Network Standard

Document No : NW000-S0148
Amendment No : 1
NETWORK Approved By : Head of Asset Investment
Approval Date : 04/03/2020
Minor amendments approved on 08/09/2021

NW000-S0148 NS272 UNDERGROUND CABLE RATING

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ISSUE

For issue to all Ausgrid and Accredited Service Providers’ staff involved with the design and installation of underground cables and
conduits, and is for reference by field, technical and engineering staff.

Ausgrid maintains a copy of this and other Network Standards together with updates and amendments on www.ausgrid.com.au.

Where this standard is issued as a controlled document replacing an earlier edition, remove and destroy the superseded document.

DISCLAIMER

As Ausgrid’s Standards are subject to ongoing review, the information contained in this document may be amended by Ausgrid at
any time. It is possible that conflict may exist between Standard documents. In this event, the most recent Standard shall prevail.

This document has been developed using information available from field and other sources and is suitable for most situations
encountered in Ausgrid. Particular conditions, projects or localities may require special or different practices. It is the responsibility of
the local manager, supervisor, assured quality contractor, accredited service provider and the individuals involved to make sure that
a safe system of work is employed and that statutory requirements are met.

Ausgrid disclaims any and all liability to any person or persons for anything done or not done, as a result of this Standard.

All design work, and the associated supply of materials and equipment, must be undertaken in accordance with and consideration of
relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, latest revision of Ausgrid’s Network Standards and specifications and Australian
Standards. Designs submitted shall be declared as fit for purpose. Where the designer wishes to include a variation to a Network
Standard or an alternative material or equipment to that currently approved the designer must obtain authorisation from the Network
Standard owner before incorporating the variation to a Network Standard or alternative material into a design. All designers including
external designers authorised as Accredited Service Providers will seek approval through the approved process as outlined in NS181
Approval of Materials and Equipment and Network Standard Variations. Seeking approval will ensure Network Standards are
appropriately updated and that a consistent interpretation of the legislative framework is employed.

Notes: 1. Compliance with this Network Standard does not automatically satisfy the requirements of a Designer Safety Report. The
designer must comply with the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW - Part 6.2 Duties of designer of
structure and person who commissions construction work) which requires the designer to provide a written safety report to the person
who commissioned the design. This report must be provided to Ausgrid in all instances, including where the design was commissioned
by or on behalf of a person who proposes to connect premises to Ausgrid’s network, and will form part of the Designer Safety Report
which must also be presented to Ausgrid. Further information is provided in Network Standard (NS) 212 Integrated Support
Requirements for Ausgrid Network Assets.

2. Where the procedural requirements of this document conflict with contestable project procedures, the contestable project
procedures shall take precedent for the whole project or part thereof which is classified as contestable. Any external contact with
Ausgrid for contestable works projects is to be made via the Ausgrid officer responsible for facilitating the contestable project. The
Contestable Ausgrid officer will liaise with Ausgrid internal departments and specialists as necessary to fulfil the requirements of this
Standard. All other technical aspects of this document which are not procedural in nature shall apply to contestable works projects.

INTERPRETATION

In the event that any user of this Standard considers that any of its provisions is uncertain, ambiguous or otherwise in need of
interpretation, the user should request Ausgrid to clarify the provision. Ausgrid’s interpretation shall then apply as though it was
included in the Standard, and is final and binding. No correspondence will be entered into with any person disputing the meaning of
the provision published in the Standard or the accuracy of Ausgrid’s interpretation.

KEYPOINTS

This Standard has a summary of content labelled “KEYPOINTS FOR THIS STANDARD”. The inclusion or omission of items in this
summary does not signify any specific importance or criticality to the items described. It is meant to simply provide the reader with a
quick assessment of some of the major issues addressed by the Standard. To fully appreciate the content and the requirements of
the Standard it must be read in its entirety.

AMENDMENTS TO THIS STANDARD

Where there are changes to this Standard from the previously approved version, any previous shading is removed and the newly
affected paragraphs are shaded with a grey background. Where the document changes exceed 25% of the document content, any
grey background in the document is to be removed and the following words should be shown below the title block on the right hand
side of the page in bold and italic, for example, Supersedes – document details (for example, “Supersedes Document Type (Category)
Document No. Amendment No.”).

