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Cable Ampacity Calculation and Analysis for Power Flow Optimization

Conference Paper · October 2016

DOI: 10.1109/ACEPT.2016.7811535

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 Cable Ampacity Calculation and Analysis for Power
Flow Optimization
Nishanthi Duraisamy
School of EEE
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Email: nishanth008@e.ntu.edu.sg
Abstract—This paper presents a study of the factors that
determine cable ampacity adjustments and corrections in the
electrical distribution network. Ampacity is defined as the
maximum current carrying capacity of any cable. This
characteristic parameter depends on many of the cable
properties, installation conditions and surrounding environment.
In long-distance cable-based power transmission (e.g., HVDC)
and distribution network (e.g., in Singapore and many other
cities), there are circumstances where the power cables are laid
or pass through areas of unfavorable conditions, e.g., regions
having temperatures higher than the allowable values.
Depending on the extent of such regions and the criticality of its
effect on the cable, the rating of the cable will be adjusted based
on the assumption that the entire route is characterized by the
same conditions. The configuration and application of
underground electric cables demand careful consideration of
temperature effects on the cable materials. These pessimistic
calculations will reduce the cable ampacity to greater extent. An
analysis of the methodologies used for the derating factors is
presented in this paper.
Keywords—Ampacity, cables, power flow, temperature sensing.
I. INTRODUCTION
The desired cable ampacity measure is an important factor
that determines the cable conductor sizing. The ability of the
cable to dissipate the heat produced in the conductor depends
on the efficient conductivity of the cable insulation and the
surroundings. Hence, heat dissipation is one of the limiting
factors that influence the ampacity to the maximum. In addition
to heat dissipation, there are few factors like load conditions:
steady-state, transient and short-circuit scenarios, the amount of
loading itself also affect the allowable ampacity, so it is should
also be taken into consideration to limit the continuous current
that a cable can carry without causing any degradation. The
higher the operating current load, higher the operating
temperature for the particular cable set-up and installation
becomes. In short, this may lead to a cable damage or failure
that follows immediately.
In long-distance cable-based power transmission (e.g.,
HVDC) and distribution network (e.g., in Singapore and many
other cities), cables are usually operated with a derated
ampacity [1]. This is to prevent the instances of failures
especially in conditions where the serviceability of the installed
cables is difficult. The derating factor is essential for the safe
operation calculated for all worst-case assumptions along the
line. The derated ampacity in cases will be far lesser than the
Abhisek Ukil, Senior Member, IEEE
School of EEE
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Email: aukil@ntu.edu.sg
actual maximum ampacity due to the pessimistic approach. A
real-time knowledge of ambient conditions and predictive
approaches are used in some cases to use that extra ampacity,
by incorporating the applicable criteria under certain standards.
There are standards defined by IEEE [6] and IEC Standards
[7][8] that are used as a base ampacity for our comparison. The
cables are modelled using ampacity calculation software
CYMCAP [10] which is based on the IEC standards and
various parameter influences on the cable ampacity are
discussed in comparison with the standards and also the US
electrical code of practice - National Electrical Code (NEC)
[5]. The main scope of this study is on the underground cables
that are directly buried, as well as buried with duct banks.
II. UNDERGROUND/BURIED CABLE AMPACITY
There is a growing interest for optimizing the power flow
and the regulatory authorities also require new distribution
facilities to be placed underground [3]. Apart from the aesthetic
reasons, this also proves to be a reliable solution from damages
caused by natural disturbances arising from wind, falling trees,
thunderstorms, etc. However, this comes with overhead costs
and high maintenance if failure happens.
A. Theoritical Method
A combination of factors is considered in the calculations
of the ampacity. The simplified ampacity calculations from the
Neher- McGrath formula is shown in the equation (1) that was
derived for high voltage power cables.
The cable ampacity of units in amperes is:
(1)
Where:
I = cable current capacity (Amperes)
Tc = conductor temperature (°C)
Ta = ambient temperature (°C)

Td = dielectric loss temperature rise (ºC)
Rdc = dc resistance of conductor at temperature Tc
Yc = component ac resistance resulting from skin effect and
proximity effect
Rca = effective thermal resistance between conductor and Cable Design Parameter and Values
surrounding ambient. Index
Parameter Value
It is to be noted that the dielectric loss temperature rise
Td 3 Conductor Copper
is negligible for single circuit extruded dielectric cables rated 4 Conductor temperature (ºC) 90
below 46kV. 5 Loading Factor 1.0
6 Insulation Extruded Dielectric
The Neher-McGrath method [11] and the IEC method [7][8]
7 Duct Type Direct Buried
to calculate the cable ampacity are in-principle the same,
8 Ambient temperature (ºC) 25
except the fact that in the latter one, new advancements were
9 Soil Resistance (°C.m/W) 0.9
incorporated after Neher-McGrath formula was established.
10 Frequency (Hz) 50
This makes in principle the IEC more comprehensive as it is
more up-to-date methodology. Similarly, the IEEE and IEC
standards are in principle the same in several aspects that
involves the underground cable calculations, except for few
differences in approach for cable in the air [4].

