Current Carrying Capacity

The Current Carrying Capacity (Current Rating)

4-1 The Fundamentals:
In the first place the current carrying capacity is determined by the max.
permissible conductor temperature and the ambient conditions as far as they are
relevant for the dissipation of heat. With mass-impregnated paper-insulated cables
the permissible difference between the temperature reached under full-load
conditions and the no-load temperature has also to be taken into account.
Inadmissibly high conductor temperatures and excessive temperature differences
will speed up the ageing process. The current carrying capacity of H.T. Cables has
to be calculated with particular care.
The cable is heated up by the ohmic losses occurring in the conductors and-
if the cable is operated with a.c. in the metallic covering. The dielectric losses are
negligible with Protodur cables up to U
o
/ U = 5.8 / 10 kV, mass-impregnated
cables up to U
o
/U = 5.8/10 kV, mass-impregnated cables up to U
o
/U = 34.7/60 kV
and protothen cables up to U
o
/U = 64 / 110 kV operating voltage. Under steady-
state conditions the heat dissipated is equal to the sum of all the losses in the cable.
The heat flows by conduction to the surface of the cable and, if this is arranged in
free air, is transferred to the surrounding air by convection and radiation. With
cables buried in the ground the heat generated by losses flows from the surface of
the cable by thermal conduction via the ground into the atmosphere. Whilst the
cable itself is heated up. The difference between conductor temperature and
ambient temperature is nearly proportional to the total losses. The law of heat flow
is analogous to ohms law, with the heat flow (ohmic losses) V, corresponding to
electric current I, the difference in temperature Au corresponding to voltage U and
the total thermal resistance ES corresponding to electrical resistance R:
Thus Au - V ES analogous to U = I R. (1)

The heat flow is the sum of all losses generated in the cable. To reach the
surrounding air from its point of origin the heat flow must overcome the thermal
resistance S
k
of the cable and the thermal resistance of the air S
L
or of the ground
S
E
caused by the transfer of heat from the surface of the cable to the surrounding
media.
In accordance with the analogy existing between the heat flow and the
electric current (equation 1) an equivalent circuit diagram (Fig. 1) may be drawn
for the heat losses flowing from the cable and the temperature rise they produce.
The heat transfer by radiation and convection, if the cable is installed in free air, is
represented by two resistors connected in parallel to each other and in series with
the remaining thermal resistances of the cable. The heat losses due to the current
(ohmic losses) are developed in the conductor, in the metal sheath and in the
armour (see also equation 6). They are represented by electric currents fed in at
these points. As a result of the heat losses, the conductor temperature u
L
is
increased by Au and the surface temperature of the cable 0
o
by A0
a
as compared
with the ambient temperature 0
u
.


Fig. (1) Equivalent Circuit Diagrams for the Heat Flow in a Cable.

With the equation for the ohmic losses
V = n I
2
R
W
10
-3
, W/m (2)
we obtain from equation (1) the current carrying capacity for operation with a.c. or
three-phase current with the cable installed in free air, for example:

( )
A
S S R n
10
I
L
'
K W
5
+
0 A
= (3)
where
A0 = given temperature rise of the conductor with respect to the
surroundings, C.
n = number of current carrying conductors,
R
W
= effective resistance of a conductor at operating
temperature O/km.

'
K
S = fictitious thermal resistance of the cable, C cm/W
S
L
= thermal resistance of the air, C cm/W.

The effective resistance (a.c. resistance) R
W
is arrived at as follows:
R
W
= R + AR O/km, (4)
Where R = d.c. resistance at operating temperature, O/km.
The extra resistance:
AR = R [y + y
1
+ (1 + y + y
1
) ( +
1
)], O/km (5)
indicates the measurable increase in the conductor resistance due to current-
dependent a.c. losses. These losses are produced in the conductor by the skin and
proximity effects (y and y
1
), inductive currents and eddy currents and reversal of
magnetic polarity in the armour (
1
). By introducing these factors into equation (1)
we obtain for the temperature rise of the conductor:
A0 = nI
2
R(1 + y + y
1
) [S
is
+ (1 + ) S
Ci
+ (1 + +
1
) (S
Ca
+ S
L
) C (6)
For the thermal resistance of the cable we have:
S
k
= S
is
+ S
Ci
+ S
Ca
C cm/W (7)
The component resistance are those of the insulation S
is
and of the inner and outer
protective coverings S
Ci
and S
Ca
. (The thermal resistance of the metallic
components can be assumed to be negligible.)
The fictitious thermal resistance of the cable is obtained from equations (3)
and (6):