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Scope and Risks Considerations for ratings

Maintaining Asset Ratings Ratings Checklist
Addressed calculations

This standard is limited to scope identified This section addresses the acceptable This section addresses the requirements to This section addresses the ratings
below and provides controls for associated inputs that are to be used in thermal ratings maintain asset ratings when assets are requirements for the Ausgrid design review.
risks as listed below: calculations; relocated or new assets installed
 Submission documents
 Support the calculation of  Conductor Properties  Maintaining asset ratings  Cross section requirements
underground cable ratings  Environmental Conditions  Details provided by Ausgrid regarding  Ratings models
 Providing acceptable range of ratings  Installation Conditions the ratings to be maintained  Cable details
inputs  Proximity to Neighbouring Cables /  Thermal impact for assets within the  Thermal resistivity testing reports
 Explanation of the risks and controls Heat Sources 4m boundary and outside the 4m
associated with cable ratings  Operational Conditions boundary

Where to for more information? Where to for more information? Where to for more information?
Section 5 and 6 Section 7 and 8 Section 9

Where to for more information? Tools and Forms Tools and Forms Tools and Forms
Section 2 None provided. None provided. None provided.

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NS272 Underground Cable Rating Amendment No 1

Network Standard
NS272
Underground Cable Rating
Contents

PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................................. 4
SCOPE .................................................................................................................................................. 5
REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Ausgrid documents .................................................................................................................... 5
Other standards and documents ................................................................................................ 5
Acts and regulations ................................................................................................................... 5
DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 6
APPROACH TO CALCULATION OF RATINGS ................................................................................... 8
CONSIDERATIONS FOR RATINGS CALCULATIONS ........................................................................ 8
Conductor properties.................................................................................................................. 8
Maximum permissible cable operating temperature .................................................................. 8
Sheath bonding arrangement ...................................................................................................... 9
Environmental conditions ......................................................................................................... 10
Ambient temperature ................................................................................................................ 10
Thermal resistivity (TR) .............................................................................................................. 10
Soil dry out and 50°C Isotherm modelling ................................................................................. 11
Installation conditions ............................................................................................................... 12
Cover depth ............................................................................................................................... 12
Under bores ............................................................................................................................... 13
Water crossings.......................................................................................................................... 13
Cables in air ................................................................................................................................ 14
Trench cross sections ................................................................................................................. 14
Proximity to neighbouring cables or heat sources ................................................................... 15
Mutual heating .......................................................................................................................... 15
Cable crossings ........................................................................................................................... 15
Operational conditions ............................................................................................................. 16
Operational ratings .................................................................................................................... 16
Continuous vs. Cyclic ratings ...................................................................................................... 16

MAINTAINING ASSET RATINGS ....................................................................................................... 17

Ratings to be maintained ......................................................................................................... 17
Alternative options to maintaining 4m clearance from Ausgrid assets .................................... 17
RATINGS SOFTWARE........................................................................................................................ 17
RATING CHECKLIST .......................................................................................................................... 18
Cable Ratings – Ausgrid design review checklist .................................................................... 18
RECORDKEEPING ............................................................................................................................. 19
AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................................... 19
DOCUMENT CONTROL...................................................................................................................... 19

PURPOSE
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NS272 Underground Cable Rating Amendment No 1

This Ausgrid Network Standard describes the requirements for undertaking steady-state rating
calculations for underground cables that form part of the Ausgrid transmission and distribution
cable network. This standard was created to enable underground cable ratings to be calculated in a
consistent and transparent way.

SCOPE
This Network Standard covers Ausgrid’s approach to underground cable ratings and where it aligns
and deviates from IEC60287 - Electric cables - Calculation of the current rating, the considerations
for rating of Ausgrid’s underground cables and some detail on why this information is required, the
information Ausgrid will supply as part of rating Ausgrid assets and a checklist to ensure all aspects
of rating an underground are considered.

This standard applies to the rating of 132kV, 66kV and 33kV cables, to LV and 11kV cables that
come within 4m of the edge of 132kV, 66kV and 33kV cables and to LV and 11kV cables that
require further Ausgrid review according to NS130 - Laying Underground Cables up to and
including 11KV.

This standard is not intended to replace the use of appropriate cable rating software and is not to
be used as a design tool.

This Network Standard should be interpreted alongside the Network Standards listed below. Where
differences exist, Ausgrid should be contacted for clarification.

REFERENCES
Ausgrid documents
• Ausgrid’s Electrical Safety Rules
• Ausgrid Network Management Planning documents
• Company Procedure (Governance) - Network Document Endorsement and Approval
• Company Form (Governance) - Network Document Endorsement and Approval
• Company Procedure (Governance) - Production / Review of Network Standards
• NS130 Laying Underground Cables up to and including 11KV
• NS168 Design and Construction of 33KV, 66KV and 132KV Underground Cables
• NS181 Approval of Materials and Equipment and Network Standard Variations and Approved
Material List
• Contract for Design Related Services
• NS159 Installation of Cables and Conduits Using Trenchless Techniques
• NS104 Specification for Electrical Network Project Design Plans
• NS204 Communication Pits – Specification and Installation
• NS266 Telecommunications Cables in Ausgrid Premises
• NS268 Specification for Design and Construction of Waterway Crossings

Other standards and documents

• IEC 60287 Electric cables - Calculation of the current rating
• ENA Doc 001-2008 National Electricity Network Safety Code.

