G - Sizing and protection of conductors

1 General
DB422285_EN.eps

Loads Circuit cabling

Iz
M

nt
ax

rre
im

cu
um

Iz
ad

45
lo

lo
ad

um

1.
cu

im
rre

ax
nt

M
IB

1.45 Iz Isc
IB Iz
0
In I2 ISCB
zone a
zone c
zone b

g
nt

tin
re
nt r
rre n o

ra
ur
Ir

rc

ng
cu t I

br uit
d n

ki
I2 ov
te re

ea
nt rc
la ur

nt al

re ci
rre ion
gu l c

ur rt-
re ina

t-c ho
cu nt
p ve

ul s
its om

fa -ph
tri on

G5
N

3
I y In y Iz zone a
Protective device I2 y 1.45 Iz zone b
I u I zone c

)LJ*Current levels for determining circuir breaker or fuse characteristics

b Its 3-phase short-circuit fault-current breaking rating is greater than the 3-phase
short-circuit current existing at its point of installation. This corresponds to zone “c”
in )LJ*.

$SSOLFDWLRQV
b Protection by circuit breaker
Criteria for circuit breakers: By virtue of its high level of precision the current I2 is always less than 1.45 In (or
Iඊ y In y Iz and Iඛඋඊ u Iඛඋ. 1.45 Ir) so that the condition I2 y 1.45 Iz (as noted in the “general rules” above) will
always be respected.
v Particular case
If the circuit breaker itself does not protect against overloads, it is necessary to
ensure that, at a time of lowest value of short-circuit current, the overcurrent device
protecting the circuit will operate correctly. This particular case is examined in
Sub-clause 5.1.
b Protection by fuses
Criteria for fuses: The condition I2 y 1.45 Iz must be taken into account, where I2 is the fusing
Iඊ y In y Iz/k3 and Iඛඋඎ u Iඛඋ. (melting level) current, equal to k2 x In (k2UDQJHVIURPWRGHSHQGLQJRQ
the particular fuse concerned.
k2
A further factor k3 has been introduced ( k3 = ) such that I2 y 1.45 Iz
1.45
will be valid if In y Iz/k3.
For fuses type gG:
,Q$ĺN3 = 1.31
In u$ĺN3 = 1.10
Moreover, the short-circuit current breaking capacity of the fuse ISCF must exceed
the level of 3-phase short-circuit current at the point of installation of the fuse(s).
b$VVRFLDWLRQRIGLႇHUHQWSURWHFWLYHGHYLFHV
The use of protective devices which have fault-current ratings lower than the fault
level existing at their point of installation are permitted by IEC and many national
standards in the following conditions:
v There exists upstream, another protective device which has the necessary short-
circuit rating, and
v The amount of energy allowed to pass through the upstream device is less than
that which can be withstood without damage by the downstream device and all
associated cabling and appliances.

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
 G - Sizing and protection of conductors
1 General

In pratice this arrangement is generally exploited in:

v The association of circuit breakers/fuses
v The technique known as “cascading” or “series rating” in which the strong
FXUUHQWOLPLWLQJSHUIRUPDQFHRIFHUWDLQFLUFXLWEUHDNHUVHႇHFWLYHO\UHGXFHVWKH
severity of downstream short-circuits
Possible combinations which have been tested in laboratories are indicated in
certain manufacturers catalogues.

A protective device is, in general, required
at the origin of each circuit
/RFDWLRQRISURWHFWLYHGHYLFHV
*HQHUDOUXOH(see )LJ*D)
A protective device is necessary at the origin of each circuit where a reduction
of permissible maximum current level occurs.