( )
W / cm C , S
1
S 1 S
S
Ca
1
Ci is '
k

+
+ +
+ +
= (8)
By substituting the thermal resistance of the soil S
E
for the thermal resistance of
the air S
L
in equation (3) the current carrying capacity I
E
of the cable for burial in
the ground is obtained.
For the special case of operation with d.c. it is necessary to substitute the d.c.
resistance R at operating temperature for R
W
and the actual thermal resistance of
the cable S
K
for
'
K
S in equation (3).
The thermal resistance of the cable S
K
and the effective resistance R
W

depend mainly on the values of the components of the cable and its design. The
permissible temperature rise A0 and the thermal resistance of the surroundings S
E

or S
L
are determined by the ambient conditions at the place of installation of the
cable. Generally acceptable values may be agreed upon for the conditions which
are most important i.e. ambient temperature, arrangement of cables, mode of
operation etc. With the help of these the current carrying capacity may be
calculated and planning work is made easier. The values in tables are based on the
standard conditions incorporated in VDE 0255, VDE 0265 and VDE 0271. These
correspond to the climatic conditions prevailing in Central Europe as well as the
methods of laying and the operating conditions most common in Germany.
In the following, these conditions are called normal and are indicated by
the index n added to the symbol.
With installation in free are the current carrying capacity is:

( )
A
S S R n
10
I
Ln
'
k W
5
n
+
0 A
= (9)
For burial in the ground

( )
A
S S R n
10
I
En
'
k W
5
n
+
0 A
= (10)
applies
It must be remembered that for normal conditions several current carrying
capacity values, which depend on the methods of laying and operation, are given
for one and the same cable (six values each for a single-core cable 0.6/1 kV with
copper and aluminum conductors). The extent to which the current carrying
capacity depends on the ambient conditions makes it impossible to arrive at a
rated current carrying capacity similar to the rated voltage.

The current carrying capacity is determined by:
(1) Conductor resistance and losses due to the current (ohmic losses),
(2) Thermal resistance of the cable,
(3) Conductor temperature and ambient temperature (temperature difference),
(4) Installation conditions (in free air or in the ground).

(1) Conductor resistance and losses due to the current (ohmic losses):
Certain planning problems can only be solved with knowledge of the ohmic
losses. These losses for cables in the ground are shown in tables for permissible
current I
n
. For operating currents I (other than current rating under conditions I
n
)
the losses may be calculated as follows:

2
n
n
I
I
V V
|
|
.
|

\
|
= , W/m (11)

(2) Thermal Resistance of the Cables:
The fictitious thermal resistance
'
K
S required for carrying out special
planning work may be easily obtained for a single cable according to equation
(12):

En
n
2
n '
K
S
V
10
S
0 A
= C cm/W (12)
where
A0
n
= temperature rise under normal conditions (see table 1).
V
n
= losses depending on the current under standard conditions.
S
En
= thermal resistance of the soil at o
E
= 100 C cm/W
The thermal resistance of the soil S
En
may be taken from Fig. 6 or calculated as
shown on page 109.

(3) a. Conductor Temperature:
The conductor temperature has been fixed with regard to the life of the cable
and is stated in VDE specifications for nearly all of cables. Please refer to table 1
for a summary.

(3) b. Ambient Temperature:
Measuring the ambient temperature is not possible in every case; it has to be
estimated quite often. The value used for planning should be exceeded only on a
few days during the year or a few hours during the day.
The following ambient temperature values may be taken as a basis, unless
higher values have been established by measurements or experience:
Unheated cellars 20C
Normal conditioned rooms
(unheated during the summer) 25C
Factories, workshops etc. 30C

