Collection of SANS standards in electronic format (PDF)

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ICS 29.060.20; 29.240.20

NRS 074-1:2005
ISBN 0-626-17735-9 Edition 2

LOW-VOLTAGE (600/1 000 V) CABLE

SYSTEMS FOR UNDERGROUND
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Part 1: Cables

N R S
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NRS 074-1:2005

This rationalized user specification is issued by

the Technology Standardization Department (TSD), Eskom,
on behalf of the
User Group given in the foreword
and is not a standard as contemplated in the Standards Act, 1993 (Act No. 29 of 1993).

Table of changes
Change No. Date Text affected

Correspondence to be directed to Printed copies obtainable from

The NRS Projects Manager Standards South Africa

The Technology Standardization Department (TSD) Private Bag X191
Eskom Pretoria 0001
PO Box 1091
Johannesburg 2000 Telephone : +27 12 428 7911
Fax : +27 12 344 1568
E-mail : [email protected]
Website: http://www.nrs.eskom.co.za Website : http://www.stansa.co.za

COPYRIGHT RESERVED

Printed in the Republic of South Africa

by Standards South Africa
1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, Pretoria
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NRS 074-1:2005

Foreword
This part of NRS 074 was prepared on behalf of the Electricity Suppliers Liaison Committee (ESLC)
and approved by it for use by supply authorities and other interested parties.

This part of NRS 074 was prepared by a working group which, at the time of publication, comprised
the following members:

C Govind eThekwini Municipality

R Kelly (Chairman) Eskom (Distribution Technology) Simmerpan
V Medinski City of Cape Town
M Ryan City Power Johannesburg (Pty) Ltd
V Sewchand (Project Leader) NRS Project
A T Smit Ekurhuleni Municipality
C Tocknell Tshwane Municipality

A Manufacturers’ Interest Group (MIG) was consulted on the contents of this part of NRS 074 and
its comments were incorporated where the working group was in agreement. The MIG comprised
the following members:

P O Halloran Tyco Electronics

This edition cancels and replaces the first edition (NRS 074-1: 2003).

Annexes A, B and C are for information only.

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NRS 074-1:2005

Introduction

This part of NRS 074 has been prepared to establish and promote the preferred requirements for
low-voltage cables for underground electrical distribution to enable purchasers to acquire the
specified equipment without the need for detailed and extensive contract documents.

The ESLC expresses the wish that, in the national interest and in support of government policy to
foster local manufacture and stimulate export, all purchasers will adopt the requirements of this part
of NRS 074 in so far as their particular conditions will permit. Any differences between the
requirements of this part of NRS 074 and the corresponding purchaser’s requirements should, as
far as possible, be clearly indicated in schedules A and B, which may be compiled using the draft
schedules set out in annex B and which should, where appropriate, be submitted for consideration
in future revisions of this part of NRS 074.

Keywords
armour, cables, distribution, electricity distribution, insulation, low voltage, PVC, specifications,
testing.
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1 NRS 074-1:2005

Contents
Page

1 Scope .................................................................................................................................... 3

2 Normative references ............................................................................................................ 3

3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations .................................................................................... 3

4 Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 4

4.1 General ....................................................................................................................... 4

4.2 Rated voltages ............................................................................................................. 4
4.3 Materials and construction ........................................................................................ 4

5 Tests ….................................................................................................................................. 5

6 Packaging and marking ........................................................................................................ 5

6.1 Packaging .................................................................................................................... 5

6.2 Marking ....................................................................................................................... 5

7 Documentation ...................................................................................................................... 6

7.1 General ...................................................................................................................... 6

7.2 Test report .................................................................................................................. 6

Annex A (informative) Guide to purchasers on preparing an enquiry ......................................... 7

Annex B (informative) Model form for schedules A and B ......................................................... 9

Annex C (informative) Conductor sizes........................................................................................ 9

Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................... 10
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NRS 074-1:2005 2

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3 NRS 074-1:2005

LOW-VOLTAGE (600/1 000 V) CABLE SYSTEMS FOR UNDERGROUND

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION
Part 1: Cables

1 Scope

This part of NRS 074 specifies the preferred construction and testing requirements for low-voltage
(LV) power cables. This part of NRS 074 includes the particular requirements for power cables for
application in South African distribution networks.

NOTE 1 A guide to purchasers on preparing an enquiry is given in annex A.

NOTE 2 A model form for schedules A and B is given in annex B.

NOTE 3 Preferred conductor sizes are given in annex C.

2 Normative references
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this part of NRS 074. All documents are subject to revision and, since any reference to
a document is deemed to be reference to the latest edition of that document, parties to agreements
based on this specification are encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the most recent
editions of the documents listed below. Information on currently valid national and international
standards can be obtained from Standards South Africa.

SANS 1411-1, Materials of insulated electric cables and flexible cords – Part 1: Conductors.

SANS 1411-2, Materials of insulated electric cables and flexible cords – Part 2: Polyvinyl chloride
(PVC).

SANS 1507-1, Electric cables with extruded solid dielectric insulation for fixed installations
(300/500 V to 1 900/3 300 V) – Part 1: General.

