Power*Tools

for Windows
™

Cable Ampacity
Reference Manual
Electrical Engineering Analysis Software
for Windows
Copyright © 2016, SKM Systems Analysis, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Cable Ampacity
Users Guide

SKM Cable Ampacity program is used for accurate calculation of cable ampacity and temperature
rise in various power cable installations.

SKM Cable Ampacity is based on and fully compliant with IEC 60287. The program also uses the
Neher-McGrath approach where IEC 60287 does not apply.
Cable Ampacity Users Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CABLE AMPACITY USERS GUIDE

1.0 Introduction 1-3

Definitions 1-6

2.0 Component Editor (Input Data) 1-8

3.0 Starting Cable Ampacity Study 1-13

Underground Cable Systems 1-13

In Air Installation 1-19

4.0 Creating new Duct Bank Library Models 1-21

References 1-22
Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1-3

1.0 Introduction
SKM Cable Ampacity module is for accurate calculation of ampacity and temperature rise in various
power cable installations, which is an important part of power system design and analysis. The
calculation determines the proper size of cables to carry the specified loads in designing new systems
and upgrading power cable installations. It examines cable temperature and ampacity in performing
analysis of existing systems. The accuracy of the calculation provides increased confidence in the
design, upgrading, and analysis projects. The program is an efficient tool for making the complex
calculation task straightforward and easy.

SKM cable ampacity calculation is based on and fully complied with IEC 60287. It also uses Neher-
McGrath paper [1] approach where IEC 60287 does not apply. For instance, IEC 287 assumes a
unit load factor, whereas Neher-McGrath paper considers a non-unity load factor. In case of non-
unity load factor, SKM module uses Neher-McGrath approach.

The SKM Cable Ampacity module provides the following steady state calculations:

• Calculate cable ampacity given its maximum conductor temperature.

• Calculate cable maximum conductor temperature given its ampacity.

All calculations consider the effect of heat generated by neighboring cables and external heat
sources.

Installation configurations includes:

• In the air

• Underground Duct Bank

• Underground Direct Buried Conduits

• Underground Direct Buried Cables

Cable Ampacity Users Guide

A Brief Background

Mr. J. H. Neher and Mr. M. H. McGrath presented the paper “The Calculation of the Temperature
Rise and Load Capability of Cable Systems” in IEEE Summer General Meeting in 1957 (then
AIEE). A method for performing ampacity and temperature rise for power cable installation is
described in this paper. The Neher-McGrath method is widely accepted and is the basis for modern
power cable ampacity calculations.

An IEC Working Group responsible for the preparation of ampacity calculation standards then
worked with the authors for creating IEC 60287. IEC 60287 is in principal identical to the Neher-
McGrath method. The major difference is the use of the metric units in IEC 287 and imperial units
in the Neher-McGrath paper. The same equations look completely different in the two unit systems.
The IEC 60287 standard contains essentially all the formulas in the NM paper and is continuously
updated with improved equations for different cable types, installation conditions, new insulation
materials, and enhanced constants for use in the formulas. Reference [5] provides detailed
difference between IEC 287 and Neher-McGrath method.

The SKM Cable Ampacity module is based on and fully compliant with IEC 60287-1-1 v.2.0 and
IEC 60287-2-1 v.1.1. It also uses the Neher-McGrath method where IEC 60287 does not apply. For
instance, IEC 60287 assumes a unity load factor, whereas the Neher-McGrath method considers a
non-unity load factor. In the case of a non-unity load factor, SKM uses the Neher-McGrath method.
The Neher-McGrath method of determining the ampacities of conductors was first accepted in the
1975 edition of the NEC. In NEC 310.15(C) - under engineering supervision, “conductor ampacities
shall be permitted to be calculated by the equation given in the Neher-McGrath paper.”

Thermal Circuit and the Equation

Heat is generated when an electrical current flows through a cable conductor. The heat flows from
its source through a series of thermal resistances to the surrounding environment. The operating
temperature that the cable ultimately reaches is directly related to the amount of heat generated and
the net effective value of the thermal resistance through which it flows. Fig 1.1 shows a typical
single-core cable system.

