Development of a Software Package for Calculating Current Rating of
Medium Voltage Power Cables
D.G.A.K.Wijeratna, J.R. Lucas, H.J.C.Peiris, H.Y.R.Perera
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
ABSTRACT
The conventional method in calculating cable
ampacity is to calculate it under prescribed conditions
and then to apply derating factors to cater for real
conditions. Most of the power cable manufacturers use
this approximate value for designing power cables,
which results in unnecessarily manufacturing cost.
If we can consider the real conditions (Installation
methods and operating conditions etc.) in the
calculation procedure, more accurate values can be
obtained and it will help in the economic design of
power cables. As this method involves complicated
mathematical formulae, it is necessary to have a
computer program for handling the calculation part.
The CableAmp program developed handles this
situation. It is a Windows based software, which was
developed using Microsoft Visual Basic. The
CableAmp can calculate the ampacity of medium
voltage power cable laid in free air or directly buried
in the ground. [The user has to input the required
data of the cable design as well as the cable
installation method to the program]. CableAmp can
calculate the continuous current rating (at 100% load
factor) as well as the cyclic current rating (according
to the specified load profile) of the power cable. The
Calculation procedure is in accordance with
International Standard IEC 287. Presently it has been
developed to handle power cables operating at
voltages in the 6 kV and 33 kV voltage range.
Index Terms
Software, power, cable, current, rating, ampacity,
1.0 INTRODUCTION
For most of the power cable applications the
ampacities can be found in cable manuals. These
ampacity tables can be obtained form the cable
manufacturers also. Normal procedure in calculating
the current rating of a power cable is to calculate the
current rating under prescribed conditions and then to
apply appropriate derating factors to cater for actual
installations methods and operating conditions. Thus
the existing ampacity tables are crude approximations
and include substantial safety margins. Problems
associated with conventional methods are as follows.
• Sometimes there are no derating factors to address
different types of installation methods and
excessive thermal heat effects.
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50
• There are instances where the application of the
ampacity tables including the safety margins is
insufficient, requiring engineers, installers, and
inspectors to perform actual ampacity
calculations. This is specially true as higher
ampacities are requested, and as it becomes more
difficult to install new circuits, so that the existing
circuits must be operated more efficiently.
• And for specialized applications or usually for
higher voltage application, ampacities cannot be
found in these ampacity tables and it has to be
calculated.
The answer to these problems is to consider the actual
installation methods and operating conditions in
calculating the current rating.
By using the proposed approach, more accurate
ampacity values can be obtained. As the optimum
conductor sizes can be obtained, the power cables can
be designed more economically. This involves
complicated mathematical calculations and thus the
need of this kind of software arises.
In the international market, there are software
packages for doing such calculations. However, the
prices of these are in the range of one to two millions
rupees. Thus this package was developed as part of an
M. Eng Degree at University of Moratuwa. This will
be useful to the cable manufacturing industry. The
programming language that has been used for
developing this software is Microsoft Visual Basic,
which provides high user-friendly features. This
program provides convenient calculation facility of the
continuous current rating as well as the cyclic current
rating of power cables with extruded solid insulation
from 6 kV to 33kV.
2.0 FUNDAMENTALS OF
CALCULATING CURRENT
CARRYING CAPACITY
The basis for most high-voltage underground ampacity
calculations worldwide is an international standard,
IEC 287. IEC 287 covers medium-voltage and high-
voltage cables, many different constructions, and many
installation types. While the Neher-McGrath method to
calculate ampacities is the predominant method used in
the U.S., IEC 287 is the predominant method used
internationally.
D.G.A.K.Wijeratna, J.R. Lucas, H.J.C.Peiris, H.Y.R.Perera
Both methods employ the application of thermal
equivalents of Ohm's and Kirchoff's Laws to a simple
thermal circuit. In this program the method covered in
the IEC 287 was used.
