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IS 1554:1988 Part 1 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for pvc insulated (heavy duty) electric cables for working voltages up to and including 1100 v - part 1: for aluminium conductors. IS 1554 Part 1 specifies the manufacturing guidelines, construction requirements, and testing procedures for heavy-duty PVC insulated and PVC sheathed cables with aluminium or copper conductors for working voltages up to 1.1 kV. It dictates the dimensional standards for insulation, inner sheathing, armouring, and outer sheathing to ensure electrical and mechanical safety.
Covers requirements for PVC insulated heavy-duty electric cables with aluminium conductors for voltages up to and including 1100 V.
Quick Reference — Top IS 1554 Part 1:1988 Values
Key electrical, mechanical, and dimensional properties for PVC insulated heavy-duty aluminium cables up to 1100V.
✓ Verified 2026-04-27
Reference
Value
Clause
Rated Voltage (Uo/U)— For AC systems. Uo is voltage to earth, U is voltage between conductors.
650/1100 V
Cl. 1.1
Max. Conductor Temp (Normal Operation)— For Type A PVC insulation.
70°C
Cl. 5.1
Max. Conductor Temp (Short Circuit)— For duration up to 5 seconds.
160°C
Cl. 5.1
Max. DC Resistance (1.5 sq mm)— At 20°C. For solid or stranded conductors.
12.1 Ω/km
Cl. 4.1 (Table 1)
Max. DC Resistance (16 sq mm)— At 20°C. For stranded conductors.
1.91 Ω/km
Cl. 4.1 (Table 1)
Max. DC Resistance (95 sq mm)— At 20°C. For stranded conductors.
0.320 Ω/km
Cl. 4.1 (Table 1)
Min. No. of Strands (16 sq mm)— For Class 2 stranded circular or shaped conductors.
7
Cl. 4.1 (Table 1)
Min. No. of Strands (95 sq mm)— For Class 2 stranded circular or shaped conductors.
19
Cl. 4.1 (Table 1)
Nominal Insulation Thickness (1.5-2.5 sq mm)
0.7 mm
Cl. 5.2 (Table 2)
Nominal Insulation Thickness (16 sq mm)
1.0 mm
Cl. 5.2 (Table 2)
Nominal Insulation Thickness (95 sq mm)
1.6 mm
Cl. 5.2 (Table 2)
Min. Inner Sheath Thickness— For multicore cables with laid-up cores.
0.3 mm
Cl. 8.2.2
Nominal Armour Strip Thickness— For flat strip armour.
0.8 mm
Cl. 9.2 (Table 5)
Nominal Armour Wire Diameter— For cable dia. over inner sheath >13mm to 25mm.
1.6 mm
Cl. 9.2 (Table 4)
Nominal Outer Sheath Thickness— For calculated cable dia. >25mm to 40mm.
1.8 mm
Cl. 10.2 (Table 6)
Min. Outer Sheath Thickness— Formula for armoured cables. tₛ is nominal thickness.
Nominal tₛ - (0.2 + 0.2*tₛ)
Cl. 10.2.2
AC High Voltage Test— Applied for 5 minutes between conductor and screen/armour/water.
3 kV (rms)
Cl. 16.2.1
Min. Insulation Resistance Constant (K) at 70°C— Value for Type A PVC from IS 5831, used for IR test at max. temp.
0.0367 MΩ-km
Cl. 16.3.2
Min. Tensile Strength (Insulation/Sheath)— For Type A insulation and Type ST1 sheath, as per IS 5831.
12.5 MPa
Cl. 17.1
Min. Elongation at Break (Insulation/Sheath)— For Type A insulation and Type ST1 sheath, as per IS 5831.
150%
Cl. 17.1
Flammability Test: Min. Unburnt Length— Distance from lower edge of top clamp after flame is removed.
≥ 50 mm
Cl. 17.6
Flammability Test: Max. Burning Time— Maximum duration of burning after removal of flame.
≤ 60 s
Cl. 17.6
⚠ Verify against the latest BIS/IRC publication and project specifications. Amendment Slips may modify values.
! PVC cables have a lower current carrying capacity than XLPE cables (IS 7098) due to a lower maximum operating temperature (70°C vs 90°C).
! Always specify FRLS (Fire Retardant Low Smoke) outer sheathing additionally if the cables are to be routed indoors or in confined spaces, as standard PVC emits toxic smoke when burned.
