Electrical Tests
BASEC conducts several electrical tests on cables. These tests are specified in cable and material standards and are called up for a variety of cable types.
Navigate Electrical Tests
Voltage Test (breakdown)
The high voltage test is used to detect defects, e.g. pinholes in the insulation of a cable.
Example Cables
All power/distribution cables will normally have at least one voltage test applicable.
Test Methods & Equipment
A.C. and/or D.C. high voltage test set. Most power cable specifications will contain details of the test voltages and durations to be applied.
Insulation Resistance
Insulation resistance tests can give an indication of cable insulation manufacturing consistency and also if there are any contaminants in the insulation material.
Example Cables
Most electrical cables will have an insulation resistance requirement.
Test Methods & Equipment
500 V d.c. megohmmeter. The test method is specified in BS EN 50395
Long Term Resistance to DC
This test is designed to assess the long term resistance of insulation to a d.c. the voltage applied between the water and the conductor.
Test Methods & Equipment
A 220 V d.c. Supply & a heated water tank containing a saline solution. The test method is specified in BS EN 50395.
Conductor Resistance / Armour Resistance
The conductor resistance test verifies that both the amount and quality of conductor material in a cable are sufficient.
Example Cables
The test is applicable pretty much to all cables containing metallic conductors.
Flexing Test
Flexing tests are used to assess multicore flexible cables liable to be subject to regular flexing during use. The test checks the correct operation of the cable at rated current and voltage and that no short or open circuits occur.
Example Cables
Flexible cable types used on portable equipment and extension leads.
Test Methods & Equipment
Two pulley moving carrier cycles 30,000 times whilst the cable is loaded with test weights and subject to rated supply current and voltage. The monitoring equipment checks for open circuits and short circuits between conductors or between the conductors and the test frame.
BS 5467
Armoured power cables with PVC sheathing. Commonly known as PVC sheathed armoured, SWA, AWA.
BS 5839-1
Alarm system design standard which sets two levels of performance – “Standard” and “Enhanced”. Commonly known as fire alarm cable.
BS 6004
Main standard for PVC wire and cable commonly used in final circuits in UK buildings, including the familiar "flat twin and earth" and "meter tails". Commonly known as PVC twin and earth, 6242Y, 6243Y.
BS 6004 (Table 6)
Arctic grade flexible cable previously in BS 7919 now in BS 6004. Commonly known as arctic grade.
BS 6231
Single core instrument wire commonly known as "tri-rated". Commonly known as panel wire, trirated.
BS 6622
Armoured medium voltage cables with PVC sheathing, for rated voltages up to 33 kV. Commonly known as PVC sheathed MV.
BS 6724
Armoured power cables with low smoke halogen free (LSHF) sheathing. Commonly known as low smoke sheathed armoured, SWA, AWA.
BS 7211
Low smoke halogen free (LSHF) versions of many of the types of wire and cable found in BS 6004. Commonly known as low smoke twin and earth, 6242B, 6243B.
BS 7629-1
British Standard type of “soft skin” fire resistant screened cables commonly used with fire alarms and emergency lighting. Commonly known as fire alarm / emergency lighting cable / soft skin fire alarm cable.
BS 7835
Armoured medium voltage cables with low smoke halogen free (LSHF) sheathing, for rated voltages up to 33 kV. Commonly known as low smoke sheathed MV.
BS 7846
Fire resisting armoured power cables with low smoke halogen free (LSHF) sheathing, and enhanced circuit integrity properties. Commonly known as fire resistant SWA, fire alarm / emergency lighting cable / soft skin fire alarm cable.
BS 7870 (many parts)
Low voltage and medium voltage polymeric insulated cables for use by distribution and generation utilities. Commonly known as utility MV / LV.
BS 7889
Non-armoured power cables with PVC sheathing. Commonly known as PVC sheathed unarmoured power.
BS 8436
Multi-core screened cables with low smoke halogen free (LSHF) sheathing for use in walls, partitions and building voids. Commonly known as nail proof.
BS 8573
Non-armoured power cables with low smoke halogen free (LSHF) sheathing. Commonly known as low smoke sheathed unarmoured power.
BS EN 50525 Series
Harmonised types of building wire, including “singles” and multicore cable with PVC or low smoke halogen free (LSHF) insulation/sheathing.
IEC 60502-1
Armoured and non-armoured low voltage power cables. Commonly known as IEC power / SWA.
IEC 60502-2
Armoured and non-armoured medium voltage power cables with a variety of types of construction and materials, for rated voltages from 6 kV up to 36 kV.
PAS 5308
Control and instrumentation cables. Commonly known as.
BS EN 60702-1
(IEC 60702-1) Mineral insulated cables. Commonly known as fire alarm / emergency lighting cable / soft skin fire alarm cable.