3RVVLEOHDOWHUQDWLYHORFDWLRQVLQFHUWDLQFLUFXPVWDQFHV
(see )LJ*E)
'%DHSV

a
P
The protective device may be placed part way along the circuit:
b If AB is not in proximity to combustible material, and
b If no socket-outlets or branch connections are taken from AB

Three cases may be useful in practice:

P2 P3 P4 b Consider case (1) in the diagram
v AB y 3 metres, and
50 mm2 10 mm2 25 mm2
G6 v AB has been installed to reduce to a practical minimum the risk of a short-circuit
(wires in heavy steel conduit for example)
b Consider case (2)
v The upstream device P1 protects the length AB against short-circuits in
b
'%EB(1HSV

P1 accordance with Sub-clause 5.1

b Consider case (3)
A
v The overload device (S) is located adjacent to the load. This arrangement is
convenient for motor circuits. The device (S) constitutes the control (start/stop) and
<3m Short-circuit overload protection of the motor while (SC) is: either a circuit breaker (designed for
sc
protective
motor protection) or fuses type aM
device
v The short-circuit protection (SC) located at the origin of the circuit conforms with
B B the principles of Sub-clause 5.1
s Overload
P2 B protective
P3
device &LUFXLWVZLWKQRSURWHFWLRQ(see )LJ*F)
Either
b The protective device P1 is calibrated to protect the cable S2 against overloads
Case (1) Case (2) Case (3) and short-circuits
Or
b Where the breaking of a circuit constitutes a risk, e.g.
v Excitation circuits of rotating machines
'%FB(1HSV

c
v circuits of large lifting electromagnets
P1: iC60 rated 15A v the secondary circuits of current transformers
2.5 mm2 No circuit interruption can be tolerated, and the protection of the cabling is of
secondary importance.
S2:
1.5 mm2
&RQGXFWRUVLQSDUDOOHO
Conductors of the same cross-sectional-area, the same length, and of the same
material, can be connected in parallel.
)LJ*Location of protective devices The maximum permissible current is the sum of the individual-core maximum
FXUUHQWVWDNLQJLQWRDFFRXQWWKHPXWXDOKHDWLQJHႇHFWVPHWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQHWF
Protection against overload and short-circuits is identical to that for a single-cable
circuit.
The following precautions should be taken to avoid the risk of short-circuits on the
paralleled cables:
b Additional protection against mechanical damage and against humidity, by the
introduction of supplementary protection
b The cable route should be chosen so as to avoid close proximity to combustible
materials.

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
7KHUHIHUHQFHLQWHUQDWLRQDOVWDQGDUGIRUWKHVWXG\RIFDEOLQJLV,(&
“Electrical installation of buildings - Part 5-52: Selection and erection of electrical
equipment - Wiring system”.
A summary of this standard is presented here, with examples of the most
commonly used methods of installation. The current-carrying capacities of
FRQGXFWRUVLQDOOGLႇHUHQWVLWXDWLRQVDUHJLYHQLQDQQH[$RIWKHVWDQGDUG$
VLPSOL¿HGPHWKRGIRUXVHRIWKHWDEOHVRIDQQH[$LVSURSRVHGLQLQIRUPDWLYHDQQH[
B of the standard.

*HQHUDOPHWKRGIRUFDEOHV
3RVVLEOHPHWKRGVRILQVWDOODWLRQIRUGLႇHUHQWW\SHVRI
FRQGXFWRUVRUFDEOHV
7KHGLႇHUHQWDGPLVVLEOHPHWKRGVRILQVWDOODWLRQDUHOLVWHGLQ)LJ*, in conjonction
ZLWKWKHGLႇHUHQWW\SHVRIFRQGXFWRUVDQGFDEOHV

&RQGXFWRUVDQGFDEOHV 0HWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQ
:LWKRXW &OLSSHG &RQGXLW &DEOHWUXQNLQJ &DEOH &DEOHODGGHU On 6XSSRUW
¿[LQJV GLUHFW V\VWHPV V\VWHPVLQFOXGLQJ GXFWLQJ FDEOHWUD\ LQVXODWRUV ZLUH
VNLUWLQJWUXQNLQJ V\VWHPV FDEOHUDFNHWV
ÀXVKÀRRUWUXQNLQJ
Bare conductors - - - - - - + -
Insulated conductors>E@ - - + +[a] + - + -
Sheathed cables (including Multi-core + + + + + + 0 -
G7
armoured and mineral Single-core 0 + + + + + 0 +
insulated)

+ Permitted.
– Not permitted.
0 Not applicable, or not normally used in practice.

