Document Number: EDS 01-0045

Version: 3.0
Date: 21/06/2016

THIS IS AN UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT, THE READER MUST CONFIRM ITS VALIDITY BEFORE USE
ENGINEERING DESIGN STANDARD

EDS 01-0045

OVERHEAD LINE RATINGS

Network(s): EPN, LPN, SPN

Summary: This standard details the Electricity Networks Association (ENA) Engineering
Recommendation P27 Current Rating Guide for UK Power Networks Overhead
Lines.

Author: Alan Archer Date: 21/06/2016

Approved By: Paul Williams Approved Date: 28/06/2016

This document forms part of the Company’s Integrated Business System and its requirements are mandatory throughout UK
Power Networks. Departure from these requirements may only be taken with the written approval of the Director of Asset
Management. If you have any queries about this document please contact the author or owner of the current issue.

Applicable To
UK Power Networks External
All UK Power Networks G81 Website

Asset Management Contractors

Capital Programme ICPs/IDNOs

Connections Meter Operators

HSS&TT

Network Operations
UK Power Networks Services

Other
Overhead Line Ratings Document Number: EDS 01-0045
Version: 3.0
Date: 21/06/2016

Revision Record

Version 3.0 Review Date 28/06/2019

Date 21/06/2016 Author Alan Archer
Why has the document been updated – Periodic review of document and supporting document
EDS 01-0045b
What has changed – ENA ER P27 title clarified in Introduction, department updated in Section 7.
Document transferred onto a new template and rules applied.
Version 13/05/2013 Review Date 30/04/2016
Date 2.0 Author Florence Nanyonjo
Appendix A - amended to include ratings for conductor sizes and types used on the LV network and a
section of all conductor post – fault ratings.
Version 1.2 Review Date
Date 23/07/2012 Author Lee Strachan
Document reviewed for publishing on G81 website

Version 1.1 Review Date

Date 02/08/2011 Author Chris Anderson
Reclassified from EI to EDS

Version 1.0 Review Date

Date 29/12/2010 Author Martin Payne
Original. NBC_11_0018.

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Overhead Line Ratings Document Number: EDS 01-0045
Version: 3.0
Date: 21/06/2016

Contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 4
2 Scope ....................................................................................................................... 4
3 Methodology of Conductor Ratings ....................................................................... 4
4 Circuit Identification ................................................................................................ 4
5 Ratings ..................................................................................................................... 5
6 Applying Appropriate Levels of Exceedance ........................................................ 5
7 Calculating of Conductor Ratings .......................................................................... 5
8 References ............................................................................................................... 6
9 Dependent Documents............................................................................................ 6
Appendix A – Pre-fault and Post-fault Conductor Current Ratings at 500c Operating
Temperature............................................................................................................. 7
Table A1- Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR), All Aluminium Alloy
Conductor (AAAC) and Hard Drawn Aluminium (HDAL) ...................................... 7
Table A2- Hard drawn (HD) Copper and Cadmium (CAD) Copper ................................... 9
Table A3- Covered Core Conductor (CCC) or BLX and Aerial Bundled Conductor
(ABC) ...................................................................................................................... 12

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Overhead Line Ratings Document Number: EDS 01-0045
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Date: 21/06/2016

1 Introduction
This standard details the Electricity Networks Association (ENA) Engineering
Recommendation P27 ‘Current Rating Guide for High Voltage Overhead Lines Operating in
the UK Distribution System’.

2 Scope
This standard specifies the use of the cable rating tool ‘ORAT 4’ (developed by EA
Technology as part of the Overhead Line Strategic Technology Project), which specifies the
current ratings that UK Power Networks’ overhead line network should be designed and
operated to.

3 Methodology of Conductor Ratings

The ratings contained in ER P27 are based on statistical studies by CERL. These studies
provided data on the likelihood of a conductor exceeding its maximum operating temperature
for a given continuous current in specified weather conditions.

The aggregate period of time during which the conductor exceeds its maximum operating
temperature is called the 'exceedance'. It is usually expressed as the percentage of the total
time for which the current was maintained.

ER P27 makes no distinction between pre-fault and post-fault ratings and allows 0.001%
excursion time for single circuits and 3% for double circuits.

Under post-fault conditions the duration of the excursion is not set out as in ER P27. Under
these conditions and dependant on the network configurations, the percentage exceedance
can be altered. Table 1 gives guidance on this.

All ratings are appropriate to their maximum operating temperature and the season (winter,
spring/autumn, summer), for which an ambient temperature is specified.

