Sizing of power cables for circuit breaker controlled feeders (part 2)

2. Criteria-2 Continuous current capacity (Ampacity)

This criterion is applied so that cross section of the cable can carry the required load current continuously at the designed ambient temperature and laying condition. Ampacity is defined as the current in amperes a conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of surrounding medium in which the cables are installed. An ampacity study is the calculation of the temperature rise of the conductor in a cable system under steady-state conditions.
Cable ampacity, if required to be calculated than it is calculated as per the following equation givenin IEEE -399, section 13.

This equation is based on Neher-McGrath method where,

• Tc’ – allowable conductor temperature (ºC)
• Ta’ – ambient temperature (either soil or air) (ºC)
• ∆Td – temperature rise of conductor due to dielectric heating (ºC)
• ∆Tint – temperature rise of the conductor due to interference heating from adjacent cables (ºC)
• Rac – electrical ac resistance of conductor including skin effect, proximity and temperature effects (µ_/ft)
• R’ca – effective total thermal resistance of path between conductor and surrounding ambient to include the effects of load factor, shield/sheath losses, metallic conduit losses, effects of multiple conductors in the same duct etc (thermal- Ωft, ºC-cm/W).

From the above equation it is clear that the rated current carrying capacity of a conductor is dependent on the following factors:

1. Ambient temperature (air or ground)
2. Grouping and proximity to other loaded cables, heat sources etc.
3. Method of installation (above ground or below ground)
4. Thermal conductivity of the medium in which the cable is installed
5. Thermal conductivity of the cable constituents

However please note that while sizing a power cable we never calculate the ampacity. The above equation is used to analyze the cable ampacities of unique installations. Standard ampacity tables are available for a variety of cable types and cable installation methods and can be used for determining the current carrying capacity of a cable for a particular application.

These standards provide tabulated ampacity data in manufacturers catalog for cables installed in air, in duct bank,  directly buried or in trays for a particular set of conditions clearly defined.
It is because of this reason that we need to give the reference of manufacturers catalog from where the ampacity  values are picked up.

Now once the current carrying capacity of a cable is found from standard catalog; we convert that rated capacity (Ampacity) into actual laying condition. The standard current ratings for cables are modified by the application of suitable multiplying factors to account for the actual installation conditions. Hence we define one more term here called ampacity deration factor.

Ampacity duration factor is defined as the product of various factors which accounts for the fraction decrease in the ampacity of the conductor. Those factors and physical condition deriving them are as follows:

1. K1= Variation in ambient air temperature for cables laid in air / ground temperature for cables laid underground.
2. K2 = Cable laying arrangement.
3. K3 = Depth of laying for cables laid direct in ground.
4. K4 = Variation in thermal resistivity of soil.

Ampacity Deration factor = Product of applicable multiplying factors among 1 to 4 listed above.

K = K1 x K2 x K3 x K4

Now from where do we get these multiplying factors to find the overall ampacity deration factor? Againwe get these values from manufacturers catalog because manufacturer of the cable is in best position to conduct thepractical experiments and test on the cables and find the percentage/fractional decrease in current carrying capacity of the cable in various conditions.

For better understanding of the ampacity deration factor the following pictorial representation is provided below.

Table for ampacity deration factor along with pictorial representation is provided below.

However readers to note that ampacity deration factor table provided in this article is to verified from the manufacturers catalog which is intended to be used for project.

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