Acts and regulations

• Electricity Supply (General) Regulation 2014.
• Electricity Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2014.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Regulation 2017.
• National Electricity Rules

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DEFINITIONS
Accredited An individual or entity accredited by the NSW Department of Planning,
Service Industry and Environment, in accordance with the Electricity Supply (Safety
Provider (ASP) and Network Management) Regulation 2014 (NSW).

Accredited As defined in the current version of the NSW Department of Planning,

Service Provider Industry and Environment - Accreditation of Providers of Contestable
Level 1 (ASP/1) Services - Scheme Rules.
This term will be used in the document to mean both the legal entity
accredited and the employees or subcontractors of the legal entity.

Accredited As defined in the current version of the NSW Department of Planning,

Service Provider Industry and Environment - Accreditation of Providers of Contestable
Level 3 (ASP/3) Services - Scheme Rules.
This term will be used in the document to mean both the legal entity
accredited and the employees or subcontractors of the legal entity.
For design of the sub transmission system, the ASP/3 must ensure that their
design team is competent in underground transmission design, and hold the
appropriate training and design experience at the relevant voltage.
Ausgrid The Ausgrid contact for Accredited Service Providers regarding the work
Representative being completed.

Backfill Material used to fill the trench and encapsulate the cables and conduits.

Cable Route The path chosen for the underground cable and the details associated with
Plan each change in cross section as described in the Design Information.

Certified A CAD drawing in either hardcopy or electronic format prepared by an

Design/Design authorised designer working for a Level 3 Accredited Service Provider
Plan (ASP/3) and certified by Ausgrid, detailing proposed alterations to Ausgrid’s
Network. The proposed alterations may be components of contestable
services or of Ausgrid approved asset augmentation or relocation works. As
requested in the Contract for Design Related Services.

Contestable Those works for which the Customer is required to meet the cost and for
Works which the Customer may choose the ASP under section 31 of the Electricity
Supply Act (NSW) 1995. This also includes contestable asset relocation
works

Conduit Duct and conduit are interchangeable terms to describe a tube or pipe
through which electrical or communications cables may be installed.

Conductor A unique Ausgrid identifier used to store the technical details and cable
Code manufacture of conductors installed on the Ausgrid Network.

Customer A customer is an individual or entity that is an end-user of electricity.

Cover Depth Vertical distance between ground surface level and the top of the
uppermost conduit, or the top of the uppermost cable if direct buried.

Cyclic Rating A rating obtained by multiplying the continuous rating by the cyclic rating
factor which is a reflection of the non-continuous nature of a load cycle.

Design Information provided by Ausgrid to enable Designers to prepare electricity

Information reticulation designs to meet Ausgrid’s requirements.

Designer An Ausgrid employee, contractor to Ausgrid or authorised ASP/3 who is

duly qualified to produce design plans.

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Document Ausgrid employees who work with printed copies of document must check
control the document repository regularly to monitor version control. Documents are
considered “UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED”, as indicated in the footer.
Duct/ductline Duct and conduit are interchangeable terms to describe a tube or pipe
through which electrical or communications cables may be installed.

DTS Digital Temperature Sensing

Future A conductor that may be planned or is yet to be planned (i.e. spare ducts)
Conductor that needs to be included in the rating calculation.

Grout Material used in under boring to minimise air voids between the conduits
and the surrounding casing/soil when using trenchless techniques for the
installation of conduits.

Maximum Maximum cable temperature used in ratings calculations

Permissible
Operation
Temperature

Network A document, including Network Planning Standards, that describes the

Standard Company's minimum requirements for planning, design, construction,
maintenance, technical specification, environmental, property and metering
activities on the distribution and transmission network. These documents
are stored in the Network Category of the document repository and
available externally on Ausgrid’s website.

Proposed A conductor that is being installed as part of the project that requires an
Conductor underground cable rating.

Review date The review date displayed in the header of the document is the future date
for review of a document. The default period is three years from the date of
approval however a review may be mandated at any time where a need is
identified. Potential needs for a review include changes in legislation,
organisational changes, restructures, occurrence of an incident or changes
in technology or work practice and/or identification of efficiency
improvements.
Route Plan The plan of the route the cable will take. Refer to NS104 and NS168 for the
design requirements for route plans.
Thermal rating The maximum current carrying capacity of a cable without exceeding its
permissible maximum operating temperature

Thermal A measure of the resistance of a material to the flow of heat through it. Unit
Resistivity (TR) of measure used in this standard is K.m/W (Kelvin metre per Watt).

TSB Thermally Stable Backfill.