The aforementioned ambient temperatures are valid under the conditions
prevailing in Central Europe.
Temperatures of above 30C are normally reached in rooms, which are not
sufficiently protected against solar radiation, or badly ventilated or contain
machinery with high heat losses etc.
Table 1: Permissible Conductor Temperature of Mass-impregnated Cables (with
Paper Insulation and Metal Sheath) and Protodur Cables.
Type of Cable
Rated
Voltage
U
o
/U
kV
Permissible
Conductor
Temperature
C
Temperature Rise at the
Conductor
Max. Permissible
Temperature ifference
1)

in the Grounded
at 20C
degC
in Air
at 30C
degC
in the
Ground
degC
in Air

degC
Mass-impregnated Cables
Belted Cables
0.6/1
3.5/6
80 60 50 65 55
5.8./10 65 45 35 45 35
Single-core
Cables,
H.S.L. Cables
and
H-type Cables
0.6/1
3.5/6
80 60 50 65 55
5.8/10 70 50 40 55 45
8.7/15
11.6/20
65 45 35 45 35
17.3/30 60 40 30 40 30
Protodur Cables
All Types
0.6/1
3.5/6
70 50 40 55 55
5.8/10 65 45 35 50 50
8.7/15
11.6/20
60 40 30 45 45
17.3/30 55 35 25 40 40

Conversion factors for ambient temperatures higher or lower than those
shown may be taken from table 2.
Under certain conditions the heat generated by the losses in the cables may
lead to an increase in the ambient temperature. This applies to cables in tunnels in
particular (see page 94).


1) These values have not been fixed for plastic-insulated cables (protodur cables), but it is recommended that they should not be exceeded in consideration of th
e
longitudinal of the cables.
(3) c. Temperature Rise:
The permissible temperature rise of a cable is determined by the permissible
conductor temperature and the ambient temperature other sources of heat
excluded (see page 80 and table 1). In cases where the ambient temperature of
cable installation differs from the normal 20C underground or 30C in air, for
example with low outside temperatures over an extended period or due to heating
wires running parallel to the cable route, the permissible current I is calculated as
follows:
( )
n n
/ I I 0 A 0 A = A (13)
For direct burial A0 = A0
n
+ 20 - 0
u
C (14)
For installation in free air A0 = A0
n
+ 30 - 0
u
C (15)
where
I
n
= Current rating under normal conditions
A0
n
= Temperature rise under normal conditions
0 = actual ambient temperature
A0 = permissible temperature rise according to equations (14) and (15)

With mass-impregnated paper-insulated cables the temperature variation A0
may not exceed the max. permissible values shown in table 1, which means that
the load may not be increased even at lower ambient temperatures.
The temperature rise within the conductor for any current I, with the ambient
temperature remaining constant and the change in resistance with changing
conductor temperature being neglected, is calculated as follows:
C
I
I
2
n
n

|
|
.
|

\
|
0 A = 0 A (16)

(4) a. Installation in free Air (Thermal Resistance of the Air):
Installation in free air is taken as the normal condition for determination of
the current carrying capacity of a cable. By in free air is meant that the heat
losses are freely dissipated from the surface of the cable to the surroundings by
natural convection and radiation under exclusion of outside sources of heat,
without the surrounding media being media being heated up noticeably (infinite
heat capacity of the surroundings).

The pre-conditions are:
The clearance between the cables and walls, floor or ceiling must be at least
2 cm. With cables arranged in flat formation in one layer the clearance between
them should not be less than twice the diameter of the cables. Several layers of
cables arranged in flat formation should be installed with a vertical clearance of at
least 30 cm.
Protection against direct solar radiation etc. Sufficiently large or ventilated
rooms such that the ambient temperature is not increased by the heat generated by
the losses in the cables.
If the cable is installed touching a wall or directly on the floor, the current
carrying capacity has to be reduced by 0.95. Rating for grouping of cables are
given in tables 4 and 5. In these tables the reduction by 0.95 for direct installation
on a wall has been taken into account where necessary.
The thermal resistance of the air for a cable installed in free air may be
determined according to page 104. As a rule, however, knowledge of the same is
not required for planning.
With cables of very small diameter the thermal resistance of the air is
considerably greater than the thermal resistance of the soil. The current rating of
cables with a small diameter in free air is therefore lower than in the ground. With
increasing diameter of the cable the thermal resistance of the air decreases faster
than that of the soil. The result is that the ratio of current rating for installation in
free air and in the ground increases together with the diameter of the cable and that
with large diameters the current carrying capacity in free air is greater than that for
installation in the ground. Tests have confirmed that this is actually the case.

