38 0.43 0.53
50 10.0 0.73 0.35 0.42 0.46 0.56
51 10.6 0.76 0.39 0.46 0.50 0.59
52 11.1 0.78 0.43 0.50 0.54 0.63
53 11.7 0.80 0.48 0.55 0.58 0.67
54 12.2 0.83 0.54 0.60 0.63 0.70
55 12.8 0.86 0.60 0.65 0.68 0.75
56 13.3 0.88 0.66 0.71 0.74 0.79
57 13.9 0.91 0.73 0.78 0.80 0.84
58 14.4 0.94 0.82 0.85 0.86 0.90
59 15.0 0.97 0.90 0.92 0.93 0.95
60 15.6 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
61 16.1 1.03 1.11 1.09 1.08 1.06
62 16.7 1.07 1.24 1.19 1.17 1.13
63 17.2 1.10 1.38 1.30 1.26 1.19
64 17.8 1.13 1.53 1.41 1.36 1.26
65 18.3 1.17 1.70 1.54 1.47 1.34
66 18.9 1.20 1.88 1.69 1.59 1.42
67 19.4 1.24 2.09 1.84 1.72 1.51
68 20.0 1.28 2.31 1.99 1.85 1.60
69 20.6 1.32 2.57 2.18 2.00 1.69
70 21.1 1.36 2.85 2.38 2.17 1.79
71 21.7 1.40 3.17 2.34 2.34 1.90
72 22.2 1.45 3.52 2.53 2.53 2.02
73 22.8 1.50 3.90 3.08 2.72 2.14
74 23.3 1.55 4.31 3.35 2.94 2.27
75 23.9 1.59 4.78 3.65 3.18 2.40
76 24.4 1.64 5.30 3.98 3.43 2.54
77 25.0 1.69 5.88 4.34 3.70 2.70
78 25.6 1.75 6.51 4.73 4.00 2.86
79 26.1 1.80 7.27 5.16 4.33 3.03
80 26.7 1.86 8.07 5.61 4.67 3.21
81 27.2 1.90 8.98 6.12 5.04 3.40
82 27.8 1.97 9.92 6.69 5.45 3.60
83 28.3 2.02 11.0 7.28 5.89 3.82

Temperature Ma
CP, EPCV, PVCb and semirigid PVCb

XLPE, XLPVC,
°F °C and XLEVA I II III IV
84 28.9 2.10 12.2 7.92 6.35 4.05

85 29.4 2.15 13.5 8.67 6.84 4.30
86 30.0 2.23 14.9 9.31 7.30 4.53
87 30.6 2.30 16.6 10.1 7.93 4.81
88 31.1 2.37 18.5 11.0 8.50 5.09
89 31.7 2.43 20.6 12.0 9.23 5.40
90 32.2 2.53 23.0 13.1 9.95 5.72
91 32.8 2.60 25.3 14.3 10.7 6.08
92 33.3 2.68 28.2 15.6 11.6 6.44
93 33.9 2.76 31.2 17.0 12.5 6.83
94 34.4 2.86 35.0 18.5 13.5 7.24
95 35.0 2.94 39.0 20.3 14.6 7.68
a M = 1.00 for TPE, silicone rubber, ECTFE, ETFE, FEP, PTFE, and TFE.
b Normally, one of the four columns I, II, III, IV in this table is to be assigned to each PVC and semirigid PVC compound used.
However, where a PVC compound or a semirigid PVC compound cannot be made to fit into any of the four patterns (columns in
this table), applicable values of M are to be determined by means of the method described in Test Procedure for Determining the
Multiplying-Factor Column for Adjusting Insulation Resistance, Section 28.
28 Test Procedure for Determining the Multiplying-Factor Column for Adjusting Insulation
Resistance
28.1 Two specimens, conveniently of a 16 or 18 AWG solid conductor with a wall of insulation whose
average thickness is 10 – 15 mils or 0.25 – 0.38 mm, are to be selected as representative of the insulation
of interest. The specimens are to be of a length (at least 200 ft or 60 m) that yields insulation-resistance
values that are stable within the calibrated range of the measuring instrument at the lowest water-bath
temperature.
28.2 The two specimens are to be immersed in a water bath equipped with heating, cooling, and
circulating facilities. The ends of the specimens are to extend at least 2 ft or 600 mm above the surface
of the water to reduce electrical leakage. The specimens are to be in the water at room temperature for
16 h before adjusting the bath temperature to 50.0°F (10.0°C) or before transferring the specimens to a
50.0°F (10.0°C) bath.
28.3 The d-c resistance of the metal conductor is to be measured at applicable intervals of time until the
temperature remains unchanged for at least 5 min. The insulation is then to be taken as being at the
temperature of the bath indicated on the bath thermometer.
28.4 Each of the two specimens is to be exposed (28.3 applies) to successive water temperatures of
50.0, 61.0, 72.0, 82.0, and 95.0°F (10.0, 16.1, 22.2, 27.8, and 35.0°C) and returning, 82.0, 72.0, 61.0, and
50.0°F (27.8, 22.2, 16.1, and 10.0°C). Insulation-resistance readings are to be taken at each temperature
after equilibrium is established.
28.5 The two sets of readings (four readings in all) taken at the same temperature are to be averaged for
the two specimens. These four average values and the average of the single readings at 95.0°F (35.0°C)
are to be plotted on semilog paper. A continuous curve (usually a straight line) is to be drawn through the
five points. The value of insulation resistance at 60.0°F (15.6°C) is then to be read from the graph.
28.6 The resistivity coefficient C for a 1.0°F (0.55°C) change in temperature is to be calculated to two
decimal places by dividing the insulation resistance at 60.0°F (15.6°C) read from the graph by the
insulation resistance at 61.0°F (16.1°C). In Table 28.1, C heads the column of multiplying factors M that
applies to the particular insulation.
Table 28.1
Multiplying factor Ma for adjusting insulation resistance to 60.0°F (15.6°C)
Temperature Resistivity Coefficient C for 1.0°F (0.55°C)
°F °C 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12
40 4.4 0.55 0.46 0.38 0.31 0.26 0.22 0.18 0.15 0.12 0.10
41 5.0 0.48 0.40 0.33 0.28 0.28 0.23 0.19 0.16 0.14 0.12
42 5.6 0.59 0.49 0.42 0.35 0.30 0.25 0.21 0.18 0.15 0.13
43 6.1 0.60 0.51 0.44 0.37 0.32 0.27 0.23 0.20 0.17 0.15
44 6.7 0.62 0.53 0.46 0.39 0.34 0.29 0.25 0.22 0.19 0.16
45 7.2 0.64 0.56 0.48 0.42 0.36 0.32 0.28 0.24 0.21 0.18
46 7.8 0.66 0.58 0.50 0.44 0.39 0.34 0.30 0.26 0.23 0.20
47 8.3 0.68 0.60 0.53 0.47 0.42 0.37 0.33 0.29 0.26 0.23
48 8.9 0.70 0.56 0.56 0.50 0.44 0.40 0.36 0.32 0.29 0.26
49 9.4 0.72 0.65 0.59 0.53 0.48 0.42 0.39 0.35 0.32 0.29
50 10.0 0.74 0.68 0.61 0.56 0.51 0.46 0.42 0.39 0.35 0.32
51 10.6 0.77 0.70 0.64 0.59 0.54 0.50 0.46 0.42 0.39 0.36
52 11.1 0.79 0.73 0.68 0.63 0.58 0.54 0.50 0.47 0.43 0.40
53 11.7 0.81 0.76 0.71 0.67 0.62 0.58 0.55 0.51 0.48 0.45
54 12.2 0.84 0.79 0.75 0.70 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.56 0.54 0.51
55 12.8 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.57
56 13.3 0.89 0.86 0.82 0.79 0.76 0.74 0.71 0.68 0.66 0.64
57 13.9 0.92 0.89 0.86 0.84 0.82 0.79 0.77 0.75 0.73 0.71
58 14.4 0.94 0.93 0.91 0.89 0.87 0.86 0.84 0.83 0.81 0.80
59 15.0 0.97 0.95 0.94 0.95 0.94 0.93 0.92 0.91 0.90 0.89
60 15.6 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
61 16.1 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12
62 16.7 1.06 1.08 1.10 1.12 1.17 1.17 1.19 1.21 1.23 1.25
63 17.2 1.09 1.12 1.16 1.19 1.23 1.26 1.30 1.33 1.37 1.40
64 17.8 1.13 1.17 1.22 1.26 1.31 1.36 1.41 1.46 1.52 1.57
65 18.3 1.16 1.22 1.28 1.34 1.40 1.47 1.54 1.61 1.69 1.76
66 18.9 1.19 1.27 1.34 1.42 1.50 1.59 1.68 1.77 1.87 1.97
67 19.4 1.23 1.32 1.41 1.50 1.61 1.71 1.83 1.95 2.08 2.21
68 20.0 1.27 1.37 1.48 1.59 1.72 1.85 1.99 2.14 2.20 2.48
69 20.6 1.30 1.42 1.55 1.69 1.84 2.00 2.17 2.36 2.56 2.77
70 21.1 1.34 1.48 1.63 1.79 1.97 2.16 2.37 2.59 2.84 3.11
71 21.7 1.38 1.54 1.71 1.90 2.10 2.33 2.58 2.85 3.15 3.48
72 22.2 1.43 1.60 1.80 2.01 2.25 2.52 2.81 3.14 3.50 3.90
73 22.8 1.47 1.67 1.89 2.13 2.41 2.72 3.07 3.45 3.88 4.36
74 23.3 1.51 1.73 1.98 2.26 2.58 2.94 3.34 3.80 4.31 4.89
75 23.9 1.56 1.80 2.08 2.40 2.76 3.17 3.64 4.18 4.78 5.47