When the conductor is energized, heat is generated
within the cable. This heat is generated due to the I2R
losses of the conductor, the dielectric losses in the
insulation and losses in the metallic component of the
cable. The ampacity of the cable is dependent on the
way this heat is transmitted to the cable surface and
ultimately dissipated to the surrounding. As shown in
the figure 1 the cable materials and soil represent a
series circuit of thermal resistances. The thermal
resistances control heat dissipation from the conductor.
Figure 1- Thermal Circuit model of a 3-core metal-sheathed
power cable
Thus the efficiency of heat dissipation is dependent
upon the various thermal resistances of the cable
material and the external backfill and soil plus the
ambient temperature around the cable. If the cable is
able to dissipate more heat, the cable can carry more
current.
The normal maximum continuous rating of the cable is
dependent on a number of factors. Of these the one
that is most important is the maximum permissible
conductor temperature. The maximum permissible
current rating is the loading in amperes which, applied
continuously until steady conditions are reached, will
produce the maximum allowable conductor
temperature. Steady state is reached when the rate of
heat generation in the cable is exactly equal to the rate
of heat dissipation from the surface of the cable. This
steady state is the only condition considered when
calculating the maximum permissible continuous
current rating.
By applying the thermal equivalence of Kirchoff’s and
Ohm’s law to the circuit shown in figure 1, equation
(1) is obtained.
T=H*S (1)
Where T is the temperature difference in cesius,
H is the flow of heat in watts,
S is the thermal resistances in thermal ohm.
The expression (1) can be rewritten by substituting
cable parameters and gives equation (2).
2 2
∆θ = (I R + 0.5 Wd) T1 + [I R (1+ λ1)+ Wd] nT2 +
[I2R (1 + λ1 + λ2)+ Wd] n (T3+T4) (2)
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51
From equation (2) a formula can be obtained for the
permissible current as given in equation (3).
0.5
I= ∆θ-Wd [0.5T1+n (T2+T3+T4)] (3)
RT1 +nR (1+λ1) T2+nR (1+λ1+λ2)(T3+T4)
[The meaning of the different symbols are given in
the Appendix]
The program uses this formula for calculating
continuous current. The other parameters of the
formula should be separately calculated dependant on
the various other factors like cable construction types,
installation types, installation environment.
2.1 Cyclic Loading
As very often happens, the loads are cyclic rather than
continuous. Many cables, particularly buried cables,
may take up a longer time for the temperature to build
up the equilibrium condition on which the continuous
ratings are based on. Generally the continuous rating is
used as a guide, but when the load is cyclic higher
ratings should be used than with continuous operation.
In cyclic operation, a cable can carry a significantly
heavier load for a given maximum conductor
temperature than during constant load because the
cable, and sometimes its environment, is capable of
storing heat during periods of peak load and
dissipating this stored heat when the load diminishes.
Many factors have to be taken into account in
calculating these cyclic ratings. Cable diameter in
relation to the environment has a major effect, because
surface area increases with diameter.
Other factors are the type of cable, the effect of any
other cables in the vicinity and the thermal resistivity
of the soil.
2.1.1 Cyclic rating factor (M)
The cyclic rating factor is defined as the factor by
which the permissible continuous current rating (100%
load factor) can be multiplied to obtain the peak load
current during a daily load cycle, such that during this
cycle the conductor reaches, but does not exceed, the
standard maximum permissible temperature.
For cables in air the conductor temperature follows
changes in the load current sufficiently rapidly so that
the usual daily cycle do not permit peak loads greater
than the steady state value. Usually the cyclic rating
factor is taken as unity for cables in air.
The program can calculate this parameter after
calculating the permissible continuous current rating if
the detail of the daily load cycle is available (as 24
hourly values).
D.G.A.K.Wijeratna, J.R. Lucas, H.J.C.Peiris, H.Y.R.Perera
2.2 Important parameters affecting ratings Conductor

2.2.1 Temperature
Insulation
Temperature rise is the most important parameter, but
this is governed by the base ambient temperature for Sheath/Screen
the given cable location and the maximum temperature
applicable to the insulation and cable construction. For
buried cables, if the soil is warm it absorbs less heat Bedding
and consequently the rating will be reduced.
