Factory-Direct Supply of Certified Wires and Conductors for Diverse Industrial Applications
AAC-All Aluminum Stranded Conductor ASTM B231
Standard: ASTM B231/B231M (Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum 1350 Conductors)
Wire Material: ASTM B230/B230M hard-drawn aluminium 1350-H19
Conductivity: 61% IACS
Class: AA (bare overhead) / A (covered/flexible bare)
Code Word Convention: Flower names per Aluminum Association Publication 50
Size Range: 6 AWG (13.3 mm²) to 3500 kcmil (1773 mm²) — 53 standard sizes
Standard Wire Counts: 7 / 19 / 37 / 61 / 91 / 127 wires
Outer Layer Lay: Right-hand (Class AA/A)
Max. DC Resistance Tolerance: ≤ 2% over nominal at 20°C
Max. Continuous Temperature: 75°C (bare overhead, 1350-H19)
Packaging: Wooden / steel drum; 500 m / 1000 m standard
Product Overview
AAC — All Aluminum Stranded Conductor (ASTM B231) is a concentric-lay stranded bare overhead conductor manufactured from hard-drawn aluminium 1350 (1350-H19 temper) in strict accordance with ASTM B231/B231M — the definitive North American standard for all-aluminium overhead conductors. It is the standard bare aluminium conductor specification in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America, as well as countries whose utility standards reference ASTM for overhead conductor procurement.
A key feature of ASTM B231 is its flower code word naming convention (assigned by the Aluminum Association Publication 50) — each conductor size carries a unique name such as Rose, Tulip, Marigold, Bluebonnet. These code words are part of the practical procurement vocabulary in North America and are referenced in utility specifications and purchase orders even when an international standard is also invoked. Conductors are classified by Class AA (bare overhead — the most common), Class A (weather-resistant covered or flexible bare service), and Classes B/C/D (greater flexibility for insulated cable cores).
Available from 6 AWG (Peachbell, 13.3 mm²) to 3500 kcmil (Bluebonnet, 1773 mm²) in 7-wire, 19-wire, 37-wire, 61-wire, 91-wire, and 127-wire constructions — covering service drops, distribution feeders, substation bus work, and high-capacity transmission applications.
Outer Layer — Right-hand lay (Class AA/A), hard-drawn 1350-H19 aluminium wires
Inner Layers — Successive concentric layers in reverse lay directions
Central Wire — Single aluminium 1350 wire; no steel core
Code Word — Each size identified by a flower name (Aluminum Association Pub. 50)
North American Standard
ASTM B231/B231M is the defining overhead conductor standard for the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America — mandatory for utility tender compliance and direct drop-in compatibility with North American fittings and hardware.
Flower Code Word System
Each size is permanently assigned a unique flower name (Rose = 4 AWG, Tulip = 336.4 kcmil, Marigold = 1113 kcmil). Code words appear in utility specifications, purchase orders, and field documentation — the practical procurement language of North American overhead construction.
Class AA — Bare Overhead
Class AA is the standard classification for bare overhead lines — right-hand outer lay, tighter lay ratio (10–16 × OD), and cold-pressure or electric-butt weld joints only. The most common class specified in utility overhead construction projects.
61% IACS Conductivity
1350-H19 aluminium delivers 61% IACS conductivity — maximum current capacity for a given conductor cross-section. The highest conductivity of any overhead aluminium conductor type in the ASTM family.
Wide Size Range — 6 AWG to 3500 kcmil
53 standard sizes from 13.3 mm² (6 AWG, Peachbell) to 1773 mm² (3500 kcmil, Bluebonnet) — covering the complete range from residential service drops to the largest substation bus conductors in North American practice.
IEC / BS / AS Cross-Compatible
ASTM B231 AAC is functionally equivalent to IEC 61089 (A1), BS EN 50182 (AL1), AS 1531, and GB/T 1179 (JL) — the same conductor can be supplied against multiple international procurement standards when the project requires dual-standard certification.
