Aluminum 1350 Round Wire, Annealed and Intermediate Tempers, for Electrical Purposes

B609/B609M-12: Essential Standard for Aluminum 1350 Electrical Wire

For engineers and designers working with electrical conductors, the integrity and performance of the materials used are paramount. ASTM B609/B609M-12, the Standard Specification for Aluminum 1350 Round Wire, Annealed and Intermediate Tempers, for Electrical Purposes, provides an industry-leading framework for ensuring the quality and reliability of a critical component in numerous electrical applications. This authoritative standard is indispensable for professionals specifying, procuring, or utilizing aluminum wire for electrical transmission and distribution.

What is B609/B609M-12?

ASTM B609/B609M-12 is a comprehensive standard that defines the material properties, manufacturing requirements, and testing methods for aluminum 1350 round wire. Specifically, it addresses wire in annealed and various intermediate tempers, intended for use as bare or insulated electrical conductors. Originating from ASTM International, this standard ensures uniformity and performance characteristics essential for the electrical industry.

Scope & Purpose

This specification governs aluminum 1350 round wire intended for direct use as solid conductors or for stranding into multi-conductor cables. It covers a range of wire diameters and specifies requirements for electrical resistivity, tensile properties, and dimensional tolerances. The standard ensures that the aluminum wire is suitable for applications such as overhead power lines, telecommunication cables, and internal wiring where consistent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength are required. It does not cover aluminum alloys other than 1350 or wire in tempers not explicitly defined within the document.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Electrical Engineers, Materials Engineers, Wire Mill Operators, Quality Control Inspectors, and Procurement Specialists involved in electrical conductor manufacturing and application.
• • Industries affected: Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution, Telecommunications, Manufacturing (electrical equipment), Construction (electrical infrastructure), and Aerospace.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, but widely adopted and often mandated by project specifications and purchasing agreements, making it effectively a de facto requirement for industry-standard products.
• • Enforcement: Typically enforced through quality control processes by manufacturers, audits by customers, and inspection by third-party agencies when specified.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires that aluminum 1350 wire be manufactured from drawing stock meeting specific quality criteria. Professionals must ensure that the wire supplied conforms to the specified temper designations, such as 1350-O (annealed) or intermediate tempers like H14 or H24. Key provisions include stringent limits on electrical resistivity to guarantee conductivity, defined tensile strength requirements to ensure mechanical integrity under load, and precise dimensional tolerances to facilitate proper installation and connection. The specification also outlines acceptable methods and limitations for joining wire segments.

Related Standards & References

ASTM B609/B609M-12 works in conjunction with other essential ASTM standards. ASTM B193 (Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials) provides the standardized method for measuring the electrical resistivity, a critical parameter defined in B609/B609M-12. ASTM B354 (Terminology Relating to Uninsulated Metallic Electrical Conductors) offers definitions crucial for understanding terms used throughout the specification. Furthermore,