Temperature Resistivity Coefficient C for 1.0°F (0.55°C)
°F °C 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12
76 24.4 1.60 1.87 2.18 2.54 2.95 3.43 3.97 4.59 5.31 6.13
77 25.0 1.65 1.95 2.29 2.69 3.16 3.70 4.33 5.05 5.90 6.87
78 25.6 1.70 2.03 2.41 2.85 3.38 4.00 4.72 5.56 6.54 7.69
79 26.1 1.75 2.11 2.53 3.03 3.62 4.32 5.14 6.12 7.26 8.61
80 26.7 1.81 2.19 2.65 3.21 3.87 4.66 5.60 6.73 8.06 9.65
81 27.2 1.86 2.28 2.79 3.40 4.14 5.03 6.11 7.40 8.95 10.8
82 27.8 1.92 2.37 2.93 3.60 4.43 5.44 6.66 8.14 9.93 12.1
83 28.3 1.97 2.46 3.07 3.82 4.74 5.87 7.26 8.95 11.0 13.6
84 28.9 2.03 2.56 3.23 4.05 5.07 6.34 7.91 9.85 12.2 15.2
85 29.4 2.09 2.67 3.39 4.29 5.43 6.85 8.62 10.8 13.6 17.0
a Calculated from the formula M = C(t − 60) in which C is determined as described in 28.1 – 28.6 and t is the
temperature of the cable in degrees F.
29 Crushing Test of Cable Marked for Direct Burial
29.1 Finished cable that is marked as indicated in 41.1(f) to show that the cable is for direct burial in the
earth shall withstand without rupture of the overall cable jacket and without rupture of the insulation on
any insulated circuit or grounding conductor (on NEC wires and on conductors other than NEC wires),
1000 lbf or 4448 N or 454 kgf applied for 60 s by a flat, horizontal steel plate that crushes the cable at the
point at which the cable is laid over a steel rod. The test is to be conducted and the results evaluated as
29.2 The results of this test on a given construction are to be taken as representative of the performance
of all other cables of the same construction containing either more insulated circuit and grounding
conductors/optical-fiber members of the same size or the same or a larger number of insulated circuit and
grounding conductors/optical-fiber members of a larger size. The performance of the cabled insulated
circuit and grounding conductors and optical-fiber members in a round cable is to be taken as
representative of the performance of those conductors and members in both round and flat cables.
29.3 The cable is to be crushed between a flat, horizontal steel plate and a solid steel rod mounted on a
second identical plate. The crushing is to be achieved by the application of dead weight or in a
compression machine whose jaws close at the rate of 0.50 ±0.05 in/min or 10 ±1 mm/min. Each plate is
to be 2 inches or 50 mm wide. A solid steel rod 3/4 inch or 19 mm in diameter and of a length equal to
at least 6 inches or 150 mm is to be bolted or otherwise secured to the upper face of the lower plate. The
longitudinal axes of the plates and the rod are to be in the same vertical plane. The specimens, the
apparatus, and the surrounding air are to be in thermal equilibrium with one another at a temperature of
24.0 ±8.0°C (75.2 ±14.4°F) throughout the test.
29.4 The cable is to be tested in a continuous length of at least 36 inches or 914 mm, with the cable being
crushed at three points along that length. The points at which the cable is to be crushed are to be
measured and marked on the test length with chalk or another innocuous means before the test is begun.
The first mark is to be placed 9 inches or 230 mm from one end of the test length and the two remaining
marks are to be made at succeeding intervals of 9 inches or 230 mm down the length of the cable.
29.5 The cable at the first mark is to be placed and held on the steel rod, with the longitudinal axis of the
cable horizontal, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod, and in the vertical plane that laterally
bisects the upper and lower plates and the rod. Flat cable is to be tested flatwise. The upper steel plate
is to be made snug against the cable. In a test using a dead weight or weights, weight exerting the force
indicated in 29.1 is to be placed gently on the upper plate. In a test using a compression machine, the
upper plate is to be moved downward at the rate of 0.50 ±0.05 in/min or 10 ±1 mm/min thereby increasing
the force on the cable until the level of force indicated in 29.1 is reached. That level of force is to be held
constant for 60 s and is then to be reduced to zero by removing the dead weight(s) or by raising the upper
steel plate at the rate of 0.50 ±0.05 in/min or 10 ±1 mm/min until the cable is free.
29.6 The test length of the cable is to be advanced to and crushed at each of the successive marks for
a total of three crushes. The overall cable jacket and the insulation on each insulated circuit and grounding
conductor are to be examined at each of the three points at which the cable was crushed. The cable does
not comply where the overall cable jacket or the insulation on any conductor is split, torn, cracked, or
otherwise ruptured at any of the three points. Flattening of the jacket or the insulation, or both of these,
is to be disregarded.
30 Mechanical Water Absorption Test of Insulation in Direct-Burial Cable
30.1 The mechanical water absorption (MWA) of the insulation on the insulated circuit and grounding
conductors that are not NEC wires in a direct-burial cable shall not be more than 20.0 milligrams per
square inch of exposed surface or shall not be more than 3.1 milligrams per square centimeter of exposed
surface, when specimens of the insulated conductors are tested as described in 30.2 – 30.8.
Exception: This requirement does not apply to insulated conductors that comply with the requirements
for Long Term Insulation Resistance Test in Water, Section 31.
30.2 The cable jacket and any metal or other covering(s) outside of the individual conductor insulation are
to be removed, or specimens are to be selected before application of the overall cable jacket and other
covering(s), leaving the insulation completely exposed. The insulated conductors and any optical-fiber
members are to be removed from the cable assembly and the optical-fiber members and any conductors
consisting of NEC wires are to be discarded. The surface of each finished, insulated circuit and grounding
conductor is to be cleaned of all fibers and particles of foreign material by means of a cloth wet with ethyl
alcohol. Three specimens 11 in or 280 mm long are then to be cut from conductors having each different
insulation. The specimens are to be dried in a vacuum of 29 – 30 mmHg over calcium chloride for 48 h
at 70.0 ±1.0°C (158.0 ±1.8°F) and are subsequently to be cooled to room temperature in a desiccator.
Each specimen is to be weighed to the nearest milligram promptly after removal from the desiccator, and
this weight is to be designated as W1. Each specimen is then to be bent into the form of a U around a
circular mandrel having a diameter four times that of the specimen.
30.3 The water bath is to consist of a vitreous-enameled-steel or glass vessel containing tap water and
is to be controlled to automatically maintain the water at a temperature of 82.0 ±1.0°C (179.6 ±1.8°F). The
vessel is to have a close-fitting sheet-metal cover plate of brass or other nonferrous metal. The cover plate
is to have holes that accommodate the specimens.
30.4 The ends of each specimen are to be inserted through two holes in the cover plate, with 10 inches
or 250 mm of each specimen exposed below the plate. Rubber stoppers having holes bored to fit the
specimens tightly, or accurately drilled close-fitting metal washers of the same nonferrous metal as the
cover plate described in 30.3 are to be used to complete closure of the holes in the cover plate and to
assist in holding the specimens in place. The water level is to be maintained flush with the underside of
the cover plate. No water is to touch the ends of the specimens above the cover plate.
30.5 The specimens are to remain in the water for 168 h, after which the cover plate and specimens are
to be removed from the vessel and transferred to a similar vessel filled with tap water at room
temperature. The rubber stoppers or the metal washers are then to be taken off of one specimen at a time,
each specimen is to be removed and shaken to dispose of loose water, and any remaining surface
moisture is to be blotted off lightly with a clean, lintless, absorbent cloth. Each specimen is to be weighed
again to the nearest milligram within 3 min after removal from the water, and this weight is to be
designated as W2.
30.6 The specimens are then to be dried in a vacuum of 29 – 30 mmHg over calcium chloride for 48 h
at a temperature of 70.0 ±1.0°C (158.0 ±1.8°F), cooled to room temperature in a desiccator, and weighed
to the nearest milligram promptly after removal from the desiccator. This weight is to be designated as W3.
