BIS Chennai puts aluminium alloy conductor standard under industry review

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Chennai Branch Office held a ‘Manak Manthan’ on September 18, 2026, to discuss Draft IS 398 (Part 4):2026, which sets specifications for aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy stranded conductors used in overhead transmission applications.

The session brought together stakeholders involved in the manufacture, testing and use of aluminium alloy stranded conductors. The discussion focused on the proposed fourth revision of the standard and gave manufacturers and users an opportunity to provide technical feedback to BIS.

S.D. Dayanand, Scientist-F and Senior Director & Head of BIS Chennai Branch Office, said stakeholder participation is important to the standardisation process. He invited comments on the draft, noting that feedback would help ensure the revised standard serves manufacturers, users and other stakeholders.

According to BIS Chennai, the fourth revision incorporates updated requirements reflecting technological developments and the needs of Indian utilities. It introduces two types of aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy wires, Type A2 and Type A3, in line with IEC 62641.

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The proposed revision also updates requirements covering dimensions, electrical resistance, breaking load, elongation and tolerances on nominal sizes. Provisions concerning joints in wires have been elaborated, while packaging and marking requirements have also been revised to improve clarity, identification and traceability.

A technical session on the draft standard was led by Sai Chandra, Scientist-C and Deputy Director, BIS Chennai Branch Office. He outlined the key provisions of the revision, including additional testing requirements introduced under the new draft.

These include the Wrapping Test, Procedure Qualification Test on Welded Joint of Aluminium Alloy Strands, DC Resistance Test on Stranded Conductor, Ultimate Tensile Strength Test on Stranded Conductor, Surface Condition Test, Corona Test and Radio Interference Voltage Test.

The programme concluded with an open discussion, allowing participants to seek clarification on the revised requirements and share views on implementation. BIS said the session reinforced its efforts to engage industry stakeholders and support awareness and adoption of Indian Standards covering quality and safety requirements.

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