by Brianna Crandall — May 15, 2015—The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) published last week the ANSI/NEMA WC 57/ICEA S-73-532-2014 American National Standard for Control, Thermocouple Extension, and Instrumentation Cables. This standard applies to materials, construction, and testing of multiconductor control, thermocouple extension, and instrumentation cables rated up to and including 125°C. Users and producers of insulated cable will find this standard useful, says NEMA.
Control cables are multiconductor cables that convey electrical signals used for monitoring or controlling electrical power systems and their associated processes, explains NEMA. They convey signals between devices interfaced directly with the electrical power system, such as current transformers, potential transformers, relays, switches, and meters.
Instrumentation cables and thermocouple extensions are multiconductor cables that convey low-energy electrical signals (circuits that are inherently power limited) used for monitoring or controlling electrical power systems and their associated processes, adds NEMA. Both convey signals from process monitors to process analyzers (usually electronic equipment), and from the analyzers to control equipment in the electric power system.
Construction details and test requirements for cables rated above 125°C can be found in the NEMA HP-100 High-Temperature Instrumentation and Control Cables series of standards.
ANSI/NEMA WC 57/ICEA S-73-532-2014 may be downloaded or purchased in hard copy for $146 on the NEMA Web site.
