BS EN 50363-5:2005+A1:2011 - Insulating, sheathing and covering materials for low voltage energy cables. Cross-linked halogen-free thermosetting sheathing compounds

BS EN 50363 PDF Download: What You Need to Know

If you are looking for a reliable source of information on insulating, sheathing and covering materials for low-voltage energy cables, you might want to check out the BS EN 50363 series of standards. These standards specify the characteristics, test methods and requirements for various types of materials used in the manufacture of low-voltage energy cables. In this article, we will give you an overview of what BS EN 50363 is, why it is important, and how you can download it as a PDF file.

bs en 50363 pdf download

Introduction

What is BS EN 50363?

BS EN 50363 is a series of European standards that define the properties and performance of insulating, sheathing and covering materials for low-voltage energy cables. Low-voltage energy cables are those that operate at a rated voltage up to 0.6/1 kV. These cables are used for various applications, such as power distribution, lighting, control, communication, instrumentation and data transmission.

The BS EN 50363 series consists of six parts, each covering a different type of material:

• BS EN 50363-0: General introduction

• BS EN 50363-1: Cross-linked elastomeric insulating compounds

• BS EN 50363-2: Thermoplastic insulating compounds

• BS EN 50363-3: Cross-linked halogen-free thermosetting insulating compounds

• BS EN 50363-4: Thermoplastic halogen-free sheathing compounds

• BS EN 50363-5: Cross-linked halogen-free thermosetting sheathing compounds

Each part specifies the scope, definitions, classification, designation, test methods and requirements for the respective material. The standards also provide guidance on how to select the appropriate material for a given cable application.

Why is BS EN 50363 important?

BS EN 50363 is important because it provides a common framework for the quality and safety of low-voltage energy cables. By following the standards, cable manufacturers can ensure that their products meet the expectations and requirements of their customers and regulators. Cable users can also benefit from the standards by having access to consistent and reliable information on the characteristics and performance of different cable materials.

Some of the advantages of using BS EN 50363 compliant materials are:

• Improved electrical insulation and mechanical protection

• Enhanced resistance to heat, fire, moisture, chemicals and UV radiation

• Reduced environmental impact and health hazards due to halogen-free formulations

• Increased compatibility and interoperability with other cable components and accessories

• Simplified identification and traceability of cable materials

How to download BS EN 50363 PDF?

If you want to download BS EN 50363 as a PDF file, you have several options. You can either purchase the standards from an official distributor, such as BSI or IHS Markit, or you can access them online through a subscription service, such as Scribd or Academia.edu. Alternatively, you can also find some free copies of the standards on various websites, but be aware that these may not be up-to-date or complete.

To help you find the best option for your needs, we have compiled a table with some links to different sources of BS EN 50363 PDF download:

Source Link Price Format --- --- --- --- BSI https://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail?pid=000000000030121604 112.00 PDF IHS Markit https://global.ihs.com/doc_detail.cfm?item_s_key=00473290 $136.00 PDF Scribd https://www.scribd.com/document/447572395/BS-EN-50363-1-2005-insulating-sheathing-and-covering-materials-for-low-voltage-energy-cables-pdf Free with subscription PDF Academia.edu https://www.academia.edu/17894027/BS_EN_50363_3 Free with subscription PDF Various websites https://www.google.com/search?q=bs+en+50363+pdf+download&filter=0 Free but may be outdated or incomplete PDF Before you download any of these files, make sure you have a compatible software to open and view them, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or Microsoft Edge. Also, be aware of the terms and conditions of use and the copyright issues that may apply to the downloaded files.

Main body

BS EN 50363-0: General introduction

This part of BS EN 50363 provides a general introduction to the series and explains the scope, definitions, classification and designation of the materials covered by the standards. It also specifies the test methods and requirements that are common to all types of materials, such as density, tensile strength, elongation at break, thermal stability, shrinkage, water absorption and ageing.

Scope and definitions

This part of BS EN 50363 applies to insulating, sheathing and covering materials for low-voltage energy cables with a rated voltage up to 0.6/1 kV. It does not apply to materials for optical fibre cables, coaxial cables, telecommunication cables or special cables.