30.7 Moisture absorption (MWA) in milligrams per square inch of exposed surface or in milligrams per
square centimeter of exposed surface is to be determined for each specimen by means of whichever of
the following formulas is applicable
in which:
W1 is the original weight of the specimen in milligrams,
W2 is the weight of the specimen in milligrams after immersion,
W3 is the weight of the specimen in milligrams after final drying, and
S is the area of the immersed surface of the specimen in square inches or in square
centimeters (circumference × length immersed).
30.8 The insulation on a circuit conductor or an insulated grounding conductor that is not an NEC wire is
not for use in direct-burial cable where the MWA for any specimen of that insulation exceeds the limit
specified in 30.1.
31 Long Term Insulation Resistance Test in Water
31.1 Insulated conductors, other than wet location NEC wires, intended for use in cable marked ″wet
location″ shall comply with the requirements of the Long Term Insulation Resistance Test in the Standard
for Thermoplastic Insulated Wires and Cables, UL 83, or the Standard for Thermoset Insulated Wire and
Cable, UL 44.
32 Copper Sulphate Test of Zinc Coating on Steel Strip for and from Interlocked Steel Armor
32.1 The coating of zinc on steel strip for and from interlocked steel armor shall enable specimens of the
strip to comply with all of the following requirements:
a) A specimen of the zinc-coated steel strip tested before forming shall not show a bright,
adherent deposit of copper on any surface, including edges, after two 60-s immersions in a
specified solution of copper sulphate.
b) A specimen of the partially uncoiled steel armor from finished cable:
1) Shall not show a bright, adherent deposit of copper after one 60-s immersion in a
specified solution of copper sulphate, and
2) Shall not show a bright, adherent deposit of copper on more than 25 percent of any
surface, including edges, after two 60-s immersions in a specified copper sulphate
solution.
32.2 The solution of copper sulphate is to be made from distilled water and the American Chemical
Society (ACS) reagent grade of cupric sulphate (CuSO4). In a copper container or in a glass, polyethylene,
or other chemically nonreactive container in which a bright piece of copper is present, a quantity of the
cupric sulphate is to be dissolved in hot distilled water to obtain a solution that has a specific gravity
slightly higher than 1.186 after the solution is cooled to a temperature of 18.3°C (65.0°F). Any free acid
that is present is to be neutralized by the addition of 1 gram or so of cupric oxide (CuO) or cupric
hydroxide [Cu(OH)2] per liter of solution. The solution is to be diluted with distilled water to obtain a
specific gravity of exactly 1.186 at a temperature of 18.3°C (65.0°F). The solution is then to be filtered.
32.3 At one end of a length of finished cable that has armor formed of zinc-coated steel strip, the armor
is to be unwound from the outside to expose both edges and the inner surface of the formed strip to view
and also to facilitate working cheesecloth between the turns onto the inner surface for the purpose of
drying that surface during the test. To reduce the damage to the zinc coating, the strip is not to be
straightened as it is unwound. The strip is to remain in the helical form with a diameter that is not larger
than about three times the cable diameter. Three 6-inch or 150-mm (axial measurement) specimens are
to be cut from the partially uncoiled armor. Additionally, three straight 6-inch or 150-mm specimens are to
be cut from a sample length of the zinc-coated steel strip before forming.
32.4 With prudent attention to the risks to health and to the risk of fire presented by the solvent, the six
specimens are to be cleaned with an organic solvent. Each specimen is to be examined for evidence of
damage to the zinc coating, and only specimens that are not damaged are to be selected for use in the
test. One specimen of the unformed strip and one specimen of the armor are to be tested.
32.5 The two selected specimens are to be rinsed in water, and all of their surfaces are to be dried with
clean cheesecloth. Most of the water is to be removed in the drying operation (water slows the reaction
between the zinc and the solution, thereby adversely affecting the test results). The surface of the zinc is
to be dry and clean before a specimen is immersed in the solution of copper sulphate. The specimens are
not to be touched by the hands or anything else capable of contaminating or damaging the surfaces.
32.6 A glass, polyethylene, or other chemically nonreactive beaker having a diameter near or equal twice
the diameter measured over the specimen of partially uncoiled armor is to be filled with the solution of
copper sulphate to a depth of not less than 3 inches or 76 mm. The temperature of the solution is to be
maintained at 18.3 ±1.1°C (65.0 ±2.0°F).
32.7 One of the selected specimens is to be immersed in the solution and is to be supported on end in
the center of the beaker with at least half of its axial length immersed. The specimen is to remain in the
solution for 60 s, during which time it is not to be moved nor is the solution to be stirred or agitated.
32.8 At the end of the 60-s period, the specimen is to be removed from the beaker, rinsed immediately
in running tap water, rubbed with clean cheesecloth (cheesecloth or a clean soft-bristle test-tube or bottle
brush of applicable size is to be used for rubbing the interior surfaces of the specimen of partially uncoiled
armor; only cheesecloth is to be used on the other surfaces of this specimen and on the unformed strip)
until any loosely adhering deposits of copper are removed, and is then to be dried with clean cheesecloth.
The turns of the specimen of partially uncoiled armor are not to be separated farther during this process.
Again, the hands and other damaging and contaminating objects and substances are not to touch the
surfaces that were immersed. The part of the specimen that was immersed is to be examined, evaluating
each edge and broad surface separately and disregarding the portion of the specimen within 1/2 inch or
13 mm of its immersed end.
32.9 When the part of the specimen that was immersed has any deposit of bright, firmly adherent copper
outside the 1/2-inch or 13-mm end portion, an estimate is to be made and recorded of the percentage of
each edge and broad surface that is covered with copper.
32.10 Regardless of whether the first dip results in a bright, adherent deposit of copper, the immersion,
washing, rubbing, drying, examining, estimating, and recording operations are to be repeated once using
the same specimen and beaker of solution. After the second dip, the solution in the beaker is to be
disposed of properly.
32.11 The remaining specimen is to be subjected to the 2-dip procedure described in 32.1– 32.10.
32.12 Neither the armor nor the unformed strip complies where there is any bright, adherent copper
showing outside the 1/2-inch or 13-mm end portion of the immersed part of the specimen of unformed strip
after the first or second dip. Even where the unformed strip complies, the armor does not comply where
the specimen of partially uncoiled armor shows any bright, adherent copper after the first dip or more than
25 percent coverage after the second dip. Contamination is present where, after any dip, there is adherent
copper that is dull or dark rather than being bright and shiny. In each such instance, the results are to be
disregarded and the test is to be repeated on a new specimen.
33 Abrasion Resistance Test of Overall Jacket
33.1 The overall jacket on finished cable shall not wear through exposing the underlying construction in
fewer than 70 complete cycles of abrasion against sharp steel edges. The test is to be conducted as
33.2 Six straight untwisted 15-inch or 380-mm specimens are to be cut from a length of finished cable.
The specimens are to be laid parallel to one another on a flat horizontal steel plate and are to be
individually secured in place at their ends. The abrasion tool is to consist of a round solid steel weighted
cylinder across one face of which three straight parallel teeth are machined symmetrically about a
diameter (see Figure 33.1). The tool is to be supported above (not touching) the center of each specimen
with its teeth perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the specimen. The support is to minimize the lateral
play of the tool at the ends of each stroke during the abrasion process.
This is generated text for figtxt.

