BS 6622 XLPE Cables

British Standard
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17 August 2003
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BRITISH STANDARD BS 6622:1999
Incorporating
Corrigendum No. 1
and Amendment No. 1
Specification for cables

with extruded
cross-linked
polyethylene or
ethylene propylene
rubber insulation for
rated voltages from
3.8/6.6 kV up to 19/33 kV
ICS 29.060.20
NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW

BS 6622:1999
Committees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by Technical

Committee GEL/20, Electric cables, to Subcommittee GEL/20/2, Mains cables,
1 kV and above, upon which the following bodies were represented:
Association of Consulting Engineers
British Approvals Service for Cables
British Cable Makers Confederation
British Plastics Federation
Electricity Association
ERA Technology Ltd.
London Underground Ltd.
UK Steel Association
This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the
Electrotechnical Sector
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Standards Committee and
comes into effect on
15 January 1999 Amendments issued since publication
© BSI 26 February 2002 Amd. No. Date Comments
First published in September 10501 April 1999 Correction to paragraph 3 of Scope
1985
Corrigendum No. 1
Second Edition June 1991
Third edition January 1999
13535 26 February 2002 Indicated by a sideline
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference GEL/20/2
Draft for comment 97/205747 DC
ISBN 0 580 295596 0

BS 6622:1999
Contents
Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Normative references 1
3 Definitions 2
4 Voltage designation 3
5 Conductors 3
6 Conductor screen 4
7 Insulation 4
8 Insulation screen 4
9 Laying-up 5
10 Armour 5
11 Oversheath 6
12 Marking 6
13 Sealing and drumming 7
14 Dimensions 7
15 Schedule of tests 18
16 Test conditions 19
17 Routine tests 20
18 Sample tests 21
19 Type tests — Materials 24
20 Type tests — Electrical 28
Annex A (informative) Recommendations for the selection of cables 31
Annex B (informative) Information to be provided with the enquiry or order 33
Annex C (informative) Recommendations for the installation of cables 33
Annex D (informative) Guidance on the scope of type tests 36
Annex E (normative) Partial discharge test 38
Annex F (normative) Thickness measurements 39
Annex G (normative) Method of measuring resistivity of extruded
semi-conducting conductor and insulation screens 40
Annex H (normative) Impulse voltage test 45
Annex J (informative) Guide to use 46
Bibliography 48
Figure G.1 — Test piece and arrangement of electrodes for measurement of
resistivity of conductor screen of circular core 41
Figure G.2 — Test piece and arrangement of electrodes for measurement of
resistivity of insulation screen of circular core 42
Figure G.3 Arrangement of test piece, electrodes and insulating strips
for measurement of resistivity of conductor and insulation screens of
shaped core 43
Table 1 — Dimensions of shaped solid aluminium conductors 4
Table 2 — Single-core cables 3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV 9
Table 3 — Three-core cables 3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV 10
Table 4 — Single-core cables 6.35/11 (12) kV 11
Table 5 — Three-core cables 6.35/11 (12) kV 12
Table 6 — Single-core cables 8.7/15 (17.5) kV 13
Table 7 — Three-core cables 8.7/15 (17.5) kV 14
© BSI 26 February 2002 i

BS 6622:1999
Page
Table 8 — Single-core cables 12.7/22 (24) kV 15
Table 9 — Three-core cables 12.7/22 (22) kV 16
Table 10 — Single core cables 19/33 (36) kV 17
Table 11 — Three-core cables 19/33 (36) kV 18
Table 12 — Schedule of tests 18
Table 13 — Tolerances on temperature values 20
Table 14 — D.C. resistance of copper wire screen 20
Table 15 — Voltage for partial discharge test 21
Table 16 — Voltage for test on complete cable 21
Table 17 — Number of sample tests 22
Table 18 — Hot set test conditions and requirements 22
Table 19 — Four-hour voltage test 24
Table 20 — Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and ethylene propylene rubber
compound (EPR) insulation 25
Table 21 — Mass of zinc coating 26
Table 22 — Compatibility requirements 27
Table 23 — Tan ¸ in relation to voltage 28
Table 24 — Tan ¸ in relation to temperature 29
Table 25 — Voltage for impulse voltage test 29
Table A.1 — Selection of cables for three-phase a.c. systems 31
Table C.1 — Bending radius during installation 34
Table C.2 — Bending radius with cable adjacent to joints or terminations 34
Table C.3 — Voltage test after installation 35
ii © BSI 26 February 2002

BS 6622:1999
Foreword
This new edition of BS 6622 has been prepared by Subcommittee GEL/20/2. It

supersedes BS 6622:1991 which is withdrawn.
This edition includes technical changes to bring the standard up to date and is a
full review of the standard.
This standard specifies requirements for cables in the rated voltage range
from 3.8/6.6 kV up to 19/33 kV which are insulated with cross-linked
polyethylene (XLPE) or ethylene propylene rubber compound (EPR).
Corresponding cables which, when assessed by appropriate tests, produce lower
levels of smoke and corrosive products under exposure to fire, are specified in
BS 7835.
Annex E, Annex F, Annex G and Annex H are normative. Annex A, Annex B,
Annex C, Annex D and Annex J are informative.
It has been assumed in the preparation of this British Standard that the
execution of its provisions will be entrusted to appropriately qualified and
experienced people, for whose use it has been produced.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 48, an inside back cover and a back cover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.
Sidelining in this document indicates the most recent changes by amendment.
© BSI 26 February 2002 iii

iv
blank
BS 6622:1999
1 Scope
This British Standard specifies requirements for the construction and testing of cables with thermosetting
insulation for rated voltages from 3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV up to 19/33 (36) kV inclusive.
Cables specified in this standard are for use in fixed industrial installations and buildings. They are
designed for a maximum continuous conductor operating temperature of 90 °C and for a maximum short
circuit conductor temperature of 250 °C.
The cable types specified in this standard are armoured and unarmoured single-core and armoured
three-core cables for voltages in the range 3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV up to 19/33 (36) kV and unarmoured three-core
cables for voltages in the range 3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV up to and including 8.7/15 (17.5) kV, as follows:
— stranded copper, stranded aluminium or solid aluminium conductors;
— cross-linked polyethylene or cross-linked ethylene propylene rubber insulation;
— a range of metallic screening layers including copper wire, copper tape and/or metallic sheaths;
— PVC or MDPE oversheath.
Annex A gives guidance on the selection of cables of appropriate voltage designations for particular
systems. Details of metallic coverings including a reference to metal sheaths is also included.
Annex B lists the information that should be provided by the purchaser with an enquiry/order for cables.
Annex C gives recommendations for the installation of cables.
Annex J gives guidance on the use of cables.
2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this British Standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any
of these publications do not apply. For undated references, the latest edition of the publication referred to
applies.
BS 358, Method for the measurement of voltage with sphere-gaps (one sphere earthed).
BS 923-1, Guide on high-voltage testing techniques — Part 1: General.
BS 4727-2: Group 08, Glossary of electrotechnical, power, telecommunications, electronics, lighting and
colour terms — Part 2: Terms particular to power engineering — Group 08: Electric cable terminology.
BS 4828:1985, Guide for partial discharge measurements.
BS 5099, Specification for spark testing of electric cables.
BS 6360, Specification for conductors in insulated cables and cords.
BS EN 10244-2:2001, Steel wire and wire products — Non-ferrous metallic coatings on steel wire —
Part 2: Zinc or zinc alloy coatings.
BS EN 50265-1, Common test methods for cables under fire conditions — Test for resistance to vertical
flame propagation for a single insulated conductor or cable — Part 1: Apparatus.
BS EN 50265-2-1, Common test methods for cables under fire conditions — Test for resistance to vertical
flame propagation for a single insulated conductor or cable — Part 2-1: Procedures — 1 kW pre-mixed
flame.
BS EN 60811-1-1:1995, Insulating and sheathing materials of electric cables — Common test methods —
Part 1: General application — Measurement of thickness and overall dimensions — Tests for determining
the mechanical properties.
Part 1: General application — Thermal ageing methods.
Part 1: General application — Methods for determining the density — Water absorption tests — Shrinkage
test.
© BSI 26 February 2002 1

BS 6622:1999
BS EN 60811-2-1:1998, Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables — Common test
methods — Part 2-1: Methods specific to elastomeric compounds — Ozone resistance, hot set and mineral oil
immersion tests.
BS 7655-4.2, Specification for insulating and sheathing materials for cables — Part 4: PVC sheathing
compounds — Section 2: General application.
BS 7655-10.1, Specification for insulating and sheathing materials for cables — Part 10: Polyethylene
sheathing compounds — Section 1: Thermoplastic medium density polyethylene (MDPE) sheathing
compound.
BS EN 10002-1, Tensile testing of metallic materials — Part 1: Method of test at ambient temperature.
BS EN 60060-2, High voltage test techniques — Part 1: Measuring systems.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this British Standard the definitions given in BS 4727-2-08 apply, together with the
following.
3.1
rated voltage
reference voltage for which the cable is designed
NOTE This is expressed as a combination of the values, U0, U and Um.
3.2
rated voltage U0
nominal power-frequency voltage between any conductor and earth or metallic screen for which the cable
is suitable
3.3
rated voltage U
nominal power-frequency voltage between phase conductors for which the cable is suitable
3.4
maximum voltage Um
maximum sustained power-frequency voltage between phase conductors, for which the cable is suitable
3.5
cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE)
thermosetting material formed by the cross-linking of thermoplastic polyethylene compound so as to
conform to the requirements given in this standard
3.6
cross-linked ethylene propylene rubber (EPR)
compound based on ethylene propylene rubber or similar (EPM or EPDM) which when cross-linked
conforms to the requirements given in this standard
3.7
thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride compound (PVC)
combinations of materials suitably selected, proportioned and treated, of which the characteristic
constituent is polyvinyl chloride or one of its copolymers, so as to conform to the requirements given in this
standard
NOTE The same term also designates compounds containing both polyvinyl chloride and certain of its copolymers.
3.8
medium density polyethylene (MDPE)
thermoplastic material compounded so as to conform to the requirements given in this standard
3.9
type of compound
category in which a compound is placed according to its properties, determined by specific tests
NOTE The type designation is not directly related to the composition of the compound.
2 © BSI 26 February 2002

BS 6622:1999
3.10
nominal value
value, often used in tables, by which a quantity is designated
NOTE In this standard, nominal values usually give rise to values to be checked by measurements taking into account specified
tolerances.
3.11
approximate value
value which is only indicative
NOTE In this standard, values described as “approximate” do not constitute requirements to be checked by measurements.
3.12
routine tests
tests performed by the manufacturer on each manufactured length of cable to check that the whole of each
length meets the specified requirements
3.13
sample tests
tests performed by the manufacturer on samples of completed cable, or components taken from a completed
cable, at a specified frequency, so as to verify that the finished product meets the specified requirements
3.14
type tests
tests made before supplying, on a general commercial basis, a type of cable covered by this standard in
order to demonstrate satisfactory performance characteristics to meet the intended application

NOTE Type tests are of such a nature that, after they have been performed, they need not be repeated unless changes are made in
the cable materials or design or manufacturing process which might change the performance characteristics.
3.15
tests after installation
tests intended to demonstrate the integrity of the cable and its accessories as installed
4 Voltage designation
Cables are designated by the voltage U0, U and Um expressed in the form U0/U (Um).
The voltage designations of cables in this standard are:
3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV; 6.35/11 (12) kV;

8.7/15 (17.5) kV; 12.7/22 (24) kV;
19/33 (36) kV.
5 Conductors
5.1 General
Conductors shall be either plain annealed copper or aluminium, circular or shaped, and shall conform to
BS 6360. Copper conductors shall be stranded (class 2) and aluminium conductors shall be either solid
(class 1) or stranded (class 2).
5.2 Circular conductors
Stranded circular conductors shall be compacted or uncompacted.
5.3 Shaped conductors
Shaped conductors, when used as an alternative to circular conductors for three-core cables of rated
voltages 3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV and 6.35/11 (12) kV, shall have a conductor cross-sectional area not less than the
following:
3.8/6.6(7.2) kV: 70 mm2;

6.35/11(12) kV: 95 mm2.

BS 6622:1999
The dimensions of shaped solid aluminium conductors shall be as given in Table 1.