[a] Insulated conductors are admitted if the cable trunking systems provide at least he degree of protection IP4X or IPXXD and if the cover can only be removed
by means of a tool or a deliberate action.
>E@Insulated conductors which are used as protective conductors or protective bonding conductors may use any appropriate method of installation and need not
be laid in conduits, trunking or ducting systems.

)LJ*6HOHFWLRQRIZLULQJV\VWHPVWDEOH$RI,(&

3RVVLEOHPHWKRGVRILQVWDOODWLRQIRUGLႇHUHQWVLWXDWLRQV
'LႇHUHQWPHWKRGVRILQVWDOODWLRQFDQEHLPSOHPHQWHGLQGLႇHUHQWVLWXDWLRQV
The possible combinations are presented in )LJ*.

6LWXWDWLRQV 0HWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQ
:LWKRXW &OLSSHGGLUHFW &RQGXLW &DEOHWUXQNLQJ &DEOH &DEOHODGGHU On 6XSSRUW
¿[LQJV V\VWHPV V\VWHPVLQFOXGLQJ GXFWLQJ FDEOHWUD\ LQVXODWRUV ZLUH
VNLUWLQJWUXQNLQJ V\VWHPV FDEOHUDFNHWV
ÀXVKÀRRUWUXQNLQJ
Building voids Accessible 40 33 41, 42  43, 44 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 - 0
Not accessible 40 0 41, 42 0 43 0 0 0
Cable channel   54, 55 30, 31, 32, 34 - -
Buried in ground  0    0 - -
Embedded in structure  3  50, 51, 52, 53  0 - -

Surface mounted - 20, 21, 22,23, 4, 5   30, 31, 32, 34  -
33
Overhead/free in air - 33 0 10, 11 10, 11 30, 31, 32, 34  35
Window frames  0  0 0 0 - -
Architrave 15 0 15 0 0 0 - -
Immersed 1 + + + - + 0 - -

– Not permitted.
0 Not applicable or not normally used in practice.
+ Follow manufacturer’s instructions.

1RWH7KHQXPEHULQHDFKER[HJUHIHUVWRWKHQXPEHURIWKHPHWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQLQ7DEOH$

)LJ*(UHFWLRQRIZLULQJV\VWHPVWDEOH$RI,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
 G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
([DPSOHVRIZLULQJV\VWHPVDQGUHIHUHQFHPHWKRGV
RILQVWDOODWLRQV
$QLOOXVWUDWLRQRIVRPHRIWKHPDQ\GLႇHUHQWZLULQJV\VWHPVDQGPHWKRGV
of installation is provided in )LJ*.

6HYHUDOUHIHUHQFHPHWKRGVDUHGH¿QHGZLWKFRGHOHWWHUV$WR*JURXSLQJ

installation methods having the se characteristics relative to the current-carrying
capacities of the wiring systems.

,WHP1R 0HWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQ 'HVFULSWLRQ 5HIHUHQFHPHWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQWREH

XVHGWRREWDLQFXUUHQWFDUU\LQJ
FDSDFLW\
1 Insulated conductors or single-core cables in A1
conduit in a thermally insulated wall

Room

2 Multi-core cables in conduit in a thermally A2

insulated wall

Room

G8 4 Insulated conductors or single-core cables in B1

conduit on a wooden, or masonry wall or spaced
less than 0.3 x conduit diameter from it

5 Multi-core cable in conduit on a wooden, or B2

mansonry wall or spaced less than 0.3 x conduit
diameter from it

20 6LQJOHFRUHRUPXOWLFRUHFDEOHV¿[HGRQRU C
sapced less than 0.3 x cable diameter from a
wooden wall

