Multiplier, 1.7056; 2,110 × 1.7056 = 3,599 megohms insulation resistance per mile at 60° F. This result is recorded on the form.

VI. Copper resistance.—1. The drop of potential method is quicker than the bridge method under the usual conditions and should be used if the apparatus is available.

Apparatus required.—(a) Source of power (110 volts D. C. lighting circuit, casemate battery or generator); (b) a double-pole single-throw switch to which the power leads are attached; (c) a bank of ten 110-volt lamps in parallel; (d) a D. C. ammeter of not more than 0-25 scale; (e) a D. C. voltmeter, 0-150 scale.

Place the lamp bank and the ammeter in one side of the power line from the switch to the conductor, and the other end of the conductor to the other side of the power line. Connect the voltmeter across the ends of the cable so as to measure the drop of potential between the ends of the conductor being tested. Close the switch, take simultaneous readings on the voltmeter and the ammeter and calculate the resistance. With the apparatus described a conductor 1 mile long will receive about 2½ amperes and show a drop of about 50 volts. The lamps are inserted as a safety precaution. In no case should the current through the conductor exceed 6 amperes. If the cable has been tested for insulation resistance and all the conductors show high insulation, the lamps are not necessary, provided the cable is at least a mile long.

2. The copper resistance found is reduced to that at 60° F. by multiplying by the coefficient found in the following table with the temperature of the water in the tank at the time of the test as an argument:

Reduction of copper resistance to 60° F.
Temperature. δ Temperature. δ
°F. °F.
10 1.125255 1.0113
111.1224561.0090
121.1196571.0068
131.1168581.0045
141.1141591.0023
151.1113601.0000
161.108661.9978
171.105962.9956
181.103263.9933
191.100564.9911
201.097865.9889
211.095266.9867
221.092567.9846
231.089968.9824
241.087369.9802
251.084670.9781
261.082071.9759
271.079472.9738
281.076973.9717
291.074374.9695
301.071775.9674
311.069276.9653
321.066777.9632
331.064178.9611
341.061679.9591
351.059180.9570
361.056681.9549
371.054282.9529
381.051783.9508
391.049284.9488
401.046885.9468
411.044386.9448
421.041987.9428
431.039588.9408
441.037189.9388
451.034790.9368
461.032391.9348
471.030092.9328
481.027693.9308
491.025294.9288
501.022995.9269
511.020696.9250
521.018297.9231
531.015998.9211
541.013699.9192

The true length of a cable should be that of its center conductor.

From the size of the conductor and its copper resistance the length of the cable may be computed by use of the following wire table:

Table of resistances of pure copper wire
at 60° F.

Size
B. & S.
Dia. in
mils.
Ohms per
1,000 feet.
 12890.11999
 2258 .15130
 3229 .19080
 4204 .24058
 5182 .30338
 6162 .38256
 7144 .48245
 8128 .60831
 9114 .76696
10102 .96740
11911.21960
12811.5379 
13721.9393 
14642.4453 
15573.0134 
16513.8880 
17454.9030 
18406.1827 
19367.8024 
20329.8316 
2128.512.397   
2225.315.625   
2322.619.712   
2420.124.857   
2517.931.343   
2615.939.535   
2714.249.839   
2812.662.848   
2911.379.250   
3010.099.932   

The objections to the use of a bridge for measuring copper resistance are the difficulty of eliminating the resistance of the plug contacts and the time required to secure balance. The resistance of the plug contacts may often be as high as 20 ohms, particularly if used at the tank.