Table 1 — Dimensions of shaped solid aluminium conductors
Nominal Approximate dimensions of conductor Minimum corner
cross-sectional radius of
Width Depth Back radius Corner radius
area of conductor conductor
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm
70 11.3 7.9 9.9 2.8 2.6
95 13.9 9.1 11.4 2.8 2.6
120 15.8 10.2 12.6 3.0 2.8
150 17.9 11.3 13.9 3.0 2.8
185 20.5 12.6 15.4 3.0 2.8
240 24.0 14.5 17.5 3.0 2.8
300 27.3 16.2 19.5 3.0 2.8
6 Conductor screen
A conductor screen consisting of an extruded layer of cross-linkable semi-conducting compound shall be
applied over the conductor and cover the surface of the conductor completely.
NOTE A semi-conducting tape may be applied prior to the extruded layer at the discretion of the manufacturer.
The extruded conductor screen shall be applied in the same operation as the insulation and be fully bonded
to the insulation.
7 Insulation
The insulation shall be either XLPE or EPR conforming to the requirements of 19.4.
The insulation shall be applied by extrusion and cross-linked to form a compact and homogeneous layer.
The colour of the insulation shall be such that it is easily distinguishable from the screening materials.
The minimum and minimum average thickness of insulation shall be as specified in Table 2 to Table 11.
8 Insulation screen
8.1 General
An insulation screen shall be applied to all cables and shall consist of a cross-linkable extruded
semi-conducting layer in combination with a metallic layer.
8.2 Extruded semi-conducting layer
The extruded semi-conducting layer shall consist of a bonded or strippable semi-conducting compound
capable of removal for jointing and terminating (see C.5). It shall be applied in the same operation as the
insulation, directly over the insulation, and shall cover the surface of the core completely.
NOTE At the discretion of the manufacturer, semi-conducting tape or a semi-conducting extruded layer may be applied over the
semi-conducting insulation screen as a bedding for the metallic layer.
8.3 Metallic layer

8.3.1 General
The metallic layer shall be applied either around each core and/or as a collective screen. For rated voltages
above 8.7/15 (17.5) kV, a metallic screen shall be applied around each core.
8.3.2 Metallic screen on each core
A metallic screen applied directly over the core of single-core cables or each core in three-core cables, shall
consist of either helically applied overlapped copper tape(s) or a concentric layer of copper wires applied
helically or in a waveform.
The copper wires shall be spaced with an average gap not greater than 4 mm. No gap shall exceed 8 mm.
NOTE 1 At the discretion of the manufacturer, a copper equalizing tape may be applied.
NOTE 2 At the discretion of the manufacturer, a binder tape may be applied over the metallic screen of single-core cables.

BS 6622:1999
8.3.3 Collective metallic screen

Three-core cables not having a metallic screen over each individual core shall have a collective screen
applied after the cores have been laid up together and over the bedding layer (see 9.3).
NOTE 1 Three-core cables having a metallic screen over each individual core may also have a collective screen.
The collective screen shall consist of:
a) a concentric layer of copper wires applied helically or in a waveform. The average gap between
adjacent wires shall not exceed 4 mm, and no gap shall exceed 8 mm; and/or
NOTE 2 At the discretion of the manufacturer, a copper equalizing tape may be applied.
b) metallic sheath (see annex A); and/or
c) wire armour (see clause 10).
NOTE 3 At the discretion of the manufacturer, a binder tape may be applied over the metallic screen.
9 Laying-up
9.1 General
For three-core cables, the cores shall be laid-up with a right hand direction of lay. Fillers shall be used to
form a substantially compact and circular cable. The fillers shall be compatible with adjacent materials.
9.2 Cables with a metallic screen on each core
The metallic screens of the three cores shall be in contact with each other.
NOTE At the discretion of the manufacturer, a binder tape may be applied over the laid-up cores.
9.3 Cables with a collective metallic screen

An extruded or lapped bedding layer shall be applied around the laid-up cores.
NOTE If the bedding layer is extruded, the fillers may be applied integrally with the bedding layer.
For cables with a metallic screen on each core and a collective screen of dissimilar metal, the bedding layer
shall be extruded, unless the collective screen is a lead sheath in which case the bedding layer may be
extruded or lapped.
The thickness of a lapped bedding layer shall be approximately 0.6 mm. The thickness of an extruded
bedding layer shall conform to the requirements for the separation layer specified in 10.1.
For cables not having a metallic screen on each core, the extruded or lapped bedding layer shall be
semi-conducting. The shape of the fillers shall not prevent electrical contact between the insulation screen
and the semi-conducting bedding layer.
The materials used for the bedding layer shall be suitable for the operating temperature of the cable and
compatible with the other materials used in the cable construction.
10 Armour
10.1 Separation layer
When armour is to be applied to a cable having a screen of dissimilar metal, an extruded separation layer
shall be applied between the two metallic layers. The material used shall conform to 11.1.
Nominal and minimum thicknesses of the separation layer shall be as specified in Table 2 to Table 11.
10.2 Metal layer
For the armouring of three-core cables, round galvanized steel wires shall be used.
NOTE 1 Where the purchaser requires a cable to operate at a higher system fault level, a number of galvanized steel wires may be
replaced by tinned copper wires, subject to agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
NOTE 2 When requested by the purchaser, galvanized steel tape armour may be used as an alternative to or in conjunction with
the steel wire armour.
For the armouring of single-core cables either round aluminium wires or aluminium strips shall be used.
The nominal dimensions of the armour shall be as specified in Table 2 to Table 11.
Armour shall be applied helically in a single layer with a left-hand lay.

BS 6622:1999
Joints in steel wire armour shall be brazed or welded and any surface irregularity removed.
Joints in aluminium wire or strip shall be made by cold pressure or fusion welding and all surface
irregularities shall be removed.
A joint in any wire or strip shall be not less than 1 m from the nearest joint in any other armour wire or
strip in the completed cable.
11 Oversheath
11.1 General
The material for the extruded oversheath shall be PVC or MDPE in accordance with BS 7655-4.2: Type 9
or -10.1: Type TS 2, respectively.
NOTE 1 Oversheaths are normally black but colours other than black may be provided by agreement between the manufacturer
and the purchaser, subject to their suitability for the particular conditions under which the cables are to be used.
NOTE 2 Cables with MDPE oversheaths are not designed to satisfy the requirements of BS EN 50265-1 and BS EN 50265-2-1.
11.2 Thickness for unarmoured cables

For unarmoured cables, the minimum and minimum average thickness of oversheath shall be as specified
in Table 2 to Table 11.
11.3 Thickness for armoured cables
For armoured cables, the nominal and the minimum thickness of oversheath shall be as specified in
Table 2 to Table 11.
11.4 Semi-conducting layer

When the purchaser specifies that a d.c. voltage test is to be performed on the oversheath (see A.5), a
semi-conducting layer shall be applied over its surface.
12 Marking
12.1 Marking of oversheath
The external surface of all cables shall be legibly marked with the following elements of marking, in any
sequence that is deemed neither to confuse nor conflict.
Element Example of marking
a) Electric cable ELECTRIC CABLE

b) Voltage designation
3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV 6 600 V
6.35/11 (12) kV 11 000 V
8.7/15 (17.5) kV 15 000 V
12.7/22 (24) kV 22 000 V
19/33 (36) kV 33 000 V
c) British Standard number1) BS 6622
d) Manufacturer’s identification XYZ
e) The number of cores, type and nominal area of conductors, e.g.:
1) copper conductor cables: 1 × 50 shall indicate a single-core cable with a 50 mm2 copper conductor;
2) aluminium conductor cables: 3 × 50 AL shall indicate a three-core cable with 50 mm2 aluminium
conductors.
The marking of elements a) to d) shall be by embossing or indenting on the oversheath.
1)Marking BS 6622 on or in relation to a product represents a manufacturer’s declaration of conformity, i.e. a claim by or on behalf of
the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of the claim is solely the claimant’s
responsibility. Such a declaration is not to be confused with third party certification of conformity, which may also be desirable.

BS 6622:1999
Elements a), b) and c) shall appear on two or more primary lines along the axis of the cable, approximately
equally spaced around the circumference of the cable.
Elements d) and e) shall appear on at least one line.
NOTE They may be on one of the primary lines or a secondary line or lines and need not be on the same line.
The letters and figures shall consist of upright block characters. The characters shall have a minimum
height of 3 mm.
The distance between the end of one element of marking and the beginning of the next identical element
shall be not greater than 550 mm for items a), b) and c), and not greater than 1 100 mm for items d) and e).
12.2 Identification of year of manufacture
A means of identifying the year of manufacture of the cable shall be provided throughout the length of the
cable, either internally or by marking on the surface of the cable.
If the identification is internal, the distance between the end of one mark and the beginning of the next
mark shall be not greater than 550 mm.
NOTE An identification thread may be used as an alternative to internal marking.
If the identification is by marking on the surface, the maximum distance between marks shall
be 1 100 mm.
12.3 The mark of an approval organization
If the mark of an approval organization is used it shall be provided throughout the length of the cable,
either as a mark on the surface of the cable, or as an identification thread, as specified by the approval
organization.
If the mark is applied to the cable, it shall be on the surface in the form of the symbol(s) specified by the
approval organization, and shall conform to 12.1d) and e) in respect of the maximum distance between
marks.
12.4 Additional marking
Where additional marking is made, it shall be throughout the length of the cable, either on the external
surface of the cable, or by means of a tape or thread within the cable, or by combination of these methods.
If the additional marking is applied to the surface of the cable, it shall not render illegible the marking
specified in 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3.
The additional marking, however made, shall be repeated at intervals not exceeding 1 100 mm.
13 Sealing and drumming
Before despatch, the manufacturer shall cap the ends of all cable in order to form a seal to prevent the
ingress of water during transportation and storage.
Cable drums shall be lagged in order to protect the cable from damage and the end of the cable projecting
from the drum shall also be protected from damage.
Each drum shall bear a distinguishing number on the outside of the flange and particulars of the cable,
i.e. voltage, length, conductor size and cable type. The gross mass shall be shown and the direction for
rolling shall be indicated by an arrow.
14 Dimensions
The dimensions of the component layers shall be as given in Table 2 to Table 11. In addition, the
approximate overall diameters for the following designs of cable are given.
a) Single-core unarmoured cables with 35 mm2 copper wire screen.
b) Single-core armoured cables with:
— copper tape screen;
— extruded separation layer;
— aluminium round wire or strip armour.

BS 6622:1999
c) Three-core unarmoured cables with:

— lapped bedding layer;
— 35 mm2 collective copper wire screen only;
— rated voltages up to and including 8.7/15 (17.5) kV.
d) Three-core armoured cables with:
— copper tape screen on each core;
— extruded separation layer;
— galvanized round steel wire armour.
NOTE The approximate overall diameters given for cables with circular stranded conductors up to and including 630 mm2 are based
on the use of compacted conductors.
For designs other than those listed, the table specifying the most closely similar design shall be used to
determine the thickness of the various component parts.