30 0.3D e Single-core or multi-core cables: on unperforated C

tray run horizontally or vertically

0.3 De

)LJ*([DPSOHVRIPHWKRGVRILQVWDOODWLRQSDUWRIWDEOH$RI,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
,WHP1R 0HWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQ 'HVFULSWLRQ 5HIHUHQFHPHWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQWREH
XVHGWRREWDLQFXUUHQWFDUU\LQJ
FDSDFLW\
31 0.3 De Single-core or multi-core cables: on perforated E or F
tray run horizontally or vertically

0.3 De

 Bare or insulated conductors on insulators G

 Multi-core cables in conduit or in cable ducting in D1

the ground

G9
 Single-core cable in conduit or in cable ducting D1
in the ground

)LJ*([DPSOHVRIPHWKRGVRILQVWDOODWLRQSDUWRIWDEOH$RI,(&

0D[LPXPRSHUDWLQJWHPSHUDEWXUH
The current-carrying capacities given in the subsequent tables have been
determined so that the maximum insulation temperature is not exceeded for
sustained periods of time.
)RUGLႇHUHQWW\SHRILQVXODWLRQPDWHULDOWKHPD[LPXPDGPLVVLEOHWHPSHUDWXUHLV
given in )LJ*.

7\SHRILQVXODWLRQ 7HPSHUDWXUHOLPLWƒ&
3RO\YLQ\OFKORULGH39& DWWKHFRQGXFWRU
Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and DWWKHFRQGXFWRU
ethylene propylene rubber (EPR)
0LQHUDO39&FRYHUHGRUEDUHH[SRVHGWR DWWKHVKHDWK
touch)
Mineral (bare not exposed to touch and not in 105 at the seath
FRQWDFWZLWKFRPEXႋLEOHPDWHULDO
)LJ*0D[LPXPRSHUDWLQJWHPSHUDWXUHVIRUW\SHVRILQVXODWLRQWDEOHRI,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
 G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
&RUUHFWLRQIDFWRUV
In order to take service conditions of the installation into account, correction factors
have been introduced.
The cross-sectional area of cables is determined using the current-carrying
capacity of the cable Iz, multiplied by correction factors:
I'Z = IZ . k1 . k2 ...
where:
IZ = current carrying capacity of the cable in the reference installation method
I'Z FRUUHFWHGFXUUHQWFDUU\LQJFDSDFLW\RIWKHFDEOHLQUHDOLQVWDOODWLRQFRQGLWLRQV
k1, k2 ... = corrections factors, detailed in the following paragraphs
The cross sectional area of cables is then chosen in order to ensure that their
FRUUHFWHGFXUUHQWFDUU\LQJFDSDFLW\I'Z is higher than the rated load current IB: IB y I'z

b $PELHQWWHPSHUDWXUH
The current-carrying capacities of FDEOHVLQWKHDLU are based on an average air
temperature equal to 30 °C. For other temperatures, the correction factor is given
in )LJ*IRU39&(35DQG;/3(LQVXODWLRQPDWHULDO

The related correction factor is here noted k1.

$PELHQWDLUWHPSHUDWXUHƒ& ,QVXODWLRQ
G10 39& ;/3(DQG(35
10 1.22 1.15
15  1.12
20 1.12 1.08
25  1.04
30 1 1
35  
40  
45  
50  0.82
55  
 0.50 
 - 
 - 0.58
 - 0.50
80 - 0.41

)LJ*Correction factors for ambient air temperatures other than 30 °C to be applied to the
FXUUHQWFDUU\LQJFDSDFLWLHVIRUFDEOHVLQWKHDLUIURPWDEOH%RI,(&

The current-carrying capacities of FDEOHVLQWKHJURXQG are based on an average

ground temperature equal to 20 °C. For other temperatures, the correction factor
is given in )LJ*IRU39&(35DQG;/3(LQVXODWLRQPDWHULDO
The related correction factor is here noted k2.