Figure 33.1
Cylindrical abrasion tool
Die-and-tool steel alloy KW hardened after machining to Rockwell C 62. The teeth are to be sharpened every 1600 – 2500 cycles
to an edge having no burrs. After each sharpening, the teeth are to be rehardened where a check shows less than the required
hardness. The abrasion tools are to be used and resharpened in sets. Hence, at least two sets of six are required.
33.3 The plate on which the specimens are mounted is to be made to reciprocate horizontally in simple
harmonic motion at 30 cycles per minute in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the specimens.
The stroke is to center on the abrasion tools, and the length of stroke is to be the 6 inches or 150 mm
occupying the center portion of the specimens.
33.4 The test is to be started with the plate on which the specimens are mounted at rest at either end of
the stroke and the stroke counter set at zero and for the beginning of a cycle. Weight is to be added to
the top of each of the abrasion tools to make the combination of each tool and its added weight exert
downward 3 lbf ±0.5 ozf or 13.34 ±0.14 N or 1.36 ±0.03 kgf. The abrasion tools are to be lowered gently
onto the specimens and the plate is immediately to be started reciprocating. The action is to be continued
without interruption until one or more of the tools wear through the jacket on the cable or until 70 full cycles
have been completed without any tool wearing through. An operator is to be present throughout the test
to observe the wear, brush away accumulations of debris during the strokes so that they do not influence
the abrading action of the tools in subsequent strokes, and to notice and record the number of strokes at
which the jacket on each specimen wears through in the case that it does wear through.
33.5 The overall jacket on one or more of the specimens shall not be worn through in fewer than 70
complete cycles.
34 Tension Test of Interlocked Armor
34.1 Interlocked armor shall be capable of withstanding for 5 min, without opening up at any point , an
axial tension imparted by a weight that exerts 150 lbf or 667 N or 68 kgf.
34.2 The apparatus is to consist of a pair of clamps or other means such as basket grips, a weight that
exerts 150 lbf or 667 N or 68 kgf, and a secure means for suspending the weight from a solid support.
The apparatus is illustrated in Figure 34.1.