Table 2 — Single-core cables 3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV
© BSI 26 February 2002
Nominal Thickness of Thickness of Nominal Armour strip Thickness of oversheath Approximate overall diameter
cross- insulation separation armour dimensions
sectional layer of Unarmoured Armoured Solid aluminium Stranded conductors
wire
area of armoured conductors
diameter
conductor cables
Min. Min. Min. Nominal Thickness Width Min. Min. Min Nominal Unarmoured Armoured Unarmoured Armoured
at a average at a at a average at a
point point point point
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
50 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.26 1.6 1.24 1.8 22.6 25.9 23.3 26.7
70 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.34 1.7 1.24 1.8 24.3 27.5 25.2 28.4
95 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.34 1.7 1.32 1.9 26.0 29.3 26.9 30.3
120 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.43 1.8 1.32 1.9 27.5 30.6 28.8 31.9
150 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.43 1.8 1.40 2.0 28.9 32.2 30.2 35.5
185 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.51 1.9 1.40 2.0 30.7 34.6 32.2 36.1
240 2.24 2.6 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.51 1.9 1.48 2.1 33.1 37.2 34.8 38.9
300 2.42 2.8 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.60 2.0 1.56 2.2 35.8 39.9 37.7 41.8
400 2.60 3.0 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.77 2.2 1.64 2.3 — — 41.6 45.5
500 2.78 3.2 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.85 2.3 1.80 2.5 — — 45.3 50.5
630 2.78 3.2 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.94 2.4 1.88 2.6 — — 49.2 54.6
800 2.78 3.2 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.02 2.5 1.96 2.7 — — 55.4 60.8
1 000 2.78 3.2 1.00 1.5 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.11 2.6 2.12 2.9 — — 60.1 65.9
NOTE 1 The approximate overall diameters relate to cables with round wire armour and may be somewhat less for cables with strip armour.
NOTE 2 The overall diameters are approximate and are given for information only. If more precise values are required, the manufacturer should be consulted.
BS 6622:1999
9
Table 3 — Three-core cables 3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV
10
BS 6622:1999
Nominal Thickness of Thickness of Nominal Thickness of oversheath Approximate overall diameter
cross- insulation separation layer armour
sectional of armoured wire Unarmoured Armoured Circular conductors Shaped conductors
area of
cables diameter Solid aluminium Stranded Solid aluminium Stranded
conductor
Min. Min. Min. Nominal Min. Min. Min. Nominal Un- Armoured Un- Armoured Un- Armoured Un- Armoured
at a average at a at a average at a armoured armoured armoured armoured
point point point point
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
10 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.51 1.9 1.48 2.1 33.9 37.9 34.4 38.7 — — — —
16 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.60 2.0 1.56 2.2 36.1 40.1 36.8 40.7 — — — —
25 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.68 2.1 1.56 2.2 38.7 42.4 39.6 43.3 — — — —
35 2.15 2.5 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.77 2.2 1.64 2.3 41.1 44.8 42.4 46.1 — — — —
50 2.15 2.5 0.84 1.2 2.5 1.85 2.3 1.80 2.5 43.6 48.7 45.2 50.3 — — — —
70 2.15 2.5 0.84 1.2 2.5 1.94 2.4 1.88 2.6 47.2 52.2 49.1 54.2 44.9 50.0 45.8 50.8
95 2.15 2.5 0.92 1.4 2.5 2.02 2.5 1.96 2.7 51.3 56.2 53.4 58.3 48.2 53.1 49.5 54.3
120 2.15 2.5 1.00 1.5 2.5 2.11 2.6 2.04 2.8 54.5 59.5 57.1 62.1 50.7 55.8 52.4 57.4
150 2.15 2.5 1.00 1.5 2.5 2.19 2.7 2.12 2.9 57.5 62.5 60.3 65.3 53.2 58.2 55.3 60.3
185 2.15 2.5 1.08 1.6 2.5 2.28 2.8 2.20 3.0 61.2 66.4 64.4 69.6 56.1 61.3 58.6 63.8
240 2.24 2.6 1.16 1.7 2.5 2.45 3.0 2.36 3.2 66.9 72.2 70.5 75.8 60.7 66.1 63.8 69.1
300 2.42 2.8 1.24 1.8 3.15 2.62 3.2 2.60 3.5 72.7 79.7 76.8 83.8 65.7 72.8 69.2 76.3
400 2.60 3.0 1.40 2.0 3.15 2.87 3.5 2.76 3.7 — — 85.0 92.1 — — — —
NOTE The overall diameters are approximate and are given for information only. If more precise values are required, the manufacturer should be consulted.
Table 4 — Single-core cables 6.35/11 (12) kV
Thickness of insulation: minimum average: 3.4 mm

minimum at a point: 2.96 mm
Nominal Thickness of Nominal Armour strip Thickness of oversheath Approximate overall diameter
cross- separation layer armour dimensions Unarmoured Armoured Solid aluminium conductors Stranded conductors
sectional of armoured wire
area of cables diameter
conductor
Min. Nominal Thickness Width Min. Min. Min. Nominal Unarmoured Armoured Unarmoured Armoured
at a at a average at a
point point point
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
50 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.34 1.7 1.24 1.8 24.6 27.7 25.3 28.5
70 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.34 1.7 1.32 1.9 26.1 29.5 27.0 30.4
95 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.43 1.8 1.32 1.9 28.0 31.1 29.0 32.1
120 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.43 1.8 1.40 2.0 29.3 32.6 30.6 33.9
150 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.51 1.9 1.48 2.1 30.9 35.0 32.2 36.3
185 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.51 1.9 1.48 2.1 32.5 36.6 34.0 38.1
240 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.60 2.0 1.56 2.2 34.9 39.0 36.6 40.7
300 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.68 2.1 1.56 2.2 37.2 41.1 39.1 43.0
400 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.77 2.2 1.72 2.4 — — 42.4 46.5
500 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.85 2.3 1.80 2.5 — — 45.7 50.9
630 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.94 2.4 1.88 2.6 — — 49.6 55.0
800 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.02 2.5 1.96 2.7 — — 55.8 61.2
1 000 1.00 1.5 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.11 2.6 2.12 2.9 — — 60.5 66.3
BS 6622:1999
11
Table 5 — Three-core cables 6.35/11 (12) kV
12
BS 6622:1999
Thickness of insulation: minimum at a point: 2.96 mm
minimum average: 3.4 mm
Nominal Thickness of Nominal Thickness of oversheath Approximate overall diameter
cross- separation armour
Unarmoured Armoured Circular conductors Shaped conductors
sectional layer of wire
area of armoured diameter Solid aluminium Stranded Solid aluminium Stranded
conduct cables
or
Min. Nominal Min. Min. Min. Nominal Un- Armoured Un- Armoured Un- Armoured Un- Armoured
at a at a average at a armoured armoured armoured armoured
point point point
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
16 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.77 2.2 1.64 2.3 40.5 44.2 41.1 44.8 — — — —
25 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.77 2.2 1.72 2.4 42.8 47.9 43.7 48.8 — — — —
35 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.85 2.3 1.80 2.5 45.2 50.3 46.5 51.6 — — — —
50 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.94 2.4 1.88 2.6 47.7 53.0 49.3 54.6 — — — —
70 0.92 1.4 2.5 2.02 2.5 1.96 2.7 51.7 56.5 53.6 58.5 — — — —
95 1.00 1.5 2.5 2.19 2.7 2.04 2.8 55.6 60.5 57.7 62.6 53.1 57.9 54.3 59.1
120 1.08 1.6 2.5 2.28 2.8 2.20 3.0 58.8 64.0 61.4 66.6 55.6 60.8 57.3 62.5
150 1.08 1.6 2.5 2.36 2.9 2.28 3.1 61.9 67.0 64.7 69.8 58.1 63.3 60.2 65.4
185 1.16 1.7 2.5 2.45 3.0 2.36 3.2 65.6 70.9 68.8 74.1 61.0 66.4 63.5 68.9
240 1.24 1.8 3.15 2.53 3.1 2.52 3.4 70.6 77.6 74.2 81.2 65.0 72.0 68.1 75.1
300 1.32 1.9 3.15 2.70 3.3 2.68 3.6 75.5 82.7 79.6 86.8 69.2 76.4 72.7 79.9
400 1.40 2.0 3.15 2.87 3.5 2.84 3.8 — — 86.7 94.1 — —
Table 6 — Single-core cables 8.7/15 (17.5) kV

cross- separation layer armour dimensions Unarmoured Armoured Solid aluminium conductors Stranded conductors
sectional of armoured wire
area of cables diameter
conductor
point point point
50 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.34 1.7 1.32 1.9 26.8 30.1 27.5 30.9
70 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.43 1.8 1.32 1.9 29.6 31.7 29.5 32.6
95 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.51 1.9 1.40 2.0 30.4 34.3 31.4 35.3
120 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.51 1.9 1.48 2.1 31.8 35.8 33.0 37.1
150 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.60 2.0 1.48 2.1 33.3 37.2 34.6 38.5
185 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.60 2.0 1.56 2.2 34.9 39.0 36.4 40.5
240 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.68 2.1 1.64 2.3 37.4 41.4 39.0 43.1
300 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.77 2.2 1.64 2.3 39.7 43.5 41.5 45.4
400 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.85 2.3 1.80 2.5 — — 44.9 50.1
500 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.94 2.4 1.88 2.6 — — 48.1 53.3
630 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.02 2.5 1.96 2.7 — — 52.0 57.4
800 1.00 1.5 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.11 2.6 2.04 2.8 — — 58.2 63.8
1 000 1.08 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.19 2.7 2.20 3.0 — — 62.9 68.9
BS 6622:1999
13
Table 7 — Three-core cables 8.7/15 (17.5) kV
14
BS 6622:1999
cross-sectional separation layer of armour wire
Circular conductors
area of armoured cables diameter
conductor Unarmoured Armoured Solid aluminium conductors Stranded conductors
Min. at Nominal Min. at Min. Min. at Nominal Unarmoured Armoured Unarmoured Armoured
a point a point average a point
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
25 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.94 2.4 1.88 2.6 48.0 53.3 48.9 54.2
35 0.92 1.4 2.5 2.02 2.5 1.96 2.7 50.8 55.6 52.1 57.0
50 1.00 1.5 2.5 2.11 2.6 2.04 2.8 53.3 58.3 54.9 60.0
70 1.00 1.5 2.5 2.19 2.7 2.12 2.9 56.9 61.9 58.8 63.8
95 1.08 1.6 2.5 2.28 2.8 2.20 3.0 60.6 65.8 62.7 67.9
120 1.16 1.7 2.5 2.36 2.9 2.28 3.1 63.8 69.1 66.4 71.8
150 1.16 1.7 2.5 2.45 3.0 2.36 3.2 66.8 72.2 69.6 75.0
185 1.24 1.8 3.15 2.53 3.1 2.52 3.4 70.5 77.6 73.7 80.8
240 1.32 1.9 3.15 2.70 3.3 2.68 3.6 75.8 82.9 79.4 86.6
300 1.40 2.0 3.15 2.87 3.5 2.76 3.7 80.7 87.8 84.8 91.6
400 1.48 2.1 3.15 3.04 3.7 3.00 4.0 — — 91.9 99.4
Table 8 — Single-core cables 12.7/22 (24) kV

cross- separation armour dimensions Unarmoured Armoured Solid aluminium conductors Stranded conductors
area of armoured diameter
conductor cables
point point point
50 0.76 1.2 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.43 1.8 1.40 2.0 29.0 32.3 29.8 33.1
70 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.51 1.9 1.40 2.0 30.8 34.7 31.7 35.6
95 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.51 1.9 1.48 2.1 32.4 36.5 33.4 37.5
120 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.60 2.0 1.48 2.1 34.0 37.8 35.2 39.1
150 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.60 2.0 1.56 2.2 35.3 39.4 36.6 40.7
185 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.68 2.1 1.56 2.2 37.1 41.0 38.6 42.5
240 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.77 2.2 1.64 2.3 39.6 43.4 41.2 45.1
300 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.77 2.2 1.72 2.4 41.7 46.9 43.5 48.8
400 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.85 2.3 1.80 2.5 — — 46.9 52.1
500 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.94 2.4 1.88 2.6 — — 50.1 55.5
630 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.02 2.5 2.04 2.8 — — 54.0 59.6
800 1.00 1.5 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.19 2.7 2.12 2.9 — — 60.4 66.0
1 000 1.08 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.28 2.8 2.20 3.0 — — 65.2 70.9
BS 6622:1999
15
BS 6622:1999
Table 9 — Three-core cables 12.7/22 (22) kV

cross-sectional separation layer of armour wire
Armoured Circular conductors
area of conductor armoured cables diameter
Solid aluminium Stranded
Min. at Nominal Min. at Nominal Armoured Armoured
a point a point
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
35 1.00 1.5 2.5 2.04 2.8 60.3 61.7
50 1.00 1.5 2.5 2.12 2.9 62.9 64.5
70 1.08 1.6 2.5 2.20 3.0 66.6 68.6
95 1.16 1.7 2.5 2.36 3.2 70.7 72.8
120 1.16 1.7 3.15 2.44 3.3 75.1 77.8
150 1.24 1.8 3.15 2.52 3.4 78.4 81.2
185 1.32 1.9 3.15 2.68 3.6 82.5 85.7
240 1.40 2.0 3.15 2.76 3.7 87.7 91.3
300 1.40 2.0 3.15 2.92 3.9 92.6 96.6
400 1.56 2.2 3.15 3.08 4.1 — 104.1
NOTE The overall diameters are approximate and are given for information only. If more precise values are required, the
manufacturer should be consulted.