*URXQGWHPSHUDWXUHƒ& ,QVXODWLRQ
39& ;/3(DQG(35
10 1.10 
15 1.05 1.04
20 1 1
25  
30  
35 0.84 
40  0.85
45  0.80
50  
55 0.55 
 0.45 
 - 
 - 0.53
 - 
80 - 0.38

)LJ*Correction factors for ambient ground temperatures other than 20 °C to be applied to

the current-carrying capacities for cables in ducts in the ground (from table B.52.15 of
,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
b 6RLOWKHUPDOUHVLVWLYLW\
The current-carrying capacities of cables in the ground are based on a ground
resistivity equal to 2.5 K.m/W. For other values, the correction factor is given in
)LJ*.
The related correction factor is here noted k3.

Thermal resistivity, K•m/W 0.5  1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Correction factor for cables in buried ducts 1.28 1.20 1.18 1.1 1.05 1 
Correction factor for direct buried cables 1.88  1.5 1.28 1.12 1 
1RWH The correction factors given have been averaged over the range of conductor sizes and types of installation included in Tables B.52.2 to B.52.5.
The overall accuracy of correction factors is within ±5 %.
1RWH The correction factors are applicable to cables drawn into buried ducts; for cables laid direct in the ground the correction factors for thermal resistivities
OHVVWKDQ.‡P:ZLOOEHKLJKHU:KHUHPRUHSUHFLVHYDOXHVDUHUHTXLUHGWKH\PD\EHFDOFXODWHGE\PHWKRGVJLYHQLQWKH,(&VHULHV
1RWH The correction factors are applicable to ducts buried at depths of up to 0.8 m.
1RWH It is assumed that the soil properties are uniform. No allowance had been made for the possibility of moisture migration which can lead to a region of
KLJKWKHUPDOUHVLVWLYLW\DURXQGWKHFDEOH,ISDUWLDOGU\LQJRXWRIWKHVRLOLVIRUHVHHQWKHSHUPLVVLEOHFXUUHQWUDWLQJVKRXOGEHGHULYHGE\WKHPHWKRGVVSHFL¿HGLQ
WKH,(&VHULHV
)LJ*Correction factors for cables in buried ducts for soil thermal resistivities other than 2.5 K.m/W to be applied to the current-carrying capacities for reference
PHWKRG'WDEOH%RI,(&

Based on experience, a relationship exist between the soil nature and resistivity.
1DWXUHRIVRLO N Then, empiric values of correction factors k3 are proposed in )LJ*, depending G11
9HU\ZHWVRLOVDWXUDWHG 1.21 on the nature of soil.
Wet soil 1.13
Damp soil 1.05
Dry soil 1.00 b *URXSLQJRIFRQGXFWRUVRUFDEOHV
9HU\GU\VRLOVXQEDNHG 
)LJ*Correction factor k3 depending on the nature of soil
$UUDQJHPHQW 1XPEHURIFLUFXLWVRUPXOWLFRUHFDEOHV
The current-carrying capacities given in the subsequent tables relate to single
circuits consisting of the following numbers of loaded conductors:
v Two insulated conductors or two single-core cables, or one twin-core cable
(applicable to single-phase circuits);
v Three insulated conductors or three single-core cables, or one three-core cable
(applicable to three-phase circuits).
Where more insulated conductors or cables are installed in the same group,
a group reduction factor (here noted k4) shall be applied.
Examples are given in )LJ* to )LJ* IRUGLႇHUHQWFRQ¿JXUDWLRQVLQVWDOODWLRQ
methods, in free air or in the ground).
)LJ* gives the values of correction factor k4IRUGLႇHUHQWFRQ¿JXUDWLRQV
of unburied cables or conductors, grouping of more than one circuit or multi-core
cables.
5HIHUHQFHPHWKRGV
FDEOHVWRXFKLQJ 1           
Bunched in air, on a surface, 1.00 0.80     0.54 0.52 0.50 0.45 0.14 0.38 Methods A to F
embedded or enclosed
6LQJOHOD\HURQZDOOÀRRURU 1.00 0.85        No further reduction Method C
unperforated tray factor for more than
6LQJOHOD\HU¿[HGGLUHFWO\  0.81        nine circuits or multi-
under a wooden ceiling core cables
Single layer on a perforated 1.00 0.88 0.82       Methods E and F
horizontal or vertical tray
Single layer on ladder support 1.00  0.82 0.80 0.80    
or cleats etc.
)LJ*5HGXFWLRQIDFWRUVIRUJURXSVRIPRUHWKDQRQHFLUFXLWRURIPRUHWKDQRQHPXOWLFRUHFDEOHWDEOH%RI,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
 G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
)LJ* gives the values of correction factor k4IRUGLႇHUHQWFRQ¿JXUDWLRQVRI
unburied cables or conductors, for groups of more than one circuit of single-core
cables in free air.

0HWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQ 1XPEHURIWUD\ 1XPEHURIWKUHHSKDVHFLUFXLWV 8VHDVDPXOWLSOLHUWR

1 2 3 UDWLQJIRU
Perforated trays 31 1    Three cables in horizontal
Touching 2   0.81 formation
3  0.85 

20 mm

9HUWLFDOSHUIRUDWHG 31 1   Three cables in vertical

trays Touching formation
2  0.84

225 mm

G12 Ladder supports 32

Touching
1 1.00   Three cables in horizontal
cleats, etc. 33 2    formation
34 3   

20 mm

Perforated trays 31 1 1.00   Three cables in trefoil

De 2    formation
2De
3   

20 mm

9HUWLFDOSHUIRUDWHG 31 1 1.00  

trays De Spaced
2 1.00  

225 mm
2De

Ladder supports, 32 1 1.00 1.00 1.00

cleats, etc. 33 De 2   
34 2De 3   

20 mm

)LJ*Reduction factors for groups of more than one circuit of single-core cables to be applied to reference rating for one circuit of single-core cables in free air
0HWKRGRILQVWDOODWLRQ)WDEOH%RI,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
)LJ*JLYHVWKHYDOXHVRIFRUUHFWLRQIDFWRUNIRUGLႇHUHQWFRQ¿JXUDWLRQVRI
cables or conductors laid directly in the ground.

1XPEHURI CDEOHWRFDEOHFOHDUDQFH[a]
FLUFXLWV 1LOFDEOHV 2QHFDEOH P P P
WRXFKLQJ GLDPHWHU
2  0.80 0.85  
3    0.80 0.85
4     0.80
5 0.55 0.55   0.80
 0.50 0.55   0.80
 0.45 0.51   
8 0.43 0.48   
 0.41  0.55  
12  0.42 0.51  
 0.32 0.38   0.38
20  0.35 0.44 0.53 

[a] Multi-core cables

DB422303a.eps

a a

G13
[a] Single-core cables
DB422303b.eps

a a

)LJ*Reduction factors for more than one circuit, single-core or multi-core cables laid
GLUHFWO\LQWKHJURXQG,QVWDOODWLRQPHWKRG'WDEOH%RI,(&

b +DUPRQLFFXUUHQW
The current-carrying capacity of three-phase, 4-core or 5-core cables is based on
the assumption that only 3 conductors are fully loaded.
However, when harmonic currents are circulating, the neutral current can be
VLJQL¿FDQWDQGHYHQKLJKHUWKDQWKHSKDVHFXUUHQWV7KLVLVGXHWRWKHIDFWWKDWWKH
3rd harmonic currents of the three phases do not cancel each other, and sum up in
the neutral conductor.
7KLVRIFRXUVHDႇHFWVWKHFXUUHQWFDUU\LQJFDSDFLW\RIWKHFDEOHDQGDFRUUHFWLRQ
factor noted here k5 shall be applied.
In addition, if the 3rd harmonic percentage h3 is greater than 33 %, the neutral
current is greater than the phase current and the cable size selection is based
RQWKHQHXWUDOFXUUHQW7KHKHDWLQJHႇHFWRIKDUPRQLFFXUUHQWVLQWKHSKDVH
conductors has also to be taken into account.
The values of k5 depending on the 3 rd harmonic content are give in )LJ*.

