Cable Calculations

Section Introduction
In this section cable calculations for the project are completed and
presented on an excel spread sheet. In the written section that
follows I will discus the important aspects of cable calculating
which need to be taken into account when undertaking the job of
cable calculating.

Diversity;
Is the ratio of the max demand to the connective load.

Max Demand
Max load that can be connected

This is an important term to discuss as it is taken into account

when calculating cable size for circuits. An example of this would
be the socket circuit seen on my excel spread sheet which has a
diversity factor of 0.8 applied to it. This diversity factor allows for
the fact that not all sockets will be in use at any one time. And this
reduces the calculation of actual load (load * diversity) and also
the size cable that will be necessary.

Protection Rating
As can be seen in the ETCI regulations selecting a protective
device for cable calculations has the principle aim to provide
protection for the cable. It can be seen easily when expressed as;

IB ≤ In ≤ Iz
Where:
IB; is the current for which the circuit is designed
In; is the nominal current or current setting of the protective
device
Iz; is the continuous current-carrying capacity of the cable
Volt Drop
In very day terms as the current flows along the conductor some
voltage is lost before reaching the appliance being supplied, due to
the current experiencing resistance from the cable.

The permissible volt drop for a circuit is 4% of the supply voltage.

4& of 400 = 16Volts or 1600mV

4% of 230 = 9.2Volts or 9200mV (as used in the calculation
formula)

It is very important that the volt drop is taken into account as it

affects the size of the conductor when calculating. It is also
important to note that a greater volt drop is admissible for motors
during starting periods and other equipment with high inrush
current.

Ambient Temperature
Is the defined as the temperature of the air or other medium where
the equipment is to be used. It is an important factor to take into
account because if a cable is in stalled in a hot area, it will be
unable to dissipate the heat it produces quickly.

Over Current
Is any current exceeding the rated value. For conductors, the rated
value is the current carrying capacitor. If over current occurs in a
circuit it will have considerable affects on the cable. A rise in
temperature will occur in the cable and insulation will begin to
breakdown.
 For this project …

Lighting Circuits
No.
Circuit Description Size Fittings
MD/LS/R1 Lights 2.5mm² 10
MD/LS/S1 Lights 2.5mm² 10
MD/LS/T1 Lights 2.5mm² 10
MD/LS/R2 Lights 2.5mm² 10
MD/LS/S2 Lights 2.5mm² 10

Lighting Cable Calculation Example

(MD/LS/S1)
The first step is to calculate the total load (Watts) in the circuit.

10 fittings at a rating of 55 Watts per fitting.

No. of fittings * Watts = Total Watts in the circuit

10 * 55 = 550 Watts

Next step is to calculate the Actual Load

Actual load = Load * Diversity

(Diversity in this situation is 1 as the lights will be always all in
use at once)

= 550 * 1
Actual load = 550

The next step is to calculate the design current of the circuit.

Design Current = Actual load

Power factor * Supply Voltage
 = 550
0.94 * 230
= 2.54 A

The next step is to measure the length of the run. For this circuit
the length of the run is 34 meters

The next step is to calculate the Volt drop in the circuit.

(Max Volt drop = 4% of Supply voltage)

100% = 230 V
= 230
100
1% = 2.3
4% = 2.3 * 9.2
= 9.2 V = 9200 mV

Volt drop = max volt drop permitted in mV

Length of run * protective rating

Volt drop = 9200

34 * 10
= 27 V
The next step involves the ETCI regulations. One must first check
the Volt drop table for single core cables and from this the size of
the cable needed can be read. One must also check the table for the
current carrying capacity of the cable to insure the cable selected is
adequately.

The size of the cable for this circuit is 2.5mm²

All other lighting calculated the same and logged on the attached
excel spread sheet.
 General Services Circuits

Circuit Description Size No. Points

MD/GS/R1 Sockets 4mm² 7
MD/GS/S1 Sockets 4mm² 7
MD/GS/T1 Sockets 4mm² 7
Storage
MD/GS/R2 Heaters 2.5mm² 1
Storage
MD/GS/S2 Heaters 2.5mm² 1
Storage
MD/GS/T2 Heaters 2.5mm² 1
Storage
MD/GS/R3 Heaters 2.5mm² 1
Storage
MD/GS/S3 Heaters 2.5mm² 1
Storage
MD/GS/T3 Heaters 2.5mm² 1
Storage
MD/GS/R4 Heaters 2.5mm² 1
MD/GS/S4 W Extract Fan 1.5mm² 1
MD/GS/T4 W Extract Fan 1.5mm² 1
MD/GS/R5 W Extract Fan 1.5mm² 1
MD/GS/S5 W Extract Fan 1.5mm² 1
MD/GS/T5 W Extract Fan 1.5mm² 1
MD/GS/R6 M Extract Fan 1.5mm² 1
MD/GS/S6 M Extract Fan 1.5mm² 1
MD/GS/T6 M Extract Fan 1.5mm² 1
MD/GS/R7 M Hand dryer 4mm² 1
MD/GS/S7 W Hand dryer 4mm² 1
MD/GS/T7 M Hand dryer 4mm² 1
MD/GS/R8 W Hand dryer 4mm² 1
MD/GS/S8 Beer Cooler 2.5mm² 1
MD/GS/T8 Beer Cooler 2.5mm² 1
MD/GS/R9 Beer Cooler 2.5mm² 1

Example of a General Services Circuit Calculation

(MD/GS/R1)

The first step is to calculate the total load (Watts) in the circuit.

Assuming an average of 500W per socket

No. of Sockets * Watts = Total Watts in the circuit

7 * 500 = 3500 Watts

Next step is to calculate the Actual Load

Actual load = Load * Diversity

(Diversity in this situation is 0.8 as not all appliances will be
always all in use at one time)

= 3500 * 0.8
Actual load = 2800

The next step is to calculate the design current of the circuit.

Design Current = Actual load

Power factor * Supply Voltage

= 2800
0.95 * 230
= 12.81 A

The next step is to measure the length of the run. For this circuit
the length of the run is 48 meters

The next step is to calculate the Volt drop in the circuit.

(Max Volt drop = 4% of Supply voltage)

100% = 230 V
= 230
100
1% = 2.3
 4% = 2.3 * 9.2
= 9.2 V = 9200 mV

Volt drop = max volt drop permitted in mV

Length of run * protective rating

Volt drop = 9200

48 * 16
= 11.97 V

The next step involves the ETCI regulations. One must first check
the Volt drop table for single core cables and from this the size of
the cable needed can be read. One must also check the table for the
current carrying capacity of the cable to insure the cable selected is
adequately.

The size of the cable for this circuit is 4mm²

All other general services calculated the same and logged on the
attached excel spread sheet.