Why is it necessary to derate cables?

Cables undergo thorough testing in manufacturing facilities to determine their current

carrying capacity, temperature tolerance, and other parameters. However, there are
limitations to their performance once they are installed.
When flow/ current gets kinetic energy and interacts with different surfaces, they experience
resistance/ friction and other forms of objection due to their surroundings. To ensure that
cables meet their intended performance standards, considering these obstacles, additional
support/ boost/capacity is required beyond what was initially designed by the manufacturer
or designer.
Let's explore various factors that impact cable performance:
1.Heating:
When a current flow through the conductor, it feels some resistance it will dissipate in the
form of heat. Due to this overall conductor experience the temperature rise.
The amount of heat/power dissipation describe by “JOULES” law P=I2R
2.Skin Effect:
High frequency alternating current flowing through a conductor creates a magnetic field (H).
If the current (I) increases the self-induced magnetic flux in a conductor produces the back
emf (Due to the eddy currents), that reduce the current flow in the centre and reinforce it
near the skins and same time direct currents (DC) do not suffer from this effect as it has zero
frequency.
Solid conductors are experiencing the more skin effect since, it is the one of reason behind
cable cores are “stranded”

3.Proximity Effect:
For example, imagine two wires running parallel next to each other, with the same
alternating current flowing in both wires in the same direction. The magnetic field of the
adjacent wire will induce longitudinal eddy currents in the wire, which causes the current to
be concentrated in a narrow strip on the side adjacent to the other wire. When the current in
the wires flow in opposite directions, the currents are concentrated on the side farthest away
from the adjacent wire. Both scenarios result in a similar current distribution as the skin
effect; the current is crowded into a smaller cross-sectional area of the wire, so the
resistance increases and thus the heat the cable generates also increases.
5.Installation Method:
Cable installation method is also one of the causes to affects the current carrying capacity of
the cable. The installation method can affect the ampacity of the cables because as the
material surrounding the cables changes, the ability of the cable to dissipate heat also
changes. Minimum amount of the de-rating is necessary even though cable installed in air.
6.Cable Depth:
When cables are buried under soil, it is difficult for the cables to dissipate the heat. Because
of the that, cables are running under warm condition they may cause the damage to the
cable insulation. So, to avoid the damage cable need to be operated below their capacity by
derating their amplicity.
7. Ambient Soil Temperature:
Hot climatic sites having higher soil temperature. These temperatures can affect the cables
installed within the soil. Warm soil surrounding the cables reduces the heat dissipation from
the cables resulting in a hotter cable. This will in turn require derating of cables to reduce
their current carrying capacity/ampacity.

8.Thermal Resistivity of Soil:

When it comes to designing underground electrical installations, cable sizing plays a crucial
role. Choosing the right cable size that can operate safely below its transmission capacity is
essential to prevent thermal failure.
Soil resistivity measures the resistance offered by soil to the flow of electricity. It depends on
various factors, including soil composition, moisture content and retention qualities, depth,
load carried by the cable, and temperature. Soil resistivity mainly depends on temperature.
Therefore, it is essential to determine it accurately before installing cables.
Soil thermal resistivity is given as K.m/Watt it is a measure of how poorly a material conducts
heat. It is the inverse of thermal conductivity. Underground buried cables transmit heat to the
soil through the surface which is in contact with the soil.
Moisture content of the soil affects its thermal resistivity, soil containing more moisture will
have lower thermal resistivity as water is a good conductor of heat. On the other hand, dry
soil will have higher thermal resistivity. Cables surrounded by soil which has higher thermal
resistivity (e.g. porous/well drained/dry) will make it difficult for the cables to dissipate heat,
which will result in cables heating up. This again means derating factors are needed to
reduce the current carrying capacity to avoid hot cables. Soil with lower thermal resistivity
(e.g. more moisture content) will be able to carry heat away from the cables much more
easily and keep the cables cooler when they are under operation.
9. Cable Insulation:
The types of cable insulation also play an important role is determining the cable current
carrying capacity and its ability to withstand harsh environmental temperatures; a 90°C rated
insulation will have a higher current carrying capacity than a 75°C insulation. Therefore, if
the installation will be exposed to high temperature but a high current carrying capacity must
be maintained, its ideal to use the higher rated cable insulation so cables do not melt under
normal operating conditions.