Advantages and Limitations

of UG Cables
and
Specifications of Power Cables

Dept. of EEE,VVCE,Mysuru 12-08-2017

 Advantages
They are well suited for congested urban areas where overhead lines
are difficult to install.
They save the land for further urban expansion, especially when
right-of-way is expensive.
Since they are not exposed, they are less subject to damage from
severe weather conditions.
They do not pose hazard to low flying aircraft, wildlife and birds
They are not easily prone to theft, illegal connections or sabotage.
Fewer occurrence of faults.

Dept. of EEE,VVCE,Mysuru 12-08-2017

 Limitations

Very expensive
Fault detection, isolation and repair are difficult. Restoration takes
longer time than overhead lines

Dept. of EEE,VVCE,Mysuru 12-08-2017

Specifications of Power cables

Dept. of EEE,VVCE,Mysuru 12-08-2017

 Rating of power cable
It is customary that conductor selected for an installation should
withstand short circuit current rather than sustained current.
For example a conductor made of copper conductor with size 120
sq-mm with PVC insulation can withstand a maximum temperature
of 70-85C with short circuit current rating 13.8 kA to12.48 kA. Also
a conductor made of aluminium with PVC insulation can withstand
a maximum temperature of 70-85C with a short circuit current
rating of 9.12 kA to 8.28 kA

Dept. of EEE,VVCE,Mysuru 12-08-2017

 Current carrying capacity (Ampacity)

The optimum selection of conductor size depends on its current

carrying capacity and voltage drop. The safe current carrying capacity
of a power cable is decided by the maximum allowable temperature
rise.

Dept. of EEE,VVCE,Mysuru 12-08-2017

 Voltage Drop

The permissible maximum voltage drop from source to load is also one
of the important aspects of underground cable selection. Copper is the
better conductor compared to aluminium because of less voltage drop
for a given length and wire size. Wire size is an important factor that
has to be considered in determining the voltage drop. Wires with large
diameter will have less voltage drop than smaller wire sizes of the same
length.

Dept. of EEE,VVCE,Mysuru 12-08-2017