scope:

This Standard applies to single-polarity, hand-, or tool-applied splicing wire and cable connectors intended for use with all alloys of copper, aluminum conductors, or copper-clad aluminum conductors, or all three, in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code Part I, C22.1, in Canada, the National Electrical Code, NFPA-70, in the United States of America, or the Standard for Electrical Installations, NOM-001-SEDE, in Mexico, as follows:

Note: Copper-clad aluminum conductors are for use only in the United States in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70.

a) Connectors intended to hold two or more conductor(s);

b) Connectors intended for use in appliances and equipment that comply with the requirements for such appliances and equipment;

c) Connectors intended for use with 6 AWG (13.3 mm²) or smaller conductors;

d) Uninsulated connectors that are used in circuits rated 8 000 V and less;

e) Connectors intended for use in air-handling spacesi; and

f) Exothermically welded wire connectors

Note: Examples of splicing wire connectors include twist-on connectors, insulation-piercing or displacement connectors, springaction connectors, tool-applied crimp, mechanical set-screw connectors, etc.

This Standard is intended for splicing wire connectors suitable for use with conductors in the size ranges as follows:

a) Aluminum:

1) 12 AWG (3.3 mm²) and 10 AWG (5.3 mm²) solid;

2) 12 AWG (3.3 mm²) to 6 AWG (13.3 mm²) stranded, Class B concentric, compressed, and compact; and

3) 12 AWG (3.3 mm²) to 6 AWG (13.3 mm²) stranded single input wire (SIW).

In Mexico, the use of aluminum conductors is permitted only with thermoset insulation and for sizes of 6 AWG (13.3 mm²) and higher.

b) Copper-clad aluminum:

1) In Canada, this construction is not allowed.

2) In Mexico, this construction is not allowed.

3) In the United States:

i) 12 AWG (3.3 mm²) and 10 AWG (5.3 mm²) solid; and

ii) 12 AWG (3.3 mm²) to 6 AWG (13.3 mm²) stranded, Class B concentric, compressed, and Class C concentric.

c) Copper:

1) 30 AWG (0.05 mm²) to 10 AWG (5.3 mm²) solid; and

For the current-cycling, static-heating sequence, and mechanical sequence tests, when more than a single conductor is secured by a single securing means, tests on duplicate specimens shall be conducted to represent the most severe conductor position conditions that could result when conductors are assembled into the connector.

A connector of copper or copper alloy need not be subjected to the current-cycling test using copper conductors, unless the connector is dependent upon insulation piercing, insulation displacement, or spring action.

A twist-on connector provided with a metal insert need not be subjected to the current-cycling test using copper conductors. A twist-on connector not provided with a metal spring shall be subjected to the current-cycling test.

With reference to 7.1.5 and 7.1.6, a pre-filled twist-on connector, with or without a spring insert, shall also be subjected to the current-cycling test using copper conductors.

Note: Pre-filling usually consists of a gel, epoxy, anti-oxidant, or similar compound.

The initial static-heating test need not be conducted in the static-heating sequence using copper conductor.

Conductor-sizes 30 - 20 AWG (0.05 - 0.52 mm²) need not be subjected to the secureness test in the static-heating sequence or mechanical sequence.

Specimen sets shall be subjected to the test sequences using the conductor material specified in Table 5 for the one or more conductor material combinations for which the connector is intended. The dielectric withstand, stress corrosion, secureness of insulation, flexing, and low temperature installation tests may be conducted using either copper or aluminum or copper-clad aluminum conductor. When a connector is rated for copper-to-copper, aluminum-to-aluminum, and copper-to-aluminum (intermixed), or copper-clad aluminum, the mechanical sequence with copper-to-aluminum conductors may be omitted.

Testing using AWG conductors shall be considered representative of Class 1 and 2 metric conductors (rigid solid and rigid stranded) within the cross-sectional area envelope of the rated AWG range. A connector rated for Class 5 and 6 metric conductors (flexible stranded) shall be subjected to all test sequences using flexible metric conductors.

Tests conducted on a connector with compact-stranded copper conductors shall be considered representative of concentric and compressed stranded copper conductors of the same size. Tests conducted on a connector with compact, compressed, or concentric-stranded aluminum conductors shall represent tests with compact, concentric, and compressed stranded aluminum conductors of the same size. See Table 9.