Table 10 — Single core cables 19/33 (36) kV

cross- separation armour dimensions Unarmoured Armoured Solid aluminium Stranded conductors
area of armoured conductors
diameter
conductor cables
point point point
50 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.60 2.0 1.56 2.2 34.5 38.5 35.2 39.3
70 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.60 2.0 1.56 2.2 36.0 40.1 36.9 41.0
95 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.68 2.1 1.64 2.3 37.9 41.9 38.8 42.9
120 0.76 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 1.68 2.1 1.64 2.3 39.2 43.2 40.4 44.5
150 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.77 2.2 1.72 2.4 40.7 46.0 42.0 47.3
185 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.77 2.2 1.80 2.5 42.4 47.8 43.8 49.3
240 0.84 1.3 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.85 2.3 1.80 2.5 44.8 50.0 46.5 51.7
300 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 1.94 2.4 1.88 2.6 47.1 52.5 49.0 54.4
400 0.92 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.02 2.5 1.96 2.7 — — 52.3 57.7
500 1.00 1.5 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.11 2.6 2.04 2.8 — — 55.5 61.1
630 1.00 1.5 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.19 2.7 2.12 2.9 — — 59.4 65.0
800 1.08 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.28 2.8 2.28 3.1 — — 65.7 71.6
1 000 1.16 1.7 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.45 3.0 2.36 3.2 — — 70.6 76.5
BS 6622:1999
17
BS 6622:1999
Table 11 — Three-core cables 19/33 (36) kV

Nominal Thickness of Nominal armour Thickness of Approximate overall diameter
cross-sectional area of separation layer of wire diameter oversheath
conductor armoured cables
Armoured Circular conductors
Solid Stranded
aluminium
Min. at Nominal Min. at Nominal Armoured Armoured
a point a point
mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
50 1.24 1.8 3.15 2.52 3.4 76.6 78.2
70 1.24 1.8 3.15 2.60 3.5 80.1 82.1
95 1.32 1.9 3.15 2.68 3.6 84.0 86.1
120 1.40 2.0 3.15 2.76 3.7 87.3 90.0
150 1.40 2.0 3.15 2.84 3.8 90.4 93.2
185 1.48 2.1 3.15 2.92 3.9 94.3 97.5
240 1.56 2.2 3.15 3.08 4.1 99.7 103.3
300 1.64 2.3 3.15 3.24 4.3 104.8 108.8
400 1.72 2.4 3.15 3.40 4.5 — 116.1

NOTE The overall diameters are approximate and are given for information only. If more precise values are required, the
manufacturer should be consulted.
15 Schedule of tests
Testing shall be performed in accordance with the schedule of tests given in Table 12.
NOTE 1 Tests classified as “routine” or “sample” may be required as part of any type approval schemes.
NOTE 2 Guidance on type testing is given in Annex D.
Table 12 — Schedule of tests
Test Test method and requirements given
in clause
Routine tests (see 3.12)
Spark test 17.2
Conductor resistance 17.3
Copper wire screen resistance 17.4
Partial discharge test 17.5
Voltage test 17.6
Cable markings 17.7
D.C. voltage test on oversheatha 17.8
Sample tests (see 3.13)
Conductor material and construction 18.4
Conductor screen — application 18.5
Insulation — hot set 18.6
— colour 18.7
— thickness 18.8
Insulation screen — application 18.9
Metallic layer — application 18.10
Laid-up cores 18.11
Separation layer — thickness 18.12

BS 6622:1999
Table 12 — Schedule of tests (continued)

Test Test method and requirements given
in clause
Armour
— galvanized steel wires — diameter 18.13
— aluminium wires (round) — diameter 18.13
— aluminium strips — dimensions 18.14
Oversheath
— unarmoured cables — thickness 18.15
— armoured cables — thickness 18.16
Four hour voltage test 18.17
Type tests (see 3.14)
Material tests
Corner radii of shaped solid conductors 19.2
Conductor screen — resistivity 19.3
Insulation — material 19.4
Insulation screen — resistivity 19.5
— strippability 19.6
Separation layer — material 19.7
Armour
— galvanized steel wires — mass of zinc coating 19.8
— wrapping test 19.9
— aluminium wires (round) — tensile test 19.10
— aluminium strips — tensile test 19.10
Oversheath — material 19.11
Compatibility test 19.12
Test under fire conditions 19.13
Electrical tests
Sequential type tests
— partial discharge test 20.2
— bending test 20.3
— power factor (tan d) in relation to voltage 20.4
— power factor (tan d) in relation to temperature 20.5
— heat cycle test 20.6
— impulse test 20.7
— four-hour voltage test 20.8
Adherence of screens at short circuit temperature 20.9
a When requested in the order.
16 Test conditions
16.1 Ambient temperature
Tests shall be performed at an ambient temperature within the range 5 °C to 35 °C unless otherwise
specified in the details of the particular test.
16.2 Tolerances on temperature values
Unless otherwise specified, the tolerances on temperature values quoted in the test methods are as shown
in Table 13.

BS 6622:1999
Table 13 — Tolerances on temperature values

Specified temperature, t Tolerance
°C °C
p40 k t k 0 ±2
0 < t k 50 in accordance with relevant clause
50 < t k 150 ±2
t > 150 ±3
16.3 Frequency and waveform of power-frequency test voltages
Unless otherwise specified alternating test voltages shall have a frequency between 49 Hz and 61 Hz.
The waveform shall be substantially sinusoidal.
17 Routine tests
17.1 General
Routine tests shall be as specified in Table 12.
17.2 Spark test on oversheath
The oversheath shall be tested in accordance with BS 5099. No breakdown shall occur.
17.3 Conductor resistance
The d.c. resistance of each conductor shall conform to BS 6360 when measured and corrected to 20 °C in
accordance with that standard.

17.4 Copper wire screen resistance
17.4.1 Method
The d.c. resistance of any copper wire screen shall be measured on the complete cable with the wires
bunched together at the ends and corrected to 20 °C in accordance with BS 6360.
17.4.2 Requirement
The d.c. resistance of copper wire screen of a specified cross-sectional area shall not exceed the relevant
value specified in Table 14.
Table 14 — D.C. resistance of copper wire screen
Nominal cross-sectional area of screen Maximum d.c. resistance at 20 °C perkm of cable
mm2 %
16 1.190
25 0.759
35 0.542
50 0.379
70 0.271
95 0.200
NOTE Resistance values for screens of areas other than those specified are outside the scope of this standard and are subject to
agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
17.5 Partial discharge

The cable shall be tested in accordance with Annex E and the magnitude of the discharge on each core shall
not exceed 10 pC, at the voltage specified in Table 15.

BS 6622:1999
Table 15 — Voltage for partial discharge test

Rated voltage, U0 Test voltage r.m.s.
kV kV
3.8 7.5
6.35 12.5
8.7 17.5
12.7 25.5
19.0 38.0
17.6 Voltage test on complete cable
17.6.1 Method
Apply the voltage between the conductor(s) and the metallic screen(s) with the metallic screen(s) earthed.
Raise the voltage gradually and maintain it at the full value for 15 min.
17.6.2 Requirement
No breakdown of the insulation shall occur when the completed cable is subjected to a power frequency
voltage of the magnitude specified in Table 16.
Table 16 — Voltage for test on complete cable
kV kV
3.8 15.0
6.35 25.5
8.7 35.0
12.7 51.0
19.0 76.0
17.7 Cable markings
The cable markings shall be checked by visual examination and measurement and shall conform to the
requirements of clause 12.
17.8 D.C. voltage test on oversheath
17.8.1 General
When requested in the order, the following test shall be performed.
17.8.2 Method
Apply a d.c. voltage for a period of 1 min between the underlying metallic layer and the semi-conducting
layer. The voltage applied shall be equal to 8 kV/mm of nominal or minimum average thickness of
oversheath, as specified in Table 2 to Table 11, subject to a maximum of 25 kV.
17.8.3 Requirement
No breakdown of the oversheath shall occur.
18 Sample tests
18.1 General
Sample tests shall be as specified in Table 12.
18.2 Frequency of sample tests
Tests shall be carried out on samples taken according to agreed quality control procedures. In the absence
of such an agreement, for contracts where the total length exceeds 2 km of three-core or 4 km of single-core
cables, the four-hour voltage test and insulation hot set test shall be performed on samples of manufactured
cables, in accordance with Table 17.

BS 6622:1999
Table 17 — Number of sample tests

Three-core cables Single-core cables Number of samples
Above Up to and including Above Up to and including
km km km km
2 10 4 20 1
10 20 20 40 2
20 30 40 60 3
etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
All other sample tests shall be made on one length from each manufacturing series of the same type and
nominal cross-section of cable, but shall be limited to not more than 10 % of the number of lengths in any
contract.
18.3 Repetition of tests
If any sample fails any of the tests specified in 18.1, two further samples shall be taken from the same batch
and submitted to the same test or tests in which the original sample failed. If both additional samples pass
the tests, all the cables in the batch from which they were taken shall be regarded as conforming to the
requirements of the standard. If either of the additional samples fails, the batch from which they were
taken shall be regarded as failing to conform.
18.4 Conductor material and construction
The conductor material and construction shall be checked by visual examination and shall conform to the
requirements of clause 5.
18.5 Conductor screen
The application of the conductor screen shall be checked by visual examination and shall be continuous and
cover the surface of the conductor completely.
18.6 Hot set test of insulation
The insulation shall be tested in accordance with BS EN 60811-2-1:1998, clause 9 and shall conform to the
requirements of Table 18.
Table 18 — Hot set test conditions and requirements
XLPE EPR
Conditions
Temperature (200 ± 3) °C (250 ± 3) °C
Duration 15 min 15 min
Mechanical stress 0.2 N/mm2 0.2 N/mm2
Requirements
Maximum elongation under load 175 % 175 %
Maximum elongation after unloading 15 % 15 %
18.7 Colour of insulation
The colour of the insulation shall be checked by visual examination and shall be easily distinguished from
the screening materials.
18.8 Thickness of insulation
The thickness of insulation shall be measured in accordance with Annex F. The thickness of extruded
conductor and insulation screens shall not be included in the measured insulation thickness. When
compared with the relevant value given in Table 2 to Table 11, the smallest of the measured values shall
be not less than the specified minimum thickness at a point. Similarly, the average of the measurements
shall not be less than the specified minimum average thickness.
18.9 Insulation screen
The application of the insulation screen shall be checked by visual examination and shall be continuous
and shall cover the surface of the insulation completely.

BS 6622:1999
18.10 Metallic layer

The gap between adjacent wires of a copper wire screen shall be measured and the average gap shall not
exceed 4 mm. No gap shall exceed 8 mm.
18.11 Laid-up cores
The laid-up cores shall be checked by visual examination and shall conform to the requirements of clause 9.
18.12 Separation layer
The thickness of the separation layer shall be measured in accordance with Annex F. When compared with
the relevant value given in Table 2 to Table 11, the smallest of the measured values shall be not less than
the specified minimum thickness at a point.
18.13 Wire armour
18.13.1 Method
Take 10 % of the total number of wires, at random, from one sample of completed cable and determine the
diameter of each wire with a micrometer by taking two measurements at right angles to each other.
Take the average of all the measurements as the wire diameter.
18.13.2 Requirement
The diameter of the round armour wires, whether galvanized steel or plain aluminium, shall not fall below
the relevant nominal value specified in Table 2 to Table 11, as appropriate, by more than 5 %.
18.14 Strip armour

18.14.1 Method
Take 10 % of the total number of strips, at random, from one sample of completed cable and measure the
thickness and width of each strip by using a dial micrometer or vernier calliper.
Take the average of the respective measurements as the thickness and width of the strip.
18.14.2 Requirement
The thickness and width of individual strips of aluminium armour shall not differ from the relevant values
specified in Table 2 to Table 11, as appropriate, by more than 5 %.
18.15 Oversheath thickness of unarmoured cables
The thickness of the oversheath shall be measured in accordance with Annex F. When compared with the
relevant value given in Table 2 to Table 11, the smallest of the measured values shall be not less than the
specified minimum thickness at a point. Similarly, the average of the measurements shall not be less than
the specified minimum average thickness.
18.16 Oversheath thickness of armoured cables
The thickness of the oversheath shall be measured in accordance with Annex F. When compared with the
relevant value given in Table 2 to Table 11, the smallest of the measured values shall be not less than the
specified minimum thickness at a point.
18.17 Four-hour voltage test
18.17.1 Method
Earth the screen(s) of a piece of cable not less than 5 m in length between terminations. Subject the cable
to an alternating power frequency voltage applied between each conductor and the screen(s).
Increase the voltage gradually to the specified value and maintain it at that value for 4 h. Apply the voltage
continuously, but if there are any unavoidable interruptions during the 4 h period, increase that period by
the time of the interruptions. Ensure that the total of such interruptions does not exceed 1 h, otherwise
restart the test.
18.17.2 Requirement
No breakdown of the insulation shall occur when the completed cable is subjected to a power frequency
voltage of the magnitude specified in Table 19.

BS 6622:1999
Table 19 — Four-hour voltage test

kV kV
3.8 15.0
6.35 25.5
8.7 35.0
12.7 51.0
19.0 76.0
19 Type tests — Materials

19.1 General
Type tests shall be as specified in Table 12.
19.2 Corner radii of shaped solid conductors
Remove a sample of the conductor to be tested from the end of the cable. By means of an optical projection
method, compare the corner radii with a suitable template of the required radius as specified in Table 1.
The minimum corner radii for shaped solid aluminium conductors shall be as specified in Table 1.
19.3 Conductor screen resistivity
The resistivity of the extruded screen shall be measured in accordance with Annex G and shall not
exceed 500 W·m at 90 °C.