SANS 1507-3, Electric cables with extruded solid dielectric insulation for fixed installations
(300/500 V to 1 900/3 300 V) – Part 3: PVC Distribution cables.

SANS 10292, Earthing of low-voltage (LV) distribution systems.

3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations

For the purposes of this part of NRS 074, the terms and definitions in SANS 1507-1 and
SANS 1507-3 and the following terms, definitions and abbreviations apply.

3.1 Terms and definitions

control cable
multicore cable for the transmission of control, measuring and indication signals in electric
installations

power cable
cable designed for application in electrical power distribution networks
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NRS 074-1:2005 4

3.2 Abbreviations
PVC: polyvinyl chloride

4 Requirements

4.1 General
All low-voltage cables shall comply with the requirements of the compulsory specification for the
safety of electric cables with extruded solid dielectric insulation for fixed installations (300/500 V to
1 900/3 300 V) as published by Government Notice No. R.1165 (Government Gazette 25306) of
15 August 2003, SANS 1507-1, SANS 1507-3 and the requirements of this part of NRS 074.

NOTE The said compulsory specification requires that all cables be manufactured in accordance with
SANS 1507-1 and SANS 1507-3.

4.2 Rated voltages

The rated voltages of low-voltage power and control cables shall be 600/1 000 V.

NOTE For the rated voltage U0/U, Uo is the phase voltage (phase to earth), and U is the line voltage (line to
line).

4.3 Materials and construction

4.3.1 Conductors

4.3.1.1 All conductors shall be compacted and stranded plain annealed copper and shall comply
with the requirements for class 2 conductors of SANS 1411-1:2001.

4.3.1.2 The purchaser will specify in schedule A the conductor size required and, where applicable,
the prospective symmetrical fault current and maximum fault duration. See table C.1 in annex C for
preferred conductor sizes.

4.3.2 Insulation material

Insulation material shall be flame-retardant PVC-based type D2 material in accordance with

SANS 1411-2:2003.

4.3.3 Core identification

4.3.3.1 Core identification of power cables shall be as indicated in table 1. The number of cores
required will be as specified in schedule A.

Table 1 — Core identification

1 2 3
Number of
Colour(s) of phase cores Colour of neutral core
phase cores
1 Red Black
2 Red and yellow Black
3 Red, yellow and blue Black

4.3.3.2 Cables listed in table 1 are intended for use with TN-C-S systems in accordance with
SANS 10292:2001.
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5 NRS 074-1:2005

4.3.4 Bedding under armouring

All armoured cables shall have a black flame-retardant PVC type B bedding in accordance with
SANS 1411-2:2003.

4.3.5 Armour

4.3.5.1 If required, the purchaser will specify armoured cables in schedule A.

4.3.5.2 All armoured cables shall have a round galvanized steel wire armour. The purchaser will
specify in schedule A the prospective earth fault level and maximum fault duration.

4.3.6 Outer sheath

The outer sheath shall be black flame-retardant PVC of type S2 in accordance with
SANS 1411-2:2003.

5 Tests
5.1 Type tests
Carry out type tests on cables in accordance with SANS 1507-3.

5.2 Routine tests

Carry out routine tests as a normal requirement of the contract and, if so required, let these tests be
witnessed by the purchaser or by his appointed representative. Do not charge any additional fee for
such tests, or for the production or presentation of documentation related to routine tests.

6 Packaging and marking

6.1 Packaging

6.1.1 Power cables of diameter smaller than 16 mm2 shall be supplied in drum lengths of 500 m.

6.1.2 Power cables of diameter exceeding 16 mm2 shall be supplied in drum lengths of 300 m.

6.2 Marking

6.2.1 Cables shall be legibly marked in accordance with the requirements of SANS 1507-1, and
shall include the year of manufacture, the cable voltage rating, the number of cores, the conductor
size in mm2, and the material, i.e. copper (Cu) and the SANS number to which the cable has been
manufactured. A typical legend would be:

XXXXXX CABLES 2005 600/1 000 V FRPVC 2 x 16 mm2 Cu SANS 1507-1.

6.2.2 Proof of compliance shall be provided on delivery of the cable.

6.2.3 The cable shall be sequentially marked at one metre intervals with the legend 000 m, 001 m
etc., starting with 000 m at the barrel of the drum and finishing with the number indicating the length
of cable on the drum at the outer end of the cable. The error in the length marking shall be less than
1 %.

6.2.4 The cable shall have the property of reduced flame propagation and shall therefore have a
red stripe longitudinally along the outer sheath to indicate that the cable is flame retardant.
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NRS 074-1:2005 6

7 Documentation
7.1 General
A technical product catalogue that gives the following information shall be provided:

a) diameter over conductor;

b) diameter over insulation;

c) diameter over bedding;

d) diameter over armour wires (if applicable);

e) diameter over sheath;

f) maximum sustained current rating in ground, air and ducts, stating the standard installation
conditions assumed;

g) short-circuit ratings;

h) cable mass, in kilograms per metre;

i) gross mass per standard drum length, in kilograms;

j) the 50 Hz a.c. resistance at maximum sustained conductor operating temperature, in ohms per
kilometre;

k) reactance per phase, in ohms per kilometre;

l) capacitance per phase, in microfarads per kilometre; and

m) zero sequence impedance and capacitance per phase at maximum sustained conductor
operating temperature, in ohms per kilometre.