(1) Conductor
(2) Conductor screen
(3) Insulation
(4) Insulation screen
(5) Water blocking tape
(6) Metallic sheath
(7) Bedding
(8) Metallic tape/armor
(9) Jacket

Fig 1.1 A Single-core Cable System

Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1-5

Fig 1.2 Heat Flow Thermal Circuit - (a) Single-core cable, (b) Three-core cable

The calculation of the temperature rise of cable systems involves the application of a series of
thermal equivalents of Ohm’s and Kirchoff’s laws to a relatively simple thermal circuit, as is
illustrated in Fig 1.2.

Wc, Ws and Wa are the losses of the conductor, sheath and armor respectively in Watt/m
Wd is the dielectric loss of the insulation
T1, T2, T3 and T4 are the thermal resistances in °C-m/W

T1 is the thermal resistance between the conductor and the sheath,

T2 is the thermal resistance of the bedding between sheath and armor,
T3 is the thermal resistance of the external serving of the cable, and
T4 is the thermal resistance between the cable surface and the surrounding medium.

Using an analogy between the electrical and thermal circuits, we can write the following equation for
∆θ, the conductor temperature rise above the ambient temperature:
Cable Ampacity Users Guide

Let where is called the sheath loss factor and is the armor loss
factor, n is the number of load-carrying conductors in a cable. The equation can be re-arranged as:

As Wc = I2 *Rac

where Rac is the conductor ac resistance at the conductor temperature in micro-ohm/m; n is the
number of load-carrying conductors in the cable or per cable (conductors of equal size and carrying
the same load).

Equation (1.1) can be written in the form presented in the Neher-McGrath paper paper [1] as

where

is the conductor temperature, is the ambient temperature, so .

is the temperature rise due to dielectric loss.

is the effective thermal resistance of the thermal

circuit.

Let . Then

I is in kA, T is in °C-m/W, Rac is in micro-ohms/m and temperatures are in °C.

Definitions

Size
Cable size is specified in AWG/kcmil for English unit cable data and in mm2 for Metric
cable data.

Rdc
Cable conductor dc resistance is defined in micro-ohms/ft or micro-ohms/m at 25 °C.

Number of Conductors
Choose 3/C for 3-conductors cable or 3/1-C for 3 single conductor cables.

Conductor Construction Coating Treatment

Select conductor construction coating treatment

Cable Temperature (°C)

This is specified conductor temperature.
Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1-7

Cable Outer Diameter

This is the cable overall outside diameter in inches or cm

Conductor Outer Diameter

The conductor outer diameter in inches or cm

Insulation Dielectric Loss

The main insulation dielectric losses in W/foot or W/cm

Insulation Thickness
This is the thickness of main insulation layer in mil or mm.

Insulation Resistivity
This is the thermal resistivity of insulation layer in °C-cm/W.

Screen Thickness
This is the screen layer thickness in mil or mm.

Screen Diameter
This is the outside diameter of screen layer in inches or cm. For 3/C cables, the screen
contains 3 conductors with insulations.

Concentric Wire – Number of Wires

This is the total number of concentric wires.

Concentric Wire – Thickness

This is the total number of concentric wires.

Concentric Wire – Thickness

This is the thickness of Concentric Wire layer in mil or mm.

Concentric Wire – Lay Length

This is the length (inches or cm) of the shield wire before it repeats the pattern (see image
below).

Concentric Wire – Diameter

This is the outside diameter of the Concentric Wire layer in inches or cm.

Jacket Thickness
This is the Jacket layer thickness in mil or mm.

Jacket Resistivity
This is the thermal resistivity of the Jacket in °C –cm/W.
Cable Ampacity Users Guide

2.0 Component Editor (Input Data)

Cables – Impedance Subview

Rdc
Direct-Current (DC) Resistance at base temperature measured in Micro-Ohms/foot
for English Unit or Micro-Ohms/meter for Metric Unit (The unit of measurement is set
in the Project->Options->Application). The resistance value is predefined when a cable
library is applied for the cable. If the cable is not linked to a library, the DC resistance
value is to be entered by the user.

