Given: Motor load

hi basically i am doing my final year project on my degree and i have some confusion.. i need cable sizes
worked out via calculations

i have a 18.5Kw motor

400v

960RPM

i didnt get a power factor but have sourced a good estimated one by finding a very similar motor and
used that so working of 0.85 for power factor

i have a run of 30M and will be 3 core in SWA cable

Ans:

Assuming your 18.5kW is input power (if not and it is output you will need to know the efficiency) then
Ib the design current =

18500/(400 x route 3 x PF) = 18500/( 400 x 1.732 x 0.85) = 31.42A.

Select circuit protection In. A 32A Type C MCB would be theoretically OK but sensible design would be
40A for some head room.

If the VFD provides overload protection then Iz = Ib/any rating factors.

You have not mentioned any rating factors so Iz = Ib. If the VFD does not provide overload protection
then Iz = In/rating factors.

Selecting XLPE cable (90 degrees) but using PVC cable data for 70 degrees in BS7671.

So assuming Iz = Ib nearest cable size for PVC SWA is 4mm for 3 core on tray (35A).

Then check volt drop = 30 x 9.5mV/A/m = (30 x 31.42 x 9.5)/1000 = 8.95V. That is acceptable as max =
5% = 20V.
Max Zs for 40A BSEN 60898 MCB = 0.57 ohms.

R1 + R2 for 30m 4mm XLPE SWA @ 20 degrees = 0.36 ohms x 1.2 =0.43 ohms at 70 degrees. So if your Ze
is less than 0.14 ohms (Zs -R1 + R2) then you are Ok.

For a fault current of 7kA the energy let thro for a 40A Schneider MCB IS 23,000 A squared seconds. The
thermal constraint for the cable ( S squared x K squared ) is 21 squared x 51 squared for the steel CPC. =
1147041. So the thermal constraint is ok as I squared t is less than S squared x K squared.

So after all that Stu you were correct with 4mm!

Approval is subject to the attached approved work inspection request for the disconnection of the (o
disconnected) switch and cable pulling installation, based on the design size of cable is 6mm.

Approval subject to attached the approved work inspection request for the disconnect switch and cable
pulling installatio, based on the design size of cable is 6mm.