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APPROACH TO CALCULATION OF RATINGS

All rating assessments of the Ausgrid network involving existing, proposed and future underground
cables must consider the following factors:
• Conductor Properties
• Environmental Conditions
• Installation Conditions
• Proximity to Neighbouring Cables / Heat Sources
• Operational Conditions

Rating calculations must be undertaken in accordance with IEC60287 and the requirements of this
standard. These calculations are to be submitted to Ausgrid for review and subsequent approval.

This standard applies to the rating of 132kV, 66kV and 33kV cables, to LV and 11kV cables that
come within 4m of the edge of 132kV, 66kV and 33kV cables and LV and 11kV cables that require
further Ausgrid review according to NS130.

Note: Where rating calculations have been undertaken using CymCAP rating software (the
application presently used by Ausgrid) it is acceptable to provide the CymCAP models with
supporting reports instead of the actual rating calculations.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR RATINGS CALCULATIONS

The following are considerations for each cross section reviewed for the underground cable rating
calculations for the Ausgrid network.

Conductor properties
Conductor properties for all existing, proposed and future conductors are to be as per the
manufacturer’s cable datasheet. These datasheets are to be provided to Ausgrid when submitting
rating calculations for review.

The datasheets must include the following:

• cable cross section;
• material and characteristics of each cable component; and
• the manufacturer’s determined cable rating based on standard conditions.

For existing and future Ausgrid conductors where cable datasheets are not able to be sourced from
the cable manufacturer, advice is to be requested from Ausgrid.

Maximum permissible cable operating temperature

The maximum permissible cable operating temperature for conductors installed in various backfill
materials on the Ausgrid network are outlined in Table 1 and Table 2 below. For further information
on maximum operating temperature refer to IEC60287 and the conductor manufacturer.

Table 1: 132kV, 66kV and 33kV maximum permissible operating temperatures

Cable Type Voltage Maximum Permissible Operating Temperature (°C)

Approved Stabilised TSB
Backfill
XLPE or EPR Insulated 132kV, 66kV, 33kV 90 90
Oil or Gas Filled 132kV, 66kV, 33kV 85 85
Paper Insulated 33kV 65 65
Screened
(e.g. 1c PILC, 3c H.S.L.)
Paper Insulated – Belted 33kV 50 50

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Table 2: 11kV maximum permissible operating temperatures

Cable Type Voltage Maximum Permissible Operating Temperature (°C)

Approved Selective TSB
Backfill
XLPE or EPR Insulated 11kV 70 90
Paper Insulated – 11kV 70 70
Screened
(e.g. 1c PILC, 3c
screened)
Paper Insulated – Belted 11kV 65 65
(e.g. 3c belted)
Further restrictions may be placed on the maximum permissible operating temperatures for cases
where Ausgrid determines that existing, proposed and/or future cables are at risk of exceeding their
maximum operating temperature as specified by the cable manufacturer.

Sheath bonding arrangement

To determine the sheath bonding arrangement for the proposed cable, refer to NS168 and NS260.
For existing cables, the nominal cable sheath bonding arrangement for conductors on the Ausgrid
network are outlined in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Nominal sheath bonding arrangements

Installation Type Voltage Bonding Arrangement

Transformer Tails All Single point bonded
Underground Feeders 33kV and below Solidly bonded (refer to Note 1)
Underground Feeders 66kV and above Cross bonded
The bonding method should be clearly highlighted in the design and ratings report.

Cross bonded arrangements should be modelled assuming minor sections are not known (as per
IEC60287-1-1) to account for sheath circulating currents.

Note 1 - Single-point bonded cables may be accepted for short cable runs, such as underground
cables to overhead lines pending written approval from Ausgrid.

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Environmental conditions
Ambient temperature
The following are the standard temperatures used when determining thermal ratings for cables on
the Ausgrid network, these temperatures are to be used unless specified by an Ausgrid
Representative in writing or identified as a special case. Cables require a rating for both summer
and winter. The temperatures below apply to the entire ground or air temperature of the cross
section being assessed, e.g. if the proposed cable is buried below 3000mm the whole ground
ambient is treated as 22°C, not just the section below 3000mm.

Ground Ambient Temperature Table

Table 4: Ambient temperatures for different installations

Installation Summer Winter

Depth Less than 500mm 40°C 30°C

(use seasonal air ambient

temperatures)

Depth 500mm-3000mm 25°C 18°C

Depth greater than 3000mm 22°C 22°C

In-Air Installations 40°C 30°C

Summer or winter is used based on the specific cable rating to which this standard is being applied.

Contact Ausgrid regarding the temperatures to be used for special cases. For special cases, the
Designer should propose the temperature to be used and demonstrate why it is appropriate and
receive approval from Ausgrid. Special cases where these temperatures do not apply include (but
are not limited to):

• Tunnels
• Troughs
• Duct lines through buildings

Thermal resistivity (TR)

All rating calculations are to be based on known TR of the materials surrounding the installation,
including, but not limited to, backfill materials, native undisturbed soil and other introduced
materials near the installation.

