IS 10810:1984 Part 2 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for conductors for insulated cables and flexible cords - part 2: aluminium conductors. This standard specifies the requirements for solid, stranded, and flexible circular aluminium conductors used in insulated electrical cables. It details the material properties, temper grades (H2/H4), construction, dimensions, and test methods, including electrical resistance and mechanical strength.
Specifies requirements for aluminium conductors used in insulated cables and flexible cords.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
IS 10810 Part 2 (1984) provides Conductors for Insulated Cables and Flexible Cords — Part 2: Aluminium Conductors. The IS standard for aluminium conductors used in power cables — widely used in Indian power transmission + distribution + building electricals.
Use when: specifying power cable conductors; distribution + transmission cable design; building electrical installations; substation construction.
Conductor types: - Solid aluminium: for smaller cross-sections (≤ 16 mm²) - Stranded aluminium: for larger sections (16+ mm²); more flexible - Compacted stranded: higher density per area; preferred - Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR): with steel core (for transmission)
Material grade: - Hard-drawn aluminium (AL): higher strength, lower conductivity - Soft-drawn aluminium (AL-1): lower strength, higher conductivity - Heat-treated alloy aluminium: for special applications
Standard cross-sections (mm²): - 16, 25, 35, 50, 70, 95, 120, 150, 185, 240, 300, 400, 500, 630, 800, 1000 mm² - Per IS 10810 standard sizes
Insulation types: - PVC: general purpose; 1 kV rating - XLPE: higher temperature + voltage; 3.3-33 kV; preferred for modern installations - Paper-insulated: older; legacy applications - Rubber: flexible; smaller cables
Current carrying capacity: - Depends on conductor size, insulation type, installation method - Per IS 7098 (XLPE) or relevant cable code - Ambient temperature derating factor - Group factor for multi-cable runs
Conductor resistance (typical, at 20 °C): - 16 mm² aluminium: 1.91 Ω/km - 25 mm²: 1.20 Ω/km - 50 mm²: 0.641 Ω/km - 100 mm²: 0.320 Ω/km - 250 mm²: 0.124 Ω/km - Increases with temperature
Current capacity (typical, ambient 30 °C, in air): - 16 mm² XLPE: 50-70 A - 25 mm² XLPE: 70-95 A - 50 mm² XLPE: 110-150 A - 100 mm² XLPE: 180-240 A - 250 mm² XLPE: 330-440 A
Voltage ratings: - LV: 1.1 kV (general) - MV: 3.3-33 kV (distribution) - HV: 66-220 kV (transmission) - Per cable / insulation specification
Aluminium vs Copper: - Aluminium: lower cost, lower density (1/3 of copper), lower conductivity (61 % of copper) - Copper: higher cost + density, higher conductivity - Aluminium needs larger cross-section for same current - Both widely used; choice based on cost + space
Quality acceptance: - Conductor diameter + cross-section per IS 10810 - Resistance per IS 10810 specification - Tensile strength (for hard-drawn) - Visual: no defects, no coating damage - NABL-accredited testing
1. Aluminium connections not properly torqued → loosening + heating + fire risk. 2. Mixed copper / aluminium connections without bi-metallic connector → galvanic corrosion. 3. Under-sized conductor for current → overheating + voltage drop. 4. No derating for hot environment → overheating. 5. Multiple cables grouped without group factor → cumulative overheating. 6. Cable not certified → quality compromised. 7. Termination quality poor → resistance + arcing. 8. No NABL certified testing → quality unverified.
1. Specification per cable size + voltage rating. 2. Procurement per IS 10810. 3. Installation per IS 5613 / project requirements. 4. Termination + jointing per IS 8011. 5. Commissioning + insulation test. 6. Periodic inspection (annual). 7. Service life 25-40 years (depending on environment). 8. Replacement when degraded.
IS 10810 Part 2 is the aluminium conductor reference for India's electrical infrastructure — applied on every power cable project.
| Parameter | IS Value | International | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. DC Resistance (10 mm² Stranded Conductor) | 3.08 Ω/km (as per IS 8130) | 3.08 Ω/km | IEC 60228:2004 |
| Max. DC Resistance (50 mm² Stranded Conductor) | 0.641 Ω/km (as per IS 8130) | 0.641 Ω/km | IEC 60228:2004 |
| Max. DC Resistance (50 mm² Flexible Conductor) | 0.654 Ω/km (as per IS 8130) | 0.641 Ω/km | IEC 60228:2004 |
| Min. Number of Wires (95 mm² Stranded Conductor) | 19 (as per IS 8130) | 19 | IEC 60228:2004 |
| Max. Diameter of Wires (95 mm² Flexible Conductor) | 0.51 mm (as per IS 8130) | 0.51 mm | IEC 60228:2004 |
| Implied Max. Volume Resistivity at 20°C | 0.028264 ohm·mm²/m (as per IS 8130) | 0.028264 ohm·mm²/m (basis for resistance calculation) | IEC 60228:2004 |