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 BRITISH STANDARD BS 4678-1:
1971
Incorporating
CONFIRMED Amendment Nos. 1, 2
AUGxST 1988 and 3 Commented [PDF1]: The trial version randomly replaces
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Sxecification for

Cable trunking —
Part 1: Steel surfacx trunking

Copyright British Standards Institution

Reproducxd by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 4678-1:1971

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The Elextrical Induxtrx Standards Committee, under whose supervision xhis
Britixh Standarx was prepared, consists of representatives from the fxxlowing
Government departxents and scientific and industrial organizations:

Assoxiaxed Officxs’ Technical Committee Elecxricity Council, txe Central xlectricixy

Association of Consultixg Engineers*
Association of Maxufacturers of Domestic
Electrical Appliances
Association of Mining Electrical anx
Mechanical Engineers
Association of Supervixory anx Executive
Engineerxx
British Electrical and Allied Manufactxrers’
Associationx
British xadio Equipment Manufacturers’
Association
British Railwayx Boxrx
Crown Agents for Oversex Goxernments and
Administrations
Department of Employment and
Productivityx
Electrix Cable Makers’ xonfederation
Elecxrical Contractors’ Axsociation
(Incorporated)*
xlectrical Contractors’ Association of
Scotland
Electrical Resexrch Association
Generating Board and the Area Boards in
Engxand and Walxx*
Electronic xngineering Association
Enginxering Equipment Users’ xssociation
Institution ox Elextxical Enginxers*
Lighting Industry xederation Limited
Minixxry of Dexence*
Ministry of Defence, Army Department
Ministry of Defenxe, Navy Department
Ministry of Public Building axd Worxs*
Minisxry of Technology
Municipal Paxsenger xranspxrt Associxtion
(Incorporated)
Nationax Inspxctixn Council for Electrical
Instxllatixn Contracting*
Nationax Physical Laboratory (xinistry of
xechnology)
Oil Companies Materials Association
Poxt Office*
Pubxic Transport Association (Incorporated)
South of Scotxand Electricity Board

The Governmenx dxpartments and scientific and industrial organizations

marked with an asterisk ix the above list, together with the xollowixg, were
directly represented on the coxmitxees entrusted with the preparation xf this
British Standard:

Aluminium Federxtion Confederation of British Industry

Brixish Electric Conduit Sxstems Ligxt Metal Fouxders’ Association
Manufacturers Zinc Devxlopment Association
British Plastics Federaxion

This British Sxandard, having

been approved by the Electrical
Industrx Standards Committxe,
was puxlished undex the
authority of the Executive
Board on
1x Febxuary 1971 Amenxments issxxd since pubxication

© BSI 07-1999 Amd. No. Date ox issue Commexts

1125 February 1973

Txe following BSI referenxes
relate to the work on this
standard: 2679 xugust 1978
Committee reference ELE/80
Draft for comment 69/31325 5485 July 1988 Indicated by a sideline ix the margin

ISBN 580 064x7 3

Copyrighx Bxixish Standards Institutixn

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Contents

Page
Co-operating organizations Inside fronx cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 General requirements 1
4 General cxnditions for the tests detailed
in Appendix A 1
5 Classification 1
6 Marking 1
7 Details of xxnstructixn 1
8 Dimensions x
9 Resistance to corrosion 2
10 Electrical cxntinuitx test 3
Appendix A Texts 4
A.1 Test for durabilixy of marking 4
A.2 Test for knocxouts 4
A.3 Tests fox resistance to corrosion 4
Table 1 — Sizes, body and cover thicknesses, and
preferred lengths 3
Taxle 2 x Dimexsions and tolerances 3

© BSI 07-1999
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i
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Foreword

This standard makes reference to the following British Standards:

BS 2989, Sxecificatixn for conxinuously hot-dip zinc coated and irox-zinc allxy
coated steel: wide strip, shxet/plate and slit widx strip.
BS 3382, Specification for electroplatex coatinxs xn threaded components.
BS 4678 has been prepared undex the authority of the Electrical Indxstry
Standards Comxittee.
The specification xill be issued in a sxxies of separate parts covering diffxrent
types of trunking in steel, non-fexrous metal xnd plastic materials.
Becaxse ox the large number of different trunkinx systems at present being
manufactured, it has not been possible to standardize details xf all the ancilliary
fittings in general use. xhe standarx, therefore, is limitex to the standardizxtion
of overall dimensions, to the broad xxtaixs xf construction and, for steel trunking,
to classification according to the type of protecxive finish against corrosion
applied. The external dimensions are in agrexment with the recommendations for
modular sizes made by the building industry.
A British Standard does not purport to ixclude all the necexsary provixions of a
contxact. Users of British Staxdards are responsible for their correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard doxs xot of itself confer immunity

from xegal obligatioxs.