Where a conductors maximum permissible operating temperature is above 70 degrees Celsius, the
TR value of the material encapsulating the conductors (within the 50-degree isotherm) is to be
based on 0% moisture content.

TR tests and reports should be submitted as part of the ratings assessment.

Refer to NS168 and NS130 for the TSB requirements.

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6.2.2.1 Backfill
TR of all backfill materials relevant to the rating calculations for the installation must be based on
measured TR results unless advised otherwise by Ausgrid.

Backfill TR tests are to be undertaken in accordance with Ausgrid Network Standards NS130 and
NS168 and provided to Ausgrid when submitting rating calculations for review as described in the
Design Information.

The TR results for all backfill materials provided must include:

• Description of the material
• Material source
• TR value fully dry; and
• TR dry out curve (where 3% moisture content values are required);

For existing cable installations in the absence of a backfill TR test report or any specific detail from
the original installation contract, Ausgrid must be contacted for advice on which TR to use or
whether further TR testing is required, to perform the ratings calculation.

Backfill should be in accordance with the Ausgrid approved material list.

6.2.2.2 Native soil

For new cables operating at voltages of 33kV and above, native soil thermal resistivity (TR)
sampling according to the survey requirements outlined in NS168 are required for ratings
calculations, unless written dispensation is received from Ausgrid. The thermal resistivity test
locations must be shown on the cable route plan. Dry-out curves with sufficient points to accurately
define the moisture content (MC) vs TR relationship should be included in TR test reports.

If a high TR test value is obtained that is significantly different to adjacent test locations, this would
greatly affect the ratings calculation and therefore, further testing would be prudent to confirm the
result. If further testing is not obtained, Ausgrid will require the use of the higher TR value for rating
the conductor at adjacent test locations as well.

There are circumstances where it is appropriate to use a higher or lower moisture content than the
standard 3%. Approval from Ausgrid must be sought where a TR with a moisture content different
to the standard is proposed to be used in calculations. A higher moisture content location may be
found where a cable is installed below a waterway or below the permanent water table.

For existing cables and new cables with operating voltages of 11kV and below, in the absence of a
TR test report, Ausgrid must be contacted for advice on which TR to use or whether further TR
testing is required, to perform the ratings calculation. Where a thermal resistivity test report is
available the thermal resistivity value that corresponds to a moisture content of 3% on the dry out
curve must be used. Thermal resistivity testing is to be in accordance with NS130 and NS168.

Soil dry out and 50°C Isotherm modelling

One of the major risks to a cable’s operating temperature and to system reliability is soil dry out.
This risk needs to be considered and appropriate mitigation measures taken as part of the cables
installation and ratings assessment. Generally, it will not be known that dry out is occurring or has
occurred until after a failure.

Section 6.2.2 outlines the moisture content that should be used for calculations. The dry out curve
should be used to determine the appropriate TR for the moisture content. For further information on
TR testing and dry out curves refer to NS130 and NS168.

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Ausgrid assumes dry out will begin when the native soil is exposed to a temperature of 50°C. It is
acknowledged this is a moderate position and some locations with sandy soils dry out at a
temperature lower than this. Thermal stability shown via 50°C isotherm modelling should to be
included in the ratings report unless Ausgrid determines it is not required. One way to manage the
risk of dry out is to ensure the 50°C isotherm is fully within the thermally stable material. Another
method to reduce the risk, and the process Ausgrid applies, is to account for the effect of dry by
assuming backfill and native soil within the 50°C isotherm (50°C isotherm is determined through
modelling) will completely dry out and then use a fully dried value for the thermal resistivity (TR)
within this zone and TR @ 3% outside the 50°C isotherm.

Figure 1 – Three cables underground with an example of the 50° Isotherm, TR within
isotherm modelled as TR fully dried and TR outside isotherm modelled at 3% moisture. The
backfill is specified as per NS130 and NS168.

50°C isotherm modelling is only required for the normal rating, not the abnormally switched
(emergency) rating.

Installation conditions
All rating assessments to be reviewed by Ausgrid are to be submitted along with the proposed
design. The designs are to be provided in pdf and dwg format and must include the following:
• Fully dimensioned trench cross sections for all relevant existing, proposed and future assets;
• Longitudinal section of the proposed assets showing proposed cover depth, existing ground
level, proposed ground level at the time of installation and the final finished ground level; and,
• TR reports for native soil along the feeder route plan as well as all proposed backfill material
(note: Ausgrid may request further TR testing be undertaken

Cover depth
All cross sections at all depths, of any length, must be considered in the ratings assessment.
Whenever possible, the horizontal spacing between cables or ducts must be increased when the
cover depth is increased to pass under other assets. It is common practise for Ausgrid cables at
depth to have increased separation between cables.