Armour
2.2.2 Conditions of Installation
Outer Serving
A cable in air generally dissipates heat better than a
cable buried in the ground, but in this respect the cable Figure 2 - Cross section of a single core metal sheathed,
diameter (or more particularly the surface area) is more wire armoured power cable.
important. A few important points to note are as
follows. Nearly every part of a cable produces heat in one way
or another. Within the external periphery of the cable
• A direct buried cable dissipates heat more there are four heat sources produced by losses in the
readily than a cable in a duct. following.
• For buried cables the rating decreases with the i. Cable Conductor
depth of burial, because (it is assumed) the heat
finally goes to the ground surface. A deeper ii. Metallic Sheath/Screen
cable sees more total soil resistance. iii. Cable Armouring
• Soil thermal resistivity is also an important iv. Dielectric
factor. This determines how well the soil carries
away the heat.
3.1 Conductor I2R Loss
• Adjacent cables contribute heat and may induce
A loss occurs in the cable conductor, which is
additional losses in the cable itself. Closer
proportional to the conductor resistance and to the
cables have more effect in reducing the rating.
square of the current being carried and it is known as
2.2.3 Shielded grounding “I2R loss”. This loss normally represents the largest
heat source in the cable.
Multipoint grounding increases circulating currents in
When the cable carries a.c. currents, the conductor
the sheath. Therefore the losses will be increased and
resistance increases due to the skin and proximity
the rating will be decreased. Single-point grounding
effects. Skin effect is a phenomenon, which accounts
eliminates sheath currents, but induced voltages on the
for the increase in resistance of a conductor due to self-
sheath has to remain within given limits even away
from the grounded point. inductance. This effect causes the current density in
the conductor to be higher towards the outer surface.
2.2.4 Cable Design Although skin effect is generally considered negligible
at power frequency, the effect becomes significant
The cable design determines the ability to transfer heat
with larger cross sections (greater than 150 mm2).
from the conductors to the outer surface. This varies
with the materials used and the number of layers in the
Proximity effect is a phenomenon of mutual
construction.
inductance between the conductors of adjacent phases
which creates the tendency for the currents in these
3.0 POWER CABLE LOSSES conductors to flow along one side of the conductor
cross section. This effect can be disregarded for cables
A power cable consist of several components, some of smaller than about 185mm2 cross section.
which may or may not be present dependant on
requirements. The conductor and the insulation are the
most basic components seen in any power cable. As
3.2 Sheath/Screen Losses
the voltage increases other components are added to
The magnetic fields of the currents flowing in the
handle higher electrical stresses.
conductors induce e.m.f. s in the metallic sheath/screen
Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of a power cable
, which under certain conditions causes heavy currents
which consists of a bedding, metallic sheath, steel wire
to flow in the sheath/screen and generate losses.
armour and an outer jacket.

Transactions of the IEE Sri Lanka – September 2003 D.G.A.K.Wijeratna, J.R. Lucas, H.J.C.Peiris, H.Y.R.Perera
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There are two types of losses which occur as sheath
eddy loss and the sheath circulating loss. Sheath eddy
loss is due to the induced eddy currents, which flow
circumferentially in the sheath/screen of the three-core
cable or in the sheath/screen of the three single core
cables. This loss reaches its maximum value when the
cable conductors are situated as close as possible to
one another. The loss can be reduced by increasing the
sheath resistance and by increasing the ratio of cable
spacing to sheath diameter. In many instances this loss
is small and can be disregarded.
The sheath circulating loss, which only occurs in
single core cables systems, is due to induced current
flowing along metallic sheath/screen and returning
through the sheaths of the other phase or through earth.
