What is BS EN IEC 61238-1-2- Requirements for insulation piercing connectors about?
BS EN IEC 61238-1-2 is an international standard on electric cable accessories that applies to insulation piercing connectors for power cables for rated voltages up to 1 kV (Um = 1,2 kV), for example, according to IEC 60502-1 or other buried cables and cables installed in buildings, having:
- Conductors complying with IEC 60228 having nominal cross-sectional areas between 2,5 mm2 and 300 mm2 for copper and between 16 mm2 and 500 mm2 for aluminium
- A maximum continuous cable temperature not exceeding the insulation material properties
Note: BS EN IEC 61238-1-2 is not applicable to connectors for overhead line conductors nor to connectors with a sliding contact.
Who is BS EN IEC 61238-1-2-Requirements for insulation piercing connectors for?
BS EN IEC 61238-1-2 on compression and mechanical connectors are relevant to:
- Insulation piercing connector manufacturers
- Electric conductor, connector and cable manufacturers
- Construction industry
- Electronics industry
- Electrical and civil engineers
Why should you use BS EN IEC 61238-1-2- Requirements for insulation piercing connectors?
Compression connectors are for one-time use while mechanical connectors are used to ground electrical installations.
The object of BS EN IEC 61238-1-2 is to define the type test methods and requirements, which apply to insulation piercing connectors for power cables with copper or aluminium conductors.
When a design of connector meets the requirements of BS EN IEC 61238-1-2, then it is expected that in service:
- The resistance of the connection remains stable, within specified limits
- The temperature of the connector is of the same order or less than that of the insulated conductor during current heating
- If the intended use demands it, application of short-circuit currents cannot affect the aforementioned parameters
- Independently from the electrical performance, conforming axial tensile strength can ensure an acceptable mechanical performance for the connections to the cable conductors, when applicable
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN IEC 61238-1-2:2019 replaces IEC 61238-1:2003 with the following technical changes:
- A new mechanical class has been introduced to satisfy the demand for connectors subjected to no mechanical force
- The electrical test method has been updated in order to take into consideration the temperature of the insulated reference conductors
- For the short-circuit test, the method of calculation and requirements have been updated
- For the mechanical test, the methods and requirements have been updated.
- Different test proposals for multicore connector testing have been introduced
