Power Transmission, Distribution and

Utilization
Lecture# 13 &14: Underground cables

Slide credits
This presentation is based on
Chapter 11 of Principles of power systems by V
K Mehta

Figures other than the book are referenced

separately.

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Contents

Introduction
Construction of cable
Insulating material for cables
Classification of cables
Cables for three phase system
Belted cables
Screened cables
Limitations of solid type cables
Pressure cables

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Introduction
It consists of one or more conductors covered with
suitable insulation and surrounded by a protecting
cover.
Underground cables are advantageous in terms of

Maintenance cost
Lesser faults
Smaller voltage drop
Better general appearance

Their disadvantages includes

Insulation problems at high voltages

Not cost effective compared with the overhead T/M lines.
Fault localization is difficult
Joints are not easily made.

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Introduction
Mostly used in distribution system.
We prefer underground system in thickly
populated areas at low and moderate voltage
levels.

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Introduction
Stranded conductor is
used for flexibility.
Conductor size design
should cater for the heat
and voltage drop within
permissible limits.
Insulation design must
have a high degree of
safety.
Mechanical design should
be able to withstand the
fatigue.
Chemical and physical
stability is desired.

Source : http://bit.ly/2h6pIDI

Source : http://bit.ly/2gCw5Lm

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Construction of cables
A cable has many parts
Conductor
Insulation
Impregnated paper
Varnished cambric
Rubber mineral

Metallic sheath
Lead or aluminum.

Bedding
Fibrous material like Jute to protect sheath from corrosion.

Armouring
Serving
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Insulating materials for cables

The general properties of insulating material for
cables are
High insulation resistance to reduce leakage current.
High dielectric strength to avoid electrical breakdown.
High mechanical strength to withstand mechanical
fatigues.
Non hygroscopic. It should not absorb moisture.
Non inflammable
Cost effective
Unaffected by acids.
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Insulating materials for cables

Rubber

Reasonable insulating properties

Absorbs moisture
Max. safe temperature is low
Rough handling can damage rubber
Age degradation while exposed to sunlight
Pure rubber cannot be used for insulation

Vulcanized India Rubber (VIR)

Rubber + Zine oxide + Sulphur
Cannot be used with pure copper. Tinned Cu only.
Used for low and moderate voltage levels
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Insulating materials for cables

Impregnated paper

Chemically pulped paper soaked in paraffinic material.

Low cost
Low capacitance
High dielectric strength
High insulation resistance
Paper is hygroscopic
Never left unsealed

Varnished cambric
Cotton cloth impregnated and coated with varnish
Hygroscopic
Always used with metallic sheath
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Insulating materials for cables

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
It is a synthetic compound
High insulation resistance
Good dielectric strength
Inert to almost all alkalies and oxygen.
Good for extreme environmental conditions like
cement or chemical factory.
Used in medium and low power installations.

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Classification of cables
Low tension cables
1000 V

High tension cables

11 kV

Super tension cables

22kV-33kV

Extra high tension cables

33kV-66kV

Extra super voltage cables

>132kV
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Classification of cables

Single core
Two core
Three core
Four core

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Cables for 3 phase system

Two choices
Three core cable (up to 66kV)
Three single core cables (beyond 66kV)

Following kinds are used

Belted cables (11kV)
Screened cables (22kV-66kV)
Pressure cables (> 66kV)

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Belted cables
Interconductor insulation
is by paper.
A paper belt is wrapped
around all the
interconductor insulation.
Lead sheath is provided
to protect against
moisture and fatigue.
Used upto 22kV.
Beyond 22kV the leakage
current starts to flow that
heats the cable.

Ref:

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Screened cables
Good for 33-66kV
It has two types
H type
S.L type

H type use impregnated paper for insulation.