This only exists when the sheaths of two or three
single core cables are bonded together at two different
positions, such as the ends of the cable route. This loss
decreases as the sheath resistance is increased and the
three cables are placed closer together. However, the
closer formation results in a greater eddy loss and also
increases the mutual heating of the three cables.
3.3 Armour Loss
Armour losses usually consist of the following.
• Losses due to currents in the armouring, both in
the form of circulating currents and eddy
currents.
• Losses due to magnetic field around the cable
conductor under consideration and also losses
due to the fields caused by currents in other
conductors of a group of single core cables.
These combined magnetic fields produce
significant hysterisis losses.
For power cables with non-magnetic armour, the usual
practice is to take the combined sheath and armouring
resistance as a whole and to calculate all losses as
sheath losses.
3.4 Dielectric Loss
The dielectric losses of a.c. cables are proportional to
capacitance, the frequency, the phase voltage and loss
factor. The loss component of the loss factor (or the
power factor) is made up of the following.
• Leakage current flowing through the dielectric,
which is independent of frequency.
• Dielectric hysterisis, which is caused by the
interaction of alternating field with the
molecules of the constitutants of the insulation
and is only present with a.c. voltage application.
This is by far the largest effect.
• Ionisation i.e. partial discharge in the dielectric.
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53
The power factor of the cable insulation is dependent
on frequency, temperature and applied voltage. It is of
a very low order for low and medium voltage cables
but this value rises rapidly with higher voltages.
4.0 METHODOLOGY
The main procedure followed in designing software
can be divided into four steps. The first step is to
obtain the system of equations from the IEC standard.
The algorithm is then developed according to the
system of equations. This algorithm is used for writing
the program with Microsoft Visual Basic. The final
step is obtaining the required output from the program.
The main algorithm (i.e. the procedure for obtaining
the current rating of a power cable) is shown as a flow
chart in figure 3 .
Start
Calculate temperature difference (∆θ)
Calculate dielectric loss (wd)
Calculate A.C. resistance (R)
Calculate sheath loss factor (λ1)
Calculate armour loss factor (λ2)
Calculate thermal resistances
T1, T2, T3, T4
Calculate continuous current (Icont)
The details of the yes
daily load cycle
available ?
no
Calculate cyclic current
End
Figure 3- Flow chart of the main calculation procedure
4.1 Calculate Temperature Difference
(∆θ)
This is the the maximum permissible difference of
operating temperature (between the cable and the
ambient temperature).
D.G.A.K.Wijeratna, J.R. Lucas, H.J.C.Peiris, H.Y.R.Perera
The maximum operating temperature varies according
to the type of insulation used. The ambient temperature
is usually taken as 30 oC for above ground installations
and 20 oC for underground installations.
4.2 Calculate Dielectric Loss (Wd)
As the dielectric loss is voltage dependant, it is taken
into account for values of equal or greater than the
limiting voltage level Uo related to the insulation
material being used. Typical values are as follows.
Insulation Material U0 (kV)
PVC 6 number of cores in the cable.
XLPE 63.5
The dielectric loss per unit length in each phase is
given by equation (4).
Wd = ω CU02 tanδ (W/m) (4)
4.3 Calculate A.C. Resistance (R)
When considering steady conditions there is no
longitudinal heat flow in the cable, so that it is
immaterial what length of the cable is considered when
calculating the rating. It is convenient to use 1m.
The a.c. resistance per unit length of the conductor at
its maximum operating temperature is given in
equation (5)
R = R' (1 + y s + y p ) (5)
4.4 Calculate Sheath/Screen Loss
Factor (λ1)
It is convenient to express sheath/screen losses as a
fraction of the conductor losses, as both are dependant
on the square of current.
The power loss in the sheath or screen consists of
losses caused by circulating current (λ1’) and eddy
current (λ1”) and is given in equation (6)
λ1=λ’1 +λ”1 (6)
For single core cables with sheath bonded at both ends
of an electrical section, only the loss due to circulating
current in the sheath needs to be considered. An
electrical section is defined as a portion of the route
between points at which the sheath or screens of all
cables are solidly bonded.
