1. Introduction to AS/NZS Certification Testing AS/NZS认证测试简介

For electric cables to be sold and installed in Australia and New Zealand, they must comply with the comprehensive testing requirements established by the joint AS/NZS standards framework. These standards ensure that cables meet minimum performance, safety, and durability requirements for their intended applications. The sheath, being the cable’s outermost protective layer, must undergo rigorous hardness and abrasion testing to verify it can withstand the mechanical stresses encountered during installation and service life.

电缆要在澳大利亚和新西兰销售和安装，必须符合AS/NZS联合标准框架规定的综合测试要求。这些标准确保电缆满足其预期应用的最低性能、安全性和耐久性要求。护套作为电缆的最外层保护层，必须经过严格的硬度和磨损测试，以验证其能够承受安装和使用寿命期间遇到的机械应力。

The primary standard governing insulating and sheathing materials for electric cables is AS/NZS 3808, which specifies the tests and criteria for elastomeric, PVC, reduced fire hazard, and polyolefin insulating and sheathing materials. This standard applies to electric cables and cords designed for working voltages up to and including 76/132(145) kV and references test methods from the AS/NZS 1660 series and international IEC 60811 standards.

规范电缆绝缘和护套材料的主要标准是AS/NZS 3808，该标准规定了弹性体、PVC、低火灾危险性和聚烯烃绝缘和护套材料的测试和标准。该标准适用于工作电压高达76/132(145) kV的电缆和软线，并参考AS/NZS 1660系列和国际IEC 60811标准的测试方法。

Reference: Standards New Zealand – AS/NZS 3808:2000

2. Governing Standards Framework 适用标准框架

Understanding the relationship between various AS/NZS standards is essential for ensuring comprehensive compliance. The testing requirements for cable sheaths are distributed across multiple interrelated standards, each serving a specific purpose in the certification process.

了解各种AS/NZS标准之间的关系对于确保全面合规至关重要。电缆护套的测试要求分布在多个相互关联的标准中，每个标准在认证过程中都有其特定目的。

Reference: Standards Australia – AS/NZS 1660.2.1:1998

3. Mandatory Hardness Testing Requirements 强制性硬度测试要求

Hardness testing is a fundamental requirement for verifying that cable sheath materials possess the appropriate mechanical properties for their intended application. The hardness of a sheath material directly influences its flexibility, durability, and resistance to mechanical damage.

硬度测试是验证电缆护套材料是否具有适合其预期应用的机械性能的基本要求。护套材料的硬度直接影响其柔韧性、耐久性和抗机械损伤能力。

3.1 Shore Hardness Test Method Shore硬度测试方法

The Shore A Hardness Test is the primary method used for determining the indentation hardness of rubber and soft plastic sheath materials. This test is conducted according to ASTM D2240, ISO 868, and ISO 7619-1 standards, which specify a method of determining the indentation hardness using a Durometer with the ‘A scale’ in the nominal hardness range. The Shore A scale measures hardness of rubbers ranging from very soft and flexible, through medium and somewhat flexible, to hard with almost no flexibility at all.

Shore A硬度测试是确定橡胶和软塑料护套材料压痕硬度的主要方法。该测试按照ASTM D2240、ISO 868和ISO 7619-1标准进行，这些标准规定了使用带有”A刻度”的硬度计在标称硬度范围内确定压痕硬度的方法。Shore A刻度测量橡胶的硬度范围从非常柔软和柔韧，到中等和稍微柔韧，再到几乎没有柔韧性的坚硬材料。

Reference: Eland Cables – Shore A Hardness Test for Cables

3.2 Test Specimen Requirements 测试试样要求

For valid hardness measurements, the surface of the test piece must be flat and placed over an area with sufficient size to permit the pressure foot of the Durometer to come into contact with the test piece over a radius of at least 6mm from the indenter point. Satisfactory hardness determinations cannot be made on rounded, uneven, or rough surfaces using Durometers. The minimum thickness for accurate testing is typically 6mm, though multiple layers may be stacked to achieve this thickness if necessary.

为获得有效的硬度测量值，测试件表面必须平坦，并放置在足够大的区域上，使硬度计的压脚能够在距压头点至少6mm半径范围内与测试件接触。使用硬度计无法在圆形、不平整或粗糙表面上进行令人满意的硬度测定。准确测试的最小厚度通常为6mm，但如有必要，可以堆叠多层以达到此厚度。

Reference: ZwickRoell – Shore Hardness Test Standards

3.3 Hardness Requirements by Sheath Material 按护套材料分类的硬度要求

Reference: ISO 868:2003 – Determination of indentation hardness by durometer

4. Abrasion Resistance Testing 耐磨性测试

Abrasion resistance is a critical property for cable sheaths, particularly for cables used in mining, industrial, and trailing applications where the outer surface is subjected to continuous mechanical wear. The AS/NZS standards reference internationally recognised test methods to evaluate how well sheath materials resist surface degradation from friction and rubbing contact.

