scope:

This guide provides information on the specification and selection of power, control, and special-purpose cable, as typically used in petroleum, chemical, and similar plants. It addresses materials, design, testing, installations, and applications. More recent developments such as fire-resistive circuit integrity cables have been included. This guide is not intended to be a design document, although many of the problems associated with the specification and selection of power, control, and special-purpose cable for petroleum and chemical plant applications can be avoided by considering the information presented in this guide. It is recognized that there may be other types of cable used in the petroleum and chemical industries, especially considering the global marketplace. This guide should not be interpreted as precluding the use of such cables.

Purpose

The purpose of this guide is to provide the user with cable designs, applications, and test procedures that are common to the petroleum, chemical, or similar type of industry. It is intended as an informational tool for the new as well as the more seasoned engineer. In this capacity, it contains an extensive single-point reference and cross-reference list of standards as they apply to the wire and cable industry, including U.S. and Canadian standards. It provides application guidelines for the type of installations found in petroleum and chemical plants as they relate to electrical, mechanical, physical, thermal, and environmental properties of the cable. The use of this guide should help to eliminate premature cable failure due to improper specification, selection, and application of cable in petroleum and chemical plants.

Application of various national and international standards

It is recognized that various national and international standards for equipment and installations are not identical. However, it is recognized that mixing of standards is occasionally necessary. Therefore, the application of any of these standards is the choice of the user, authority having jurisdiction, and