Cable Sizing Principle

Basic Requirement as Per Marine Classification Rules & IEC 92 Publication

Cable sizing for each power circuit feeder is normally based on the following
criterion:
- Maximum current rating of the designed loads.
- Current capacity of cables for installed length less than 250 metres.
- Voltage drop for installed length exceeding 250 metres.
- Thermal stress during short circuit especially for MV system cables.
- Correction factor for cables intended to bunch together in formation
of Six or more during installation.
- For single core cables, maximum bunching of cables together in
formation of Six is recommended. Correction factor is to apply.
- Correction factor for maximum operating temperature of the area where
the cables are being installed.

The above recommendation are summarized from DNV rule 2003, Pt.4, Ch.8, Sec.2
J100 – J800, Norwegian Rule (F-EAM), ABS rule 2003, Pt.4, Ch.8, Sec. 2, 7.7 &
Sec. 4, 21.7 and ABS MODU code Pt.4, Ch.3, Sec.3, 5.13 for more detail
explanations
 Cable Sizing Principle
Mechanical force

According to information from most cable suppliers the mechanical stresses due to
short circuit will not damage the cables if the cables are correctly fastened to the cable
ladder.
Single core cables are to be installed in trefoil formation and be fixed to the cable
ladders in accordance with information from the cable manufacturer. The cable cleats
are to be approved for the actual short circuit current. (Refer to DNV rule 2003, Pt.4,
Ch.8, Sec.10, C506 and IEC 92-3, clause 11.24)

Thermal stress during short circuit for Medium voltage cables

The maximum permissible temperature for EPR and XLP insulation at short circuit is
250° C. For cables in hazardous areas, the temperature is to be limited to 200° C, in
order not to exceed the max. temperature specified for hazardous areas (T3).
For medium voltage cables, the deciding factor is the thermal stress on the cables
during a short circuit.
 Cable Sizing Principle

For short circuit currents with a duration in the range of 0.5 - 5 sec. the
maximum short circuit current allowed can be calculated from the formula:

(1) It = (A * S) * tr t

Where:
A = cross section area of the conductor (mm2)

S = maximum permissible current density for 1 sec. (A/mm2)

t = short circuit duration (sec)

tr = 1 sec
 Cable Sizing Principle
For short circuit times less than 0.5 sec. the following formula shall
be used:

(2) It = (A * S) * (t r (0.05 + t ) )

The max. permissible current density is given by:

(3) S = (k1 * k2) / tr

Where:
k1 = 226 A * sec/ mm 2 ( materialcoefficientforCu )

k2 = temperature factor

tr = 1 sec
 Cable Sizing Principle
The temperature factor is given by:

(4) k2 = In ((θ + Te ) (θ + Ts ))

k2 = In ((234.5 + 200) (234.5 + 85))

k2 = 0.5545

Where:
θ = 234.5 temperature coefficient for Cu

Te = 200 ° C, max. temperature during short circuit

Ts = 85° C, start temperature, i.e. conductor temperature

before short circuit
 Cable Sizing Principle
This gives a maximum permissible current density (from formula (3)):

S = (226 * 0.5545) / 1

S = 125 A/mm2

The max. permissible 1 sec short circuit current for various cable sizes
is given below using the above formula 1:
Conductor
area 50 70 95 120 150 185 240 300
sq..mm2
Current:
kA 6.3 8.8 11.9 15.0 18.8 23.1 30.0 37.5

The let-through energy of the protective device for the cable must be
such that the let-through energy is lower than the cable’s permissible
short circuit energy.