Figure 34.1
Apparatus for tension test
34.3 The clamps are to be made of hardwood, and the two pieces comprising each clamp are to be
fastened together by two bolts by means of which the armor is to be clamped tightly between the jaws
without crushing. Two clamps constructed as shown in Figure 34.2 are to be provided. The weight is to
be equipped with a secure means for attachment to one of the clamps. A block and tackle or a differential
pulley is to be used to lift the cable, clamps, and weight.
Figure 34.2
Clamp for tension test
34.4 Each end of a 48 inch or 1220 mm length of the finished cable from which any jacket over the armor
(see 15.1) has been removed is to be fastened in the clamps, with the armor gripped so that the cable
extends 2 inch or 50 mm beyond the clamp. The clamps are to be tightened to keep the armor from
slipping.
34.5 The cable is to be suspended by the upper clamp with a loop of rope passing over the hook of a
block and tackle or a differential pulley hung from a secure support, and the weight is to be attached to
the lower clamp. The sample is to be hung vertically for its full length and at right angles to the faces of
the clamps. The cable, clamps, and weight are then to be raised gently so that it takes at least 45 s to
apply the specified tension to the cable (a rate of not more than 200 lbf/min or 890 N/min or 91 kgf/min
is to be used) until the weight just clears the floor and hangs free in the air. The hands are to be used to
keep the weight from rotating. The weight is to be supported by the cable for 5 min, is then to be let down
to the floor, and the weight and clamps are to be removed.
34.6 Observation is then to be made to determine whether or not the edges of adjacent convolutions of
the armor have separated to expose the interior of the cable. The cable complies where there is no
exposure of the cable interior.
35 Flexibility Test of Cable Having Interlocked Armor or a Smooth or Corrugated Metal Sheath
35.1 Finished cable in which there is interlocked armor or a smooth or corrugated metal sheath as armor
shall be capable of being wound around a round mandrel having a diameter equal to 14 times the
diameter measured over the metal armor without damage to the armor or to the assembly under the
armor.
35.2 The apparatus is to consist either of a stepped cone as shown in Figure 35.1 (each step is to be a
round cylinder about 2 inches or 50 mm high) or rods or cylinders of applicable diameter.
Figure 35.1
Stepped cone for flexibility test
35.3 Any jacket over the interlocked or sheath armor (see 15.1) is to be removed from two test lengths
of finished cable having interlocked armor or a smooth metal sheath and from six test lengths of finished
cable having a welded and corrugated metal sheath. One test length of a cable having interlocked armor
or a smooth metal sheath and three test lengths of a cable having a welded and corrugated metal sheath
are then to be wound around the mandrel for 180° without any more tension than keeps the interlocked
armor or the sheath in contact with the mandrel throughout the turn. Each length is to be tested
separately. In the case of a welded and corrugated metal sheath, one length is to be bent with the weld
line located at the inner edge of the bend, a second length is to be bent with the weld line at the outer
edge of the bend, and a third length is to be bent with the weld line midway between the inner and outer
edges of the bend. While a length is in position on the mandrel, observation is to be made to determine
whether or not the jacket under the interlocked armor or the metal sheath and the assembly under the
jacket are damaged. Cable having a metal sheath complies where there are no cracks, splits, tears, weld
openings, or other openings in the metal sheath. Noncompliance is to be recorded where separation of
adjacent convolutions of interlocked armor has occurred to the degree that any part of the cable inside
the interlocked armor is visible. Where any of these faults occur in the initial specimen(s), the test is to be
repeated on the remaining one or three specimens. The cable does not comply where any of these faults
occur in any of the additional specimens.
36 Durability Test of Ink Printing
36.1 Printing of the identification of the responsible organization required in 41.1(d) and the identification
of the factory required in 41.4 on the outside surface of the overall cable jacket qualifies where the ink
printing on each of two specimens of the printed area of the finished cable remains legible after being
rubbed repeatedly with felt as described in Durability of Indelible-Ink Printing, Section 1690 of UL 1581.
Round cable is to be tested complete. The printed portions of flat cable are to be separated from the rest
of the cable and tested alone.
37 Circuit Integrity
37.1 Type NPLF, NPLFR, or NPLFP cable that is marked as in 41.1(l) to indicate circuit integrity shall
comply with the requirements in the Standard Tests of Fire Resistive Cables, UL 2196.
38 Limited Combustible
38.1 Type NPLFP cable that is marked as in 41.1(m) to indicate limited combustible, shall comply with
the requirements in NFPA 90A when tested in accordance with the Standard Test Method for Potential
Heat of Building Materials, NFPA 259, and the Standard for Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials, UL 723 (NFPA 255).
MARKINGS
39 Intervals
39.1 All printing on the outside surface of the outermost cable surface and anywhere within the finished
cable shall be readily legible and shall be repeated at the following intervals throughout the entire length
of the cable:
a) Markings on the outside surface of the cable or on a marker tape that is readily legible
through a translucent or transparent jacket shall be repeated at intervals that are not longer
than 40 inches or 1.0 m.
b) Information on a marker tape that is not legible through the jacket (see 41.2 regarding this
tape) shall be repeated at intervals that are not longer than a nominal 24 inches or 610 mm
(maximum 25 inches or 635 mm).
40 Coding
40.1 The color(s) and other means of identification of individual insulated circuit conductors, optical-fiber
members, and binders to distinguish one from the other are not specified. Each insulated
equipment-grounding conductor shall have a green outer surface with or without one or more straight or
helical, unbroken yellow stripes. The stripe or stripes shall be of even or varying width and shall occupy
a total width of 5 – 70 percent of the calculated circumference of the outer surface of the finished
conductor and no less individual width than 5 percent of the calculated circumference of the finished outer
surface. In the case of a silicone-insulated conductor with an overall nonmetallic braid, the braid shall be
green with or without one or more yellow tracers or the outer surface of the silicone shall be green or
green with yellow striping as described in this paragraph.
40.2 The color of the outside surface of these cables (overall jacket or armor) is not specified. Typically,
the overall jacket is colored red (through or translucent) or any armor that is outermost is red.
41 Information on or in the Cable
41.1 The following information shall be repeated throughout the entire length of the finished cable as
indicated under Intervals, Section 39. The sequence of items is not specified. Other information, where
added, shall not confuse or mislead and shall not conflict with these requirements. See 43.1 and 43.2 for
date marking.
a) The applicable cable type letters. No more than one type shall be indicated – see 44.1. Use
of the word ″Type″ is not required.
″Type NPLFP″ for plenum cables that comply with the requirements in this Standard as
well as complying with 22.1 and 1.12(a) as to flame propagation and smoke density in
the National Fire Protection Association Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and
Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces, ANSI/NFPA 262.
″Type NPLFR″ for riser cables that comply with the requirements in this Standard as
well as complying with 23.2 and 1.12(b) as to flame-propagation characteristics in the
UL 1666 Test for Flame-Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables
Installed Vertically in Shafts (riser flame test). Type NPLFR qualifies as Type NPLF.
″Type NPLF″ for general-purpose cables that comply with the requirements in this
Standard, including one of the tests referenced in 1.12(c) and Alternative Vertical-Tray
Flame Tests of General-Purpose Cables, Section 24.
b) A marking is not required to designate the presence, quantity, or size(s) of any grounding
conductor(s) in the cable. The size (see 5.5 regarding size identification; use of ″AWG″ or ″cmil″
or ″circular mils″ is not required), quantity, and other identification of the insulated circuit
conductors is required as follows:
1) For a cable containing individual or paired insulated circuit conductors that all are of
the same size, size (not quantity) is required unless each individual insulated circuit
conductor is marked with the size. This applies regardless of the presence or absence
of optical-fiber members and/or insulated or bare grounding conductors. Examples: ″18″
alone or ″3C18″ or ″3 cdr 18″ for a cable containing three 18 AWG insulated circuit
conductors that are or are not individually marked as 18 AWG or 1620 circular mils, and
″4 pr 16″ for a cable containing four pairs of 16 AWG conductors that are or are not
individually marked as 16 AWG or 2580 circular mils.
2) For a cable containing a mixture of sizes of insulated circuit conductors, the sizes
used and the quantity of each size are required. The quantity is not required on the
cable surface where each individual insulated circuit conductor is marked with its AWG
or circular-mil size.
c) For a cable containing one or more electromagnetic shields, a marking is not required to
designate the presence of shielding. However, where used, the marking shall be ″shielded″.
d) The name of the cable manufacturer, that manufacturer’s trade name for the cable, or both,
or any other appropriate distinctive marking by means of which the organization responsible for
the cable is readily identifiable. Where the organization responsible for the cable is different
from the actual manufacturer, both the responsible organization and the actual manufacturer
shall be identified by name or by appropriate coding such as by trade name, trademark, or the
assigned electrical reference number. It is appropriate to identify the actual manufacturer by the
assigned colored marker thread or combination of colored marker threads; however, unless it or
they supplement ink printing as stated in 41.3 and 41.4, colored marker thread(s) shall not be
used to identify the responsible organization. The meaning of any coded identification shall be
made available by the organization responsible for the cable. It is appropriate also to identify a
private labeler; the means is not specified. See 41.2 regarding the circumstances requiring
marker threads to supplement ink printing. See 41.4 regarding the use of marker threads in
factory identification.
e) The temperature rating of the cable as specified in 1.5 and 13.3.1, 13.3.2, or 13.3.3. Marking
of the temperature rating is not required for cable rated for 60°C (140°F). The temperature
rating shall be stated as ″___°C″ or ″___C″ or ″___°C (___°F)″ or ″___C (___F)″. Degrees F
shall not appear in any manner other than as shown.
f) The designation ″dir bur″, ″direct burial″ or ″for direct burial″ for cable of a construction that
complies with both of the following:
1) The cable is to contain NEC wires having wet-locations insulation as required in