19.4 Insulation material
The insulation material shall be tested and shall conform to the requirements of Table 20.

BS 6622:1999
Table 20 — Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and ethylene propylene rubber compound (EPR)
insulation
Test Test method in Requirements
accordance with
BS EN 60811:1998
Section Clause XLPE EPR
Properties in the state as delivered 1-1 9
Minimum tensile strength 12.5 N/mm2 4.2 N/mm2
Minimum elongation at break 200 % 200 %
Properties after ageing in air oven 1-2 8.1

Temperature (135 ± 2) °C (135 ± 2) °C
Duration 168 h 168 h
Maximum variation for tensile strengtha 25 % 30 %
Maximum variation for elongation at breaka 25 30 %
Properties after ageing in air bomb 1-2 8.2

Temperature — (127 ± 2) °C
Duration — 40 h
Maximum variation for tensile strengtha — 30 %

Maximum variation for elongation at break a — 30 %
Water absorption — gravimetric method 1-3 9.2

Temperature (85 ± 2) °C (85 ± 2) °C
Duration 336 h 336 h
Maximum increase of mass 1 mg/cm2 5 mg/cm2
Shrinkage test 1-3 10

Distance between marks “L” 200 mm —
Temperature (130 ± 2) °C —
Duration 1h —
Maximum shrinkage 4% —
Ozone resistance test 2-1 8.1

Temperature — (25 ± 2) °C
Duration — 30 h
Ozone concentration — (250 to 300) ppm
Visual observation no cracks
a a The variation is the difference between the respective values obtained prior to and after heat treatment expressed as a
percentage of the former.
19.5 Insulation screen resistivity

The resistivity of the extruded screen shall be measured in accordance with Annex G and shall not
exceed 500 W·m at 90 °C.
19.6 Insulation screen cold strippability
19.6.1 General
Where the manufacturer claims that the screen is strippable, the test specified in 19.6.2 shall be performed
at (20 ± 5) °C.

BS 6622:1999
19.6.2 Method
From the cable to be tested, take a core sample of approximate length 400 mm.
Make two parallel cuts, separated by (13 ± 1) mm, in the semi-conducting insulation screen material, down
to the insulation and longitudinally from end to end of the core sample.
Remove approximately 50 mm length of the 13 mm wide strip from each end of the core by pulling it away
from the core manually.
Mount the sample in a tensile test machine, with one end of the strip clamped in the upper jaws, and with
the sample held horizontally at approximately 90° to the clamped strip. Using a pulling speed of
approximately 8 mm/s, measure the force required to separate the 13 mm strip, whilst maintaining the
strip at approximately 90° to the sample. Continue the movement until approximately the midpoint of the
sample is reached.
Repeat the test from the other end of the sample.
19.6.3 Requirement
The force required to remove the insulation screen shall not be less than 18 N and not more than 80 N.
19.7 Separation layer material
The separation layer material shall conform to either:
a) BS 7655-4.2: Type 9, (excluding the insulation resistance test); or
b) BS 7655-10.1: Type TS 2 (excluding the test for exposure to UV, and all tests for carbon black).
19.8 Mass of zinc coating of galvanized steel wires

19.8.1 Method
Take, at random, 10 % of the total number of wires from one sample of completed cable and determine the
mass by either a gravimetric or gas volumetric method as specified in BS EN 10244-2:2001, clause 5.2.
Take the average of all the measurements as the mass of zinc coating.
19.8.2 Requirement
The mass of zinc coating of galvanized steel wires shall conform to Table 21.
Table 21 — Mass of zinc coating
Nominal diameter of armour wire Minimum mass of zinc coating per m2
mm g
1.6 172
2.0 180
2.5 195
3.15 206
19.9 Wrapping test for galvanized steel wires
19.9.1 Method
Take, at random, 10 % of the total number of wires from one sample of completed cable. Wrap each wire
round a cylindrical mandrel for one complete turn. The mandrel shall have a diameter of approximately
four times the specified nominal diameter of the wire under test.
19.9.2 Requirement
The mechanical characteristics of the galvanized steel wire armour wires shall be such that none of the
wires shall break.

BS 6622:1999
19.10 Tensile test for aluminium wires and strips

19.10.1 Method
Take, at random, 10 % of the total number of wires or strips from one sample of completed cable. Measure
the tensile strength of each wire or strip in accordance with BS EN 10002-1, except that in the case of the
aluminium strip, the cross-sectional area shall be determined, to an accuracy of ±1 %, from the mass of a
known length and assuming a density of 2.703 g/cm3.
Take the average of all the measurements to be the tensile strength.
19.10.2 Requirement
The tensile strength of aluminium wires shall not be less than 125 N/mm2.
The tensile strength of the individual strips of aluminium armour shall not be less than 145 N/mm2.
19.11 Oversheath material
The oversheath material shall conform to BS 7655-4.2: Type 9 or -10.1: Type TS 2.
19.12 Compatibility test
19.12.1 Method
Perform the test for compatibility by heating samples of completed cable in an air oven for 7 days at
(100 ± 2) °C, using the procedure specified in BS EN 60811-1-2, and then measuring the properties of the
components as follows.
a) Oversheath: tensile strength and elongation at break (test procedures as specified in
BS EN 60811-1-1:1998, clause 9).

a) Separation layer: tensile strength and elongation at break (test procedures as specified in
BS EN 60811-1-1:1998, clause 9).
a) Insulation: tensile strength and elongation at break (test procedures as specified in
BS EN 60811-1-1:1998, clause 9).
b) Insulation screen: resistivity at 90 °C and strippability (if required) (test methods as specified in
Annex G and 19.6.1, respectively).
c) Conductor screen: resistivity at 90 °C (test method as specified in Annex G).
19.12.2 Requirement
The cable shall conform to the requirements specified in Table 22.
Table 22 — Compatibility requirements
Component Test Requirements
Extruded MDPE Minimum tensile strength 12.5 N/mm2
oversheath/separation layer Minimum elongation at break 300 %
Extruded PVC Minimum tensile strength 12.5 N/mm2
oversheath/separation layer Minimum elongation at break 150 %
Maximum variation of tensile strength a 25 %
Maximum variation of elongation at break a 25 %
Insulation screen Maximum resistivity at 90 °C 1 000 W·m
Force to remove strippable screen 18 N to 80 N
XLPE EPR
Insulation Maximum variation of tensile strength a 25 % 30 %
Maximum variation of elongation at break a 25 % 30 %
Conductor screen Maximum resistivity at 90 °C 1 000 W·m
a The variation is the difference between the respective values obtained prior to and after heat treatment, expressed as a
percentage of the former.

BS 6622:1999
19.13 Test under fire conditions

19.13.1 Method
A sample of PVC oversheathed cable shall be tested in accordance with BS EN 50265-1 and
BS EN 50265-2-1.
19.13.2 Requirement
After all burning has ceased, the surface of the sample shall be wiped clean and the charred or affected
portion shall not have reached within 50 mm of the lower edge of the top clamp.
20 Type tests — Electrical
20.1 General
The electrical tests specified in 20.2 to 20.8 shall be performed on a sample of cable not less than 10 m in
length between terminations (excluding accessories, if any) in the sequence specified in Table 12. The test
specified in 20.9 shall be carried out on a separate sample of cable.
20.2 Partial discharge test
The cable shall be tested in accordance with Annex E and the magnitude of the discharge on each core shall
not exceed 5 pC, at the voltage specified in Table 15.
20.3 Bending test
20.3.1 Method
The diameter of the cylinder for the bend test shall be not greater than the following:
— for single-core unarmoured cables: 20(D + d)

— for single-core armoured cables: 15(D + d)
— for three-core unarmoured cables: 15(D + d)
— for three-core armoured cables: 12(D + d)
where
D is the approximate overall diameter as given in Table 2 to Table 11, as appropriate (in mm);
d is the diameter of the conductor (in mm).
NOTE If the conductor is not circular, d = 1.13ÆS, where S is the nominal cross-sectional area (in mm2).
Bend the cable sample around the test cylinder for at least one complete turn, at room temperature.
Unwind and repeat the process but this time bend the sample in the reverse direction. Perform this cycle
of operations a total of three times.
After completion of the bending, visually examine the sample (with normal or corrected vision without
magnification). Finally, subject the sample to the partial discharge test described in Annex E.
20.3.2 Requirement
The cable shall show no evidence of cracking.
The cable sample shall satisfy the partial discharge test requirements given in 20.2.
20.4 Tan ¸ test in relation to voltage
The tan ¸ of each core of the sample shall be measured at ambient temperature with a.c. voltages equal
to 0.5 U0, 1.0 U0 and 2.0 U0 and shall not exceed the limits given in Table 23.
Table 23 — Tan ¸ in relation to voltage
Property XLPE EPR
Maximum tan ¸ at U0 40 × 10–4 200 × 10–4
Maximum increase in tan ¸ (0.5 U0 to 2.0 U0) 20 × 10–4 25 × 10–4

BS 6622:1999
20.5 Tan ¸ test in relation to temperature

20.5.1 Method
Heat the sample of cable by external means or by passing current through the metallic screen or by current
loading of the conductor(s).
Measure the tan ¸ with an a.c. voltage of not less than 2 kV, at power frequency, at a conductor
temperature of not less than 95 °C and not greater than 100 °C.
NOTE At the discretion of the manufacturer, this measurement may be performed during the heating cycle test specified in 20.6.1.
20.5.2 Requirement
The measured values shall not exceed the limits given in Table 24.
Table 24 — Tan ¸ in relation to temperature
Property XLPE EPR
Maximum tan ¸ at ambient temperature 40 × 10–4 200 × 10–4
Maximum tan ¸ at elevated temperature (i.e. 95 °C to 100 °C) 80 × 10–4 400 × 10–4
20.6 Heating cycle test
20.6.1 Method
Install the cable sample indoors in a draught-free environment at steady ambient temperature and away
from direct sunlight.
Place thermocouples at intervals not exceeding 2 m along the length of the cable in order to measure the
temperature of the metallic screen.
Subject the cable sample to a heating cycle of 8 h duration. Maintain the conductor temperature
between 95 °C and 100 °C for at least 2 h during the heating period, followed by at least 3 h of natural
cooling in air. Perform this cycle 20 times. Confirm that the screen temperature accurately reflects the
required conductor temperature by making suitable measurements of phase conductor resistance, or by
other means. During the heating cycles, take at least four measurements of partial discharge in accordance
with Annex E, at approximately equal intervals at the end of a cooling cycle, including one measurement
at the completion of the test (i.e. after the last heating cycle).
20.6.2 Requirement
The discharge magnitude for each of the measurements taken shall not exceed 5 pC at 2 U0.
20.7 Impulse voltage test
When the sample is tested in accordance with Annex H, at the appropriate voltage specified in Table 25,
no breakdown of the insulation shall occur.
Table 25 — Voltage for impulse voltage test
Rated voltage, U0 Impulse withstand voltage
kV kV
3.8 75
6.35 95
8.7 112
12.7 144
19.0 194
20.8 Four-hour voltage test
The cable shall be tested for conformity to the requirements of 18.17.

BS 6622:1999
20.9 Adherence of screens at short circuit temperature

20.9.1 Method
Subject a separate sample of cable, having a conductor cross-sectional area not greater than 185 mm2 and
at least 5 m in length, to the partial discharge test specified in Annex E and then subject it to a current
derived from the relevant equation below. Upon completion of the test allow the sample to cool to ambient
temperature and again subject it to the partial discharge test specified in Annex E.
Subject one core of cable, 5 m in length, to a current derived from one of the following equations, as
appropriate:
for copper conductors ( 234 + T 2 )

I2t = 11.77 × 104 A2log10 ----------------------------
( 234 + T 1 )
for aluminium conductors ( 228 + T 2 )
I2t = 5.04 × 104 A2log10 ----------------------------
( 228 + T 1 )
where
I is the r.m.s. value of short circuit current (in A);

t is the duration of short circuit current (in s), maximum 30 s;
A is the conductor area (in mm2);
T2 is the final conductor temperature = 250 °C;

T1 is the initial conductor temperature (in °C);
20.9.2 Requirement
The discharge magnitude, q, for both tests shall not exceed 5 pC at 2 U0.