III. FACTORS CONSIDERED FOR AMPACITY DERATION

The series of factors that affect the cable ampacity in the
underground will be considered in the paper for further
discussion are the ambient temperature, soil resistivity, cable
conductor size [9], conductor temperature and load factor.
According to NEC [5], when there is two ampacities applicable
for a cable the general rule is to choose the lowest value.

A. Analysis of Cable Ampacities for Different Ambient

Temperature
Before we begin, we have to investigate the basis of the Figure 1: 44kV Cable Designed using CYMCAP Software
calculation considered.
The ampacity for the given cable is calculated for a steady
state condition with 100% load factor. CYMCAP uses IEC
(2) 60853 standard to determine the ampacity. We consider the
operating current to be, I = 657 A.
Where
The cable ambient temperature was then decreased to 20 ºC
I’ Ampacity corrected for the new ambient temperature that showed an increase in the cable ampacity from 657
(Amperes) Amperes to 682 A as shown in Figure 2.
I Ampacity calculated for given Tc and Ta (Amperes)
Tc Conductor temperature for which I is calculated (ºC)
Ta Ambient temperature for which I is calculated (ºC)
Ta’ New ambient temperature (ºC)
NEC imposes the deration table for each cable installation
for different ambient temperatures in comparison with the
ampacity calculated for a specific ambient temperature.
A cable profile in Figure 1 was built in the CYMCAP
software to analyze the cable ampacity deration for varying
ambient temperature. The cable parameters considered for the Figure 2: Cable Ampacity vs Ambient Temperature
design are presented in TABLE I.
TABLE I The ampacity calculation from equation (2) holds good for
CABLE DESIGN PARAMETERS
the above observation. When compared to the IEEE power
ampacity table, the maximum allowed ampacity for a 25 to 46
Cable Design Parameter and Values kV shielded single conductor extruded dielectric power cable,
Index
Parameter Value direct buried in 25ºC earth ambient temperature with the
1 Voltage (kV) 44 conductor at 90ºc copper cable for a load factor of 100%, is I =
2 Conductor area (kcmil/mm2) 1000/507 619 A for a soil resistivity factor of 90 rho.
 The vast discrepancy between the IEC standard based conductivity of the soil in the site of installation are not
CYMCAP software output (which is eventually based on the constant [12]. It largely depends on the moisture migration.
Neher-McGrath formula) and IEEE standard 834 are due to the The thermal resistivity of the moist soil is uniform. However,
assumption and the coefficients used are different [12]. when the moist soil surrounding the cables are heated up from
The NEC has defined the adjustment factors for conditions the cable temperature dissipation causing the soil to dry out
with varying ambient temperature, as shown TABLE II. The around the cable, the uniformity assumption does not hold
deration is carried out for the maximum temperature of the good. Also, the resulting thermal resistivity will be higher by a
cable. factor of three [2] or more.
The snapshot of the NEC deration factors to be multiplied In general, assumptions for the homogenous soil resistivity
to the allowable ampacity is provided below. The base ambient
in calculating the cable capacity, simulations are carried out
temperature used for the calculation is 30 ºC
for the above-mentioned cable under the same circumstances
TABLE II for two different resistivity values, as shown in TABLE III.
NEC CABLE AMPACITY DERATION TABLE
TABLE III
NEC Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) Ampacity Deration for AMPACITY RESULTS FROM VARYING SOIL RESISTIVITY
Ambient Temperature Correction Factors Based on 30°C
Cable Design Parameter and Values
For ambient temperatures other than 30°C, the Index
allowable ampacities are multiplied by the Soil Resistivity (°C.m/W) Ampacity (A)
appropriate correction factor shown below 1 0.9 657
2 1.1 627
Ambient Temperature(°C) Temperature Rating of
Conductor
60°C 75°C 90°C The observation indicates that the deration resulting from a
small factor change in the soil resistivity is higher, compared
10 or less 1.29 1.2 1.15
to the change in the ambient temperature. The Figure 3, is a
10 to 15 1.22 1.15 1.12 comparison of ampacity with soil resistivity and cable size.
16-20 1.15 1.11 1.08
21-25 1.08 1.05 1.04
26-30 1 1 1
31-35 0.91 0.94 0.96
36-40 0.82 0.88 0.91
41-45 0.71 0.82 0.87
46-50 0.58 0.75 0.82
51-55 0.41 0.67 0.76
56-60 __ 0.58 0.71 Figure 3: Cable Ampacity IEEE Standard for Varying Soil Resistivity
61-65 __ 0.47 0.65
66-70 __ 0.33 0.58
71-75 __ __ 0.5 For 25 to 46 kV shielded single conductor extruded
76-80 __ __ 0.41 dielectric power cables, that are directly buried in 25ºC earth
81-85 __ __ 0.29 ambient temperature with the conductor at 90ºc copper cable
and load factor of 100%, the ampacity increases with the
increase in conductor size. At the same time, the ampacity
B. Effect of Soil Resistivity on the Ampacity deration decreases with the increase in thermal resistivity that is
evident from the above graph.
The soil resistivity is a complementary parameter of the
ambient temperature. The conduction capacity of the
So far the observations were made on the cables that are
surrounding medium in the buried cable environment affects
directly buried in the ground. Another interesting factor that
the cable ampacity to a large extent.
plays a role in the capacity calculation is the depth of burial.
The cable design in the Figure 1, the depth of burial was 1 m
In practice, a thermal conductivity is assumed for
at the top of the cable. By decreasing the depth to 0.5m the
establishing the cable current ratings. Such assumptions as
cable ampacity improved significantly.
discussed in the previous section are for the worst-case
analysis to keep the allowable current within the safe limits.
Though homogenous soil is usually considered, thermal