Each insulation is covered with metallic
screen.
All the metallic screens are connected with
each other.
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Screened cables (H type)

The metallic screen is rapped with a
conducting belt.
The screens and the lead sheath are at earth
potential therefore, the electrical stresses are
only radial and hence dielectric losses are
reduced.
The breakdown strength of the cable is
reduced.
Paper insulation may damage.
Metallaic sheath increases heat.
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Screened cables (S.L type)

Individual lead sheath.
Core to core breakdown
is reduced.
Bending becomes easy.
Three layers of sheath
have an overall
thickness less than the
single outer sheath.
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Limitations of solid type cables

Solid insulation is used and hence called solid
type cables.
Voltage is limited to 66 kV because
The load increase temperature and this expands
the cable compound. Therefore, the lead sheath
stretches that can lead to damage.
At low load conditions as conductor cools a partial
vacuum is formed that may draw moist air. The
moisture reduces the dielectric strength of cable.
Voids are present in these cables that can cause
breakdown.
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Pressure cables
Used for operating voltages > 66kV < 230kV
Pressure of compound is increased to
eliminate voids. Hence called pressure cables.
It has two types
Oil filled cables
Gas pressure cables

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Pressure cables (Oil filled)

A duct in the inner most part is provided to
carry the oil.
Oil at constant pressure is provided by
external reservoirs at suitable distance.
The oil pressure compresses the paper layers
and hence eliminates any voids.
It has three types
Single core conductor channel
Single core sheath channel
Three core filler space channel
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Pressure cables (Oil filled)

Wire is stranded around
the hollow cylindrical steel
spiral tape.
The oil expansion due to
cable heating is catered by
an external reservoir.
Oil channel is in the middle
of cable and is at full
voltage w.r.t. earth. So
joints are complicated.
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Pressure cables (Oil filled)

No single oil duct.
Oil ducts are provided in
metallic sheaths.
Sometimes filler spaces
have oil ducts.
Perforated metal ribbon
tubing is formed for this oil
duct.
All channels are at earth
potential.
High initial cost
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Pressure cables (Gas filled)

It has triangular shape and thickness of lead
sheath is 75% that of solid cable.
The triangular section reduces the weight and
gives low thermal resistance
The lead sheath acts as a pressure membrane.
The sheath is protected by a thin metal tape.
The cable is laid in a gas-tight steel pipe.
The pipe is filled with dry nitrogen gas at 12 to
15 ATP.
Power rating higher than a normal cable.
Low maintenance cost.
Nitrogen gas helps in quenching any flame.
The overall cost is very high.

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Laying of underground cables

Three main methods of laying underground
Direct laying
Draw-in system
Solid system

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Laying of underground cables

Direct laying
Simple and cheap
Trench of 15m deep 45cm wide is dug.
The trench is covered with fine sand (10 cm
thickness) and the cable is laid over this sand
bed.
The sand prevents the entry of moisture from
the ground and thus protects the cable from
decay
The trench is then covered with bricks and
other materials in order to protect the cable
from mechanical injury
Heat dissipation is good.
It is a clean and safe method.
The extension of load is possible only by a
completely new excavation
The alterations in the cable netwok cannot be
made easily
Localization of fault is difficult.
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Laying of underground cables

Draw in system
conduit or duct of glazed stone or cast iron or
concrete are laid in the ground with manholes at
suitable positions along the cable route.
Fig. shows section through four-way underground
duct line

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Laying of underground cables

Repairs, alterations or additions to the cable network can
be made without opening the
ground
As the cables are not armoured, therefore, joints become
simpler and maintenance cost is reduced considerably.
There are very less chances of fault occurrence due to
strong mechanical protection provided by the system.
The initial cost is very high.
The current carrying capacity of the cables is reduced due
to the close grouping of cables and unfavourable conditions
for dissipation of heat.

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Laying of underground cables

Solid system
In this method of laying, the cable is laid in open pipes or
troughs dug out in earth along the cable route.
The troughing is of cast iron, stoneware, asphalt or treated
wood. After the cable is laid in position, the troughing is filled
with a bituminous or asphaltic compound and covered over.
Cables laid in this manner are usually plain lead covered
because troughing affords good mechanical protection.
It is more expensive than direct laid system.
It requires skilled labour and favorable weather conditions.
Due to poor heat dissipation facilities, the current carrying
capacity of the cable is reduced.
In view of these disadvantages, this method of laying
underground cables is rarely used nowadays.
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