Technical Specifications
Basic Parameters
| Standard | ASTM B231/B231M — Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum 1350 Conductors |
|---|---|
| Wire Material Standard | ASTM B230/B230M (1350-H19 hard-drawn) for Class AA and Class A |
| Conductor Material | Hard-drawn aluminium alloy 1350 (1350-H19 temper, UNS A91350) |
| Conductivity | 61% IACS (≥ 34.5 m/Ω·mm²) |
| Class Designations | Class AA (bare overhead); Class A (covered/flexible bare); Class B/C/D (insulated cable cores) |
| Outer Layer Lay Direction | Right-hand (Class AA and Class A); Left-hand (Class B, C, D) |
| Lay Ratio — Class AA | Preferred 13.5 × OD; permitted 10–16 × OD (outer layer) |
| Standard Wire Counts | 7 / 19 / 37 / 61 / 91 / 127 wires |
| Size Range | 6 AWG (13.3 mm²) to 3500 kcmil (1773 mm²) |
| Code Word Convention | Flower names per Aluminum Association Publication 50 (Rose, Tulip, Marigold, Bluebonnet, etc.) |
| Max. DC Resistance Tolerance | Not more than 2% over nominal value at 20 °C |
| Max. Continuous Temperature | 75 °C (typical bare overhead limit for 1350-H19) |
| Density | 2705 kg/m³ at 20 °C |
| Packaging | Wooden or steel drum; standard lengths 500 m / 1000 m; custom lengths available |
Full Parameter Table — ASTM B231 AAC
| Code Word | Size (AWG/kcmil) | Area (mm²) | No. of Wires | Wire Ø (mm) | Overall Ø (mm) | Weight (kg/km) | Rated Strength (kN) | DC Resistance (Ω/km, 20°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Wire Construction (Single Aluminium Layer) | ||||||||
| Peachbell | 6 | 13.3 | 7 | 1.56 | 4.68 | 36.6 | 2.53 | 2.1606 |
| Rose | 4 | 21.1 | 7 | 1.96 | 5.88 | 58.2 | 3.91 | 1.3619 |
| Iris | 2 | 33.6 | 7 | 2.47 | 7.41 | 92.6 | 5.99 | 0.8550 |
| Pansy | 1 | 42.4 | 7 | 2.78 | 8.34 | 116.6 | 7.30 | 0.6779 |
| Poppy | 1/0 | 53.5 | 7 | 3.12 | 9.36 | 147.2 | 8.84 | 0.5373 |
| Aster | 2/0 | 67.4 | 7 | 3.50 | 10.50 | 185.7 | 11.10 | 0.4262 |
| Phlox | 3/0 | 85.0 | 7 | 3.93 | 11.79 | 233.9 | 13.50 | 0.3379 |
| Oxlip | 4/0 | 107.2 | 7 | 4.42 | 13.26 | 295.2 | 17.00 | 0.2680 |
| Sneezewort | 250 | 126.7 | 7 | 4.80 | 14.40 | 348.8 | 20.10 | 0.2268 |
| Daisy | 266.8 | 135.2 | 7 | 4.96 | 14.88 | 372.3 | 21.40 | 0.2126 |
| 19-Wire Construction (Two Aluminium Layers) | ||||||||
| Valerian | 250 | 126.7 | 19 | 2.91 | 14.55 | 348.6 | 20.70 | 0.2268 |
| Laurel | 266.8 | 135.2 | 19 | 3.01 | 15.05 | 372.2 | 22.10 | 0.2126 |
| Peony | 300 | 152.0 | 19 | 3.19 | 15.95 | 418.3 | 24.30 | 0.1890 |
| Tulip | 336.4 | 170.5 | 19 | 3.38 | 16.90 | 469.5 | 27.30 | 0.1686 |
| Daffodil | 350 | 177.3 | 19 | 3.45 | 17.25 | 487.9 | 28.40 | 0.1621 |
| Canna | 397.5 | 201.4 | 19 | 3.67 | 18.35 | 554.9 | 31.60 | 0.1427 |
| Goldentuft | 450 | 228.0 | 19 | 3.91 | 19.55 | 627.6 | 35.00 | 0.1260 |
| Cosmos | 477 | 241.7 | 19 | 4.02 | 20.10 | 664.8 | 37.00 | 0.1189 |
| Zinnia | 500 | 253.3 | 19 | 4.12 | 20.60 | 697.1 | 38.90 | 0.1134 |
| Dahlia | 556.5 | 282.0 | 19 | 4.35 | 21.75 | 775.8 | 43.30 | 0.1019 |
| 37-Wire Construction (Three Aluminium Layers) | ||||||||
| Syringa | 477 | 241.7 | 37 | 2.88 | 20.16 | 664.8 | 38.60 | 0.1189 |