7KLUGKDUPRQLFFRQWHQW &RUUHFWLRQIDFWRU
RISKDVHFXUUHQW 6L]HVHOHFWLRQLVEDVHGRQ 6L]HVHOHFWLRQLVEDVHGRQ
SKDVHFXUUHQW QHXWUDOFXUUHQW
0 - 15 1.0
15 - 33 
33 - 45 
! 1.0 [a]
[a] If the neutral current is more than 135 % of the phase current and the cable size is selected
on the basis of the neutral current then the three phase conductors will not be fully loaded. The
UHGXFWLRQLQKHDWJHQHUDWHGE\WKHSKDVHFRQGXFWRUVRႇVHWVWKHKHDWJHQHUDWHGE\WKHQHXWUDO
conductor to the extent that it is not necessary to apply any reduction factor to the current
carrying capacity for three loaded conductors
)LJ*&RUUHFWLRQIDFWRUVIRUKDUPRQLFFXUUHQWVLQIRXUFRUHDQG¿YHFRUHFDEOHVWDEOH(
RI,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
 G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
$GPLVVLEOHFXUUHQWDVDIXQFWLRQRIQRPLQDOFURVVVHFWLRQDO
DUHDRIFRQGXFWRUV
,(&VWDQGDUGSURSRVHVH[WHQVLYHLQIRUPDWLRQLQWKHIRUPRIWDEOHV
giving the admissible currents as a function of cross-sectional area of cables. Many
parameters are taken into account, such as the method of installation, type of
insulation material, type of conductor material, number of loaded conductors.
As an example, )LJ*JLYHVWKHFXUUHQWFDUU\LQJFDSDFLWLHVIRUGLႇHUHQWPHWKRGV
RILQVWDOODWLRQRI39&LQVXODWLRQWKUHHORDGHGFRSSHURUDOXPLQLXPFRQGXFWRUVIUHH
air or in ground.

1RPLQDOFURVVVHFWLRQDO ,QVWDOODWLRQPHWKRGVRI7DEOH%
DUHDRIFRQGXFWRUPP A1 $ B1 % C D1 '

1       
&RRSHU
1.5 13.5 13 15.5 15  18 
2.5 18  21 20 24 24 24
4 24 23 28  32 30 33
 31   34 41 38 41
G14 10 42  50   50 54
  52     
25    80  82 
35  83 110    110
50 108  134 118 144  130
  125   184 143 
  150   223  
120 188      220
150    225   
185 245 223  255 341 243 
240     403 280 320
300 328      
$OXPLQLXP
2.5 14 13.5  15.5 18.5 18.5
4 18.5  22 21 25 24
 24 23 28  32 30
10 32 31   44 
 43 41 53 48  50 53
25  53     
35       83
50 84  104  110  
   133  140 112 122
  118    132 148
120  135    150 
150  155 204    
185   230    214
240    232 305 218 250
300     351  282

1RWH,QFROXPQVDQGFLUFXODUFRQGXFWRUVDUHDVVXPHGIRUVL]HVXSWRDQGLQFOXGLQJPP9DOXHVIRUODUJHUVL]HVUHODWHWRVKDSHGFRQGXFWRUVDQG
may safely be applied to circular conductors.

)LJ*&XUUHQWFDUU\LQJFDSDFLWLHVLQDPSHUHVIRUGLႇHUHQWPHWKRGVRILQVWDOODWLRQ39&LQVXODWLRQWKUHHORDGHGFRQGXFWRUVFRSSHURUDOXPLQLXPFRQGXFWRU
WHPSHUDWXUHƒ&DPELHQWWHPSHUDWXUHƒ&LQDLUƒ&LQJURXQGWDEOH%RI,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
5HFRPPHQGHGVLPSOL¿HGDSSURDFKIRUFDEOHV
,QRUGHUWRIDFLOLWDWHWKHVHOHFWLRQRIFDEOHVVLPSOL¿HGWDEOHVDUHSURSRVHG
for unburied and buried cables.
7KHVHWDEOHVVXPPDUL]HWKHPRVWFRPPRQO\XVHGFRQ¿JXUDWLRQVDQGJLYHHDVLHU
access to the information.