Resistance Temperature Adjustment

Temperature
Defines the Base, Load Flow, and Short-Circuit Temperatures (°C) of the cable
that are used for adjusting the resistance value when running electrical studies. The
base temperature is predefined when a cable library is applied for the cable. The user
must enter the base temperature when the cable is not linked to a library. The short-
circuit (SC) temperature is 20°C and the load flow (LF) temperature is 40°C by default,
whether a library is linked or unlinked. The SC and LF temperatures can be changed by
the user.

Include Adjustment
The resistance of the cable will be adjusted in the electrical studies according to
the defined Base, LF, and SC Temperatures if the box is checked. The resistance
adjustments will NOT be included in the studies and will use the study defaults if the
box is cleared.
Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1-9

Cables – Physical Subview

In the Cable Component Editor, “Ampacity Calculation” and “Physical” subviews are used for Cable
Ampacity calculations. If linked to a cable library model, data from the library is shown in the
Component Editor fields. Greyed out fields indicate that data for these fields are obtained and
linked to the cable library.

Fig 2.1 Cable Physical subview

Fig 2.2 Cable Library “Physical” Page

Conductor Construction
Conductor Construction is used for calculating the conductor skin and proximity effects.
ConcRnd Concentric Round
ConcRnd Coated Concentric Round with Tin or Alloy coating.
ConcRnd Treated Concentric Round subjected to a drying and impregnating process
CompRnd Treated Compact Round subjected to a drying and impregnating process
CompSeg Compact Segmental
CompSeg Treated Compact Segmental subjected to a drying and impregnating process
CompSeg Coated Compact Segmental with Tin or Alloy coating.
CompSec Treated Compact Sector subjected to a drying and impregnating process
Cable Ampacity Users Guide

Cable - Ampacity Calculation Subview

Fig 2.3 Cable Ampacity Calculation Subview

The DC conductor resistance, Rdc, it can be calculated or linked from the cable library.
The Lay-length Factor is used for the metallic sheath and armor resistance calculations because of
the additional length due to stranding.

Fig 2.4 Thermal Resistivity of common insulation materials

Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1 - 11

Fig 2.5 Conductor skin and proximity factors of common conductors

The Insulation Dielectric Losses can be calculated by selecting the insulation material.

Fig 2.6 Relative permittivity and loss factors

Cable Ampacity Users Guide

If the intention is to calculate cable ampacity, the “Conductor Temperature” field needs to be
entered. The calculated cable ampacity will appear in the “Ampacity” field.

If the intention is to calculate cable conductor temperature, the “Ampacity” field needs to be entered.
The calculated conductor temperature will appear in the “Conductor Temperature” field.

Figure 2.7 Cable Ampacity Study

Installation Type” selection includes:

• Underground Duct Bank
• Direct Buried Conduits
• Direct Buried Cables
• In Air
Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1 - 13

3.0 Starting Cable Ampacity Study

The Cable Ampacity module is an add on license that requires a purchase of the module. Contact
SKM Sales at [email protected] or 1-800-500-4SKM for pricing information if you require this
module.

Once the Cable Ampacity module is activated, it can be accessed through the Run menu > Cable
Ampacity.

Fig 3.1 Cable Ampacity Calculation Module

Underground Cable Systems

To conduct an underground cable ampacity study, you must:

1. Create a Study.
2. Select Cables to be fitted inside a Duct Bank.
3. Create a Duct Bank.
4. Assign Cables to a location within a Duct Bank.
5. Insert Heat Sources if necessary.
6. Run Cable Ampacity study.

To get started, an SKM project must be opened. It is recommended that the system has been built
and all equipment data has been properly entered.

When the Cable Ampacity module is first opened, a Study1 Case will be created. To add more
studies for either Underground or In Air, right-click on the “Cable Ampacity” parent in the top of the
left-hand side tree.