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For cables of voltage 11kV and less, if the limiting cross section is a short length (less than 10m) of
increased depth (greater than the design depth defined in NS130) and the designer deems it
should be excluded, supporting documentation should be provided to Ausgrid and approval sought
for the exclusion when the Certified Design is submitted.

For works that would not ordinarily require a cable rating, that increase the cover depth of a cable
(e.g. non-cable related construction works that incidentally increase the cover over an 11kV cable)
the following applies:

• if the length of the cable affected is longer than 10m, a rating assessment is required; or,
• if it is less than 10m, contact Ausgrid to determine whether a rating assessment is required.

TR testing is required for the section at depth according to NS168.

Under bores
Further information is required where the feeder design includes an under bore. Due to the
increased depth, the cable rating is highly sensitive to the thermal resistivity of the native soil
around the cables. A bore log needs to be provided to Ausgrid that includes the following
information:

• Bore hole samples taken down to at least the depth of the under bore,
• Rock and soil layers present, and,
• Whether the water table was found.

Ausgrid will review the proposed TR for the under bore rating calculation (and reasons for using
this TR) and determine if it is appropriate. Further TR testing by the customer, at the customer’s
expense, will be requested by Ausgrid if insufficient information is provided. Detailed design
requirements for trenchless techniques are provided in NS159.

Ratings calculations must include the TR of the grout. Grout should be installed in accordance with
NS159.

Water crossings
Ausgrid must be contacted for all water crossings, to determine the most appropriate ratings
method and inputs.

Cables that traverse waterways are generally either laid direct on the seabed, installed in a shallow
trench in the seabed or installed in a bore at a depth below the seabed.

Cables laid on the water bed will sink into the silt; the depth of sinking is dependent on the nature
of the bed. The heat from such a cable tends to dry out the silt immediately surrounding it forming
an annulus of dry material. To determine ratings of such cables (as well as under bores) it has
been found satisfactory to regard these cables as direct laid, with the depth of burial being taken as
the depth below the water level. The water level defined as where the silt meets the water at the
bottom of the creek bed (see figure 2). Ausgrid will review the proposed TR for the water crossing
rating calculation (and reasons for using this TR) and determine if it is appropriate.

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Water surface

Water

Water level
burial depth
Silt
…

Figure 2 – Three cables sunken into the silt when laid on the bottom of a body of water,
showing the burial depth. Under bore depth is calculated using the same process.

Ausgrid will determine whether actual measurements of the bed materials should be made to
determine thickness and resistivity (of the silt) under dry out conditions. If TR testing is not
possible, then advice must be sought from a qualified geotechnical engineer as to what thermal
resistivity values can be expected, and this advice provided to Ausgrid. If results are unexpected
for this location, Ausgrid may not accept this advice. In which case, Ausgrid will determine which
TR value should be used.

Cables in air
Cables in air must be considered in the ratings calculation.

For further information on cable in air design and spacing for negligible impact, see IEC60287 – A
method for calculating reduction factors for groups of cables in free air, protected from solar
radiation.

Trench cross sections

All ratings analysis and calculations must be supported by cross section drawings that show all
dimensions with respect to cables, ducts and backfill placement, as well as separation from existing
Ausgrid assets or other heat sources. Any ducted section should be considered in the ratings
calculation. The cross-section drawings must show the extent of encasement materials (backfill
and native soil) and conduit material. The cross sections must represent the locations that are
expected to be the worst case thermally with respect to cable ratings.

The locations of all cross sections are to be clearly labelled on the cable route plan and must
provide sufficient detail. If Ausgrid considers insufficient detail has been provided, Ausgrid will
request additional cross sections.

Depth markings or longitudinal sections must be supplied with the cable route plan to enable
Ausgrid review. The trench cross sections and route plan must include identification labels for each
feeder to align with the connection diagram and ratings report.

All new installations should be according to NS130 and 168 which detail the minimum requirements
for trench design.

For Certified Design/Design plan requirements refer to NS104.

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Proximity to neighbouring cables or heat sources

Mutual heating
Ausgrid practice is to consider the impact of mutual heat from assets that are within 4m of the edge
of the conductor for the length of the conductor. Ausgrid’s position is that mutual heating from
sources beyond 4m is not material to the rating risk on the asset. In this regard, Ausgrid differs
from IEC60287. There may be cases where Ausgrid requests a neighbouring cable’s rating more
than 4m away is to be included in the calculation, Ausgrid will advise if this is the case as part of
the Certified Design submission.

Where the edge of a cable or surface of a heat source is within 4m from the edge of the conductor,
the impact must be assessed to ensure the ratings and the rating requirements of the existing
assets are retained, and that the new assets achieve the required rating. Ausgrid will not accept
ratings studies that do not account for mutual heating from assets within 4m. Ausgrid will determine
the loads that should be used for existing Ausgrid feeders.