| Hyacinth | 500 | 253.3 | 37 | 2.95 | 20.65 | 696.8 | 40.50 | 0.1134 |
| Mistletoe | 556.5 | 282.0 | 37 | 3.12 | 21.84 | 775.7 | 44.30 | 0.1019 |
| Meadowsweet | 600 | 304.0 | 37 | 3.23 | 22.61 | 836.3 | 47.50 | 0.0945 |
| Orchid | 636 | 322.3 | 37 | 3.33 | 23.31 | 886.9 | 50.40 | 0.0892 |
| Heuchera | 650 | 329.4 | 37 | 3.37 | 23.59 | 907.4 | 51.70 | 0.0872 |
| Verbena | 700 | 354.7 | 37 | 3.49 | 24.43 | 975.7 | 55.40 | 0.0810 |
| Violet | 715.5 | 362.6 | 37 | 3.53 | 24.71 | 998.5 | 56.70 | 0.0793 |
| Petunia | 750 | 380.0 | 37 | 3.62 | 25.34 | 1046 | 58.60 | 0.0756 |
| Arbutus | 795 | 402.8 | 37 | 3.72 | 26.04 | 1109 | 61.80 | 0.0713 |
| Cockscomb | 900 | 456.0 | 37 | 3.96 | 27.72 | 1256 | 68.40 | 0.0630 |
| Magnolia | 954 | 483.4 | 37 | 4.08 | 28.56 | 1331 | 72.60 | 0.0594 |
| Hawkweed | 1000 | 506.7 | 37 | 4.18 | 29.26 | 1395 | 76.20 | 0.0567 |
| Bluebell | 1033.5 | 523.7 | 37 | 4.25 | 29.75 | 1441 | 78.80 | 0.0549 |
| 61-Wire Construction (Four Aluminium Layers) | ||||||||
| Flag | 700 | 354.7 | 61 | 2.72 | 24.48 | 975.8 | 57.10 | 0.0810 |
| Nasturtium | 715.5 | 362.6 | 61 | 2.75 | 24.75 | 998.5 | 58.40 | 0.0793 |
| Cattail | 750 | 380.0 | 61 | 2.82 | 25.38 | 1046 | 60.30 | 0.0756 |
| Lilac | 795 | 402.8 | 61 | 2.90 | 26.10 | 1110 | 63.80 | 0.0713 |
| Snapdragon | 900 | 456.0 | 61 | 3.09 | 27.81 | 1256 | 70.80 | 0.0630 |
| Goldenrod | 954 | 483.4 | 61 | 3.18 | 28.62 | 1331 | 75.00 | 0.0594 |
| Camellia | 1000 | 506.7 | 61 | 3.25 | 29.25 | 1394 | 78.30 | 0.0567 |
| Larkspur | 1033.5 | 523.7 | 61 | 3.31 | 29.79 | 1442 | 81.30 | 0.0549 |
| Marigold | 1113 | 564.0 | 61 | 3.43 | 30.87 | 1553 | 87.30 | 0.0509 |
| Hawthorn | 1192.5 | 604.2 | 61 | 3.55 | 31.95 | 1662 | 93.50 | 0.0476 |
| Narcissus | 1272 | 644.5 | 61 | 3.67 | 33.03 | 1774 | 98.10 | 0.0446 |
| Columbine | 1351 | 684.6 | 61 | 3.78 | 34.02 | 1884 | 104.0 | 0.0420 |
| Carnation | 1431 | 725.1 | 61 | 3.89 | 35.01 | 1997 | 108.0 | 0.0396 |
| Gladiolus | 1510.5 | 765.4 | 61 | 4.00 | 36.00 | 2108 | 114.0 | 0.0375 |
| Coreopsis | 1590 | 805.7 | 61 | 4.10 | 36.90 | 2216 | 120.0 | 0.0357 |
| Jessamine | 1750 | 886.7 | 61 | 4.30 | 38.70 | 2442 | 132.0 | 0.0324 |
| 91-Wire Construction (Five Aluminium Layers) | ||||||||
| Cowslip | 2000 | 1013 | 91 | 3.77 | 41.47 | 2787 | 153.0 | 0.0284 |
| Sagebrush | 2250 | 1140 | 91 | 3.99 | 43.89 | 3166 | 167.0 | 0.0255 |
| Lupine | 2500 | 1267 | 91 | 4.21 | 46.31 | 3519 | 186.0 | 0.0229 |
| Bitterroot | 2750 | 1393 | 91 | 4.42 | 48.62 | 3872 | 205.0 | 0.0208 |
| 127-Wire Construction (Six Aluminium Layers) | ||||||||
| Trillium | 3000 | 1520 | 127 | 3.90 | 50.70 | 4226 | 223.0 | 0.0191 |
| Bluebonnet | 3500 | 1773 | 127 | 4.22 | 54.86 | 4977 | 261.0 | 0.0165 |
Key Features & Technical Advantages
ASTM B231/B231M Compliance
Full compliance with the North American overhead conductor standard — mandatory for utility procurement in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America. Class AA designation confirms suitability for bare overhead use with the tighter lay ratio and weld spacing requirements specified for outdoor exposure.
