Code words have historically been used in the electrical conductor industry as a simple method of identifying the construction details of an overhead conductor product. A proposed new ASTM standard will list code word names and provide a means to register and publish new code words.
ASTM WK28737, Specification for Electrical Overhead Conductor Code Word Names, is being developed by Subcommittee B01.07 on Conductors of Light Metals. B01.07 is under the jurisdiction of ASTM International Committee B01 on Electrical Conductors.
“The proposed standard will provide an index to identify code word names and identify the appropriate ASTM standard applicable to the conductor design,” says Gordon Baker, manager, Applications Engineering, General Cable, and a past chairman of B01. Baker also notes that there are specific Canadian designs that will also be included, along with a reference to the appropriate Canadian Standards Association standard.
According to Baker, code name words have a system. For example, in North America, a flower code word name is an all aluminum conductor, while a city code word is an all aluminum alloy conductor. “The code word name identifies the conductor diameter and mass as well as the conductor stranding,” says Baker. “It is like a universal catalog number for a specific conductor type.” The historical basis of this standard was adapted from an old AA/ANSI Standard C7.69 originally developed by the Aluminum Association, Inc. and adopted for recognition as an American National Standard in 1975.
ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.
ASTM Committee B01 Next Meeting: Oct. 13, October Committee Week, San Antonio, Texas
Technical Contact: Gordon Baker, General Cable, Highland Heights, Ky., Phone: 859-572-8493; gbaker@generalcable.com
ASTM Staff Contact: Jennifer Rodgers, Phone: 610-832-9694; jrodgers@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org
Release #8613