TYPES OF CABLE

CONDUCTORS: Copper and aluminum can be used as conductor but aluminum is more
preferred due to its low cost and malleability.
INSULATORS: In power cable, conductors that carries high voltage kept close to each other, so
to provide insulation is a complicated task in this context. Insulating materials should have the
following properties: (1) High insulation resistance (2) High dielectric strength (3) Non-
hygroscopic (shouldn’t absorbed moisture) (5) Low thermal coefficient of resistance (6) High
melting point (capable of operating at high temperatures)
Based on above properties, following materials have been chosen as insulating material:
(1)Impregnated paper (2) rubber (3) Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (4) cross-linked polyethylene
(XLPE)
SHEATH: Important function of sheath in power cable are as follows- (1) it protects the internal
construction of the conductor and insulator from external influences mainly temperature and
moisture effect. (2) it maintains the internal electromagnetic fields and does not allow the
interference from external electromagnetic field.
Based on the above mention properties some conductors are singled out and used as sheath.
The conducting material should be inert with the atmosphere. Based on that lead and lead
alloys are used as sheath.
In low voltage level cable, sheath can be used as neutral conductor. For that sheath should be
made of stainless steel.
BEDDING: It provides cushion to sheath and conductor in power cable. It also absorbs the
sudden mechanical pressure and protects the internal construction of the cable. Cotton and
paper are usually used as bedding material.
ARMOURING: When we fold or twist the cable there is a possibility of breakage of cable.
Providing armour in power cable gives mechanical protection in the above situation. Strong
steel wires are cross linked to form armour net.
SERVING: Outermost cover of the cable in known as serving. Following properties are required
to use as serving material: (1) high mechanical strength (2) flexibility must be high (3) non-
hygroscopic (4) less effect of temperature.
Due to above properties thermosetting plastic or PVC are usually used as serving material.

UNDERGROUND CABLES
UG cables are used for transmission and distribution of electrical energy in densely populated
areas of towns and cities. External protection against mechanical injury, moisture entry and
chemical reaction is provided on the cable. The conductor is usually aluminium or annealed
copper while insulations commonly used are Poly Vinyl Chloride(PVC), Cross Linked Polyethylene
(XLPE) and Vulcanised Indian Rubber(VIR). XLPE is a specially treated low density polythene results in
cross linking of carbon atoms and the compound is a new material having extremely high melting point
with light weight, small dimension, low dielectric constant and high mechanical strength. It has a
maximum continuous temperature rating of 90⁰C with dielectric strength of 20 KV/mm. Due to high
temperature withstand capability and very low moisture absorption, these cables can be laid directly on
soil bed and easily work for voltages upto and including 33kV.
CABLE LAYING

UG low voltage cables are laid directly in ground but high voltage cables are usually laid on
brick bedding and within the trench. The depth of burial is about 0.75 m to 1 m. Any adjacent
cable laid along the same route should have at least 0.3 m horizontal spacing. The trench is
refilled with sand or soil. In most cases high voltage cables are covered by brick enclosures.
Laying of cables in ducts or tunnels is a costly method though it enables easy maintenance,

repair and replacement.

SELECTION OF CABLES
The selection of LT cables is easier. Only continuous current rating, voltage grade and voltage
drop are to be calculated to select the size of the conductor and the type of cable. Thermal
conditions and derating factor (i.e. the derated capacity of the cable due to temperature rise
from the adjacent cable) are to be checked.
However, for HV cables the additional factor, that is short circuit current rating needs to be
considered since the fault current in HV system is very high.
• Voltage grade: AC cables are designed to be suitable for specific design voltages, which is
called the "Voltage Grade" (or "Voltage Designation", "Voltage Class" or "Voltage Rating")
of the cable. Eg. a 0.6/1kV cable can be operated for any phase-to-earth and phase-to-
phase voltages not exceeding 0.6kV and 1kV respectively.
• Continuous current rating: RMS electric current which a device or conductor
can continuously carry while remaining within its temperature rating.
• Derating (or de-rating): is the operation of a device at less than its rated maximum
capability in order to prolong its life. Typical examples include operation below the
maximum power rating, current rating, or voltage rating.
• Short Circuit Current Rating (SCCR): is a rating on cable representing the maximum level
of short-circuit current that a cable can withstand.