Flower Code Word Procurement
Each size carries a unique flower name recognised across the North American utility industry. Specifying "Tulip 336.4 kcmil AAC" in a purchase order or project BOM unambiguously identifies both size and standard — eliminating the mm² vs AWG/kcmil conversion errors that cause procurement mistakes.
61% IACS — Maximum Conductivity
Hard-drawn 1350-H19 aluminium achieves 61% IACS — the highest conductivity of any overhead aluminium conductor type. For a given ampacity requirement, AAC uses the smallest cross-section and lightest weight, minimising conductor and hardware cost in urban networks where span lengths are moderate.
Dual Class AA / A Availability
Key sizes are available in both Class AA (lower wire count, stiffer, preferred for bare overhead) and Class A (higher wire count, more flexible, for covered or flexible bare service) — e.g. Sneezewort (250 kcmil, 7-wire) and Valerian (250 kcmil, 19-wire). Specify the class to match application requirements.
No Steel Core — Superior Corrosion Resistance
All-aluminium construction eliminates the bimetallic galvanic corrosion risk at the aluminium-steel interface present in ACSR — critical for coastal, tropical, and chemically polluted environments in the Americas where ACSR core corrosion is a documented long-term reliability issue.
Multi-Standard Cross-Certification
ASTM B231 AAC is functionally equivalent to IEC 61089 (A1), BS EN 50182 (AL1), AS 1531, and GB/T 1179 (JL) — enabling the same conductor to satisfy project specifications that cite multiple international standards, simplifying export documentation and dual-standard tender submissions.
Certifications & Standards
Typical Applications
Overhead Distribution Lines
Primary and secondary distribution feeders (4–35 kV) in North American utility networks — the dominant application for Class AA AAC.
Service Drops
Small-size AAC (6 AWG to 4/0 AWG — Peachbell to Oxlip) for residential and light commercial service drop connections from distribution pole to meter base.
Substation Bus Work
Medium-to-large sizes (397.5 kcmil / Canna to 1590 kcmil / Coreopsis) for substation rigid and flexible bus connections between switchgear and transformers.
Coastal & Tropical Networks
All-aluminium construction preferred over ACSR in coastal US states, Caribbean, and tropical Latin American regions where marine air accelerates ACSR core corrosion.
Line Replacement & Reconductoring
Upgrade ageing overhead lines in North America — exact ASTM code word match ensures compatibility with existing fittings, dead-ends, and suspension clamps.
Latin American Utility Projects
ASTM B231 is the reference standard for utility grid expansion projects across Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and other Latin American markets.
Industrial Overhead Feeders
Factory and industrial facility overhead power distribution where ASTM compliance is specified and high conductivity minimises feeder losses.
Railway Electrification Feeders
Return feeder and autotransformer feeder conductors for ASTM-standard railway electrification projects in North and Latin America.
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Frequently Asked Questions
As a factory, we offer flexible MOQ depending on the cable type. For standard stock items, MOQ is low; for customized specifications, please contact our sales team for a detailed quote.
Yes, Qiangli cables are manufactured in compliance with international standards such as UL, CE, TUV, and VDE. We provide full test reports and certificates upon request.
Absolutely. We have a dedicated R&D team that can customize cable structure, material, color, and printing to meet your specific project needs.
For standard products, lead time is usually 7-15 days. For large-scale project orders or customized products, it typically ranges from 20 to 30 days.
Yes, we provide free samples for most standard cables. You only need to cover the international courier costs. Contact us to arrange your sample shipment.