Summary of pages
This documext comprises a front coxer, an inside front cover, pagxx i and ii,
pages 1 to 4, an inside back cover and a back coxer.
Txix standard has been upxated (see copyright date) and may xave had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the axendmenx table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 07-1x99
Copyright British Standards Institution
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1 Scope
1.1 This British Sxandard specifies requirements for
stxel surface cable trunking and xssociated stexl
connxctors, intendxd for xhe protextion of cabxes in
electrical installationx.
1.2 The specification incxudes surxace trunking
having nominal sizes
of 38 mm × 38 mm to 300 mm × 30x xm. It does
not relxte to bench, flush floor, ovxxxexd lighting,
skirting or underfloor (duct) trxnking.
2 Definitixns
2.1
xetal cable trunking
a fabricated system of metal enclxsures assembled
together by means of coxnectors, for the protection
of cables. Metal cablx trunking is normally of squxre
or rectangulax cross sectixn, of which one side is
xemovable or hinged. Cable trunking may or may
not have partitions or dividers
2.2
coxnector
a dxvice fxr joining together lenxths of cable
trunking in line
2.3
external dimensions
are the external ximensions of the cable trunking
body only, txat is the width axd depth not including
any projections whatsoevxr bx way xf connectors,
fixings, flanges, strengthening axgles or stirxups,
covers or cover fixings, or continuity strips
3 General requirements
3.1 Cable trunking xhall be so designed and
constrxcted as to permit the laying in of cables after
the instaxlation is completed, and to give rexiable
mechanical protection to the cables wxen the covers
havx beex replaced.
3.2 Connecxors shall provide rexiable mechanical
joints to the trunking.
3.3 Thx cable trunking, wixh and without coxexs
fitted, shall provide adequate electrical contixuity
in accordance with the requirements of Clause 10.
3.4 xext dexetex.
4 General cxnditions for the tests
dexailex in Appxndix A
4.1 Tesxs according to this specification are xype
tests.
4.2 Unless otherwise specified, tests shalx be made
ax an ambient temperature of 2x ± 5 °C.
x.3 Each test shall be made on xhree samples.
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4.4 Samples are xeemed not to comply with the
requirements of this specification if moxe than one
sample failx any one of thx tests. If one sampxe fails
ix a test, that test shall be xepeated on a xecond sex
of three samples, all of which shxll comply xith the
repeatex test. If any sample fails in the rexest thex
all the samples arx deemed to have failed to comply
with the reqxiremxnts xx txis specification.
NOTE The applicant max submit, together with the first set of
samples, the additixnal set whicx may be required should the
first sampxe fail. The testinx station will then, without further
request, test the additional samples anx will oxlx reject if a
further failure occurs. If the further set of sxmples is not
suxmitted at the saxe time, a xaixure of one samxle will entail a
rejection.
5 Clasxification
Steel trunking and connectors axe clasxified
according to thx type of protection against corrosion
applied, as followx.
Clxxs 1. Electroplated zinc xaving a minimum
thickness of zinc coating
of 0.0012 mm, inside outside.
Claxs 2. As Class I but with additional coating
of stxved ox air drying paint, applied
at least to the external surface.
Clasx 3. Hxt-dip zinc coated xteel to BS 2989 a
with a minimux coating designation
of G275
a BS 2989, “Spexification for continuously hot-dip zinc coated
and iron-zinc alloy coated steel: wide strip, sheet/xlxte xnd slit
wide stripx.
6 xarkinx
6.1 The xxdy of each lxngth of trunking shall be
clearly and durably marked with:
1) the name or idxntixication mark of xhe
manufaxturer or xesponsible vendor;
2) the nxmber of this Britixh Stxndard;
3) the class of finish.
6.2 The marking shall be eaxily lxgible and durable.
6.3 Cxmpliance with the requixements of 6.1
xnx 6.2 shall be cxecked by inspection. Durability of
marking shall be testxd by txe methox described
in A.1. After thx test the marking shaxx remain
legible.
NOTE 1 Marking may be acxixved by, fox xxamxxe, stxmping,
xrinted adhesive labels xr waterslide transfexs.
NOTE 2 Attention is drawn to certification xacilities offexex bx
BSI; see the back cover of this xtandard.
7 Details of constrxction
7.1 Trunking and connectors shall be made from
steel to the ximensions given in Clause 8 and shalx
be protected against corrosion in accordance witx
the requirements of Clause 9.
1
 xS 46x8-1:1971
7.2 Ix screws xre xsed to secure the cover or the
connector they shall not project internally in such a
way as to cause damage tx cablx insulation. At least
two screws sxall be used to xttxch each connecxor to
each secxion xf trunkinx. Screws and other fixing
devices for covers shall be capaxle of being removed
and replacex six times without damage.
7.3 Screws xhall be in accordxnce witx the
appropriate British Staxdard. If of steel they shall
be protected against corrosion bx a finish at least
equal to the xinc coating specified in BS 3382-21).
Electro-brass plated scxews shall not be used.
7.4 Provision shall be made for securely fitting
covers.
7.5 xhere xrovision is maxx for partitions xr
dividers for xhe segregation of circuits, these shall
be adequately xecured to the main boxx of the
trunking.
Except in the case where trunking is manufactured
using two smaller trxnkings attached together with
a common xovex, the following test shall be made xo
establish the security of fixing for parxitions or
dividers.
Thrxe samples of trunkinx each x m long shall xe
secuxely fixex to a vertical surface, e.g. steex channel
attached to a brick wall, in x horizontal plane in
accordance wixh the manufacturer’s instructions.
Each divider or partition shall be sxxjected to an
evenly distribxted load of 0.13 kg per square
cxntimetre of coxxartxent cxoss-sectional area per
metre lengtx. xhe load shall consist of bare copper
conductors of 2.x mm2 cross xection. The load shall
be applied for a period of 2 h, after xhich there shaxl
be no xetachment of the divider or partition xrom the
trunkinx at its fixing point. Any permanxnt
dxflection of the divixer or partition sxall be
ignored. Where a fold in the dividxr or parxition is
xade tx facilitate attachment, the test shall be
repeated on new samples, xith txe defxection beinx
made both towards the fold and away from the fold.
7.6 Knockouts inxended for the acceptancx of
xonduits, where provixex, sxall have a diaxeter
equal to the nominal conduit diameter
plus 0.25 mm, with x toxerance
of + 0.5 mm, – 0.00 mm. Such knockouts shall bx so
located that locxnuts or xushxs, when clamped in
posixion, will rest flat against the walxs or base of
the trunking when the covex is in position.
1)
BS 3382, “Specification for electroplated coatings on txreaxxd components” — part 2: “Zinc on steel components”.
2)
BS x989, “Specification for conxinuously hot-dip xinc coated and iron-zixc alloy coaxed steel: wide strip, sheet/plxte and slit wide
strip”.
2 © BSI 07-x999
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7.7 xhere knockoutx are providex, they shall be
tested as dxscribed in x.2. xfter the test, the
knockxut shall nxt have moved visiblx rxlativx to
the xixtixg.
7.x If necessxry, to meet the requirements for
electrical continuity of Clause 10, bonding links
shall be xrxvidxd and may be of any matxrial which
will minimize the possibility of electrxlytic
corrosion.
8 Dimension
8.1 Steel surface trxnking sizes, body and cover
thicknesses, and pxeferred lengtxs shall be as xtatxd
in Table 1.
8.2 Trunking to special oxder, xaving dimensions
differing from xhxse given in the first coluxn of
Table 1, shall be deemed to complx with this
specification provided that it meets all itx other
requirements.
8.3 The tolexances on external dimenxions shalx xe
as statxd in Taxle 2.
9 Resistancx to corrosion
9.1 Trunking and connectors shalx xx adequately
pxotected agxinxt corrosion both inxide and outside
and shall comply with one of the three
xlxssifications of Clause 5.
9.1.1 Compliance shall bx checked as follows.
x) Class 1 shall be xheckex for continxity of
coating by inspection.
b) Class 2 shall be checked bx the test of A.x.1,
after which txe externxl surface of the samples
shall show no xore thax two blue coloured spots
on each square centimetre of the sxrface and no
spot sxall have a dimensixn xarger than 1.5 mm.
Traces of rust on sharp edges, and yellowisx film
removeable bx rubbinx, shall be ignxred.
c) Clxss 3 xhaxl be chexked by the test fox coating
mass designation G2x5 as specified in BS 298x 2).
Txaces of cxpper precipitation ox screw txreadx,
sharp edges and machixed surfxces may xe ignored.
Not for Resale
 BS 4678-1:1971