4 Circuit Identification

Under ER P27 there is the need to identify the type of circuit you are operating. These types
of circuit are identified as:

 Single Circuit. Single circuit radial systems. eg. LV and 11kV spur.
 Secondary Distribution. These refer to ring-type systems with a number of tapping off
points, such as 11kV main lines.
 Multi-circuit Primary. These refer to circuits which would be called upon to supply
maximum load only in the event of the outage of another circuit, the category therefore
includes 132kV and 33kV duplicate transformer feeders, together with some untapped
11kV circuits providing a firm supply to end loads.

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5 Ratings
Two different ratings criteria will be applied to an overhead line:

 Pre-fault Rating. This is the maximum continuous rating appropriate to the season
which may be applied without time limitation.
 Post-fault Rating. This is the maximum continuous rating appropriate to the season
which may be applied in a fault situation until pre-fault requirements can be restored.
Normally this would be for a period well within 24 hours.

6 Applying Appropriate Levels of Exceedance

Table 1 gives guidance on the exceedance levels that should be applied to the different
types of circuit configurations. It is split into two categories:

 Pre-fault. Normal operating conditions that apply to the methodology of ENA P27.
 Post-fault. Due to the nature of the circuit configuration and the duration of the running
arrangement the exceedance levels have been altered from those set out in ENA P27.

Type of Circuit Load Shape Pre-fault Exceedance Post-fault

Value Exceedance Value
Single Circuit Rating Not Dependant 0.001% 0.001%
Secondary Distribution on Load Shape 0.001% 3%
General Distribution 3% 10%
Multi-circuit Primary Intensive Industrial or 3% for loads at
City Centre 10%
0.96 x Rating
Table 1 – Levels of Exceedance

7 Calculating of Conductor Ratings

The most commonly used conductor ratings have been included in Appendix A of this
document.

If additional ratings are required, these will be calculated by the UK Power Networks
Technical Sourcing and Standards team within Asset Management, using the EA
Technology OHRAT Calculation of Distribution Ratings for Overhead Conductors software.

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8 References
ENA ER P27 Current Rating Guide for High Voltage Overhead Lines Operating in the
UK Distribution System

9 Dependent Documents
The following documents are referenced in this document, any of which may be affected by
updates.

EDS 01-0045b OHRAT Calculation of Distribution Ratings for Overhead Conductors

EDS 08-0109 11/6.6kV Secondary Distribution Network Design
Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) Monitoring Equipment on 33kV Distribution
EOS 09-0070
Lines
Overhead Line Craft Manual Section 6

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Appendix A – Pre-fault and Post-fault Conductor Current Ratings at 500c Operating Temperature

Table A1- Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR), All Aluminium Alloy Conductor (AAAC) and Hard Drawn Aluminium (HDAL)
PRE- FAULT RATING POST- FAULT RATING

Conductor Size and Type Exceedance Summer Rating Spring/Autumn Winter Exceedance Summer Rating Spring/Autumn Winter Rating
Level (A) Rating (A) Rating (A) Level (A) Rating (A) (A)

2
Gopher 25mm ACSR 100 116 125 100 116 125

Rabbit 50mm² ACSR 158 184 198 158 184 198

0.001% 0.001%
2
Horse 70mm ACSR 206 238 258 206 238 258

Dog 100mm² ASCR 252 289 310 252 289 310

0.001% 346 401 431 3% 392 454 488

Wolf 150mm² ACSR
3% 392 454 488 10% 415 481 517

0.001% 382 442 476 3% 432 501 539

Lynx 175mm² ACSR
3% 432 501 539 10% 458 531 571

0.001% 407 472 507 3% 416 534 575

Jaguar 200mm² ASCR
3% 416 534 575 10% 489 566 609

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PRE- FAULT RATING POST- FAULT RATING

Conductor Size and Type Exceedance Summer Rating Spring/Autumn Winter Exceedance Summer Rating Spring/Autumn Winter Rating
Level (A) Rating (A) Rating (A) Level (A) Rating (A) (A)

0.001% 658 760 817 3% 745 861 925

Zebra 400mm² ACSR
3% 745 861 925 10% 790 913 981

Hazel 50mm² AAAC 165 191 206 165 191 206

0.001% 0.001%
Oak 100mm² AAAC 259 301 324 259 301 324

0.001% 343 398 428 3% 389 450 485

Ash 150mm² AAAC
3% 389 450 485 10% 412 477 514

0.001% 413 479 515 3% 468 542 584

Poplar 200mm² AAAC
3% 468 542 584 10% 497 575 619

0.001% 546 632 679 3% 618 715 769

Upas 300mm² AAAC
3% 618 715 769 10% 655 759 816

2
Ant 50mm HDAL 163 189 204 163 189 204
0.001% 0.001%
2
Wasp 100mm HDAL 258 299 322 258 299 322

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Table A2- Hard drawn (HD) Copper and Cadmium (CAD) Copper
PRE- FAULT RATING POST- FAULT RATING