4.5 Calculate Armour Loss Factor (λ2)
The armour loss represents the power loss occuring in
the armour as a factor of total power losses in all
conductors.
The calculation of loss factor depends on the type of
the armour. (i.e. Non-magnetic or Magnetic armour)
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54
4.5.1 Non-Magnetic Armour
The general procedure is to combine the calculation of
loss in the armour with that of the sheath. In place of
sheath resistance, a parallel combination of sheath and
armour can be used (The root mean square value of
sheath and armour diameter replaces the mean sheath
diameter).
4.5.2 Magnetic armour
For the magnetic armour λ2 is calculated according to
the armour type (i.e. steel wire or steel tape) and the
4.6 Calculate Thermal resistances
The heat path from the cable conductor(s) to the “sink”
of heat, traverses the following items in turn.
Insulation Metallic sheath Bedding
Armor Outer Serving Ground or air
The thermal resistances of metallic portion of this heat
path are so small in comparison with others. Therefore
they can be neglected and the list now reduces to,
Insulation(T1) Bedding (T2)
Outer Serving (T3) Ground or air(T4)
The total thermal resistance consists of resistances
partly in series and partly in parallel, so that it is
necessary to figure out the values of these so called
partial thermal resistances. Each partial resistance can
be split up into two factors, one being essentially the
thermal resistivity of the material and the other a
function of the material through which the heat passes
(The latter factor being called the geometric factor).
The dimensions of the cable affect the thermal
resistance, and calculations can be made in the case of
single core cables, as the heat flow is radial to the core.
However, multicore cables offer a very complex
problem owing to the distortion of the lines of heat
flow. This problem has been resolved by the use of
geometric factors. The calculation of these factors T1,
T2, T3 is dependant on the cable materials and cable
type.
With cables buried in the ground the heat transmitted
through the cable passes into the surrounding soil. No
conclusive evidence is available regarding the nature
of heat flow in the soil, but the basis used for
calculation accepts the theory that the ground surface
above the cable is plain isothermal of ambient
temperature, so that all the heat generated is ultimately
transmitted to the ground surface, which remains at
constant temperature.
In general soil having a higher percentage of moisture
will have a lower thermal resistivity and consequently
the best heat dissipating qualities.
D.G.A.K.Wijeratna, J.R. Lucas, H.J.C.Peiris, H.Y.R.Perera
Porous or well-drained soils have a higher thermal
resistivity. In the program four types of soil have been
considered according to the different weather
conditions. If there is a variation in soil resistivity over
a period of twelve months, the current rating should be
based on the highest value of soil thermal resistivity
observed.
With cables carrying a heavy load continuously, some
drying out of the soil immediately surrounding the
cable may occur, increasing the value of soil thermal
resistivity. But in the program it is considered that soil
drying out does not occur and the value of soil thermal
resistivity remains constant during the operation of the
cable. The value of T4 is calculated considering all
these factors.
4.7 Current Rating
4.7.1 Calculate Continuous Current Rating (Icont)
The continuous current rating of the cable Icont is
calculated using the equation 3 given in section 2.
However, this equation has to be adjusted for catering
to the effect of intensity of solar radiation, for cases of
cables laid in free air and directly exposed to the solar
radiation.
4.7.2 Calculate Cyclic Rating
Calculation of cyclic rating is varies according to the
details known about the daily load cycle. For this
program it is considered that only the loss load factor
(µ) of the load cycle is known. (Which can be
calculated using the 24 hourly load values ). The cyclic
rating factor (M) can be calculated using the equations
given in the IEC 853 standard. The cyclic rating is
obtained by multiplying the value of continuous
current (Icont) by the cyclic rating factor.
4.7.3 Assumptions made in the Current Rating
Calculation Procedure
The following assumptions have been made.