Figure 4: Cable Ampacity Improvement with the Change in Depth of
Burial
From the above Figure 4, the ampacity improvement can
be seen evidently from 682A to 756A. But there are
constraints in this type of optimization as codes like NEC [5]
have posed limitations to the minimum depth of burial for the
cables.
C. Ductbanks for Underground Cables
The effect of duct banks on the cable is explored to
understand the effect of it on the cable ampacity. When the
above cables that are equally spaced buried in the earth are
placed in a ductbank filled with matter that has better
conductivity than the surrounding soil, the allowable cable
ampacity results are much higher than their counterparts that
are directly buried.
Figure 5: Cables in Backfilled Ductbank
By placing the cable designed as in Figure 1, inside a
ductbank with fillings as shown in of thermal resistivity
slightly higher (60 rho) than the ambient soil (90 rho), the
ampacity of 830A instead of a low 682A can be allowed
through the cable. This is shown in Figure 5. This ductbank
application will be advantageous where extremely hostile
ambient conditions prevail in the cable route.
D. Conductor Temperature
The IEEE standards have the general limitation with
respect to the cable conductor maximum temperature. The
tables [5] assumed a maximum of 90°C for the conductors.
But in cable applications the transient conditions arise that
may trigger the cable conductor temperature to go above
105°C.
The NEC [5] that follows Neher-McGrath set standard
tables for ampacity deration for conductor temperatures
upto105°C.
Figure 6: Cable Temperature Effect on Ampacity
Along with the cable size the parameter that improves the
allowable ampacity, an increase in the cable temperature also
favor the higher rating for the cables. However, high cable
temperatures will result in dielectric losses and insulation
degradation.
In the above example of cables in duct banks Figure 6, an
increase in 10°C of temperature result in an increase of 5% of
the current rating. This is a significant improvement.
E. Other Factors
The cable loading will also affect the total ampacity for a
given cable. A cable with 75% loading factor will have higher
allowable capacity than the cable with 100% load factor.
The standards and codes for cable rating can be used as a
reference. A detailed study about the cable installation site and
prevailing environment will be instrumental in producing
more accurate ratings.
IV. CONCLUSION
The underground cables used in power transmission and
distribution network are operated at a much lesser current
carrying capacity compared to the maximum capacity of the
cables. The various factors that contribute to this deration are
discussed in the paper.
The ambient temperature variation for 5ºC causes a
significant change in the allowable ampacities in the order of
10 A. The effect of soil resistivity based on the IEEE
Standards [6] and also from the software clearly indicates that
a small factor change will result in a huge difference. The
other factors like the use of duct banks, varying cable burial
depth, cable size, conductor temperature, load factors affect
the overall ampacity of the cable. Sometimes, considering the
 cable sizing based on the worst-case parameters without
complete knowledge of the site of installation will result in a
very huge cable and incur huge cost.
The cable ampacity determination from real-time data is
also desirable in cases where many dynamic conditions
prevail. The distributed temperature sensing (DTS) method [1]
can be used in continuous monitoring of the cable system for
determining better ampacity.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported in part by Llyods Register and
Energy Research Institute (ERIAN), Nanyang Technological
University.
References
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Review of Technology and Applications," IEEE Sensors Journal, vol.
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