( Reaffirmed 1996 )

IS: 3480- 1966

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
FLEXIBLE STEEL CONDUITS FOR
ELECTRICAL WIRING

Electrical Wiring Accessories Sectional Committee, ETDC 44

Chairman Representing
SHRI P. N. DEOBHAKTA Directorate General of Technical Development
( Ministry of Supply & Technical Develop-
ment )
Members
SHRI V. G. BAPAT Buildings and Communications Department,
Governmeat of Maharashtra, Bombay
SHRI T. A. S. BALAKRISHNAN Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Govern-
ment of Madras
SHRI T. SOMASUNDARAM (Alternate )
SHRI P. K. BHARUCHA The Insurance Association of India, Bombay
SHRI A. C. MODY ( Alternate )
DR G. N. BHATTACHARYA In personal capacity ( University College of
Technology. Calcutta )
SHRI P . BOSE Eastern Regional Electrical Contractors’ Asso-
ciation ( India ) Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI H. N. MULL~CK ( Alternate )
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF WEAPONS Naval Headquarters
AND EQUIPMENT
STAFF OFFICER ( E. E. ) ( Alternate )
SHRI 1. D. JAIN Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
SHRI R. S. JAIN ( Alternate )
SHRI D. M. JAIN Jai Hind Trading Corporation, Delhi
SHRI N. C. JAIN ( Alternate )
JOINT DIRECTOR STANDARDS Railway Board ( Ministry of Railways )
( ELEC )
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STANDARDS
( ELEC ) ( Alternate )
SHRI M. S. KATHURIA Developmet? Com.m.issioner, Small Scale
I;?x&trlcs ( Mimstry of Industry ), New

SHRI M. M. KAUI. Bajaj Electricals Limited, Bombay

SHRI S. U. BHOJWANI ( Alt. rnate )
SHRI M. L. KHANNA Ram ,ta;y, Engineering Co Private Ltd, Kapur-

SHRI S. P. KHOSLA Khosla Plastics Private Ltd, Pune

SHRI S. K. KHOSLA ( Alternate )
WC CDR D. J. LAWYER Directorate of Technical Development and
Production ( Air ) ( Ministry of Defence ),
New Delhi
SQ LDR S. B. PURANIK ( Alternate )
( Continued on page 2 )

INDIAN STANDARDS INSTITUTION

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
IS : 3480- 1966

( Continuedfrompage 1 )

Members Representing
SHRI J. F. LOUZADO Garware Plastics Private Limited, Bombay
SHRI M. H. MALKANI The Indian Tube Co Ltd, Jamshedpur
SHRI B. K. MUKHERJEE National Test House, Calcutta
SHRI K. K. SHARMA ( Alternate )
SHRI A. S. NAGABKATI Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals
( Ministry of Supply & Technical Develop-
ment ), New Delhi
SHRI P. L. KAPUR ( Alternate )
SHRI P. R. PARIKII The Bombay Electric Supply and Transport
Undertaking, Bombay
SHRI B. H. MHATRE ( Alternate j
REPRESENTATIVE i)irectorate General of Posts and Telegraphs
( Ministry of Transport & Communica-
tions )
REPRESENTATIVE Indian Pipe Manufacturers’ Association,
Calcutta
SHRI M. N. SHAH The All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Associa-
tion, Bombay
SUPERINTENDIPIG ENGINEER, Central Public Works Department
DELHI CENTRAL ELECTRICAI.
CIRCLE No. II
SHRI R. K. TANDAN NatiogejhPhysical Laboratory ( CSIR ), New

SHRI Y. S. VENKATESWARAN, Director General, ISI ( Ex-officio Member )

Director ( Elec tech )

