G - Sizing and protection of conductors

2 Practical method for determining the smallest

allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
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The current-carrying capacities of cables in the ground are based on a ground
resistivity equal to 2.5 K.m/W. For other values, the correction factor is given in
)LJ*.
The related correction factor is here noted k3.

Thermal resistivity, K•m/W 0.5  1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Correction factor for cables in buried ducts 1.28 1.20 1.18 1.1 1.05 1 
Correction factor for direct buried cables 1.88  1.5 1.28 1.12 1 
1RWH The correction factors given have been averaged over the range of conductor sizes and types of installation included in Tables B.52.2 to B.52.5.
The overall accuracy of correction factors is within ±5 %.
1RWH The correction factors are applicable to cables drawn into buried ducts; for cables laid direct in the ground the correction factors for thermal resistivities
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1RWH The correction factors are applicable to ducts buried at depths of up to 0.8 m.
1RWH It is assumed that the soil properties are uniform. No allowance had been made for the possibility of moisture migration which can lead to a region of
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)LJ*Correction factors for cables in buried ducts for soil thermal resistivities other than 2.5 K.m/W to be applied to the current-carrying capacities for reference
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Based on experience, a relationship exist between the soil nature and resistivity.
1DWXUHRIVRLO N Then, empiric values of correction factors k3 are proposed in )LJ*, depending G11
9HU\ZHWVRLO VDWXUDWHG 1.21 on the nature of soil.
Wet soil 1.13
Damp soil 1.05
Dry soil 1.00 b *URXSLQJRIFRQGXFWRUVRUFDEOHV
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The current-carrying capacities given in the subsequent tables relate to single
)LJ*Correction factor k3 depending on the nature of soil circuits consisting of the following numbers of loaded conductors:
v Two insulated conductors or two single-core cables, or one twin-core cable
(applicable to single-phase circuits);
v Three insulated conductors or three single-core cables, or one three-core cable
(applicable to three-phase circuits).
Where more insulated conductors or cables are installed in the same group,
a group reduction factor (here noted k4) shall be applied.
Examples are given in )LJ* to )LJ* IRUGLႇHUHQWFRQ¿JXUDWLRQV LQVWDOODWLRQ
methods, in free air or in the ground).
)LJ* gives the values of correction factor k4IRUGLႇHUHQWFRQ¿JXUDWLRQV
of unburied cables or conductors, grouping of more than one circuit or multi-core
cables.

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Bunched in air, on a surface, 1.00 0.80     0.54 0.52 0.50 0.45 0.14 0.38 Methods A to F
embedded or enclosed
6LQJOHOD\HURQZDOOÀRRURU 1.00 0.85        No further reduction Method C
unperforated tray factor for more than
6LQJOHOD\HU¿[HGGLUHFWO\  0.81        nine circuits or multi-
under a wooden ceiling core cables
Single layer on a perforated 1.00 0.88 0.82       Methods E and F
horizontal or vertical tray
Single layer on ladder support 1.00  0.82 0.80 0.80    
or cleats etc.
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