• Soil drying out does not occur.
• Conditions do not vary along the cable route.
• No axial heat transfer takes place.
• Ground ambient temperature remains
constant.
5. 0 THE SOFTWARE
5.1 An Overview
Users of Windows based software tools have become
to expect a user-friendly graphic interface for
performing their tasks.
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55
Thus this software has been developed to meet the
need for modern engineering software tools, and it can
be used with minimal training. This application can be
easily customized to the materials and practices used
by each member utility, allowing the ultimate user (for
example, a design technician with limited engineering
expertise) to apply the program with maximum
efficiency and minimum complexity.
5.1.1 Factors to be taken into account in using the
software
• Ambient temperature
− Above ground installation- 30oC
− Underground installation-20oC
• Power Frequency – 50 Hz
• Voltage – between 6 kV and 33 kV
• Installation Method – Single circuits directly
buried and laid in free air (protected from or
exposed to solar radiation)
5.2 The Operation
The program consists of several dialog boxes where
the user can input the required details of the cable
design for the calculation of current rating. Some data
is user defined while some data has to be selected from
a menu.
For each component of the cable, a separate dialog
box is introduced and the user can enter the
dimensions, material and type of the particular
component. Before entering the data the user is given
an option for selecting whether a particular component
is existing or not in the cable design, because other
than the main components (the conductor and the
insulation) some components may not always exist in a
cable design. The installation environment of the cable
is very important in ampacity calculation and the user
can enter the laying method, installation method and
the soil condition for underground installations.
5.2.1 Calculation of Continuous current rating
Once all the needed data has been entered, the user can
proceed to the calculation part. The continuous current
rating as well as the other parameters of the cable like
a.c.. Resistance, dielectric loss, loss factors of metallic
components and thermal resistances of relevant layers
of the cable can be viewed on the screen by clicking a
button on the screen. The user is also provided with the
facility of altering the previously input data. The
output results automatically updates accordingly.
5.2.3 Calculation Cyclic Rating
For buried cables, if the pattern of the daily load cycle
is available (The user has to enter the value of the load
hourly for 24 hours in per unit values. i.e. Divide the
each hourly value by the maximum value of that cycle)
the program can calculate the cyclic rating of the cable.
D.G.A.K.Wijeratna, J.R. Lucas, H.J.C.Peiris, H.Y.R.Perera
5.2.4 Reporting
Flexibility is provided in easily specifying the
information to include in the final report including
input data and calculation results. Reports can be
directly printed out, previewed on screen and exported
to TXT or HTML formats.
5.2.5 Error Handling
The program needs all the required data of the cable
components and the installation type as the input for
the program. In the case of missing the required data
the program may get halted while executing or may
output incorrect results. There are several techniques
used in the program for preventing the occurrence of
this and for justifying the correctness of the output
results.
5.3 The Results
A sample data from a cable’s manufacturer’s data
sheet is included in the program for the demonstration
purposes of the software.
Data is included for two cases as
• 12 kV direct buried three core cable and
• 18 kV direct buried three single core cables.
The results obtained for the value of the continuous
current ratings were about 15% higher than the values
given in the cable manufacturer’s data sheet.
However as the details of the installed environment
(like buried depth, soil condition/weather condition
etc.) are not given in the data sheet, the values are
more conservative in the data sheets. Thus the
calculated values cannot be directly compared with the
values given in the data sheet, and the values obtained
can be considered to be acceptable.
6.0 CONCLUSION
Simply stated the purpose of this project is to calculate
current rating of a cable based on a set of user inputs.
User inputs include, but are not limited to cable
dimensions and materials, cable layout and cable
operating conditions. The program is useful for both
the customer and the manufacturer. This also permits
quick and easy comparison between cable
manufacturers and designs.