Secretaries
\ SHRI JAGDISH RAJ MAHAJAN
Assistant Director ( Elec tech ), IS1

SHRI N. SRINIVASAN
Deputy Director ( Elec tech ), IS1

2
 IS :3480-1966
Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
FLEXIBLE STEEL CONDUITS FOR
ELECTRICAL WIRING

0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards Institu-
tion on 19 March 1966, after the draft finalized by the Electrical Wiring
Accessories Sectional Committee had been approved by the Electrotechni-
cal Division Council.
0.2 This standard covers the requirements for flexible steel conduits
intended for the protection of cables in electrical installation. The adap-
tors for these conduits and flexible steel conduits of the packed type will
be covered in separate specifications,
0.3 Flexible steel conduit shall not be used as an earth continuity conduc-
tor. Where such conduit forms part of an earthed metal conduit system,
a separate earth continuity conductor shall be installed with the tubing
and connected to it at each end and in the case of long runs at suitable
intervals throughout the run.
0.4 The electro-deposition of steel strip is neither designed nor intended to
be other than a protection to the material during manufacture, storage,
handling and transport. The onus of protecting conduit in service is on
the user, who should adopt methods suited to the particular conditions
prevailing.
0.5 This standard is one of a series of Indian Standards relating to con-
duits for electrical wiring. Other specifications published so far in the
series are:
*IS : 1653-1964 Rigid steel conduits for electrical wiring ( revised )
*IS : 2509-1963 Rigid non-metallic conduits for electrical installations
IS : 2667-1964 Fittings for rigid steel conduits for electrical wiring
IS : 3419-1965 Fittings for rigid non-metallic conduits
0.6 Assistance has been derived from the following while preparing this
standard:
B. S. 731 : Part I : 1952 Flexible steel conduits and adaptors for the
protection of electric cable. British Standards Institution.

*Since revised.

3
IS : 3480 - 1966

UL l-1957 Flexible steel conduit. Underwriters’ Laboratories Inc,

USA.
0.7 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, express-
ing the result of a test, shall be rounded off in accordance with IS : 2-1960*.
The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should
be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard specifies the requirements for flexible steel conduits
intended for the protection of cables in electrical installation.

2. TERMINOLOGY
2.0 For the purpose of this standard, the following definition shall apply.
2.1 Flexible Conduit - A tubing into which a cable or cables may be
drawn mainly for the purpose of affording mechanical protection, with
sufficient flexibility ( see 6.2 ) to suit the purpose of its use.
2.2 Manufactured Length - A single continuous length of conduit
manufactured.
2.3 Batch - In any consignment, all the manufactured lengths of conduits
of the same type and size, manufactured by the same factory and during
the same period, shall be grouped together to constitute a batch. Each
batch shall, however, consist of a maximum of 50 manufactured lengths,
total length not exceeding 1’000 m of conduit.

3. MATERIALS
3.1 Strip Steel - The strip steel used in the manufacture of the flexible
conduit shall be of mild steel, blight, cold-rolled and annealed, and equi-
valent in quality to ordinary grade of IS : 513-1963t. The strip shall be
of uniform width and thickness throughout and all surfaces shall be free
from scale or rust before the application of the protective coating. The
strip shall be electro-galvanized or electro-tinned to a minimum thickness
of 0’0025 mm, or otherwise provided with an equally effective protective
coating, before being formed into tubing.

4. CONSTRUCTION AND WORKMANSHIP

4.1 The conduit shall be uniform in diameter throughout its length.

*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).

tSpecification for special qualities of steel sheets. ( Since revised ).
4
 IS :3480- 1966

4.2The conduit shall be wound tightly and the strip so overlapped in sub-
sequent helicis that no openings are seen in normal position.
4.3 The internal surfaces of the conduit shall be free from burrs and sharp
edges which might cause abrasion to the insulation on the cables, and
shall be free from obstruction that might interfere with the easy introduc-
tion of the maximum size and number of cable (s) for which the conduit
is normally intended.

5. DIMENSIONS
5.1 The dimensions and turns per metre length of the conduits shall be in
accordance with Table 1.

TABLE 1 REQUIREMENTS FOR FLEXIBLE STEEL CONDUITS

( Clauses 5.1. 6.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6 )
NOMINAL JNTERNAL TOLERANCE EXTERNAL TURNS! *BEND- ~LINEAR BRND-
JNTERNAL DIAMETER DIAMETER METRE IN ING BREAK- ING
DIAMETER ~TOENRN.~L IN NORMAL NORMAL DIA- ING FRAC-
DIAMETER POSITION, POSITION, MET;;, Lzi;, TURE
Max Min ’ LOAD,
Min
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
mm mm mm mm mm kgf kgf
6’5 6.51 315 55 1 I.5
10 IO.0 +05 1% 235 63 2: 18.0
:: 16.0 Ji,
25.0 -00 20.0
31.0 200
160 1% 210
110 ::
40 40.0-l 46.0 100 225 330
1:; 100.0
63~0J> -00
s1.0 108.0
70.0 E 450
350 430
500 190
12

*Inner diameter of bend without straining conduit.

tLinear breaking load - load at which coils pull off adjacent beading.

5.2 The conduits shall be supplied in such lengths as may be specified by

the purchaser.

6. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
6.1 Tensile Strength - Flexible conduits shall pass the test specified
in 8.4.
6.2 Flexibility - The flexibility of conduit shall be such that a specimen
is capable of being bent, without opening at any point completely around
a former with a diameter specified in co1 6 of Table 1.