耐磨性是电缆护套的关键性能，特别是用于采矿、工业和拖曳应用的电缆，其外表面承受持续的机械磨损。AS/NZS标准参考国际公认的测试方法，以评估护套材料抵抗摩擦和摩擦接触造成的表面退化的能力。

4.1 ISO 4649 Rotating Drum Abrasion Test ISO 4649旋转鼓磨损测试

The primary international standard for abrasion testing of rubber sheath materials is ISO 4649, which specifies two methods for determining the resistance of rubber to abrasion by means of a rotating cylindrical drum device. The test methods involve determination of the volume loss due to the abrasive action of rubbing a test piece over a specified grade of abrasive sheet. Method A uses a non-rotating test piece while Method B uses a rotating test piece, with the abrasion occurring over one end surface of a cylindrical test specimen.

橡胶护套材料磨损测试的主要国际标准是ISO 4649，该标准规定了通过旋转圆柱鼓装置测定橡胶耐磨性的两种方法。测试方法涉及测定因测试件在规定等级的磨料片上摩擦的磨蚀作用而产生的体积损失。方法A使用非旋转测试件，方法B使用旋转测试件，磨损发生在圆柱形测试试样的一个端面上。

Reference: ISO 4649:2017 – Rubber abrasion resistance using rotating cylindrical drum

4.2 Abrasion Test Procedure 磨损测试程序

4.3 Expression of Results 结果表示

The abrasion test results can be expressed in two ways. The relative volume loss is calculated from the mass loss of the test piece divided by its density, and compared to a calibrated abrasive sheet using a standard reference compound. The abrasion resistance index is calculated as the ratio of the volume loss of a reference compound to the volume loss of the test rubber, expressed as a percentage. It is important to note that a lower relative volume loss value indicates better abrasion resistance, while a higher abrasion resistance index indicates better performance.

磨损测试结果可以用两种方式表示。相对体积损失由测试件的质量损失除以其密度计算得出，并使用标准参考化合物与校准的磨料片进行比较。磨损阻力指数计算为参考化合物的体积损失与测试橡胶的体积损失之比，以百分比表示。重要的是要注意，较低的相对体积损失值表示更好的耐磨性，而较高的磨损阻力指数表示更好的性能。

Reference: Fenner Dunlop – Abrasion Standards and Test Methods

5. Mechanical Property Tests 机械性能测试

In addition to hardness and abrasion testing, AS/NZS certification requires comprehensive mechanical property testing to ensure the sheath material can withstand the physical stresses encountered during cable installation and operation. These tests verify the material’s structural integrity and long-term performance capability.

除硬度和磨损测试外，AS/NZS认证还要求进行全面的机械性能测试，以确保护套材料能够承受电缆安装和运行期间遇到的物理应力。这些测试验证材料的结构完整性和长期性能能力。

5.1 Tensile Strength and Elongation 拉伸强度和伸长率

Tensile strength and elongation at break are fundamental mechanical properties that must be tested for all sheath materials. The test for cable tensile strength and elongation is performed on materials in the condition as manufactured, with subsequent testing after accelerated ageing also required to assess how ageing affects the mechanical properties. The materials used for sheathing have predefined requirements for minimum elongation and tensile strength, with permissible variation after ageing specified in the relevant material standards.

断裂拉伸强度和伸长率是必须为所有护套材料测试的基本机械性能。电缆拉伸强度和伸长率的测试在材料制造状态下进行，同时还需要在加速老化后进行后续测试，以评估老化对机械性能的影响。用于护套的材料对最小伸长率和拉伸强度有预定要求，老化后允许的变化在相关材料标准中规定。

Reference: Eland Cables – Tensile and Elongation Testing

5.2 Tear Resistance Test 撕裂强度测试

The tear test evaluates the sheath material’s resistance to propagation of a cut or nick that may occur during installation or service. AS/NZS 1660.2.1 specifies the test procedure, which involves measuring the force required to tear a standard-shaped test specimen. This property is particularly important for heavy-duty mining cables where the sheath may be subjected to sharp objects or edges during deployment and retrieval operations.

撕裂测试评估护套材料抵抗安装或使用期间可能发生的切口或刻痕扩展的能力。AS/NZS 1660.2.1规定了测试程序，包括测量撕裂标准形状测试试样所需的力。此性能对于重型采矿电缆尤为重要，因为在部署和回收操作期间，护套可能会接触到锋利的物体或边缘。

6. Thermal Ageing Tests 热老化测试

Thermal ageing tests are mandatory to verify that sheath materials maintain their mechanical and physical properties over the intended service life of the cable. These tests simulate the effects of long-term exposure to elevated temperatures that occur during normal cable operation.

热老化测试是强制性的，用于验证护套材料在电缆预期使用寿命内保持其机械和物理性能。这些测试模拟正常电缆运行期间长期暴露于高温的影响。

6.1 Air Oven Ageing Test 空气烘箱老化测试

The air oven ageing test, conducted according to AS/NZS 1660.2.2 (which references IEC 60811-401), subjects test specimens to elevated temperatures for specified durations to accelerate the natural ageing process. After ageing, specimens are tested for tensile strength and elongation, with the results compared to unaged material to determine the percentage retention of these properties.