7.3.1 and/or conductors that are not NEC wires and that have insulation complying with
the mechanical water absorption requirement in 30.1 or the long term insulation
resistance in water requirements in 31.1.
2) The cable is to comply with the test described under Crushing Test of Cable Marked
for Direct Burial, Section 29.
g) The designation ″sun res″ or ″sunlight resistant″ for cable that complies with the test
described under Sunlight-Resistance Test, Section 25.
h) The cable voltage rating ″150 volts″ or ″150 V″. See 44.3 regarding voltage and other
markings designating uses other than as an NPLF cable type.
i) The designation ″FT4/IEEE 1202″ or ″FT4″ for Type NPLF cable that complies with the flame
test referenced under FT4/IEEE 1202 Test, Subsection 24.4. This marking is not required. This
marking is to be spaced from the other markings required in this paragraph.
j) The low-temperature designation ″−20 C″ or ″minus 20 C″ for a cable complying with the
cold-bend test at −20.0°C (−4.0°F) as indicated in 21.1. This marking is not required.
k) The low-temperature designation ″−30 C″, ″−40 C″, ″−50 C″, ″−60 C″, or ″−70 C″ as
applicable for a cable complying with the cold-bend test at one of these temperatures as
indicated in 21.1. The word ″minus″ is appropriate in place of the minus sign in this marking.
This marking is required for the cable to be credited with a low-temperature rating below
−20.0°C (−4.0°F).
l) The suffix ″-CI″ for NPLF, NPLFR, or NPLFP cable that complies with the requirements in
37.1. This marking is not required.
m) The designation ″Limited Combustible″ for Type NPLFP cable that complies with the
requirements in 38.1. This marking is not required.
n) The supplementary letters ″-OF″ shall be added immediately after the type letters for each
cable that contains one or more optical-fiber members.
o) The designation ″wet″ or ″wet location″ on cables with NEC conductors suitable for use in
wet locations (see 7.3.1) or non-NEC conductors that comply with the requirements for long
term insulation resistance in water in 31.1.
41.2 One of the following means shall be used to achieve the cable markings required in 41.1. Cables
shall be surface marked as indicated in (b) or (c) unless the impracticality of a surface marking is
demonstrated. In the case of cables whose outer surface consists of a transparent or translucent jacket,
an appropriate alternative to surface marking is a marker tape that is readily legible through the jacket.
Otherwise, it is only in the case of demonstrated impracticality that the marker tape described in (a) is
appropriate instead of a surface marking. The cables in which this tape is appropriate are indicated in (a).
a) Printing on a marker tape located anywhere in the cable outside of an optical-fiber member
or group of members. This marker tape is appropriate in a cable whose outermost covering is of
metal consisting of armor.
b) Ink printing on the outside surface of the outermost jacket (on the outermost surface of one
conductor or member in the case of an integral flat cable), with the portion of the ink printing
that identifies the responsible organization [41.1(d)] complying with the test referenced under
Durability Test of Ink Printing, Section 36. See 41.3 in the case of identification of the
responsible organization using ink printing that is not tested or does not comply with the test.
c) Indented or embossed printing on the outside surface of the outermost jacket (on the
outermost surface of one conductor or member in the case of an integral flat cable). There is to
be no reduction in the thickness of the outermost jacket – see 41.5.
41.3 Where ink printing of the organization identification required in 41.1(d) is not tested or does not
remain legible after the test referenced under Durability of Ink Printing, Section 36, the ink printing shall
be supplemented by a thread or threads whose color or combination of colors is assigned to the
responsible organization. Where a glass-fiber thread or threads are used, the length of lay of the filaments
in each basic strand shall not be longer than 1/3 inch or 8.5 mm. Marker threads are to be located
anywhere in the cable outside an insulated conductor or optical-fiber member or group of
conductors/members.
41.4 Where the organization responsible for the cable produces any non-power-limited fire-alarm cable(s)
in more than one factory, the marking in 41.1(d) shall include an identification of the factory. Where a
colored thread or threads are used to supplement ink printing as stated in 41.3, the ply or material of one
or more of the threads used at each factory shall be different from the ply or material of the same color
thread or threads used at every other factory. The organization responsible for the cable shall make
available the meaning of the different plies and materials. Where there is more than one factory, the
absence of a factory identification is appropriate as the means of identifying one factory.
41.5 Indent printing and embossed printing shall not reduce the thickness of the outermost jacket below
the minimum at any point stated in Table 13.1, stated in Table 13.2, or as referenced under Jacket over
Armor, Section 15.
42 Information on the Tag, Reel, or Carton
42.1 A tag on which the following information is indicated plainly (the sequence of the items is not
specified) shall be tied to every shipping length of the finished cable. However, where the cable is wound
on a reel or coiled in a carton, it is appropriate for the tag to be glued, tied, stapled, or otherwise attached
to the reel or carton instead of to the cable, or for the tag to be eliminated and the information printed or
stenciled directly onto the reel or carton. Other information, where added, shall not confuse or mislead and
shall not conflict with these requirements. See 43.1 and 43.2 for date marking.
a) All of the cable markings specified in 41.1, plus the number of individual insulated circuit
conductors, pairs of insulated circuit conductors, and the number of optical-fiber members.
Grounding conductor information is not required.
b)A description of the colored marker thread(s) assigned to identify the organization that is
responsible for the cable where the thread(s) are used in the cable to supplement ink printing
on the cable as stated in 41.3 and 41.4.
c) For a cable that contains one or more optical fibers, the following statement, or equivalent:
″Optical-fiber portion(s) of cable are for installation (optical and electrical functions associated)
as described in Article 770 and other applicable parts of the National Electrical Code (NFPA
70). Where optical-fiber is installed in a laser system, the system shall comply with ANSI Z136
laser system safety standards. ″
d)For a cable that contains one or more optical-fiber members with any individual optical-fiber
member or group of such members having a metal or other electrically conductive part as
indicated in 9.2, the following wording or other wording to the same effect:
″Optical-fiber portion(s) of this cable contain non-current-carrying metal or other