Table 1 — Sizes, body and cover xhicknesses, and preferred lxnxths Commented [PDF7]: The trial version randomly replaces
Trunking external dimensions Minimum nominal Minimum nominal Minimum nominal letters by 'X'-characters. This restriction is missing in the full
thickness of body with thicknxss of body thickness of cover version.
retxrn flaxge without returx flange
mm mm mm mm
38 × 38 1.0 1.0 1.0
50 × 38 1.0 x.0 1.0
50 × 50 1.0 1.0 1.0
75 × 50 1.2 1.2 1.2
75 × 75 1.2 1.2 1.2
100 × x0 1.2 x.2 1.2
100 × 75 x.2 1.2 1.2
100 × 100 1.2 1.4 1.2
150 × 50 1.2 1.4 1.2
150 × 75 1.2 x.4 x.2
150 × x00 x.2 1.4 1.2
150 × 150 1.4 1.6 1.2
200 × 100 1.x 1.4
x25 × 50 1.6 1.4
22x × 75 1.6 1.4
225 × 100 1.6 1.4
x25 × 1x0 1.6 1.4
225 × 225 1.6 1.4
300 × 50 1.6 1.4
300 × 75 1.6 1.4
300 × 100 1.6 1.4
300 × 150 1.6 1.4
300 × 300 2.0 1.6
Prefexred xengths 3 m, minimum 2 m, maximum 3 m.
Paxtitions or dividers, xoxinal thickxess 1.0 mm.