NOTE The sequence impedances need only be provided for the range of cables required with an enquiry.

7.2 Test report

A type test report (in English) in accordance with table 8 of SANS 1507-3:2002 shall be submitted
with a tender.
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7 NRS 074-1:2005

Annex A
(informative)

Guide to purchasers on preparing an enquiry

A.1 General
A model form for schedules A and B is given in annex B to provide the purchaser with a convenient
aid to purchasing. The use of this form is intended to obviate the need for preparing a detailed
technical specification.

The purchaser need only specify compliance with this part of NRS 074, provide the tenderer with
details of his particular requirements, and set out the information he requires the tenderers to
provide, as indicated below.

A.2 Schedules
A.2.1 General
The model form for purchasing schedules in annex B provides the purchaser with examples of a
schedule A and a schedule B. In his enquiry, the purchaser should provide a schedule A and a
schedule B, based on these examples.

A.2.2 Schedule A
Schedule A lists the requirements to be specified by the purchaser in enquiries and orders. These
requirements include references to the relevant subclauses in this part of NRS 074, to assist in
compiling the schedules.

The purchaser should set out his particular requirements and choices in schedule A.

NOTE 1 In the interests of standardization, purchasers are encouraged not to deviate from these preferred
items, values and quantities listed in schedule A.

NOTE 2 The purchaser need include only the items he considers to be relevant or necessary when preparing
schedule A and schedule B.

NOTE 3 The purchaser’s schedule A, when completed, is intended to be issued as the technical schedule of
an enquiry specification.

A.2.3 Schedule B
In schedule B, the tenderer will state compliance with this part of NRS 074 and provide information
requested by the purchaser.

NOTE These schedules, when completed, are intended to form the technical schedules of a tender
submission and the subsequent contract, if applicable.

A.3 Commercial conditions

In addition, a purchaser will need to indicate the commercial conditions applicable and draw up a
price schedule. Requirements for delivery, storage, packaging and marking should be included in
this part of the enquiry.
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NRS 074-1:2005 8

Annex A
(concluded)

A.4 Quality assurance

This part of NRS 074 does not cover the purchaser’s possible requirements in respect of quality
assurance, quality control, inspections, etc., since each purchaser needs to consider the criticality
of the application of each component and his own policy towards these matters. Purchasers are
referred to SANS 9001 for guidance.

A.5 Testing
Attention should be paid to the subject of testing and related costs. Tests should be carried out by
an accredited laboratory and tenderers should be requested to provide formal assurance in this
regard. Price schedules and covering letters should be appropriately prepared to indicate that the
costs of all services, such as tests, delivery and spares, are declared and provided for in the tender.

Before type tests, routine tests and sample tests are carried out, the number of samples used and
the frequency of sampling should be agreed upon with the supplier.

A.6 Revisions of standards used as normative references

This part of NRS 074, as has been indicated, is based on a set of defined standards which might
have been revised or amended. All standards are regularly reviewed and amended, and most
purchasers would, in principle, wish to employ the latest standards. However, in some cases a
blanket commitment to work to the “latest” versions of standards might create legal difficulties of
interpretation and risks for both parties. For example, if a new edition of a referenced standard is
about to be approved or published during the tendering process, there could be misinterpretation as
to which edition of the referenced standard is applicable.

To avoid such misinterpretation, the purchaser should obtain an undertaking from the supplier to
identify the editions and amendments of the referenced standards applicable during the tendering
process. Where so agreed, if applicable, these specific editions and amendments would become
the basis of the subsequent contract.
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9 NRS 074-1:2005

Annex B
(informative)

Model form for schedules A and B

The model form is provided as a convenient aid to purchasing. Guidance on preparing an enquiry
using this form is given in annex A.

Schedule A: Purchaser's specific requirements

Schedule B: Particulars of equipment to be supplied (to be completed by the tenderer)

Item Subclause Description Unit Schedule A Schedule B

B.1 4.3.1.2 Conductor size required mm2 ________ xxxxxxxx

4.3.1.2 Prospective symmetrical fault current kA ________ xxxxxxxx

4.3.1.2 Maximum fault duration (1 or 3) s ________ xxxxxxxx

B.2 4.3.3.1 Number of cores required ________ xxxxxxxx

B.3 4.3.5.1 Are armoured cables required? If yes, state Yes/No xxxxxxxx
details.

B.4 4.3.5.2 Prospective earth fault level kA ________ xxxxxxxx

4.3.5.2 Maximum fault duration s ________ xxxxxxxx

Annex C
(informative)

Conductor sizes
Table C.1 — Preferred conductor sizes

1 2

Number of Conductor size

2
cores mm

2 16

3 25 and 70

4 16, 25, 35, 70, 120, 150, 185 and 240

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NRS 074-1:2005 10

Bibliography

SANS 9001/ISO 9001, Quality management systems — Requirements.

© Standards South Africa