IEC TS 62818-2:2024 PDF

Overview

IEC TS 62818-2:2024 is a Technical Specification from the IEC that standardizes test methods and characterization for fiber reinforced composite cores with a metallic matrix (MMC) used as the supporting member in conductors for overhead lines. It establishes a system of common terms, sampling and test procedures, and guidance on acceptance/failure criteria to help manufacturers, utilities and test laboratories determine core properties under normal operating and environmental conditions. This document is intended as a basis for specifications rather than prescribing final performance limits.

Key Topics

• Scope and terminology: Definitions for MMC-based fiber reinforced composite cores used in overhead conductors.
• Manufacturing, sampling and traceability: Guidance on production controls, sample selection, labeling and packaging.
• Thermal performance: Guidance on maximum continuous temperature (T_C,CORE) and temperature limits for peak loading (T_P,CORE).
• Characterization tests for single wires:
  • Appearance, diameter and mass per unit length
  • Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)
  • Mechanical properties: tensile breaking load and flexural breaking load
  • Isothermal and thermal ageing (including Arrhenius method)
  • DC electrical resistance
• Characterization tests for multi-wire (stranded) cores:
  • Appearance, diameter measurement, lay ratio and lay direction
  • Mass per unit length and tensile breaking load for stranded cores
  • Holding ability of retaining means (tape) and stranded-core CTE
• Optional/ancillary tests: twisting, crushing, salt fog (corrosion), fiber volume ratio, porosity and bending tests.
• Acceptance & reporting: Recommendations for reporting results; indicative values may be provided in annexes but the TS avoids mandatory performance thresholds.

Applications and Users

IEC TS 62818-2:2024 is useful for:

• Utilities and grid operators selecting conductor cores for new or upgraded overhead lines.
• Conductor and composite-core manufacturers establishing process controls and product data sheets.
• Independent test laboratories performing standardized mechanical, thermal and electrical tests on MMC cores.
• Procurement teams and spec writers creating contract specifications and acceptance criteria for composite-core conductors.
• R&D teams comparing MMC core variants and accelerating life-prediction studies (Arrhenius thermal aging).

Keywords: IEC TS 62818-2:2024, metallic matrix composite cores, MMC, fiber reinforced composite core, conductors for overhead lines, thermal ageing, tensile breaking load, coefficient of thermal expansion.

Related Standards

Normative references include:

• IEC 60068-2-11 (salt mist testing)
• IEC 60216-1 (thermal endurance / ageing evaluation)
• IEC 60468 (resistivity of metallic materials)
• IEC 63248 (related conductor standards)

This Technical Specification provides harmonized test procedures to improve comparability and confidence in MMC composite core data for overhead conductor applications.