Elongation and tensile strength test: in PVC normal and aged conditions. This type of test is performed with a traction machine that applies strength to the insulation or jacket (plastic compound) until it ruptures. Consequently, the elongation and tensile strength is verified to the aged and normal sample.

Tensile Strength and elongation for wires test. The testing is performed to the wires with a traction machine until they rupture. Consequently, the elongation and tensile strength of the conductor wire’s rupture is verified.

Adhesion test. This testing is applied exclusively to the insulated wires. A sample is put on a vertical device, where we apply force to test if it glides.

Verification of specifications:

• Insulation thickness.
• Inner diameter - under jacket.
• Outer diameter - complete cable dimension.

Length of lay wiring Distancia entre que ingresa y sale un alambre, conductor desnudo o aislado al cablearlo.

Dielectric voltage and insulation resistance It is an electric test where the cable is submerged on a pool and a specific voltage is applied. We verify the continuity, and measure the insulation resistance with a megaohmmeter. The objective of this test is to verify that the insulation is fully-functioning and not damaged.

Electricalresistance and Conductivity The electric resistance is measured in an ohmimmeter at a 20ºC temperature. The resistivity and conductivity are calculated with a formula.

Spark test All extruders have a SPARK equipment (electrical test equipment) in which an insulated cable is tested with the application of voltages. This is according to the specification thickness.

Dielectric and continuity Electric tests are done to the plugs and connectors with a 1.5 kv voltage. The equipment test the polarity, the continuity and the dielectric.

Flame tests This test, which runs on a chamber, is applied to the insulated cables. They are covered in fire, both horizontally and vertically.

Deformation This test is done in an oven with a specific temperature and time. We place the sample over a device with the cable weight.

Heat shock This test is run on an oven: the cable is rolled on a mandrel and it mustn’t have cracks, nor fissures on the insulation area.

Cold bend This test is done on a cold chamber with a specific temperature and time: the cable is rolled on a mandrel and it mustn’t have cracks, nor fissures in the insulation area.

Capacitance and relative permittivity We implement a water temperature control system where the cables are submerged. The capacitance is measured on the first, seventh and fourteenth day of the cable submersion. We measure the cable’s accumulated power with a capacitance meter. Relative permittivity is calculated at the first day.

Crush resistance A compression charge is applied to the cable, until its insulation area suffers from rupture.

Impact resistance We drop some weight at a specific height until the cable’s insulation area suffers from rupture.

Dielectric Voltage withstand an operating temperature The cable is submerged under water at the work temperature. Some voltage is applied until the cable is ruptured.

Flexibility at room temperature after aging The sample is put in the oven at a rule-specified temperature and time. A compression charge is applied in the machine until the insulation area is ruptured. Some voltage at an operating temperature is also applied.

Liquid compatibility ARun on battery cables. The samples are submerged for 24 hours in fluids, such as oil, gas, hydraulic oil, methanol, diesel, brake fluid, battery acid, etc. at a cool temperature and a 50ºC one. Afterwards, we dry the cable and apply some voltage.

HOT CREEP or HOT SET testing This test is only applied to insulated cables with cross-linked polyethylene. It is performed in an oven to see how the cable stretches and recovers at a subsequent hot and cool temperature.

Abrasion test This testing is applied on THHN/THWN/THWN-2 cables to see how they wear away: the cable goes through a 800 cycle sandpaper. The insulation mustn’t break.

Thermomechanical overload test The initial dimensions and electric resistance are verified. We apply a 1, 20% overload of the nominal amperage, while applying voltage in accordance with the conductor area. After the overload application, there is a cool down period in which the dimensions and electric resistance are verified: it mustn’t vary over +/-5%.

Sustained voltage at an operating temperature The cable is submerged under nominal temperature water. Afterwards, voltage is applied until the insulation area is ruptured.

Gas and oil resistance The cable is submerged in an oil and gas filled container, and then a traction and rupture testing is applied to the PVC.

• Hardness.- it is measured with a durometer over several places of the PVC test tube
• Density.- the sample, which is submerged in water, is measured with a test tube
• Tensile Strength and elongation.- the test is done on a traction machine. Some voltage to the PVC cable is applied until it is ruptured; then, the elongation and tensile of the rupture is verified to the normal and aged-state sample.