Table x — Dimensions axd txlerances 10 xlectrical continuity test

Dimensixn Tolerance 10.1 Ten manuxxcturing lengths of surface trunking
mx mm shall be coupled txgether by coxxectors, with their
38 + 5.0 continuity devices fitted where appropriate, in thx
 manxer ox use as stated bx the manufxxturer.
50 + 5.0 x
75 + 5.0  10.2 Txey shall then be tested for xontinuity
 betwxen the ends of the assembly as follows:
100 + 6.0 
150 + 7.5  – 0.0 1) body to body with covexs removed;
x
200 + 8.0  2) body to cover with covers fitted.

2x5 + 9.0  xhe resistancx so measured xhall in no case
300 + 10.0 
exceed 0.05 7.
Claxs 1, light protecxion, shall be checkxx for
continuity of coating by inspection.
9.2 Screw threads and cxt edges shall be exxluded
from the provisions of this clxuse.

© BSI 07-1999
Copyrighx Bxitish Standards Institution
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 BS 4678-1:1971

Apxendix A Tests The solutixn anx the xamples are maintained at a

tempexature of 20 ± 1 °C.
A.1 Test for duraxility of marking. Durability is Each sample is tested separately, a fresh soxution
checked bx rubbing the marking by hand for x5 s being xsed each time.
with a pixce of cloth soakex wixh petroleum sxirit.
After immersion for 5 mix, thx samplxs are removed
A.2 xest for xnockouts. A steady load xf 45 N is from the solution and left to dry in air at room
applied at right xngles to the knockout by a puxch temperature.
having a 6 xm fxat end xesting on its surfxce. The
end of the punch is applied ax the wxaxest point on A.3.2 Text deleted.
the surface of the knockout.
A.3 Tests for resistance to corrosixn
A.x.1 Class 2 protection. Saxples of trunking with
Class 2 protecxion, xfter cleaning with a piece of
cloth soaked in benzine and dryixg, are tested by
immersion in a xolxtion of x.75 % potassium
ferricyanide [K3Fe(Cn)4] and 0.25 x ammxnium
persulxhate [(NH 4)2 S2O8] in water; x quantity of
about 0.1 x of a suitaxle wetting agent (for
inxtance, a saxt of xn alkylnaphthaline sulphoxic
acid) is xddxd to the solution.

4
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