5
IS : 3480- 1966

6.3 Crushing Strength - The conduit shall be capable of withstanding

the test specified in 8.7.

7. MARKING
7.1 Flexible steel conduits shall be suitably marked or labelled with the
following:

4 Name or trade-mark of the manufacturer,

b) Nominal size of the conduit,
c) Length of the conduit, and
d) Country of manufacture.

7.1.1 The conduits may also be marked with the IS1 Certification
Mark.
Norr! - The use of the ISI Certification Mark is governed by the provisions of
the Indian Standards Institution ( Certification Marks ) Act and the Rules and
Regulations made thereunder. The ISI Mark on products covered by an Indian
Standard conveys the assurance that have been produced to comply with the
rcquircments of that standard under a well-defined system of inspection. testing
and quality control which is devised and supervised by IS1 and operated by the
producer. ISI marked products arc also continuously checked by ISI for con-
formity to that standard as a further safeguard. Details of conditionsunder
which a licence for the use of the ISI Certification Mark may be granted to
manufacturers or processors, may be obtained from the Indian Standards
Institution.

8. TESTS

8.1 General - The test shall be made at the prevailing ambient tem-
perature unless specified otherwise in the relevant clauses.

8.2 Samples and Criteria for Conformity

8.2.1 Each test shall be made on three samples, the samples being taken
from three different manufactured lengths selected from a batch for the
purposes of carrying out the tests specified in 8.3 to 8.7.

8.2.2 No failure shall be permitted in any of the tests specified in 8.3

to 8.7 for proving conformity with the standard. Should any of the test
samples prove unsatisfactory, a further set of samples twice in number
shall be subjected to the tests specified in 8.2 to 8.7. Should the second
set of samples also prove unsatisfactory, the whole batch from which the
samples were taken shall be rejected.

6
 IS :3480-1966

8.3 Test for Dimensions - The internal diameter of each sample length
of conduit shall be checked by means of suitable gauges for conformity
with the values specified in Table 1.
8.4 Linear Breaking Test - A piece of conduit 300 mm long shall be
placed in the jaws of a tensile testing machine, 100 mm of each end being
held by the jaws, leaving 100 mm long between the jaws. A mandrel of
the proper diameter and 100 mm long shall be inserted in each end of the
conduit to prevent disortion. The conduit shall show no indication of
yielding under a load less than that specified in Table 1 maintained for a
period of three minutes.
8.5 Test for Flexibility - The specimen conduit of sufficient length shall
be bent complete turn around a cylindrical former having a diameter
specified in Table 1 and returned to straight position without damage,
with a tension just sufficient to cause the conduit conform closely to the
curved surface of the former. Checking shall be done to ensure that:
a) the outside diameter shows no crack or flaws visible to the naked
eye, and
b) the conduit returns to the normal position without any damage
to its outer or inner diameter.
8.5.1 While the conduit is around the former, it shall be examined to
see if the edges of the adjacent convolutions have separated sufficiently to
expose the interior of the conduit.
8.6 Bend Fracture Test - A piece of conduit shall be bent to a U shape
between the flat heads of a compression testing machine. The conduit
shall be held in the machine in such a position that as the load is applied
the radius of the bend shall be decreased until the yield point is reached.
The breaking load thus found shall be not less than that specified in
Table 1.
8.7 Crushing Test - A 50-mm length of conduit shall be compressed
between the flat steel plates and a load of 40 kgf per linear centimetre
uniformly distributed shall be applied across the diameter when no per-
manent distortion shall be produced.
8.7.1 The ends of this specimen shall be perpendicular to axis for
which the end of the helical strip has to be ground.
 INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS ( SI UNITS )
Base Units
Quantity Unit Symbol
Length metre m
Mass kilogram kg
Time second S

Electric current ampere A

Thermodynamic kelvin K
temperature
Luminous intensity candela cd
Amount of substance mole mol

Supplementary Uuits

Quantity Unit Symbol

Plane angle radian rad
Solid angle steradian sr

Derived Units
Quantity Unit Symbol DeJnition
Force newton N 1N = 1 kg,m/s2
Energy joule J 1J = 1 N.m
Power watt W 1W = 1 J/s
Flux weber Wb 1 Wb = 1 V.s

Flux density tesla T 1T = 1 Wb/m2

Frequency hertz Hz 1Hz = lc/s(s-I)
Electric conductance siemens S 1s = 1 A/V

Electromotive force volt V 1V = 1 W/A

Pressure, stress Pascal Pa 1 Pa = 1 N/m2