BS 6622:1999
Annex A (informative)
Recommendations for the selection of cables
A.1 General
The cables specified in this standard are designed to be installed in air or for burial in free draining soil
conditions.
Where cables are to be laid in other environments, reference should be made to the cable manufacturer.
A.2 Voltage ratings
The rated voltage of the cable for a given application should be suitable for the operating conditions in the
system in which the cable is used. To facilitate the selection of the cable, systems are divided into three
categories as follows:
a) Category A. This category comprises those systems in which any phase conductor that comes in contact
with earth or an earth conductor is disconnected from the system within 1 min.
b) Category B. This category comprises those systems which, under fault conditions, are operated for a
short time with one phase earthed. IEC 60183 recommends that this period should not exceed 1 h. For
cables specified in this standard, a longer period, not exceeding 8 h on any occasion, can be tolerated. The
total duration of earth faults in any year should not exceed 125 h.
c) Category C. This category comprises all systems which do not fall into categories A and B.
NOTE In a system in which an earth fault is not automatically and promptly isolated, the extra stresses on the insulation of
cables during the earth fault may reduce the life of the cables. If the system is expected to be operated fairly often with a permanent
earth fault, it may be advisable to classify the system as category C.

Table A.1 gives the lowest rated voltage of cable that should be used according to the system voltage and
category.
Table A.1 — Selection of cables for three-phase a.c. systems
System voltage System category Minimum rated voltage of
Nominal voltage, U Maximum sustained voltage, cable, U0/U
Um
kV kV kV
6.6 or 6 7.2 A or B 3.8/6.6
6.6 or 6 7.2 C 6.35/11
11 or 10 12 A or B 6.35/11
11 or 10 12 C 8.7/15
15 17.5 A or B 8.7/15
15 17.5 C 12.7/22
22 or 20 24 A or B 12.7/22
22 or 20 24 C 19/33
33 or 30 36 A or B 19/33
NOTE For a 33 kV or 30 kV system of category C, reference should be made to the manufacturer.
The nominal system voltage, U, given in Table A.1 is the nominal voltage between phases.
The maximum sustained system voltage, Um, is the highest voltage between phases that can be sustained
under normal operating conditions at any time and at any point in the system. It excludes transient voltage
variations, due, for example, to lightning impulses, fault conditions and rapid disconnection of loads.
The nominal system voltages shown in Table A.1 are generally in accordance with series 1 of IEC 60038.
For system voltages intermediate between the values in Table A.1, the cable should be selected with a rated
voltage not less than the next highest value (e.g. for a 13.8 kV system of category A or B, the cable should
have a rated voltage not less than 8.7/15 kV and for a 13.8 kV system of category C, not less than
12.7/22 kV).

BS 6622:1999
A.3 Selection of metallic coverings

All the cable designs in this standard include metallic coverings surrounding the cores, either individually
or collectively, which are intended to be earthed when the cables are in use.
Where it is especially required that the cable should have a positive barrier to water, or a barrier to
petroleum and other solvents that may be present in the ground on sites such as oil refineries, it is
recommended that the cable includes a metal sheath, details of which should be agreed between the user
and the manufacturer at the time of tendering or ordering.
The choice between wire armoured and unarmoured cable depends upon the mechanical stresses and
hazards during and after installation.
A.4 Metallic coverings — earth fault capacity
The metallic coverings are usually required to carry earth fault current. For cables not having a metallic
sheath or armour, it is recommended that the metallic component of the screen should be copper wires of
at least 1.04 mm diameter, unless the prospective earth fault current is very limited in magnitude and
duration.
The dimensions for the unarmoured cables specified in Table 2 to Table 11, as appropriate, allow for a
copper wire screen of 35 mm2 cross-sectional area. For example, under earth fault conditions, when the
fault is not in the cable and the fault current passes along the metallic screen via effective bonds at joints
and terminations, a 35 mm2 copper wire screen is suitable for up to 4.5 kA for 1 s. For periods other
than 1 s, the fault current carrying capacity can be derived by dividing 4.5 kA by Æt, where t is the duration
of the fault current, in s, within the limits of 0.2 s to 5 s.
Under the condition of an earth fault in the cable itself, due, for example, to spiking, the local heating at
the fault position, caused by contact resistances or resistance in the fault, is more intense than in the
metallic screen as a whole. This causes fusing of the screen locally and the current which the screen will
sustain for a given time under these conditions is less than that for which it is suitable under the
through-fault conditions previously described.
Advice on the suitability of the type of metallic screen and cross-sectional area should be sought from the
manufacturer.
A.5 Semi-conducting layer on the oversheath
Provision is made in 11.4 for the application of a semi-conducting layer to the surface of the oversheath, if
it is required that a d.c. voltage test be made on the oversheath. Details of the test to be made in the factory
in these circumstances are specified in 17.8.
It is not envisaged that such a test would be required unless it were also intended to apply a voltage test
to the oversheath after the cable had been laid, to confirm that the oversheath had not been substantially
damaged during installation or to detect such damage as might have occurred, in order to enable repair to
be made.
The following are conditions in which a d.c. voltage test on the oversheath might be required.
a) When the oversheath is required to perform an insulating function during the operation of the cable.
This applies when the method of bonding of the metallic screens of single-core cables is designed to
eliminate induced circulating currents, but gives rise to standing voltages between the metallic screens
of the cables of the different phases, e.g. bonding at one position only and cross bonding (see C.7).
b) When damage to the oversheath is likely to lead to corrosion of an essential metallic layer which it
protects, due to an environment aggressive to the particular metal.

BS 6622:1999
A.6 Current carrying capacity

The cable that is selected should have a sustained current rating under the conditions of installation not
less than the maximum current that it will be required to carry during normal operation. It should also
have a short-circuit current rating adequate for the prospective short-circuit current and the time for which
it can persist.
Standardized current rating data for the cables specified in this standard has not been published.
Reference should be made to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
NOTE 1 Limitation on the temperature of the cables may be imposed in situations where they may be touched.
NOTE 2 Due to the relatively high conductor temperature, there is a risk of drying out the surrounding soil causing an increase in
thermal resistivity which in turn would lead to the cable temperature rising to a higher value than anticipated. For cable laid directly
in the ground, a suitable de-rating factor should be applied or a lower maximum sustained conductor operating temperature should
be assumed, to take into account the possible effect of soil drying out.
NOTE 3 The performance of accessories should be taken into account in deciding the operating temperature of the cable.
Annex B (informative)
Information to be provided with the enquiry or order
The following information should be provided by the purchaser with the enquiry or order:
a) the number of this British Standard;
b) length of cable required and individual drum lengths, if important;
c) voltage designation (see clause 4 and Annex A);
d) number of cores;
e) size of phase conductor;
f) conductor material (i.e. copper or aluminium);
g) type of conductor (i.e. stranded or solid, shaped or circular);
h) type of insulation (if a specific type is required, i.e. XLPE or EPR) and limiting dimensions (if any) of
cores;
i) whether a cold strippable insulation screen is required (see 8.2);
j) cross-sectional area and type of metallic screen;
k) type of metallic sheath, if required;
l) type of armour, if required (see clause 10);
m) type of oversheath (if a specific type is required i.e. PVC or MDPE) and colour;
n) whether a d.c. voltage test is required on the oversheath (see 11.4 and 17.8);
o) whether the cable is liable to be exposed to any potentially aggressive environments (e.g. water, oil
or acid).
NOTE See Annex A and Annex J for recommendations for selection of cables.
Annex C (informative)
Recommendations for the installation of cables
C.1 General
Cables should be installed in accordance with national regulations and any relevant codes of practice.
C.2 Minimum temperature during installation
It is recommended that the cables specified in this standard be installed only when both the cable and
ambient temperatures are above 0 °C and have been so for the previous 24 h, or where special precautions
have been taken to maintain the cable above this temperature.
C.3 Minimum installation radius
None of the cables specified in this standard should be bent during installation to a radius smaller than
that given in Table C.1.

BS 6622:1999
Table C.1 — Bending radius during installation

Type of cable Minimum radius
Single-core
a) unarmoured 20 D
b) armoured 15 D
Three-core
a) unarmoured 15 D
b) armoured 12 D
NOTE D is the overall diameter of the cable.
Wherever possible, larger installation radii should be used, except that the minimum bending radius where
the cables are placed in position adjacent to joints and terminations may be reduced to that given in
Table C.2 provided that the bending is carefully controlled, e.g. by the use of a former.
Table C.2 — Bending radius with cable adjacent to joints or terminations
Type of cable Minimum bending radius
Single-core
a) unarmoured 15 D
b) armoured 12 D
Three-core
a) unarmoured 12 D
b) armoured 10 D
NOTE D is the overall diameter of the cable.
C.4 Prevention of moisture ingress

Care should be exercised during installation to avoid any damage to cable coverings. This is important in
wet or other aggressive environments, especially for cables that do not have an extruded bedding or
separation layer. The protective cap should not be removed from the ends of the cable until immediately
prior to termination or jointing. When the caps have been removed the unprotected ends of the cable should
not be exposed to moisture.
The possibility of damage to moisture seals during handling and installation or during storage of the cable
should be borne in mind. Where such damage may have occurred, the seals should be inspected and remade
if necessary.
C.5 Jointing
In the absence of a metal sheath, all earth fault currents return through the armour and/or screens unless
there is a parallel bonding connection to relieve them of some of the fault current. In either case it is
necessary to ensure that there is no discontinuity in the return circuit via the armour and/or screens and
no local spot of high resistance. Careful attention, therefore, should be paid to the design of all bonding
clamps in joints and terminations to ensure that each tape, wire or strip contributes equally to the
conductance of the bonding connection and that the resistance across a connector is not higher than that
of the equivalent length of connected armour and/or screens of the cable.
It is also important to ensure that all tapes, strips or wires and all faces of clamps or connectors making
contact with them are thoroughly cleaned during installation and that the clamps are adequately tightened
to ensure good electrical contact. Bonding clamps in joints should be electrically connected with a bond
having a conductance at least equivalent to that of an equal length of the complete armour and/or screens
of the cable, and with adequate thermal capacity to avoid excessive overheating under short circuit
conditions.

BS 6622:1999
With all the cables specified in this standard it is important to ensure that the semi-conducting insulation
screen (see 8.2) is removed from the core(s) and any remaining semi-conducting coating or semi-conducting
particles are thoroughly removed before application of the stress control components which may be made
up of:
a) moulded components;
b) various tapes;
c) heat shrink tubes.
Similar procedures should be followed for joints.
Insulation screens should be removed by the methods recommended by the manufacturer. It is also
recommended that the advice of the cable and/or accessory manufacturer be sought on a suitable method
of terminating and jointing all cables specified in this standard.
C.6 Compound filling
For compound filled joints, the design of the box and the composition of the filling compound should provide
an effective seal to prevent moisture gaining access to the conductor ferrules and armour connections. The
filling compound should be compatible with the materials of the cable components with which it comes into
contact. Account should be taken of the pouring temperatures or the temperatures resulting from
exothermic reaction.
For terminations, provided that adequate clearances are maintained between phases and between each
phase and earth, compound filling is not necessary. The minimum clearances should be related to the
voltage and category of the system and environmental conditions. Guidance on minimum clearances can
be obtained from the appropriate standards for equipment. Where the required clearances cannot be
achieved, it is necessary to provide some other effective means of insulation.
C.7 Earthing of armour and/or screen(s)
Provision should be made for earthing the armour and/or screens to the main earth system at the supply
end by means of a metallic bond of adequate conductance, the bonding connection being as short and
straight as possible. It is also desirable to earth the armour and/or screens at additional accessible
positions, unless a single point bonding is being employed.
Special precautions may be necessary to eliminate the risk of corrosion, especially corrosion due to the use
of dissimilar metals.
Care should be exercised with single-core cables to ensure that the bonding and earthing arrangements are
adequate to cater for circulating currents in the armour and/or screens.
In special circumstances it may be necessary to employ cross bonding or single-point bonding and in these
cases recommendations should be sought from the manufacturer. With single-point bonded systems,
attention is drawn to the presence of induced voltages on the armour and/or screens.
C.8 Tests after installation
C.8.1 Tests on cables
Tests after installation are not a requirement of this British Standard. However, it is recommended that
the appropriate d.c. voltage as specified in Table C.3 is applied between each conductor and the armour
and/or screens after all terminating and jointing has been completed but before connection to the system.
Table C.3 — Voltage test after installation
Cable voltage designation D.C. voltage
kV kV
3.8/6.6 15
6.35/11 25
8.7/15 37
12.7/22 50
19/33 76

BS 6622:1999
The voltage should be increased gradually to the full value and maintained continuously for 15 min.
No breakdown should occur.
These test voltages are intended for cables immediately after installation and not for cables that have been
in service. When testing is required after cables have been in service the manufacturer should be consulted
for appropriate test conditions which should take into account the age, environment, history of breakdowns
and the purpose of performing the test.
NOTE Alternatives to d.c. testing after installation are currently under consideration.
C.8.2 Tests on oversheath