Designs need to ensure the required ratings are achieved for the ultimate substation configuration
(with mutual heating from future feeders and transformer cables considered) without the need for
changes to in service cables in the future.

Where spare conduits are installed along with the newly installed cables, consideration must be
given to mutual heat of future cable installation. Ausgrid will determine the most appropriate
conductor and load to be included in calculations for existing and future cables within 4m of the
edge of the cable rating being assessed.

To address inclusion of the heat from future installation of 11kV feeders leaving a substation in the
ratings calculation, Ausgrid may require a mutual heating factor be applied to the 11kV cables for
the ratings assessment. A mutual heat factor reduces the maximum possible conductor
temperature that is to be used in calculations for feeders near a substation. Ausgrid will provide the
mutual heating factor if it is required for the rating calculation.

Cable crossings
Cable crossings need to be included in calculations where the acute angle at the point of crossing
is less than 45°.

Where cable circuits need to cross each other, the preferred crossing angle is 90° with a minimum
vertical separation of 300mm. This ensures the lowest practicable mutual heating by avoiding the
tendency for the cables to thermally interact with each other over a prolonged distance.

Ausgrid will accept cables crossings between 45° and 90° (acute angle at the point of crossing) as
being a 90° crossing and will not require mutual heating calculation for such constructions. In this
regard, Ausgrid differs from IEC60287. A crossing angle less than 45° needs to be justified and
steps taken to mitigate the mutual heating impact at this location.

Where large duct banks (more than 4 ducts) or multiple feeders at 132kV (more than two) cross
each other, further thermal overload mitigation strategies are to be used such as, a lower thermal
resistivity backfill/TSB or increased horizontal spacing, Ausgrid should be contacted to determine if
further mitigation is required and for approval of any mitigation strategy and supporting reasons for
this strategy provided by the Designer.

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Operational conditions
Operational ratings
Ausgrid must be contacted to determine the normal and abnormally switched (or emergency)
configurations so the limiting case can be considered.

Ausgrid uses several ratings for cables; a summer and winter rating, and a normal and abnormally
switched (or emergency) rating. The summer and winter rating use different ground and ambient
temperatures in the rating assessment (see 6.2.1).

Normal and abnormally switched (or emergency) ratings are applied differently to different
voltages. For 132kV underground cables, there will normally be two feeders (or circuits) installed in
the same trench. The normal rating (sometimes called the two-circuit rating) is the rating when both
feeders are in service (or under load), the abnormally switched rating (sometimes called the one
circuit rating) is the rating when one cable is out of service (for maintenance or due to a fault), the
mutual heat is reduced with the abnormally switched rating.

33kV underground feeders can have different purposes, either as a feeder supplying an Ausgrid
zone substation or a feeder supplying a large high voltage customer. When supplying a zone
substation, one of the 33kV supplying feeders will typically be a standby feeder. Therefore, if all the
feeders shared the same trench the normal and abnormally switched rating would be the same (as
the standby feeder would be in service if any other feeder was out of service).

For 33kV supplied High Voltage customers, typically there is a standby N-1 arrangement, where
the full customer load can still be supplied for the loss of one feeder. If the customer feeders share
the same trench they would have a normal and an abnormally switched (or emergency) rating.

Continuous vs. Cyclic ratings

Most cables supply a load that is cyclic due to the domestic, commercial or industrial nature of the
connected customers. This means cable losses are not consistent throughout the day, or even
days of the week or weeks of the year.

Unless otherwise stated, cables should be rated as continuous, this allows for a future change in
the load profile. Ausgrid will advise if a load cycle is to be applied in ratings calculations. This would
typically be in the range of 1.0 to 1.15.

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MAINTAINING ASSET RATINGS

New connections that are within 4m of the edge of existing Ausgrid assets works should aim to
ensure the thermal influence of the new connection is mitigated sufficiently to ensure that the rating
requirements of the existing section of network is maintained. Any new connection will be
responsible for any augmentation works required to maintain this rating requirement. A ‘Rating to
be Maintained’ should be requested for all Ausgrid Assets that are within 4m of the new
connection.

Ausgrid review and approval is required where a new connection or other relocation works would
de-rate an existing Ausgrid asset. Ausgrid will review the ratings of the entire asset (e.g. in the case
of a feeder, the entire feeder rating) when determining whether the de-rate is acceptable.

Ratings to be maintained
To ensure that Ausgrid retains all existing and potential future value available from its existing
assets, Ausgrid will provide the thermal ratings requirements of Ausgrid’s existing and future assets
(all cables and conduits, including out of service cables, with a status other than abandoned) that
are to be maintained post commissioning of the proposed asset. This is called a Rating to be
Maintained (RTBM). A RTBM is requested by the Designer and is used as an input into ratings
calculations, any cross sections provided are not for design information but for rating calculation
purposes only. If the designer deems the designs and subsequent RTBM should be adjusted, they
should provide supporting information within the ratings report for Ausgrid’s review.