Conductor Size and Type Exceedance Summer Spring/Autumn Winter Exceedance Summer Rating Spring/Autumn Winter Rating
Level Rating (A) Rating (A) Rating (A) Level (A) Rating (A) (A)

0.025 Copper 0.025in² HDC 99 114 123 99 114 123

0.05 Copper 0.05in² HDC 0.001% 155 180 194 0.001% 155 180 194

0.1 Copper 0.1in² HDC 237 275 296 237 275 296

0.001% 309 358 385 3% 350 405 437

0.15 Copper 0.15in² HDC
3% 350 405 437 10% 379 440 474

0.001% 375 435 465 3% 425 490 530

0.2 Copper 0.2in² HDC
3% 425 490 530 10% 437 507 545

16 Metric 2
16mm HDC 99 115 124 99 115 124
Copper

25 Metric 2
25mm HDC 0.001% 126 147 158 0.001% 126 147 158
Copper

32 Metric 2
32mm HDC 155 180 194 155 180 194
Copper

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PRE- FAULT RATING POST- FAULT RATING

Conductor Size and Type Exceedance Summer Spring/Autumn Winter Exceedance Summer Rating Spring/Autumn Winter Rating
Level Rating (A) Rating (A) Rating (A) Level (A) Rating (A) (A)

16 Metric 2
16mm HDC 99 115 124 99 115 124
Copper

25 Metric 2
25mm HDC 126 147 158 126 147 158
Copper

32 Metric 2
32mm HDC 0.001% 155 180 194 0.001% 155 180 194
Copper

35 Metric 2
35mm HDC 156 181 195 156 181 195
Copper

70 Metric 2
70mm HDC 245 285 307 245 285 307
Copper

0.001% 316 367 395 3% 358 415 447

100 Metric 2
100mm HDC
Copper
3% 358 415 447 10% 379 440 474

0.001% 364 422 454 3% 412 478 515

125 Metric 2
125mm HDC
Copper
3% 412 478 515 10% 437 507 545

0.17 CAD
0.17in² CADC 0.001% 78 90 97 0.001% 78 90 97
Copper

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PRE- FAULT RATING POST- FAULT RATING

Conductor Size and Type Exceedance Summer Spring/Autumn Winter Exceedance Summer Rating Spring/Autumn Winter Rating
Level Rating (A) Rating (A) Rating (A) Level (A) Rating (A) (A)

0.025 CAD
0.025in² CADC 96 111 120 96 111 120
Copper

0.035 CAD
0.035in² CADC 121 141 152 121 141 152
Copper

0.04 CAD
0.04in² CADC 131 152 164 131 152 164
Copper
0.001% 0.001%
0.05 CAD
0.05in² CADC 150 174 188 150 174 188
Copper

0.075 CAD
0.075in² CADC 197 229 247 197 229 247
Copper

0.1 CAD
0.1in² CADC 237 275 296 237 275 296
Copper

0.001% 312 362 389 3% 353 410 441

0.15 CAD
0.15in² CADC
Copper
3% 353 410 441 10% 375 434 468

0.001% 347 402 433 3% 393 456 490

0.175 CAD
0.175in² CADC
Copper
3% 393 456 490 10% 417 483 520

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Table A3- Covered Core Conductor (CCC) or BLX and Aerial Bundled Conductor (ABC)
PRE- FAULT RATING POST- FAULT RATING

Conductor Size and Type Exceedance Summer Rating Spring/Autumn Winter Exceedance Summer Rating Spring/Autumn Winter Rating
Level (A) Rating (A) Rating (A) Level (A) Rating (A) (A)

50 BLX 50mm² CCC 148 172 185 148 172 185

0.001% 0.001%
120 BLX 120mm² CCC 264 306 329 264 306 329

0.001% 346 401 431 3% 392 454 489

185 BLX 185mm² CCC
3% 392 454 489 10% 416 481 518

2
35 ABC 35mm ABC 105 115 124 105 115 124

2
50 ABC 50mm ABC 143 157 163 143 157 163
0.001% 0.001%
2
95 ABC 95mm ABC 228 250 260 228 250 260

2
120 ABC 120mm ABC 277 304 327 277 304 327

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