空气烘箱老化测试根据AS/NZS 1660.2.2（参考IEC 60811-401）进行，将测试试样暴露于高温下规定的时间，以加速自然老化过程。老化后，测试试样的拉伸强度和伸长率，将结果与未老化材料进行比较，以确定这些性能的保留百分比。

Reference: Tratos Group – IEC 60811 Test Methods

6.2 Hot Set Test (Elastomeric Materials) 热延伸测试（弹性体材料）

The hot set test is specific to thermosetting (cross-linked) sheath materials such as PCP, CSP, and EPR. This test verifies that the material has been properly cross-linked during manufacture by measuring the elongation under load at elevated temperature and the permanent set after cooling. Inadequate cross-linking would result in excessive elongation or permanent deformation, indicating the material would not maintain its properties during service at elevated temperatures.

热延伸测试专门用于热固性（交联）护套材料，如PCP、CSP和EPR。该测试通过测量在高温下负载下的伸长率和冷却后的永久变形来验证材料在制造过程中是否已正确交联。交联不足会导致过度伸长或永久变形，表明材料在高温服务期间不会保持其性能。

7. Material-Specific Requirements 材料特定要求

Different sheath materials require additional specific tests beyond the common mechanical and thermal tests. AS/NZS 3808 specifies particular tests for each material type to verify suitability for the intended application.

不同的护套材料除了通用的机械和热测试外，还需要额外的特定测试。AS/NZS 3808规定了每种材料类型的特定测试，以验证其适用于预期应用。

7.1 PVC Sheath Additional Tests PVC护套附加测试

7.2 Elastomeric Sheath Additional Tests 弹性体护套附加测试

7.3 Polyolefin Sheath Additional Tests 聚烯烃护套附加测试

8. Test Procedures and Methods 测试程序和方法

Proper test procedures are essential to obtaining accurate and reproducible results. The following outlines the key procedural requirements for conducting hardness and abrasion testing on cable sheath materials.

正确的测试程序对于获得准确和可重复的结果至关重要。以下概述了对电缆护套材料进行硬度和磨损测试的关键程序要求。

8.1 Sample Preparation 样品准备

Test specimens must be prepared from completed cable samples taken from production lengths. For sheath testing, specimens are typically cut as rings from the cable and then prepared into flat sheets or moulded test pieces of appropriate thickness. The AS/NZS 1660 series specifies detailed sampling and preparation procedures to ensure consistency between laboratories and manufacturers.

测试试样必须从生产长度的成品电缆样品中准备。对于护套测试，试样通常从电缆上切割为环形，然后准备成适当厚度的平板或模制测试件。AS/NZS 1660系列规定了详细的取样和准备程序，以确保实验室和制造商之间的一致性。

8.2 Conditioning Requirements 调节要求

8.3 Test Equipment Calibration 测试设备校准

All testing equipment must be properly calibrated and traceable to national or international standards. For Shore hardness testers, calibration shall be verified using certified reference blocks before each testing session. For abrasion testing equipment, the abrasive sheet must be calibrated using standard reference compounds to ensure the drum surface is within the specified abrasion range. Equipment calibration records must be maintained and available for review during certification audits.

所有测试设备必须正确校准，并可追溯到国家或国际标准。对于Shore硬度计，每次测试前应使用经认证的参考块验证校准。对于磨损测试设备，必须使用标准参考化合物校准磨料片，以确保鼓面在规定的磨损范围内。设备校准记录必须保存，并在认证审核期间可供审查。

9. Pass/Fail Criteria 通过/失败标准

For a cable to achieve AS/NZS certification, the sheath material must meet all applicable test requirements specified in AS/NZS 3808 for the relevant material designation. The following summarises the key pass/fail criteria for the mandatory hardness and mechanical tests.

电缆要获得AS/NZS认证，护套材料必须满足AS/NZS 3808中规定的相关材料名称的所有适用测试要求。以下总结了强制性硬度和机械测试的关键通过/失败标准。

9.1 Certificate of Compliance 合格证书

Upon successful completion of all required tests, cable manufacturers receive a Certificate of Compliance demonstrating conformity with the applicable AS/NZS standards. For cables intended for mining applications under AS/NZS 1802 or AS/NZS 2802, additional certification requirements may apply, including third-party testing by NATA-accredited laboratories and regular production surveillance audits.

成功完成所有必需测试后，电缆制造商将收到合格证书，证明符合适用的AS/NZS标准。对于根据AS/NZS 1802或AS/NZS 2802用于采矿应用的电缆，可能适用额外的认证要求，包括由NATA认可实验室进行的第三方测试和定期生产监督审核。

10. Contact Information 联系方式

For technical consultation on AS/NZS cable certification requirements, sheath material testing, or custom cable solutions for Australian and New Zealand markets, please contact our engineering team.

如需有关AS/NZS电缆认证要求、护套材料测试或澳大利亚和新西兰市场定制电缆解决方案的技术咨询，请联系我们的工程团队。