(4) b. Direct Burial in the Ground (Thermal Resistance of the Soil):
In the ground, cables are normally embedded in sand or riddled soil and
covered with bricks. This method of laying forms the basis for the current rating
values, whereby the depth of laying h is assumed to be 70 cm and the thermal
resistivity of the soil o
E
to be 100C. cm/W. The equation for the thermal
resistance of the soil S
E
of, for example, a multicore cable with diameter d (see
page 111) shows that S
E
increases with increasing h and o
E
, whilst the current
rating decreases:

|
.
|

\
|
t
o
=
d
h 4
ln
2
S
E
E
C cm/W (17)

The influence of the depth of laying is small. With increasing depth the
ambient temperature and normally also the thermal resistivity decrease as the
deeper layers of the ground normally contain more moisture and stay more
uniformly moist than the upper layers. For the normal depths of laying for L.T. and
medium tension cables (70 to 120 cm) a conversion of the current rating values is
not necessary if the ambient temperature is taken as being 20C and the thermal
resistivity of the soil as being 100C cm/W.
Of much greater importance is the thermal resistivity of the soil, which
depends on a large number of factors. There is especially the drying-out of the soil
caused by a continuous load according to the rating tables, which leads to an
increase in the thermal resistance of the soil in the course of time. Therefore the
values in tables (e.g. table 6) for direct burial are to be reduced to 75% if the
current load is constant all the time. This is not necessary, if the possibility of the
soil drying out has been taken into account by calculating with a sufficiently high
value for the soil thermal resistivity (table 3).

4-2 Calculating the Load Current:
The load current is the result of operating voltage U in kV and load to be
transmitted P in kW:
For d.c.: A
U
P
I= (18)
For single-phase a.c.: I = P / (U cos |) A (19)
For three-phase current: I = P / ( 3 U cos |) A (20)
0
Examples:
1) 3 Protodur cables type NYFGBY 3 x 185 sm 3.5/6 kV laid directly in the
ground, clearance 7 cm, covered with bricks; public utilities load; thermal
resistivity of the soil 150C cm/W, ambient temperature 30C.

Tables of Rating Factors
Rating Factors for the Ambient Temperature
Table 2:
Max. Permissible
Conductor
Temperature
of the Cable C
Ambient Temperature
15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Insulation of
Plas
-tics
Pa-
per
1)

Pas-
tics
Pa-
per
1)

Plas
-tics
Pa-
per
1)

Plastics and Paper
For Cables in Ground
85 1.04 1 0.96 0.92 0.88 0.83 0.78 0.73 .068 0.62
80 1.04 1 0.96 0.91 0.87 .082 0.76 0.71 0.65 0.58
70 1.05 1 0.95 0.89 0.84 0.77 0.71 0.63 0.65 0.45

65 1.05 1 1 0.94 0.88 0.82 0.75 0.67 0.58 0.47 0.33
60 1.06 - 1 0.93 0.87 0.79 0.71 0.61 0.50 0.35 -
55 1.07 - 1 0.93 0.85 0.76 0.65 0.53 0.38 - -
For Cables in Air
85
1.13 - 1.09 - 1.04 1 0.95 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.74 0.67
80
1.14 1.05 1.09 1.05 1.05 1 0.95 0.89 0.84 0.77 0.71 0.63
70
1.17 1.06 1.12 1.06 1.06 1 0.94 0.87 0.79 0.71 0.61 0.50

65
1.19 1 1.13 1 1.07 1 1 0.93 0.85 0.76 0.65 0.53 0.38
60
1.22 1 1.15 1 1.08 1 1 0.91 0.82 0.71 0.58 0.41 -
55
1.26 - 1.18 - 1.10 - 1 0.89 0.77 0.63 0.45 - -


1) With regard to the max. permissible temperature difference for mass-impregnated paper-insulated cables (see
page 83) it is not possible in every case to increase the current rating at low ambient temperature.
Thermal Resistivity of the Soil
Table 3 Multi-core Cables
Rated
Voltage
U
o
/U
kV
Cross- sectional
Area of
Conductors
mm
2
Thermal Resistivity of the Soil o
E

