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Comparing current ratings for buried cables from ampacity tables under
application of correction factors with results from calculations according to
IEC 60287

Conference Paper · June 2023

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B5-1 11th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables B5-1

Comparing current ratings for buried cables from ampacity tables under application of
correction factors with results from calculations according to IEC 60287

Damian AEGERTER, Braavos GmbH, Switzerland, [email protected]

Matthew CHARLESWORTH, DRA Global Ltd, Australia, [email protected]

ABSTRACT Where a number of circuits are installed in the same group

in free air, on a surface, buried direct in the ground or within
This document describes the results of various comparison the same sheath or wiring enclosure, in such a way that
series of buried cables, applying the Australian standard they are not independently cooled by the ambient air or the
AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2017 and calculating the cases using a
commercially available software based on the analytical ground, further tables are provided with the appropriate
methods from IEC 60287. derating factor to be used.

The aim of this publication is to point out potential errors The load capacity is obtained by multiplying the load
and the resulting risks of using ampacity tables versus capacity at agreed service conditions by the linear product
analytically calculating the cable current ratings. The of all necessary correction factors.
reason being that significant deviations can be found,
especially when using more than one correction factor at 𝐼𝐼𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = 𝐼𝐼𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 ∙ 𝑓𝑓𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = 𝐼𝐼𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 ∙ 𝑓𝑓1 ∙ 𝑓𝑓2 ∙ 𝑓𝑓3 ∙ 𝑓𝑓4 [1]
the same time.
With Itable, being the tabulated current value and f1 to f4 being
the derating factors depending on burial depth, soil thermal
KEYWORDS resisivity, ambient temperature, and grouping.
Cable rating, derating factors, IEC 60287, AS/NZS 3008.1.1
AS/NZS 3008.1.1
The standard AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2017 is applicable to
Australian installation conditions. The objective of this
INTRODUCTION standard is to specify current-carrying capacity, voltage
Various international and national standards and drop and short-circuit temperature rise of cables, to provide
regulations exist with ampacity tables for common a method of selection for those types of electric cables and
installation practice. Some standards are applicable for low methods of installation that are in common use at working
voltage such as the national standards [1], [2], [3] or the voltages up to and including 0.6/1 kV at 50 Hz a.c.
international standard [4]. Others are applicable for The current-carrying capacities given in the tables of this
medium voltage such as [5] and [6]. Standard are based on following standard conditions:
All mentioned standards have in common that the values in • Ambient air temperature of 40 °C and ambient soil
the ampacity and correction factor tables have been temperature of 25 °C
derived in accordance with the methods given in the IEC • Depth of laying of 0.5 m (center of cable or group).
60287 series [7], except of special cable types (e.g. flat • Thermal resistivity of soil of 1.2 K.m/W.
cables) or special laying conditions not covered by the IEC
standard (e.g. cables partially or completely surrounded by Notes
thermal insulation). Therefore, a good agreement would be This standard differs from the 2009 edition in several
expected between values obtained from the tables and points, however, all the values used for this paper remained
results of calculations according to the analytic methods the same, including the current rating values in table 14.
provided by the IEC standard.
The current ratings are noted as also applicable for d.c.
Methodology installations as calculations will yield negligible difference
The current-carrying capacities of a cable is dependent on or conservative results.
the number of conductors and cross-section, the conductor
The soil thermal resistivity varies greatly with soil
material (typically copper or aluminium) and the
composition, moisture retention qualities and seasonal
permissible conductor temperature which depends on the
weather patterns as weil as the variation in load carried by
insulation material. The current-carrying capacity of a cable
the cable with values ranging between 0.8 to 2.5 K.m/W.
is also dependent on the method of installation to maintain
The value of 1.2 K.m/W has been selected as an average
the temperature of the cable within its operating limits.
figure on the basis of soil types and assumes maximum
Different methods of installation vary the rate at which the
thermal resistivity at times of maximum load.
heat generated by the current flow is dissipated to the
surrounding medium. Usually, different tables depending In Appendix A, Example 3, the product of correction factors
on these parameters are given in the standards, which was used.
provide the values of current ratings for a list of conductor
cross-sections for a single cable or a single circuit. Deviation to IEC 60287
In order to take into account dependence on the ambient The standard explicitly states in clause 3.1.2: "The values
temperature, type of laying and laying depth, as well as for current ratings given in Tables 4 to 15 have been
laying in enclosures and other parameters, further tables calculated using the method described in IEC 60287 […]".
with correction factors exist in these standards.