electrically conductive parts.″
43 Date of Manufacture
43.1 For cable on which the outer surface is a jacket, the date of manufacture by month and year (or in
the sequence month, day, and year) shall be included among the tag, reel, or carton markings described
in 42.1, or shall be included among the cable markings described in 41.1 and 41.2 where legible on or
through the outer surface of the cable. The date shall be shown in plain language, not in code.
43.2 For cable on which the outer surface is metal, the date of manufacture by month and year (or in the
sequence month, day, and year) shall be included among the tag, reel, or carton markings described in
42.1. The date shall be shown in plain language, not in code.
44 Multiple Markings
44.1 No more than one of the designations NPLFP, NPLFR, or NPLF shall appear on or in a cable
covered in these requirements or on the tag, reel, or carton for these cables.
Exception: Multiple designations will be allowed only if the construction meets all requirements for TC,
PLTC, FPL and NPLF. In order to mark the cable as quad-rated (TC, PLTC, FPL, NPLF), the cable must
meet the requirements of TC-ER as specified in the Standard for Electrical Power and Control Tray
Cables with Optional Optical-Fiber Members, UL 1277.
44.2 In addition to complying with the requirements for one of the NEC cable types for non-power-limited
fire-alarm circuits as covered in this Standard (UL 1425), it is appropriate for a cable also to qualify for
one or more of the following non-power-limited applications:
a) Any of the applicable non-power-limited AWM wires covered in the Standard for Appliance-
Wiring Material, UL 758, when published.
b) Any applicable non-power-limited Canadian Standards Association (CSA) cable type.
44.3 For a cable that complies with the UL 1425 requirements for use in non-power-limited fire-alarm
circuits and also qualifies as any of the cable types and/or AWM wires referenced in 44.2, it is appropriate
to mark the surface and the tag, reel, or carton with the additional CSA type(s) and AWM designations
and also with whatever voltage, temperature, and other associated designations that are required for the
additional cable types and/or AWM wires, except that an additional AWM designation is not required to be
accompanied by its associated temperature rating where that rating is identical to the temperature rating
referred to in 41.1(e) for the non-power-limited fire-alarm cable marking. The sequence of these markings
is not specified. Each rating and other associated designation shall be clearly tied to the specific cable
type or AWM wire to which it applies and shall be clearly separated from all of the other types/wires
indicated. In a cable marking, the types/wires (each with its associated designations) shall be separated
from one another by ″or″, a long dash, or a wide space. In a tag, reel, or carton marking, the types/wires
(each with its associated designations) shall be made clearly distinct from one another by being placed in
separate statements. Each statement shall end in a period. Whenever an AWM designation or a CSA type
is stated, each AWM designation and CSA type named shall appear in the following form together with its
applicable associated designations ″AWM (designation)″ and ″CSA Type ___″. ″Type″ is not required.