b Unburied cables:

5HIHUHQFH 1XPEHURIORDGHGFRQGXFWRUVDQGW\SHRILQVXODWLRQ
PHWKRGV
A1 39& 39& 3 XLPE 2 XLPE
A2 39& 39& 3 XLPE 2 XLPE
B1 39& 39& 3 XLPE 2 XLPE
B2 39& 39& 3 XLPE 2 XLPE
C 39& 39& 3 XLPE 2 XLPE
E 39& 39& 3 XLPE 2 XLPE
F 39& 39& 3 XLPE 2 XLPE
1          11  
Size (mm2)
Cooper
1.5 13 13.5 14.5 15.5  18.5  22 23 24  -
2.5  18  21 23 25  30 31 33  -
4 23 24  28 31 34  40 42 45  -
  31 34  40 43  51 54 58  - G15
10  42  50 54     80  -
 52     80 85  100  115 -
25   80   101 110   135  
35 - - - 110     158  185 200
50 - - - 134 141 153     225 242
 - - -    213     310
 - - -   238 258   328 352 
120 - - -     322  382 410 
150 - - - - 285 318 344   441  504
185 - - - - 324   424 450  542 
240 - - - - 380 424  500 538   
Aluminium
2.5 13.5 14 15  18.5  21 23 24  28 -
4  18.5 20 22 25  28 31 32 35 38 -
 23 24  28 32 33   42 45  -
10 31 32   44   54 58   -
 41 43 48 53 58     84  -
25 53      83   101 108 121
35 - - -    103 112 120  135 150
50 - - - 104 110  125   154  184
 - - - 133 140 150     211 
 - - -   183  211  241  
120 - - -   212  245  280 300 
150 - - - -  245  283 304 324  
185 - - - -  280  323    
240 - - - - 300 330 352 382    530
)LJ*&XUUHQWFDUU\LQJFDSDFLW\LQDPSHUHVWDEOH&RI,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved
 G - Sizing and protection of conductors
2 Practical method for determining the smallest
allowable cross-sectional area of circuit conductors
Correction factors are given in )LJ* for groups of several circuits or multi-core
cables:

$UUDQJHPHQW 1XPEHURIFLUFXLWVRUPXOWLFRUHFDEOHV
1        
Embedded or enclosed 1.00 0.80   0.55 0.50 0.45 0.40 0.40
6LQJOHOD\HURQZDOOVÀRRUV 1.00 0.85 0.80    - - -
or on unperforatedtrays
6LQJOHOD\HU¿[HGGLUHFWO\  0.80     - - -
under a ceiling
Single layer on perforated 1.00  0.80    - - -
horizontal trays or on vertical
trays
Single layer on cable ladder 1.00 0.85 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 - - -
supports or cleats, etc
)LJ*Reduction factors for groups of several circuits or of several multi-core cables
WDEOH&RI,(&

b Buried cables:

,QVWDOODWLRQPHWKRG 6L]HPP 1XPEHURIORDGHGFRQGXFWRUVDQGW\SHRILQVXODWLRQ

7ZR39& 7KUHH39& 7ZR;/3( 7KUHH;/3(
'' &RSSHU
1.5 22 18  22
G16
2.5  24 34 
4 38 31 44 
    
10  52  
 81   
25 104  212 101
35 125 103  122
50 148 122  144
 183 151 213 
   252 211
120  203  240
150  230 324 
185 312 258  304
240    351
300 408   
'' $OXPLQLXP
2.5 22 18.5  22
4  24 34 
  30 42 
10 48 40  
  52  
25 80   
35  80 112 
50 113  132 112
 140   138
  138  
120   220 
150 213   210
185 240 200  
240  230 322 
300 313   308
)LJ*&XUUHQWFDUU\LQJFDSDFLW\LQDPSHUHVWDEOH%RI,(&

Electrical installation guide 2018

© Schneider Electric - all rights reserved