degC-cm/W
70
1)
100 120 150 200 250 300
Rating Factor
Twin-core Plastic (P.V.C.) and Paper-insulated Cables
0.6/1
up to 25 1.09 1 0.95 0.88 0.80 0.73 0.69
35 95 1.11 1 0.94 0.87 0.78 0.71 0.66
120 240 1.12 1 0.94 0.86 0.78 0.70 0.65
300 500 1.13 1 0.93 0.86 0.77 0.69 0.65
3- and 4-core Plastic (P.V.C.) and Paper-insulated Cables
0.6/1
up to 25 1.11 1 0.94 0.87 0.78 0.72 0.67
35 95 1.13 1 0.93 0.86 0.76 0.70 0.64
120 240 1.14 1 0.93 0.85 0.76 0.69 0.63
300 500 1.15 1 0.92 0.85 0.75 0.68 0.63
3-core Plastic (P.V.C.) insulated Cables
3.5/6
and
5.8/10
up to 25 1.11 1 0.94 0.87 0.78 0.72 0.67
35 95 1.13 1 0.93 0.86 0.76 0.70 0.64
120 240 1.14 1 0.93 0.85 0.76 0.69 0.63
300 500 1.15 1 0.92 0.85 0.75 0.68 0.63
3-core Paper-insulated Cables (Belted, H-type and H.S.L. Cables)
3.5/6
and
5.8/10
up to 25 1.09 1 0.95 0.88 0.80 0.73 0.69
35 95 1.11 1 0.94 0.87 0.78 0.71 0.66
120 240 1.12 1 0.94 0.86 0.78 0.70 0.65
300 500 1.13 1 0.93 0.86 0.77 0.69 0.65
3-core Cables with Paper Insulation (H.S.L. and H-type cables) and Plastic (P.V.C.) insulated
Cables
8.7/15
11.6/20
17.3/30
up to 25 1.08 1 0.96 0.9 0.81 0.75 0.7
35 95 1.09 1 0.95 0.89 0.79 0.73 0.67
120 240 1.1 1 0.95 0.88 0.79 0.72 0.66
300 500 1.11 1 0.94 0.88 0.78 0.71 0.66


1) The factor in this column may be used only if the thermal resistivity of the soil has been actually measured.
Table 3 (Continuation) Single-core Cables
Rated
Voltage
U
o
/U
kV
Cross- sectional
Area of
Conductors
mm
2
Thermal Resistivity of the Soil o
E

degC-cm/W
70
1)
100 120 150 200 250 300
Rating Factor
3 Unarmoured Cables in Flat Formation or in Trefoil Formation
0.6/1
3.5/6
5.8/10
up to 25 1.12 1 0.94 0.85 0.76 0.70 0.65
35 95 1.14 1 0.94 0.84 0.74 0.68 0.62
120 240 1.15 1 0.93 0.83 0.74 0.67 0.61
300 500 1.16 1 0.92 0.83 0.73 0.66 0.61
8.7/15
11.6/20
17.3/30
up to 25 1.11 1 0.94 0.87 0.78 0.72 0.67
35 95 1.13 1 0.93 0.86 0.76 0.70 0.64
120 240 1.14 1 0.93 0.85 0.76 0.69 0.63
300 500 1.15 1 0.92 0.85 0.75 0.68 0.63
1 Separately Installed D.C. Cable with Plastic Insulation (P.V.C.)
0.6/1
up to 25 1.09 1 0.95 0.88 0.80 0.73 0.69
35 95 1.11 1 0.94 0.87 0.78 0.71 0.66
120 240 1.12 1 0.94 0.86 0.78 0.70 0.65
300 500 1.13 1 0.93 0.86 0.77 0.69 0.65
1 Separately Installed D.C. Cable with Paper Insulation
8.7/15
11.6/20
17.3/30
up to 25 1.08 1 0.95 0.89 0.80 0.75 0.7
35 95 1.1 1 0.95 0.88 0.78 0.73 0.67
120 240 1.11 1 0.94 0.87 0.78 0.72 0.66
300 500 1.12 1 0.93 0.87 0.77 0.71 0.66


1) The factor in this column may be used only if the thermal resistivity of the soil has been actually measured.
Grouping in Air:
Table 4: Multi-core Cable in Three-phase Systems and Single-core Cables in D.C.
Systems. These factors are valid only under the condition that the
ambient temperature is not perceptibly increased by the heat generated
by the cable.
Distance from the wall > 2cm
Clearance between cables = diameter d
Number of Cables
1 2 3 6 9
Rating Factor
Cable laid on the ground in flat formation

0.95 0.90 0.88 0.85 0.84
Cables laid on troughs (circulation of air is restricted)

Number of
troughs

1 0.95 0.90 0.88 0.85 0.84
2 0.90 0.85 0.83 0.81 0.80
3 0.88 0.83 0.81 0.79 0.78
6 0.86 0.81 0.79 0.77 0.76
Cables laid on racks in flat formation