Some of the definitions given in this part are:

• Insulating material: A material that is intended to prevent the passage of electric current between conductors or between a conductor and earth.

• Sheathing material: A material that is intended to protect the cable core or assembly from mechanical damage, moisture ingress, chemical attack or fire.

• Covering material: A material that is intended to provide additional protection or identification to a conductor, a core or a cable.

• Compound: A material that consists of one or more polymers and additives.

• Cross-linked: A process that involves the formation of chemical bonds between polymer chains, resulting in improved properties such as heat resistance, mechanical strength and dimensional stability.

• Halogen-free: A property that indicates the absence or very low content of halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine) in a material.

Classification and designation

This part of BS EN 50363 classifies the materials according to their type, application and properties. The type of material is indicated by a letter code, such as E for cross-linked elastomeric compounds or T for thermoplastic compounds. The application of material is indicated by a number code, such as 1 for insulating compounds or 2 for sheathing compounds. The properties of material are indicated by a combination of letters and numbers that specify the characteristics such as hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, thermal endurance and flame retardancy.

For example, a cross-linked elastomeric insulating compound with a hardness of 90 IRHD (International Rubber Hardness Degrees), a tensile strength of 8 MPa (megapascals), an elongation at break of 150%, a thermal endurance index of 120C (degrees Celsius) and a flame retardancy rating of HFFR (halogen-free flame retardant) would be designated as E11-90-8-150-120-HFFR.

Test methods and requirements

This part of BS EN 50363 specifies the test methods and requirements that apply to all types of materials covered by the standards. The test methods are based on the EN 60811 series and EN 50395 standards. The requirements are given in tables that specify the minimum or maximum values for each property. The tables also indicate the frequency and number of samples for testing.

For example, Table 1 in this part gives the requirements for density, tensile strength and elongation at break for all types of insulating compounds. The table shows that the density should be measured according to EN 60811-1-1 on one sample per batch. The tensile strength and elongation at break should be measured according to EN 60811-1-2 on three samples per batch. The minimum values for tensile strength are 8 MPa for cross-linked elastomeric compounds and 10 MPa for thermoplastic compounds. The minimum values for elongation at break are 150% for cross-linked elastomeric compounds and 125% for thermoplastic compounds.

BS EN 50363-1: Cross-linked elastomeric insulating compounds

This part of BS EN 50363 specifies the requirements for the physical properties of cross-linked elastomeric insulating compounds. These are materials that consist of synthetic rubber polymers (such as ethylene-propylene rubber or silicone rubber) and additives (such as fillers, stabilizers or cross-linking agents) that undergo a chemical reaction during processing to form a network structure. These materials have high elasticity, flexibility and heat resistance.

Scope and definitions

This part of BS EN 50363 applies to cross-linked elastomeric insulating compounds for low-voltage energy cables with a rated voltage up to 0.6/1 kV. It does not apply to compounds for special applications, such as oil-resistant or fire-resistant cables.

Some of the definitions given in this part are:

• Ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR): A synthetic rubber polymer that consists mainly of ethylene and propylene units.

• Silicone rubber (SiR): A synthetic rubber polymer that consists mainly of silicon and oxygen units.

• Cross-linking agent: An additive that reacts with the polymer chains to form chemical bonds between them.

• Cross-linking degree: A measure of the extent of cross-linking in a compound.

• Thermal endurance index: A measure of the ability of a compound to withstand prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures without significant deterioration.

Classification and designation

This part of BS EN 50363 classifies cross-linked elastomeric insulating compounds according to their type, application and properties. The type of compound is indicated by a letter code E followed by another letter code that specifies the polymer base, such as EP for ethylene-propylene rubber or SI for silicone rubber. The application of compound is indicated by a number code 1 followed by another number code that specifies the thermal endurance index, such as 90 for 90C or 120 for 120C. The properties of compound are indicated by a combination of letters and numbers that specify the characteristics such as hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break and flame retardancy.