When a semi-conducting layer has been applied to the oversheath in accordance with 11.4, a d.c. voltage
test can be performed after installation. This d.c. voltage test can only be performed on the installed system
if the joints are suitably insulated from earth; otherwise the test should be performed prior to jointing.
For this test it is recommended that the voltage should be equal to 4 kV/mm of nominal or minimum
average thickness of oversheath, as specified in Table 2 to Table 11, subject to a maximum test voltage
of 10 kV. The voltage should be applied for 1 min. No breakdown should occur.
Annex D (informative)
Guidance on the scope of type tests
D.1 General
Type tests, after they have been successfully completed, need not be repeated unless changes are made
which might affect conformity to the requirements. Thus type tests should not normally be required for
individual contracts if the tests have already been successfully performed by the manufacturer on similar
items
If the type tests discussed in D.3 have already been successfully performed by the manufacturer for
conformity to BS 7835, repetition of the type tests is not necessary on account of differences in the
protective layers applied over the screened cores, unless these would be likely to have a significant effect
on the results, taking into account that the prime purpose of the type test is to test the electrical
performance of the insulating system.
Guidance for each type test on the extent to which the results of the test on one or more cables can be taken
as typical for a range of cables or for similar components used in other cables is given in D.3, D.4 and D.5.
D.2 Invoking of type tests
When type testing, or evidence of relevant type testing previously carried out, is required for cables to be
ordered, this should be stated at the enquiry stage.
Because of the possible variations in the cable designs, it should not be assumed that full type test
information will automatically be available for the particular cables which are the subject of a particular
enquiry. Moreover, D.3, D.4 and D.5 give only guidelines as to the amount of type testing or type test
evidence it may be reasonable to require and these guidelines are open to interpretation.
When type testing or evidence of type testing is required, the details are finally the subject of agreement
between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
D.3 Sequential electrical type tests
The sequential type tests, which are primarily electrical tests, are intended to assess the performance of
the type of cable. Cables are generally regarded as being of the same type if they are of the same voltage
rating and of similar construction.
For the purposes of the sequential type tests, cables of similar construction are generally regarded as those
having the same number of cores (single-core or three-core), the same form of conductor (stranded or solid,
circular or shaped), the same insulating material (XLPE or EPR), and the same form of semi-conducting
screens.

BS 6622:1999
One type of cable embraces a range of different conductor sizes and, if the sequential type tests have been
performed successfully on cable(s) of particular conductor size(s), the results should be regarded as valid
for cables of the same type having other conductor sizes. The results of tests on cable of one conductor size
in the range 70 mm2 to 300 mm2 should be accepted as valid for cables of other conductor sizes in that
range. For cables of conductor sizes outside that range, successful tests on cables of two conductor sizes
should be accepted as valid for the same type of cable of the two next standard smaller sizes below the
smaller size tested, and the two next standard larger sizes above the larger size tested.
The results of tests performed successfully on cables with shaped conductors should be accepted as valid
also for cables of otherwise similar type but which have circular conductors.
The results of tests on cables with either stranded copper or stranded aluminium conductors should be
accepted as valid for similar cables with stranded conductors of the other metal.
Successful tests on three-core cables should be accepted as valid for single-core cables, otherwise of the
same type, for the same range of conductor size. However, as the manufacture of three-core cable may
impose greater demands on the insulating system than for single-core cable, tests on single-core cable are
generally not regarded as demonstrating the performance of three-core cable.
Tests performed successfully on cables with a strippable extruded semi-conducting screen should be
accepted as demonstrating the performance of similar cables with fully bonded extruded screens.
Tests performed successfully on cables of one voltage rating should be accepted as demonstrating the
manufacturer’s ability to produce satisfactory cables of lower voltage rating utilizing the same materials
and processing methods, without additional type testing.
D.4 Compatibility test (see 19.12)
The object of the compatibility test is to check that different materials forming the components of the cable
do not have an unduly adverse effect on each other. It is a test for a type of construction and is largely
independent of cable voltage and conductor size or form. A successful test on one cable having a particular
construction should be accepted as demonstrating the suitability of the construction, in terms of the
manufacturer’s selection of materials and processing of the components, for other cables of any rated
voltage and size or form of conductor.
D.5 Type tests on components
The type tests on cable components, embracing the physical and chemical tests on insulation and sheathing
and the measurement of resistivity on semi-conducting screens, are tests for the type of component, not for
the type of cable. The properties of the components covered by these type tests are independent of the rated
voltage or the size of the cable, unless materials or methods of application and processing are varied
according to the cable type.
Successful tests on components from one cable should therefore be accepted as demonstrating the
satisfactory performance of an identical component when used in other cables of different rated voltage
and/or size.
D.6 Evidence of type testing
A certificate of type test signed by the representative of a competent witnessing body, or a report by the
manufacturer giving the test results and signed by the appropriate personnel in his organization should be
accepted as evidence of type testing.

BS 6622:1999
Annex E (normative)
Partial discharge test
E.1 Test equipment
E.1.1 High voltage supply transformer, of adequate capacity.
E.1.2 Voltmeter.
E.1.3 Calibrator.
E.1.4 Discharge-free capacitor and a terminating impedance or reflection suppressor (when required).
E.1.5 Partial discharge measuring device, consisting of a test circuit (see BS 4828), an oscilloscope and, if
desired, an indicating instrument in conjunction with a suitable amplifier to detect individual discharge
pulses.
For routine tests, the minimum detectable discharge shall be not more than 10 pC and for type tests not
more than 5 pC. The minimum detectable discharge (often referred to as the “sensitivity” of the equipment)
is taken to be twice the level of background noise. Therefore the equipment, during tests with the cable
connected, shall have a noise level not greater than 5 pC for routine tests and not greater than 2.5 pC for
type tests.
NOTE Individual clearly distinguished interference pulses may be disregarded.
E.2 Calibration
Perform the charge transfer method of calibration in accordance with BS 4828:1985, 5.2.1.
NOTE Further guidance on discharge calibration is given in annex III of CIGRE Report 1968-21-01 [1] , and IEEE Paper No. 69,
CP88-PWR [2].
Connect the calibrator and detection circuit to the cable under test and inject predetermined charges.
The calibration discharge qo is equal to the product of the calibration pulse amplitude U1) (in V) and the
coupling capacitance Co of the calibrator (in F), so long as this capacitance is small compared with the
capacitance of the cable under test.
If an instrument incorporating a picocoulomb meter is used, adjust the amplifier gain so that the ratio of
the injected signal to the value indicated by the meter is unity. When an oscilloscope is used for the
measurement, ensure that the response ratio of the test circuit is better than 0.5 pC/mm. The response
ratio is the magnitude in picocoulombs, of the calibrating pulse per millimetre deflection on the oscilloscope
screen.
The amplifier gain shall not be re-adjusted after the calibration has been completed unless a means is
provided for a continuous display of a calibrating signal throughout the test. The means of providing the
continuous display of a calibrating signal can be either:
a) the coupling capacitor of the primary calibration circuit being full voltage rated and then not
disconnected before the high voltage test transformer is energized; or
b) a secondary calibrator connected to the input of the detector. In this case the amplitude of the
secondary pulse to produce a given response is pre-calibrated against the primary calibration circuit
before the latter circuit is disconnected and the high voltage test transformer is energized.
When tests are to be made on full drum lengths of cable, as in routine tests, an attenuation factor, F, to
compensate for the loss of signal amplitude in the cable and coupling capacitor, shall be determined. One
method is as follows.
With the cable under test connected to the detection circuit, inject a calibration pulse into the detector
terminals, noting its voltage (e1) and the response at the detector. Then connect the calibrator to each end
of the cable in turn and adjust the step wave voltage to produce the same response at the detector as e1.
Record these voltages, e2 and e3. Obtain the attenuation factor from these three voltages by the equation:
e3 ´ e 2
F = ----------------
-
e1 2
1)U has been used for the calibration pulse amplitude in place of U0 which is used in BS 4828, in order to avoid confusion with
the rated voltage U0 designated in clause 4.

BS 6622:1999
Correction for attenuation is generally not necessary for type tests on relatively short lengths of cable. For
routine tests, if it is only required to check that the magnitude of any discharge in the cable is not greater
than the specified limit, the calibration may be performed with the calibrator at the opposite end of the
cable from the detector. Then, provided that the cable is terminated with its characteristic impedance,
attenuation of the calibration pulse is at least equal to that of any discharge in the cable length, so that the
response to discharge in the cable, compared to the response to the calibration pulse, will indicate a higher
level of discharge than the true value.
Provided the apparent discharge under these calibration conditions does not exceed the specified maximum
value, there is no need to correct for attenuation.
Correction for attenuation may be required, however, if it is desired to establish the level of discharge in
the cables as closely as possible or if it affects the results sufficiently to influence conformity to the specified
limits.
E.3 Procedure
For each core to be tested, apply a test voltage, of frequency between 40 Hz and 62 Hz, in sequence between
the conductor and the metallic screen. Raise the voltage to 2.25 U0 and hold for not more than 1 min.
Reduce the voltage slowly to 2 U0 and measure the discharge magnitude at this voltage.
For routine tests on drum lengths, correction for attenuation shall be made. One method is to repeat the
test with the detector connected to the other end of the cable under test. If the values of discharge
magnitude measured at the two ends of the length are q1 and q2, the corrected discharge magnitude, q, can
be calculated from the following equation:
q = F ( q1 ´ q2 )
where F is the attenuation factor obtained from the equation given in E.2.
Annex F (normative)
Thickness measurements
F.1 Sampling
Measurement of the thickness of insulation, separation layer (if any), and oversheath specified in Table 12
shall be made on a sample taken from one end of each drum length of cable selected for the test, after
having discarded any portion which may have suffered damage.
If any of the thicknesses measured does not conform to clauses 7, 10.1, 11.2 and 11.3, two further samples
shall be checked for the non-conforming factors. If both of the further samples meet the specified
requirements, the cable shall be deemed to conform to the requirements of this British Standard, but if
either does not meet the requirements, the cable shall be deemed not to conform.
F.2 Procedure
Make measurements on each component in accordance with the method given in BS EN 60811-1-1:1998,
clause 8, using either the equipment specified in 8.1.2 of that standard or a calibrated hand lens.
In the event of a dispute, the equipment specified in BS EN 60811-1-1:1998, 8.1.2 shall be used.
For three-core cables, measure the insulation thickness on each core.
When determining the average thickness from several measurements, round the resultant value to the
nearest 0.1 mm (0.05 mm is rounded upwards).

BS 6622:1999
Annex G (normative)
Method of measuring resistivity of extruded semi-conducting conductor and
insulation screens
G.1 Preparation of test pieces
G.1.1 General
Prepare test pieces from 150 mm lengths of core taken from completed cable.
G.1.2 Test pieces for cables with circular conductors
Prepare the conductor screen test pieces by cutting a sample in half longitudinally and then removing the
conductor (see Figure G.1). Prepare the insulation screen test pieces by removing all the coverings from the
sample of core (see Figure G.2).
G.1.3 Test pieces for cables with shaped conductors
NOTE For cables having shaped conductors, the same test piece may be used for both conductor and insulation screen
measurements.
Prepare the test pieces by cutting 5 mm strips of insulation, including both conductor and insulation screen
(see Figure G.3).
G.2 Procedure
Apply four silver painted electrodes, A, B, C and D, to the semi-conducting surfaces (see Figure G.1
and Figure G.2) or to each of the semi-conducting surfaces (see Figure G.3) as appropriate. Ensure that the
two potential electrodes, B and C, are nominally 50 mm apart and the two current electrodes, A and D, are
each placed at least 25 mm beyond the potential electrodes.
Make connections to the electrodes by means of suitable clips, avoiding damage to the screen. In testing
with 5 mm strips, ensure that when making the measurements on one side of the test piece, the clips are
insulated from the electrodes on the other side (see Figure G.3).
A similar precaution is necessary when testing the conductor screen on a sample taken from circular core
to avoid contact with the screen on the outside of the core.
Place the assembly in an oven pre-heated to (90 ± 2) °C and after an interval of at least 30 min, measure
the resistance between the electrodes, B and C, by means of a circuit with the power not exceeding 100 mW.
After taking the electrical measurements, measure optically the diameter over the conductor screen and
insulation (see Figure G.2), the width of the conductor screen and insulation screen (see Figure G.3) and
the thickness of the conductor screen and insulation screen (see Figure G.1, Figure G.2 and Figure G.3) in
all cases taking the average of six measurements. Measure the distance between the two potential
electrodes B and C.