Number of
racks

1 1 0.98 0.96 0.93 0.92
2 1 0.95 0.93 0.90 0.89
3 1 0.94 0.92 0.89 0.88
6 1 0.93 0.90 0.87 0.86
Cables arranged on structures or on the wall

1 0.93 0.90 0.87 0.86
Arrangements for which a reduction of the current rating is not necessary

Distance form the wall
> 2cm
Clearance between cables
= 2d
Any number of cables

Grouping in Air:
Table 5: Single-core Cables in Three-phase Systems. These factors are valid only
under the condition that the ambient temperature is not perceptibly
increased by the heat generated by the cable.
Distance from the wall > 2 cm
Clearance between cable = diameter d
Number of System
1 2 3
Rating Factors
Cables laid on the ground in flat formation

0.92 0.89 0.88
Cables laid on troughs (circulation of air is restricted)

Number of
troughs

1 0.92 0.89 0.88
2 0.87 0.84 0.83
3 0.84 0.82 0.81
Cables laid on racks in flat formation

Number of
racks

1 1 0.97 0.96
2 0.97 0.94 0.93
3 0.96 0.93 0.92
6 0.94 0.91 0.90
Cables arranged on structures or on the wall

0.94 0.91 0.89

Touching the wall 0.89 0.86 0.84

Current rating under normal conditions according to table 6 for a single cable: I
n
=
370 A.
Permissible conductor temperature according to table 6 : 70 C.
Rating factors:
For higher ambient temperature according to table 2:0.89
For higher thermal resistivity of the soil according to
Table 3 0.85
For grouping according to table 0.75
The permissible load current for 3 cables is therefore:
I = 3.370. 0.89. 0.85. 0.75 = 630 A.
The transmission power (complex P
S
) of the cable connection is:
P
S
= I 3 U 10
-3

= 630 3 6 10
-3

= 6.55 MVA
2) 5 MVA at an operating voltage of 10 kV have to be transmitted by Protodur
cables.

Ambient conditions:
Cables laid in flat formation in the ground, clearance 7 cm covered with
bricks; continuous load; thermal resistivity of non-dried-out soil 100C cm/W
ambient temperature 25C.

Load Current:
I = P
S
10
3
/ ( 3 U) = 5 10
3
/ ( 3 10) = 290
Estimate: 2 cables installed parallel will be required.

Table 6: Three-and Four-core Cables for 0.6/1 kV, e.g. NYY, NYCY, NYCWY,
NYKY, YTY, Three-core Cables for 3.5/6kV and 5.8/10 kV, e.g.
NYFGbY, NYSEY, NYHFGbY.
Nominal
Cross-sectional
Area
mm
2
Rated Voltage U
o
/U in kV
0.6/1 3.5/6 5.8/10
Permissible Conductor Temperature
70C 70C 65C
Three-and Four-core Three-core Three-core
Ambient Temperature and Installation
20C 30C 20C 30C 20C 30C
Ground Air
1)
Ground Air Ground Air
Current Rating in A
Copper Conductors
1.5 27 18 -- -- -- --
2.5 36 25 -- -- -- --
4 46 34 -- -- -- --
6 58 44 58 48 -- --
10 77 60 76 65 72 63
16 100 80 98 86 93 83
25 130 105 125 110 120 110
35 155 130 150 135 145 130
50 185 160 175 165 170 155
70 230 200 220 205 210 195
95 275 245 260 250 245 235
120 315 285 295 285 280 270
150 355 325 335 325 320 310
185 400 370 370 370 355 350
240 465 435 425 430 405 400
300 520 500 475 490 450 450
400 600 600 540 570 520 530
Aluminum Conductors
25 100 82 97 87 92 84
35 120 100 115 105 110 100
50 145 125 135 130 130 120
70 175 155 170 160 160 150
95 215 190 200 195 190 185
120 245 220 230 220 215 210
150 275 250 260 250 245 240
185 310 285 290 285 280 270
240 360 340 330 340 315 310
300 410 390 380 390 355 355
400 470 460 425 450 410 420


1) For the current rating of cables of U
o
/U = 0.5/1 kV in air please refer to the preface also.
Rating factors:
For continuous load: see page 0.75
For grouping according to table: 0.85
For higher ambient temperature according to table 2 with the max
permissible conductor temperature of 65C for protodur cables for 5.8/10kV:
0.94

The fictitious current per cable, with 2 cable installed in parallel, is:
A 242
94 . 0 85 . 0 75 . 0 2
290
I
f
=

=
According to table 6 cables with a cross-sectional area of copper of 95 mm
2

have to be installed (permissible current rating under normal conditions: 245 A).