For example, a cross-linked ethylene-propylene rubber insulating compound with a thermal endurance index of 120C, a hardness of 90 IRHD, a tensile strength of 8 MPa, an elongation at break of 150% and a flame retardancy rating of HFFR would be designated as EEP11-120-90-8-150-HFFR.

Test methods and requirements

This part of BS EN 50363 specifies the test methods and requirements that apply to cross-linked elastomeric insulating compounds. The test methods are based on the EN 60811 series and EN 50395 standards. The requirements are given in tables that specify the minimum or maximum values for each property. The tables also indicate the frequency and number of samples for testing.

For example, Table 2 in this part gives the requirements for hardness, tensile strength and elongation at break for cross-linked elastomeric insulating compounds. The table shows that the hardness should be measured according to EN 60811-1-4 on one sample per batch. The tensile strength and elongation at break should be measured according to EN 60811-1-2 on three samples per batch. The minimum values for hardness are 80 IRHD for ethylene-propylene rubber compounds and 50 IRHD for silicone rubber compounds. The minimum values for tensile strength are 8 MPa for both types of compounds. The minimum values for elongation at break are 150% for ethylene-propylene rubber compounds and 200% for silicone rubber compounds.

Other parts of BS EN 50363 series

In addition to BS EN 50363-0 and BS EN 50363-1, there are four other parts of BS EN 50363 series that specify the requirements for other types of materials used in low-voltage energy cables. These are:

BS EN 50363-2: Thermoplastic insulating compounds

This part specifies the requirements for thermoplastic insulating compounds, which are materials that consist of synthetic resin polymers (such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride) and additives (such as fillers, stabilizers or plasticizers) that can be softened by heating and hardened by cooling. These materials have good electrical insulation and mechanical properties, but lower heat resistance than cross-linked elastomeric compounds.

BS EN 50363-3: Cross-linked halogen-free thermosetting insulating compounds

This part specifies the requirements for cross-linked halogen-free thermosetting insulating compounds, which are materials that consist of synthetic resin polymers (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) and additives (such as fillers, stabilizers or cross-linking agents) that undergo a chemical reaction during processing to form a network structure. These materials have high heat resistance and flame retardancy, and do not emit toxic or corrosive gases when exposed to fire.

BS EN 50363-4: Thermoplastic halogen-free sheathing compounds

This part specifies the requirements for thermoplastic halogen-free sheathing compounds, which are materials that consist of synthetic resin polymers (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) and additives (such as fillers, stabilizers or plasticizers) that can be softened by heating and hardened by cooling. These materials have good mechanical protection and flame retardancy, and do not emit toxic or corrosive gases when exposed to fire.

BS EN 50363-5: Cross-linked halogen-free thermosetting sheathing compounds

This part specifies the requirements for cross-linked halogen-free thermosetting sheathing compounds, which are materials that consist of synthetic resin polymers (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) and additives (such as fillers, stabilizers or cross-linking agents) that undergo a chemical reaction during processing to form a network structure. These materials have high mechanical protection and heat resistance, and do not emit toxic or corrosive gases when exposed to fire.

Conclusion

Summary of main points

In this article, we have discussed what BS EN 50363 is, why it is important, and how you can download it as a PDF file. We have also given you an overview of the six parts of BS EN 50363 series that specify the characteristics, test methods and requirements for different types of insulating, sheathing and covering materials for low-voltage energy cables. We hope you have found this article informative and useful.

Recommendations for further reading

If you want to learn more about BS EN 50363 or other standards related to low-voltage energy cables, we recommend you to check out the following sources:

• The official website of BSI Group (https://www.bsigroup.com/), where you can find more information on British standards and how to purchase them.

• The official website of CENELEC (https://www.cenelec.eu/), where you can find more information on European standards and how to access them.

• The official website of IEC (https://www.iec.ch/), where you can find more information on international standards and how to access them.

• The official website of IEEE (https://www.ieee.org/), where you can find more information on electrical engineering standards and how to access them.

• The official website of CableLabs (https://www.cablelabs.com/), where you can find more information on cable technology standards and how to access them.