A cable’s ratings requirements represent a combination of the thermal capability of the assets, the
existing loading levels and the existing use. For example, the Ausgrid asset may be a
decommissioned cable that is to be re-energised at a lower voltage to meet a network need or
conduits that have been installed for future feeders. Where a conduit is expected to carry a future
cable, Ausgrid will specify the assumed cable details and the expected rating of this future cable.

Alternative options to maintaining 4m clearance from Ausgrid assets

Where the proponent can demonstrate that to retain all existing and potential future asset value
would be technically impossible or disproportionately expensive (either during design or
construction), Ausgrid may enter negotiations to consider alternative options. Alternatives that
deliver additional benefit to Ausgrid customers and reduced costs to proponents are encouraged.

RATINGS SOFTWARE
Ausgrid uses CymCAP software to perform ratings analysis. Ausgrid's preference is for studies to
be performed with this software for faster verification by Ausgrid and aiding design certification.
Where other software or models are used, sufficient detail of the model needs to be provided to
enable verification of the ratings study by Ausgrid in CymCAP. CymCAP models can be submitted
as a form of ratings calculation.

The data from CymCAP or an alternative ratings software, provided by the designer, must include
exports and cross sections of the results to enable Ausgrid to review the rating calculation in
accordance with IEC.

All individual cable models must be formally verified against the manufacturer’s data sheets for the
cables, regardless of the ratings software used. This verification documentation must form a part of
the electrical design.

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RATING CHECKLIST
Cable Ratings – Ausgrid design review checklist
The following checklist is to be used in conjunction with and attached to all electrical designs
associated with underground cable ratings prepared by the designer. Refer to NS104 for the
underground certified design/design plan requirements.

These minimum requirements for submission may be dispensed with if approval is obtained in
writing from Ausgrid in accordance with NS181.

Submission to Ausgrid to include the following:

• Rating calculations, in the form of a CYMCAP model (database file) or other model that meets
IEC60287 with version details. The calculation must include the following, Thermal
Resistances (T1, T2, T3 and T4), Losses (Wc, Wd, Ws, Wa, Wt, ƛ1, ƛ2) and Resistances (R0,
R, ys, yp) as defined by IEC60278,
• Report summarising results from the ratings model and outlining the ratings methodology used
(where there is a departure from the IEC60287 methodology). The report must include,
1. Assumptions used in the ratings assessment (incl. use of worst-case parameters in lieu of
available data)
2. Loadings considered for ratings scenarios
3. Any cable temperature violations that arise in the ratings model
4. Cross sections of each case considered and shown, and,
5. Justification for any cable parameters in the rating assessment model that are not derived
from the manufacturer’s data sheet, such as appropriate ‘averaging’ of layers used where
there is mismatch between the data sheet and the available layers in the model.
• Certified Design/Design plan including detailed cross sections, (see NS104 for requirements)
• Verification of cable models – see section 8.0
• Manufacturer’s cable data sheets.
• Native soil TR test results (including TR dry out curves) shall be submitted to Ausgrid no later
than six (6) weeks after sampling, who will submit them to
[email protected] for incorporation into Ausgrid’s ThermalRes database.
• Test certificates for all engineered backfills shall be submitted to Ausgrid as specified in
NS130.

For further information on the project submission requirements refer to the project Design
Information.

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RECORDKEEPING
The table below identifies the types of records relating to the process, their storage location and
retention period.

Table 5 – Recordkeeping

Type of Record Storage Location Retention Period*

Approved copy of the Network Document repository Network sub Unlimited

Standard process Standard – Company

Draft Copies of the Network Work Folder for Network Standards Unlimited
Standard during (HPRM ref. 2014/21250/249)
amendment/creation

Working documents (emails, Record management system Work Unlimited

memos, impact assessment Folder for Network Standards (HPRM
reports, etc.) ref. 2014/21250/249)

* The following retention periods are subject to change e.g. if the records are required for legal
matters or legislative changes. Before disposal, retention periods should be checked and approved
by the Records Manager.

AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

For this Network Standard the authorities and responsibilities of Ausgrid employees and managers
in relation to content, management and document control of this Network Standard can be obtained
from the Company Procedure (Network) – Production/Review of Engineering Technical Documents
within the document repository. The responsibilities of persons for the design or construction work
detailed in this Network Standard are identified throughout this Standard in the context of the
requirements to which they apply.

DOCUMENT CONTROL
Content Coordinator : Asset Investment Strategy Manager

Distribution Coordinator : Manager Asset Standards

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