Copper has been recognized as an electricity conductor throughout industrial history. In fact, copper was the conductor in classic inventions like the telegraph, telephone, and electric motor. While aluminum is not as reliable in conducting electricity—aluminum has 61 percent the conductivity of copper—it does have some distinct advantages, such as being 30 percent the weight of copper, that make it useful for industrial product use. Standard tests and specifications for connector systems for conductors composed of these two metals are found in ANSI C119.6-2024: Electric Connectors – Non-Sealed, Multiport Connector Systems Rated 600 Volts Or Less For Aluminum And Copper Conductors.
What Is ANSI C119.6-2024?
The ANSI C119.6-2024 American National Standard covers “non-sealed, multiport distribution connectors rated 600 volts or less used for making electrical connections between aluminum-to-aluminum, aluminum-to-copper, or copper-to-copper conductors for above grade, electric utility applications.”
ANSI C119.6-2024 establishes various electrical and mechanical test guidelines—those for pullout strength, rated conductor strength, torque strength, run conductor damage test (tap connector), rod torque test, current cycle test (CCT), and current cycle submersion test (CCST)—for connectors. It does not apply to connectors that exceed 90°C (194°F), and it is not intended to recommend any other operating conditions.
The tests found in ANSI C119.6-2024 exist to give reasonable assurance to the user that connectors meeting the standard will perform satisfactorily. This assurance is provided that the connectors have been properly selected for the intended application and are installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. The service operating conditions and the selection of the connector are the responsibility of the user.
Changes to ANSI C119.6-2024
ANSI C119.6-2024 revises the 2018 edition of the same American National Standard. Notably, the new edition changed the Current Cycle Tests temperature of 100°C to 105°C above ambient.
ANSI C119.6-2024: Electric Connectors – Non-Sealed, Multiport Connector Systems Rated 600 Volts Or Less For Aluminum And Copper Conductors is available on the ANSI Webstore. This includes a complimentary copy of ANSI C119.0-2022 appended to the end of the document.
Electrical Connector Standards
ANSI C119.6-2024 is not the only American National Standard dedicated to electrical connectors. In fact, the ANSI C119 series in general confronts this topic. Other standards in this series include:
ANSI C119.0-2022: Testing Methods And Equipment Common To The ANSI C119 Family Of Standards
Changes to ANSI C119.6-2018
The 2018 edition of this standard revised the 2011 edition and went through the following changes of note:
- Added call for retesting the performance of a product if there have been substantive changes made to the product.
- Added spreadsheet files in Informative Annex D, “Heat Cycle Data Sheet.”
- Added alternate, accelerated current cycle test method—the current cycle submersion test (CCST).
Questions About ANSI C119.6?
This American National Standard was developed and published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
Please direct any technical questions relating to this American National Standard to the developer. You can find the contact information for all standard developing organizations (SDOs) here: Who to Contact for Standards Related Questions