FED-STD-228A
Method 2171.1
18 APRIL 2014
TIGHTNESS, ARMOR
1. SCOPE
1.1 This method is intended for use in determining the tightness of braided armor on the conductor
assembly.
2. SPECIMEN
2.1 The specimen should be a piece of the inspection unit 10 ½ feet in length from which any covering
over the armor has been removed.
3. APPARATUS
3.1 The apparatus shall be as follows:
3.1.1 Pipe approximately 10 feet long and having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside
diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the specimen to be tested so as to permit the cable to
move freely by not loosely through the pipe. One end of the pipe exterior shall be threaded to receive a
cap which shall contain a round, smooth hole large enough to allow the cable conductors to pass freely,
but small enough that a flange remains to support and contain the armor within the pipe.
3.1.2 Weight as required in 4.1.
3.1.3 Steel scale graduated to 1/32 inch or finer or its decimal equivalent.
3.1.4 Vertical hoisting equipment.
4. PROCEDURE
4.1 Unless otherwise specified in the detail specification, a 15-pound weight shall be used in testing
numbers 18, 16 and 14 stranded conductor cable (armored cord), and a 40-pound weight for testing all
other cable.
4.2 The armor and sheathing shall be removed from one end of the specimen so as to expose 6 inches
of the conductor. The armor shall be cut squarely and any burrs removed by means of a file. The cable
shall be inserted into the pipe so that the conductor protrudes from the threaded end. The cap shall be
applied so as to contain the armor within the pipe and permit the 6-inch length of protruding conductor to
move freely. The protruding conductor shall be securely fastened into a loop and this attached to the
weight. The pipe containing the specimen shall be raised to a vertical position with the weight at the
bottom and then gently hoisted till the weight hangs freely without swaying.
4.3 After the weight has been suspended for 1 minute the pipe shall be lowered and the distance the
conductor has receded into the armor at the end opposite the weighted end shall be measured by means
of the scale to the nearest 1/32 inch.
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