In short this software is a valuable tool because it
• Automates time consuming process
• Handles many cable types and configurations
• Provide quick and accurate results without
table lookups
Transactions of the IEE Sri Lanka – September 2003
56
• Consolidates many calculations into one
simple to use program
• Can be used as a tool in designing cables
economically
A series of cables sizes can be selected and the current
rating can be calculated for different installation
methods and from that the optimum size can be
selected which lies in the economic range while giving
the desired load capacity. Apart from that the cable
materials and the dimensions of different layers can
also be changed according the cost of these materials
in designing the cables economically.
Engineers familiar with manually performing cable
calculations will be happy with the flexibility and
robustness of this software. The customer can use this
program as a guide for checking the correct ampacity
values specified by the manufacturer if the details of
the cable are given to the customer when purchasing a
new cable.
6.1 Suggestion for the improvement of
the software
• A financial analysis can be included with the
program for automating the economic design
of cables.
• Other types of cables such as pipe type cables
and oil filled cables can be considered.
• Calculations can be expanded to consider
high voltage power cables. (greater than 33
kV)
7.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to express their deepest gratitude to
to the staff members of the department of Electrical
Engineering, University of Moratuwa for the help
given in making the project a success. They also wish
to thank Mr. Chandana Samarasinghe of CEB for
supporting them to obtain the required IEC standards.
Thanks are also due to Mr. K. Sooriyabandara of
Kelani Cables (Pvt.) Ltd. for the assistance given.
Finally the support given by Dr. K.M. Liyanage and
the staff at the Computing Centre, University of
Peradeniya in completing the project successfully is
deeply appreciated.
8.0 REFERENCES
[1] Barnes C.C. Power Cables: Their Design and
Installation. London: Chapman & Hall Ltd.,
1966.
D.G.A.K.Wijeratna, J.R. Lucas, H.J.C.Peiris, H.Y.R.Perera
[2] British Insulated Callender’s Cables Limited. Appendix
High Voltage Cables, 2nd edition, 1948.

[3] King S.Y., N.A. Halfter. Underground Power LIST OF SYMBOLS

Cables. New York: Longman Inc., 1982.
C =Capacitance per core per unit length (F/m)
[4] MacAllister D. Electric Cables Handbook. I =Permissible continuous constant current (100%
London: Granada Technical Books Ltd., Part load factor) in one conductor of the cable. (A)
II, III, and I 1982. M =Cyclic rating factor
R =a.c. resistance of conductor at maximum
[5] Siler B. , Spotts J. Using Visual Basic 6. operating temperature (Ω/m)
New Delhi: Prentice-Hall of India, 1998 R' =d.c. resistance of conductor at maximum
operating temperature (Ω/m)
[6] IEC 287-1-1:1994”Electric Cables- T1 =Thermal resistance between the conductor and
Calculation of current rating-Part 1”, 1st sheath (K.m/W)
edition T2 =Thermal resistance between sheath and the
armour (K.m/W)
[7] IEC 287-2-1:1994 ”Electric Cables- T3 =Thermal resistance of the outer serving.(K.m/W)
Calculation of current rating-Part 2”, 1st T4 =Thermal resistance of the surrounding medium.
edition (K.m/W)
U0 =Voltage between one conductor and screen or
[8] IEC 853-1:1985,”Calculation of the cyclic sheath. (kV)
and emergency current rating of cables- Part 1 Wd =Dielectric Loss per unit length per phase (W/m)
“, 1st edition n =Number of current carrying conductors in the
cable.
[9] Powers W.F. The basics of power ys =Skin effect factor
cables,www.southwire.com/tech/library, June yp =Proximity effect factor
2001. ∆θ =Temperature difference (K)
λ1 =Sheath loss factor
[10] Newton G.C. www.electrician.com/articles, λ2 =Armour loss factor
January 2000 ω =Angular frequency of the system (2∏f)
µ =Loss load factor

Transactions of the IEE Sri Lanka – September 2003 D.G.A.K.Wijeratna, J.R. Lucas, H.J.C.Peiris, H.Y.R.Perera
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