! Wire armouring provides better flexibility and mechanical strength against pulling tension compared to strip armouring, but strip armouring is more economical.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
PVCaluminiumcoppergalvanized steel
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
IEC 60502-1:2021IEC (International)
HighCurrent
Power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for rated voltages from 1 kV (Um = 1,2 kV) up to 30 kV (Um = 36 kV) - Part 1: Cables for rated voltages of 1 kV (Um = 1,2 kV) and 3 kV (Um = 3,6 kV)
Covers PVC insulated power cables for rated voltage 0.6/1 kV, which is functionally equivalent to the 1100 V class.
BS 6346:1997BSI (UK)
HighWithdrawn
Electric cables. PVC insulated, armoured cables for voltages of 600/1000 V and 1900/3300 V
Covered PVC insulated armoured cables at 600/1000V, a direct equivalent to the armoured cables in IS 1554.
DIN VDE 0276-603:2010DIN/VDE (Germany)
HighCurrent
Distribution cables of rated voltage 0.6/1 kV
German implementation of European standard HD 603, based on IEC 60502, covering PVC distribution cables.
AS/NZS 5000.1:2005Standards Australia/New Zealand
HighCurrent
Electric cables - Polymeric insulated - Part 1: For working voltages up to and including 0.6/1 kV
Specifies requirements for PVC and other polymeric insulated cables, including those for applications similar to IS 1554.
Key Differences
≠The scope of IS 1554 Part 1 is strictly limited to Aluminium conductors, whereas IEC 60502-1 covers both Copper and Aluminium conductors within the same document.
≠IS 1554:1988 specifies very basic flammability tests (as per IS 10810 Part 53). In contrast, modern international standards like IEC 60502-1 mandate more stringent fire performance tests, including flame propagation on single (IEC 60332-1) and bunched cables (IEC 60332-3 series), which are critical for safety in installations.
≠IS 1554 specifies PVC Type ST1 for both inner and outer sheaths. IEC 60502-1 provides for different sheath types (e.g., ST1, ST2) based on application requirements, with ST2 (a harder, more oil-resistant compound) often being the default for outer sheaths in many specifications.
≠The Indian standard specifies a single 'working voltage' of 1100 V (1.1 kV). International standards like IEC 60502-1 use a Uo/U (phase-to-earth/phase-to-phase) designation, such as 0.6/1 kV, which more accurately defines the system conditions the cable is designed for.
Key Similarities
≈Both standards specify a maximum continuous conductor operating temperature of 70°C for general-purpose PVC insulation, ensuring similar thermal limits and current-carrying capacity calculations under normal conditions.
≈The maximum DC resistance values for conductors at 20°C are harmonized. Both IS 1554 and IEC 60502-1 reference conductor requirements that are based on IEC 60228, ensuring electrical performance of the conductors is equivalent.
≈The fundamental construction of the cable is the same, defining a layered structure of conductor, insulation, inner sheath/bedding, optional armour (metallic strips or wires), and an overall outer sheath.
≈Many of the basic test methods for physical properties (e.g., tensile strength, elongation at break for insulation and sheath) and electrical properties (e.g., insulation resistance, high voltage withstand test) are based on the same principles, as the Indian test standard series (IS 10810) is largely derived from the IEC 60811 series.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Rated Voltage
Up to and including 1100 V
0.6/1 kV (Uo/U)
IEC 60502-1:2021
Conductor Material
Aluminium only (in Part 1)
Copper or Aluminium
IEC 60502-1:2021
Max. Normal Operating Temperature (PVC)
70 °C
70 °C
IEC 60502-1:2021
Insulation Material Type
PVC Type A
PVC/A
IEC 60502-1:2021
Outer Sheath Material Type (Default)
PVC Type ST1
PVC Type ST2
IEC 60502-1:2021
Nominal Insulation Thickness (50 sq.mm conductor)
1.4 mm
1.4 mm
IEC 60502-1:2021
Max. DC Resistance (50 sq.mm Al, Class 2 at 20°C)
0.720 Ω/km
0.720 Ω/km
IEC 60228
High Voltage Test (AC)
3 kV for 5 minutes
3.5 kV for 5 minutes
IEC 60502-1:2021
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
voltage ratingUp to and including 1100 V
max operating temperature70°C
max short circuit temperature160°C
routine high voltage test3 kV AC for 5 minutes
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Nominal Thickness of Insulation
Table 2 - Thickness of Inner Sheath
Table 3 - Dimensions of Round Armour Wire
Table 4 - Dimensions of Formed Wire (Strip) Armour