IS 694:1990 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for pvc insulated cables for working voltages up to and including 1100 v. IS 694 specifies the requirements and test methods for PVC insulated cables (both unsheathed and sheathed) with copper or aluminum conductors for voltages up to 1100 V. It is an essential standard used by electrical engineers to specify electrical wiring for residential, commercial, and control panel applications.
Specifies requirements for single-core and multi-core PVC insulated and PVC sheathed cables for fixed wiring in electrical installations up to 1100 V.
Key conductor resistances, insulation/sheath thicknesses, mechanical properties, and test acceptance criteria for PVC insulated cables up to 1100V.
| Reference | Value | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Rated Voltage— AC or DC voltage between conductors or to earth. | Up to 1100 V | Cl. 1.1 |
| Max. Conductor Temp (Normal)— For general purpose PVC Type A insulation. | 70 °C | Cl. 6.1 |
| Conductor Resistance (Cu, 1.5 mm²)— Max DC resistance at 20°C for Class 1 or 2. | ≤ 12.1 Ω/km | Table 1 |
| Conductor Resistance (Cu, 2.5 mm²)— Max DC resistance at 20°C for Class 1 or 2. | ≤ 7.41 Ω/km | Table 1 |
| Conductor Resistance (Al, 2.5 mm²)— Max DC resistance at 20°C for Class 1 or 2. | ≤ 12.1 Ω/km | Table 1 |
| Conductor Resistance (Al, 4.0 mm²)— Max DC resistance at 20°C for Class 1 or 2. | ≤ 7.41 Ω/km | Table 1 |
| Nom. Insulation Thickness (1.5 mm²) | 0.7 mm | Table 2 |
| Min. Insulation Thickness (1.5 mm²)— Calculated as (0.9 * t_nom) - 0.1 mm. | 0.53 mm | Table 2, Note 2 |
| Nom. Insulation Thickness (4.0 mm²) | 0.8 mm | Table 2 |
| Min. Insulation Thickness (4.0 mm²)— Calculated as (0.9 * t_nom) - 0.1 mm. | 0.62 mm | Table 2, Note 2 |
| Nom. Sheath Thickness (for 10mm dia)— For calculated dia over laid-up cores. | 1.4 mm | Table 3 |
| Min. Sheath Thickness (for 10mm dia)— Calculated as (0.8 * t_nom) - 0.2 mm. | 1.02 mm | Table 3, Note 2 |
| Insulation Tensile Strength (Min)— For PVC Type A insulation. | 12.5 N/mm² | Table 4 |
| Insulation Elongation (Min)— For PVC Type A insulation. | 150 % | Table 4 |
| Sheath Tensile Strength (Min)— For PVC Type ST1 sheath. | 12.5 N/mm² | Table 4 |
| Sheath Elongation (Min)— For PVC Type ST1 sheath. | 150 % | Table 4 |
| Insulation Resistivity (Min, 27°C)— Volume resistivity for PVC Type A. | 1 x 10¹⁴ Ω-cm | Table 4 |
| Insulation Resistivity (Min, 70°C)— Volume resistivity for PVC Type A. | 1 x 10¹¹ Ω-cm | Table 4 |
| Ageing Test Variation (Insulation)— Max variation in tensile strength after ageing. | ±25% of unaged value | Table 5 |
| High Voltage Test (AC)— Routine test applied between conductors and screen/water. | 3 kV for 5 min | Cl. 11.1.2 |
| Hot Deformation (Max Indentation)— Type test at 80°C for Type A insulation. | ≤ 50 % | Cl. 11.3.6 |
| Flammability Test (Max Burn Time)— Period of burning after removal of flame. | < 60 s | Cl. 11.3.11.2 |
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
| Parameter | IS Value | International | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rated Voltage (Uo/U) | 650/1100 V | 450/750 V | IEC 60227-3 |
| Max. Conductor Operating Temp (General Purpose PVC) | 70 °C | 70 °C (for PVC Type TI 1) | IEC 60227-1 |
| Underlying Conductor Standard | IS 8130 | IEC 60228 | IEC 60227-1 |
| Phase Core Colours (3-Phase System) | Red, Yellow, Blue | Brown, Black, Grey | BS 6004:2012 |
| AC Voltage Test (in water, 5 min) | 3.0 kV (rms) | 2.5 kV (rms) | IEC 60227-1 |
| Minimum Insulation Resistance at 20°C | Based on a constant K, which for Type A PVC is 3.67 x 10^12 Ω.m | Based on a volume resistivity of ≥ 1 x 10^12 Ω.m for PVC/C (TI 1) | IEC 60227-1 |
| Flame Propagation Test | Test on single vertical insulated wire as per IS 10810 (Part 53) | Test on a single vertical insulated wire or cable as per IEC 60332-1-2 | IEC 60227-1 |