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UL 1425

Cables for Non-Power-Limited

Third Edition, Dated January 26, 2015

No Text on This Page

Standard for Cables for Non-Power-Limited Fire-Alarm Circuits

First Edition – January, 1998

January 26, 2015

This ANSI/UL Standard for Safety consists of the Third Edition.

The most recent designation of ANSI/UL 1425 as an American National Standard

Comments or proposals for revisions on any part of the Standard may be

COPYRIGHT © 2015 UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC.

No Text on This Page

16 Continuity Test of Conductors and Shields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

25 Sunlight-Resistance Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

5 Circuit and Grounding Conductors

5.2 Each circuit and grounding conductor shall be round.

6 Metal Coating of Conductors

Metal coating of copper strands Diameter of each strand

7.2 Conductors other than NEC wires

7.2.1 Material and application

Material(s)a Temperature rating of Temperature rating of Applicable table of physical

a) Heat Shock Test, Section 18.

b) Deformation Test, Section 19.

c) Cold Bend Test of Insulation, Section 20.

d) Test for Insulation Resistance at 60.0°F (15.6°C), Section 27.

7.2.2 Physical properties tests

Material in Table 7.1 Minimum average Minimum at any point

7.2.3.1.2 The thicknesses are to be determined by means of measurements made as described in

7.2.3.2 Rounding to the nearest 0.0001 inch

7.2.3.3 Rounding to the nearest 0.001 inch

7.2.3.4 Rounding to the nearest 0.001 mm

7.2.3.5 Rounding to the nearest 0.01 mm

7.3 NEC wires

Type Constructions for the UL 1425 application Standarda

PAF, PTF 250°C (482°F) dry, 18 or 16 AWG UL 66

b) A corrugated or smooth single-metal or bi-metal tape applied longitudinally or helically with or

c) A serving, wrap, or braid of aluminum wires or of metal-coated or uncoated (uncoated copper

d) An investigated equivalent of (a), (b), or (c).

12 Assembly of the Cable

13 Overall Cable Jacket

13.1 Material, application, and thicknesses

Minimum average Minimum at any Minimum average Minimum at any

0 0.200 0.008c 0.006c 0.035 0.028

Over ... mm But not over ...mm mm mm mm mm

0 5.08 0.20c 0.15c 0.89 0.76

Table 13.2 Continued on Next Page

Table 13.2 Continued

Minimum average Minimum at any Minimum average Minimum at any

Over ... mm But not over ...mm mm mm mm mm

13.2 Thicker jacket

13.3 Cable temperature rating

14 Metal Covering (Armor)

14.2 Smooth metal sheath

0 10.16 0.89 0.81

14.3 Welded and corrugated metal sheath

14.4 Extruded and corrugated metal sheath

14.5 Interlocked armor

0 12.70 12.7 0.43 0.56

15 Jacket over Armor

16 Continuity Test of Conductors and Shields

c) The equipment is to show a visual indication to the operator.

17 D-C Resistance Test of Conductors