ETAP Knowledge Base

Thermal Analysis for Underground Cable Systems

Neher-McGrath vs. IEC 60287 Methods

Description: Neher-McGrath vs. IEC 60287 Methods

Category: Under round Cable Systems
Type: Simulation
Keywords: Calculation Methods

Thermal calculation of an underground cable system requires knowledge of the thermal

resistances of different layers of material between a conductor and the atmosphere as well as
the current flows and the transfer heat from other cables and/or heat sources.

This paper presents a comparison of cable temperatures for The Neher-McGrath method and
the IEC 60287 Standard. Simple duct bank configurations and uniform cable placements are
used in all examples.

The Neher-McGrath method, originally published in 1957, is an accepted method by the Institute
of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the National Electric Code (NEC). The
accepted method the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the IEC 60287, last
published in 2001.

ETAP provides five types of thermal calculations for cable systems in underground duct banks
and directly buried, namely:

• Steady-State Temperature Calculation

• Ampacity Optimization (Hottest Point & Uniform-Temperature Methods)
• Cable Sizing
• Transient Temperature Calculation

This document is confidential and proprietary to Operation Technology, Inc. and may not be reproduced, published or disclosed to
others without the written authorization of Operation Technology, Inc., 17 Goodyear, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92618, USA. © 2010 by
Operation Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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