BS 6622:1999
All dimensions are in millimetres
/V
25
50
A
/V
25
Conductor screen
Insulation screen
B and C are potential electrodes
A and D are current electrodes
Figure G.1 — Test piece and arrangement of electrodes for measurement of resistivity of
conductor screen of circular core

BS 6622:1999
Dimensions are in millimetres
/V
25
B
50
A
/V
25
Insulation screen
Conductor screen
B and C are potential electrodes
A and D are current electrodes
Figure G.2 — Test piece and arrangement of electrodes for measurement of resistivity of
insulation screen of circular core

Dimensions are in millimetres
/V
25
50
A
/V
25
D
A, B, C and D are silver plated electrodes
> Insulating strips
Figure G.3 — Arrangement of test piece, electrodes and insulating strips for measurement of resistivity of conductor and
insulation screens of shaped core
BS 6622:1999
43
BS 6622:1999
G.3 Calculations
G.3.1 Conductor screen of circular core
Calculate the resistivity Ô (in W·m) of the conductor screen of a circular core (see Figure G.1) from the
following equation:
R ´ ; ´ (D – T) ´ T
Ô = ---------------------------------------------------
2L
where
R is the resistance measured (in W);

L is the distance measured between potential electrodes (in m);
D is the diameter over the conductor screen (in m);
T is the average thickness of the conductor screen (in m).
G.3.2 Insulation screen of circular core
Calculate the resistivity, Ô (in W·m), of the insulation screen of a circular core (see Figure G.2) from the
following equation:
R ´ ; ´ (D + T) ´ T
Ô = ---------------------------------------------------
L
where


D is the diameter over the insulation (in m);
T is the average thickness of the insulation screen (in m).
G.3.3 Conductor and insulation screen of shaped core
Calculate the resistivity, Ô (in W·m), of the conductor and insulation screen of shaped core (see Figure G.3)
from the following equation:
R´W´T
Ô = --------------------------
L
where

W is the average width of the screen (in m);
T is the average thickness of the screen (in m).

BS 6622:1999
Annex H (normative)
Impulse voltage test
H.1 Test assembly
The test assembly shall be situated indoors in reasonably still air and away from direct sunlight. No arcing
horns shall be fitted to the sealing ends.
The main components of the test assembly are an impulse generator, a voltage divider, an impulse wave
monitor and the cable sample to be tested.
H.2 Procedure
Connect one core of the cable to be tested to the impulse generator with an associated voltage divider and
oscillograph system. Adjust the circuit values of the impulse generator to produce an impulse wave
conforming to BS 923-1 and BS EN 60060-2, except that the wavefront may have any duration from 0.5 4s
to 5.0 4s. If using an oscilloscope, make oscillograms in short and long time sweeps to record the wavefront
and wavetail duration of the test impulse wave. If using a digital measuring system, measure the timing
of the wave. Leave the circuit values of the impulse generator unaltered for the remainder of the test
period.
Apply to the test cable a loading current of a value estimated to produce the required conductor
temperature. Keep this current constant until the cable sheath temperatures have been steady (i.e. with a
variation not greater than 2 °C after due allowance has been made for ambient temperature variations) for
a minimum of 2 h. Calculate the maximum conductor temperature from a consideration of the conductor
current and resistance, the maximum sheath temperature and the design value of cable thermal
resistance. Alternatively, the conductor temperature may be established by any similar method such as
measuring the actual temperature of an identical sample along with its sheath temperatures. Ensure that
the calculated or measured conductor temperature is within the range 95 °C to 100 °C. If not, adjust the
loading current as required, until the sheath temperatures are constant.
During the 2 h steady temperature period, perform a calibration of the impulse generator as follows.
Connect a sphere gap across the test assembly. For each setting of the sphere gap, adjust the impulse
generator charging voltage to give 50 % sparkover of the gap, and make oscillograms of the impulse
voltage.
Perform this procedure for at least three different gap settings using the positive polarity of the impulse
voltage and select the settings so that their 50 % sparkover voltages, as given in BS 358, are about 55 %,
75 % and 95 % of the required impulse withstand voltage.
Draw a curve relating charging voltage to sphere gap sparkover voltage and extrapolate this curve to
determine the charging voltage necessary to obtain the specified positive withstand voltage level.
Calculate the voltage divider ratio by consideration of the maximum sphere gap sparkover voltage and
the corresponding impulse voltage oscillogram. Alternatively the voltage divider ratio can be measured
using a meter specifically designed for this purpose. Use this value of the voltage divider ratio for all the
oscillograms made in the course of the series of tests using positive polarity.
With the sphere gap setting increased and the cable maintained at the required temperature, subject one
core of the test cable to a series of 10 positive impulses at the voltage specified in Table 25. Ensure that the
time interval between successive impulses is just sufficient to fully charge the impulse generator.
Immediately after the application of the 10 positive impulses, recalibrate the generator for negative
polarity under the conditions already described, and then apply a series of 10 negative impulses of the same
specified voltage to one core of the test cable.
Make oscillograms of at least the first and tenth in each sequence of 10 impulses, including base and
voltage calibration lines and a timing wave. Alternatively if a digital measuring system is utilized, the print
outs shall include the peak voltage and wave timings.
Repeat the impulse tests on any other cores of the cable.

BS 6622:1999
Annex J (informative)
Guide to use
J.1 Aim
The aim of this annex is to inform users of characteristics and limitations of electric cables and thereby to
minimize their misuse.
It is assumed that the design of installation and the specification, purchase and installation of cables in
accordance with this British Standard is entrusted to suitable skilled and competent people.
In cases of doubt as to the suitability of cables in this British Standard for a particular use, further specific
information should be obtained from the manufacturer.
J.2 Cable selection and design
J.2.1 The products described in this British Standard are intended to be used for the supply of electrical
energy up to the rated voltage indicated on the cable. A.2 lists the voltage ratings of the cables specified in
this standard. These voltages should not be exceeded.
J.2.2 These cables are intended for use at a nominal power frequency range of 49 Hz to 61 Hz.
J.2.3 There are several aspects which need to be taken into account relating to the capability of the cable
to withstand the worst anticipated fault condition of the system, as follows.
a) A solidly or directly earthed system in general implies that the earth fault current is at least equal to
the values of the three-phase or phase-to-phase fault current.
b) When an earth fault current is specified, it is necessary to ensure that the phase conductor also has
this capability.
c) Some work on spiking of cables has been undertaken by the British cable industry and it shows that,
in general the spiking capability of the screen(s) is less than their through fault capacity. The manufac-
turer’s advice should be sought if in doubt.
d) This specification offers alternative forms of metallic screen having different earth fault capacities. In
general terms, copper tape screen has lower earth fault current capacity than standard copper wire
screen. For high earth fault values, a collective wire screen or armour is recommended for three-core ca-
bles.
e) It is essential that connections at joints and terminations onto metallic elements carrying fault cur-
rents to earth have at least equal capacity.
J.2.4 The possible effects of transient over-voltages should be recognized as they can be detrimental to
cables.
J.3 Environmental/application
J.3.1 Reasonable protection against mechanical damage, appropriate to the choice of cable and the
installation conditions, should be provided.
J.3.2 Cables specified in this British Standard may contain PVC, which when exposed to the effects of
external fire will produce harmful smoke and fumes, and where bundled together may propagate fire.
J.3.3 Cables can be harmed by exposure to corrosive products or solvent substances, including petroleum
based vapours
J.3.4 Cables specified in this British Standard are not specifically designed for use for the following:
a) as self supporting aerial cables;
b) as submarine cable or for laying in water-logged conditions;
c) where subsidence is likely, unless special precautions are taken to minimize damage;
d) where any exposure to excessive heat is involved.
J.3.5 If the cables specified in this standard are exposed to localized heat, solar radiation or high
temperature ambient conditions, this reduces the current carrying capacity.

BS 6622:1999
J.3.6 The standard sheathing components supplied on these cables do not provide protection against
damage by rodents, termites, etc.
J.3.7 Loaded cables can have a surface temperature which requires protection to be provided against
accidental contact.
J.4 Installation
J.4.1 Precautions should be taken to avoid mechanical damage to the cables before and during installation
(see Annex C).
J.4.2 Exceeding the manufacturer’s recommended maximum pulling tensions can result in damage to the
cable.
J.4.3 If cables are to be installed in ducts, the correct size of duct should be used.
J.4.4 The type of jointing and filling compounds employed should be chemically compatible with the cable
materials.
J.4.5 The cable support system should be such as to avoid damage or danger under normal or fault
conditions.
J.4.6 Cables specified in this British Standard are designed for fixed installations only; they are not for use
as, for example, trailing or reeling cables.
J.4.7 Repeated over-voltage testing can lead to premature failure of the cable, see C.8.1.
J.4.8 The selection of cable glands, accessories and any associated tools should take account of all aspects
of intended use. Any semiconducting coating present on the oversheath should be removed for a suitable
distance from joints and terminations.
J.4.9 Care should be exercised with single-core cables to ensure that the bonding and earthing
arrangements are adequate to cater for circulating currents in the armour or screen(s).
J.5 Storage and handling of drums
J.5.1 Cable drums should be regularly inspected during storage to assess their physical condition.
J.5.2 Battens, where applied, should not be removed from the drums until the cable is about to be installed.
J.5.3 When handling drums, reasonable precautions should be taken to avoid injury. Due regard should be
paid to the weight, method and direction of rolling, lifting, protruding nails and splinters.
J.5.4 Care should be taken to avoid deterioration of drums or their becoming a hazard to the general public.
J.5.5 The cable manufacturer should be consulted for detailed guidance as to the safe handling of cable
drums.
J.6 Scrap cable — incineration
Incineration of scrap cable should only be undertaken by a licensed contractor. For further information, the
Environment Agency should be contacted.

BS 6622:1999
Bibliography
Standards publications
BS 7835, Specification for cables with cross-linked polyethylene or ethylene propylene rubber insulation for
rated voltages from 3 800/6 600 V up to 19 000/33 000 V having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases
when affected by fire.
IEC 60038, IEC standard voltages.
IEC 60183, Guide to the selection of high-voltage cables.
Other documents
[1] Conférence Internationale des Grands Réseaux Electriques. Report 1968-21-012).
[2] Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Paper No. 69, CP88-PWR3).
2) Published by and obtainable from, Conférence International des Grands Réseaux Electriques (à haut tension), 112 Boulevard
Haussman, 7508, Paris, France.
3) Published by and obtainable from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 345 East 47th Street, New York,
NY 10017 USA.

blank
BS 6622:1999
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This British Standard, having

ISBN 0 580 295596 0

© BSI 26 February 2002 i

Table C.3 — Voltage test after installation 35

ii © BSI 26 February 2002

This new edition of BS 6622 has been prepared by Subcommittee GEL/20/2. It

© BSI 26 February 2002 iii

BS 923-1, Guide on high-voltage testing techniques — Part 1: General.

© BSI 26 February 2002 1

2 © BSI 26 February 2002

order to demonstrate satisfactory performance characteristics to meet the intended application

3.8/6.6 (7.2) kV; 6.35/11 (12) kV;

3.8/6.6(7.2) kV: 70 mm2;

© BSI 26 February 2002 3

The dimensions of shaped solid aluminium conductors shall be as given in Table 1.

8.3 Metallic layer

4 © BSI 26 February 2002

8.3.3 Collective metallic screen

9.3 Cables with a collective metallic screen

© BSI 26 February 2002 5

11.2 Thickness for unarmoured cables

11.4 Semi-conducting layer

Element Example of marking

a) Electric cable ELECTRIC CABLE

6 © BSI 26 February 2002

© BSI 26 February 2002 7

c) Three-core unarmoured cables with:

8 © BSI 26 February 2002

Thickness of insulation: minimum average: 3.4 mm

Thickness of insulation: minimum average: 4.5 mm

Thickness of insulation: minimum average: 5.5 mm

Table 9 — Three-core cables 12.7/22 (22) kV

16 © BSI 26 February 2002

Thickness of insulation: minimum average: 8.0 mm

Table 11 — Three-core cables 19/33 (36) kV

400 1.72 2.4 3.15 3.40 4.5 — 116.1

18 © BSI 26 February 2002

Table 12 — Schedule of tests (continued)

© BSI 26 February 2002 19

Table 13 — Tolerances on temperature values

accordance with that standard.

17.5 Partial discharge

20 © BSI 26 February 2002

Table 15 — Voltage for partial discharge test

© BSI 26 February 2002 21

Table 17 — Number of sample tests

22 © BSI 26 February 2002

18.10 Metallic layer

18.14 Strip armour

© BSI 26 February 2002 23

Table 19 — Four-hour voltage test

19 Type tests — Materials

exceed 500 W·m at 90 °C.