When Study1 is selected, it will show calculation options, “Compute Amapcity” or “Compute
Temperature”. The same options are available to select when clicking on the Run button.
Cable Ampacity Users Guide

For each Case, Cables and Heat Sources can be added by right-clicking on the Case in the tree.

Fig 3.2 Cable Ampacity User Interface

Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1 - 15

The software includes various Duct Bank configurations that has been modeled based on various
installation type, #/Location, width, height, material, and size. To view and assign a Duct Bank to
the Study, click on the Library button. See “Creating new Duct Bank Library Models” on creating
your own Duct Banks.

Ref X and Ref Y - The starting location point of the Duct Bank is based on the Ref X and Ref Y
values. These values represent the top left corner of the Duct Bank relative to the overall model.
Cable Ampacity Users Guide

Duct Bank and the Duct Thermal Resistivity can be selected based on different Material Type.

U, V and Y Constants – These values can be selected based on IEC 60287-2-1:2001 Table 4
depending on Installation Condition. These Constants are used to calculate the termal resistance of
the space between cores and pipe surface. Refer to IEC 60287-2-1:2001 Section 2.2.7.1 for
additional information.

Filling Ratio Limit – this value represent the cross-sectional area percentage of the cable(s) and the
raceway. The calculation is as follows:

Fill Ratio % = Cable O.D2/Duct I.D2

The purpose of this percentage is for error checking when cables are assigned to the raceway. From
NEC 2014:
Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1 - 17

Running Cable Ampacity Study

Calculation Options
Select whether the Ampacity or the Temperature of the cable will be calculated by the Cable
Ampacity Study.

Ambient Temperature
The surrounding temperature in Degree Celsius. Underground ambient temperature is typically 20°C
and aboveground is 40°C.

Soild Thermal Resistivity

The thermal resistivity of the soil in °C-cm/W. Used in underground calculations only.
Cable Ampacity Users Guide

Report Name

Users can specify the name of the text report (*rpt) of the selected case study to be saved to. The
report is saved within the project’s directory as specified in the report path.

After the study has been completed, cable study results (Ampacity or Conductor Temperature) can
be viewed by selecting the cable in the study tree. Cable study results can then be saved to the
component to be used in other studies by clicking on “Save Results to Cable Component”.
Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1 - 19

In Air Installation

To conduct an In Air Installation cable ampacity study, you must:

1. Create a Study.
2. Select Cables for the Installation.
3. Select the Air Installation Type.
4. Run Cable Ampacity study.

There are 10 installation configurations provided by IEC 60287 and 2 installations configurations
discussed in the Neher-McGrath method. These 12 configurations are reprsented in the software:
Cable Ampacity Users Guide
Cable Ampacity Users Guide 1 - 21

4.0 Creating new Duct Bank Library Models

Duct Bank models are stored in the library. To open the library, click on Document
menu > Library > PTW Library. The library can be found in
C:\PTW32\Lib\PTW.lib. All Duct Bank models can be found in Underground
Cable Raceway.

Double-click on any Duct Bank to view how it was modeled.

Right-click on any Duct Bank to create a New Duct Bank or to copy an existing one
to modify.
Cable Ampacity Users Guide

References
[1] J. H. Neher and M. H. McGrath, “The calculation of the temperature rise and load
capability of cable systems”, AIEE Power apparatus and systems, April 1957, pp. 752 –
764.
[2] IEC 60287-1-1 v.2.0
[3] IEC 60287-2-1 v.1.1
[4] Donald M. Simmons, “Calculation of the Electrical Problems of Underground Cables”. The
Electric Journal, issues of May-Nov., 1932.
[5] George J. Anders, “Rating of Electric Power Cables: Ampacity Computations for
Transmission, Distribution and Industrial Applications, IEEE Press, 1997.
[6] George J. Anders, “Rating of Electric Power Cables in unfavorable thermal environment,
IEEE Press, 2005.

This is the end of the reference manual for the Cable Ampacity module.