4-3 Cables in Tunnels:
Unventilated Tunnels:
In unventilated covered tunnels the heat generated in the cables is dissipated
only via the walls of the tunnel in all directions. The accumulating heat increases
the temperature of the air surrounding the cable within the tunnel, which means
that the current rating is reduced as compared with the values for installation in
free air. The heating of air in the tunnel depends solely on the magnitude of the
power loss of the cables, whilst the number of cables causing this power loss and
their arrangement within the tunnel is of no influence.
Figure 2 shows the increase in the air temperature within the tunnel as a
function of the power per 1 m length of the tunnel with the circumference of the
tunnel as parameter. This diagram, together with the current rating values of cables
in free air as given table 6, enables the cable for a certain load to be determined, or
if the number of cables, the cross-sectional area and load as well as the dimension
of the tunnel are given, the temperature rise of the cables to be worked out.
When calculating the circumference of a tunnel, only those surfaces which
permit dissipation of heat should be taken into account; walls which border on
warm operational rooms, transformer cells etc. may not be included.

The Installation of Cables in Tunnels:
The cables are either fixed to the walls, using clamps etc., or are laid out on
steel structures or racks. The necessary clearance between racks depends on their
depth, but should not be less than 300 mm. The clearance between the cables
should always be at least equal to the cable diameter in order to reduce to a
minimum the direct transmission of heat between them, regardless of whether the
cables are fixed directly to the walls or laid out on structures or racks.
The head room should not be less than 2 m and the width sufficient to leave
a free passage of at least 60 to 80 cm. The depth of racks arranged with a vertical
clearance of 30 cm should not exceed 50 cm in order to facilitate installation of the
cables.
The planning of such an installation may be carried out as follows: First the
cross-sectional area of each cable is estimated, working with values approximately
30% higher than those required for installation in free air. Heavy currents may
make the installation of several cables in parallel necessary. Next a rough drawing
of the tunnel will be made, showing the required height, width, number of racks
and arrangement of the cables in accordance with the rules given above.

Fig. 2 Increase of the Air Temperature inside a Tunnel as a Function of the Power
Loss per 1 m Length of Tunnel
The reduction factor for grouping in free air f may now be taken from table
4 or 5 for the arrangement laid down in the sketch. Next the total losses of all
cables in the tunnel and the increase in the tunnel temperature are determined
according to Fig. 2. The temperature of the air in the tunnel with no load on the
cables is to be increased by this value and the reduction factor for higher ambient
temperature f is to be taken from table 2 or calculated according to equation (13).
Multiplication of the current rating under normal conditions I
n
with these factors
must not lead to a result lower than the required current currying capacity:
I
n
f' f'' > I
Thus
f' f'' > I/I
n
(21)

The number of cables, their cross-sectional areas or the circumference of the
tunnel should be increased if this is not the case (see also the example on page
).
The time constant of a tunnel is very large compared with that of the cables.
The rise in temperature of the air within the tunnel may therefore be determined
from the losses calculated on the basis of the r.m.s. value I
q
of the currents over a
period of 24 hours:
A
t t
... t I t I
I
2 1
2
2
2 1
2
1
q
+
+ +
= (22)
t
1
+ t
2
+ = 24 hr
where I
1
, I
2
.. = the currents flowing during the periods t
1
, t
2


Tunnels with Forced Ventilation:
If the heat dissipation through the walls of the tunnel is not sufficient and the
temperature of the air inside the tunnel become too high, causing the maximum
conductor temperature to be exceeded, then forced ventilation has to be provided,
unless other methods may be resorted to as, for example, increasing the
circumference of the tunnel and thus the heat-dissipating surface.
In most cases the calculation is based on the total heat generated by the
losses in the cables, neglecting the fact that heat is still dissipated through the walls
of the tunnel. The fans selected on this basis will more than fully meet the
requirements and there will be ventilation power to spare for further extensions of
the installation.
The quantity of cooling air Q required depends on the total heat generated by
the losses in the cables EV, the length of the tunnel 1 and the temperature rise of
the cooling air A0
ku
flowing through the tunnel:

Q = 0.77 10
-3
EV 1 / A0
ku
m
3
/s (23)
The speed of the flow v is calculated on the basis of the cross section of the
tunnel A in m
2
:

V = Q / A, m/s (24)

The speed of the air flow should not exceed 5 m/s if annoying noise is to be
avoided.
The temperature rise of the cooling air has to be determined with ranged to
its original temperature and the permissible temperature at the point of exit from
the tunnel. In most cases the original temperature of the cooling air is the same as
the ambient temperature 0
u
. For the relatively warmest cable, taking into account
its maximum permissible conductor temperature 0
Ln
, we obtain for the temperature
rise of the cooling air:
A0
Ku
s 0
Ln
- 0
u
- A0, C (25)
with
A0 = A0
n
(I/I
n
)
2
C (26)

The grouping factor f' need not be applied as the flowing air considerably
improves the heat dissipation of the cables.

Example:
The cables shown in table 7 for the loads indicated are to be installed in a
tunnel 2.2 m high and 1.5 m wide. In the first stage 8 h of full load daily are to be
taken into account. Operation at full load for 16 h per day, for which forced
ventilation may be provided, must be possible also. The ambient temperature
inside the tunnel with no load on the cables is taken to be 35C. The intended
arrangement of the cables is shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3
Table 7:
Serial a b c d
Type of Cable

U
o
/U kV
NYFGbY
3 150 sm
3.5/6
NYSEY
3 240 rm
5.8/10
NEKBY
3 70 rm
11.6/20
NEKBY
3 120 rm
11.6/20
Number of Cables 14 8 6 7
Load I A 205 240 120 170
Normal Values
in Air I
n
A 325 400 205 280
in the Ground I
n
A 335 410 215 290
in Air A0
n
degC 40 35 35 35
In the Ground V
n
W/m 51 47 45 48
0
Ln
C 70 65 65 65
( ) Air I
I
n
0.63 0.6 0.585 0.607
Full Load 8 h Daily
V W/m 6.35 5.35 4.83 5.5
EV W/m 89 42,8 29 38.5
f'' 0.76 0.715 0.715 0.715
f' f'' 0.66 0.62 0.62 0.62
A0 degC 16 12.6 12 12.9
(A0
ku
)
max.
degC 19 17.4 18 17.1

A reduction factor f'~ 0.87 for the grouping of 5 cables on each of 7 racks has to be
used (see also table).

With 8 h full load daily the r.m.s. value of the currents of the cables (a) is:
A 118 A
24
8
205 A
24
8
I
t t
t I
I
2 1
1
2
1
q
= = =
+
= (22)
The losses (with I
n
for underground installation according to page inserted into
the equation) are:


2
n
n
2
n
q
n
I
I
24
8
V
I
I
V V
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
= (11)
m / W 35 . 6
335
205
24
8
51
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
and
EV = 14 6.35 = 89 W/m
According to table 7 the total losses of all cables are:
89 + 42.8 + 29 + 38.5 = 199.3 W/m
and the temperature rise of the air in the tunnel according to Fig. 2 amounts to
12C. Thus the temperature of the air increases to 35 + 12 = 47C.
The factor for the cables (a) is obtained by equations (13) and (15)
76 . 0
40
47 30 40
f
n
=
+
=
0 A
0 A
= ' '
The change-over to operation with 16 h full load daily leads to:
A
24
16
I I
q
= (22)
and
m / W ,
I
I
2
16
V V
2
n
n
|
|
.
|

\
|
= (11)
The total losses in the tunnel are thus doubled
EV = 2 199.3 = 398.6 W/m
and the temperature of he air within the tunnel increases by 20C (Fig. 2) to:
35 + 20 = 55C
Forced ventilation has to be provided.
Thus for cables (a)
A0 = 40 (205/325)
2
= 16 C (16)
A0
KU
s 70 35 16 s 19 C (25)

The values for the remaining cables may be taken from Table 7. A0
ku
=
10C is chosen. With a tunnel length of 20 m and a cross-section of 1.5 2.2 m =
3.3 m
2
the quantity of cooling air required is:
s / m 6 . 0
10
20 390
10 77 . 0 Q
3 3
=

=

(23)
and speed of the air flow
v = 0.6 / 3.3 = 0.182 m/s (24)