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B5-1 11th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables B5-1

Two notes can be found in the standard which are in direct The table considers cross-sections from 1–500 mm2 out of
violation of this statement for buried cables. The which three cross-sections were selected. Note 8 to the
applicability of these notes is not given and they have been Table stated that the ratings given for directly buried cables
ignored for the evaluation. are actually based on ratings for wiring in underground
wiring enclosures. Note 9 stated that cables up to 25 mm2
Note to clause 3.5.4 discusses the effect of depth of laying may be rated to the values in another Table 11 for two-
and states: "The rating factors are based on the core cables. Due to these two notes, the smallest cross-
assumption that the effective thermal resistivity of the section we considered suitable was 35 mm2. On the upper
ground is constant from a depth of 0.5 m to 3 m, above and end 300 mm2 was selected because it is at the boundary
below these respective limits it is considered that a for the derating factor in table 28(1). In between, a medium
reduction in effective thermal resistivity occurs due to the sized 120 mm2 was chosen.
composition and moisture content of the soil."
The cables consist of three copper conductors with an
Considering a different thermal resisivity at certain depths insulation made of XLPE, a common filler of undefined
is not according to IEC 60287 where homogenous soil material and a common jacket or oversheath made of
conditions apply, except of optional backfill areas around polyethylene. The diameter of the conductor and insulation
the cables. thickness was taken from a manufacturer datasheet [8].
Note to Table 28(1) which lists the derating factors for The datasheet gave a range of minimal and maximal outer
different depth of laying states: "The ambient temperature diameter of the cable and thus the thickness of the jacket
at the surface is to be taken at 40°C and not 25°C as at a and filler was chosen to match the mean of the outer
depth of 0.5 m" diameter.

This note is incomprehensible. In order to apply a derating Fig. 2 shows a preview of the modelled cable and Fig. 3 a
factor it has to act on the standard condition. And if the photo of an example for such a three-core cable, in this
meaning is to consider two different ambient temperatures, case a cable of type GKN 3x150/150mm2 Cu 1kV.
it must be noted that IEC 60287 only considers ambient
temperature at the surface as can be show in the following.
The two-dimensional conduction resistance external of the
cable is defined in IEC 60287-2-1, clause 4.2.2 to be:
1 2𝐿𝐿
𝑇𝑇4 = 𝜌𝜌𝑇𝑇 ln�𝑢𝑢 + √𝑢𝑢2 − 1� , 𝑢𝑢 = [2]
2𝜋𝜋 𝐷𝐷𝑒𝑒

where 𝜌𝜌𝑇𝑇 [K.m/W] is the thermal resistivity of the soil, 𝐿𝐿

[mm] is the distance from the surface of the ground to the
cable axis, and 𝐷𝐷𝑒𝑒 [mm] is the external cable diameter. Fig. 2 Preview of cable B Fig. 3 Example

Using the fact that cosh−1 𝑢𝑢 = ln�𝑢𝑢 + √𝑢𝑢2 − 1� and the Dimensions and properties for cables A, B, and C are listed
steady-state conduction heat rate 𝑊𝑊 [W/m] is a function of in Table 1.
the conduction shape factor S, thermal resistivity 𝜌𝜌 Layer Parameter Unit A B C
[K.m/W], and the temperatures of boundaries 𝑇𝑇1 and 𝑇𝑇2 [K]
Conductor Material Cu
𝑆𝑆
𝑞𝑞 = (𝑇𝑇1 − 𝑇𝑇2 ) [3] Ac mm2 35 120 300
𝜌𝜌
Dc mm 7.7 14.2 22.7
we see the IEC method considers factor S of a horizontal Rc,DC @ 20°C Ω/km 0.524 0.153 0.0601
isothermal cylinder of length L buried in a semi-infinite Insulation Material XLPE
medium as shown in Fig. 1 from [9].
Thickness ti mm 0.9 1.2 1.8
Resistivity 𝜌𝜌i K.m/W 3.5
Filler Thickness tf mm 0.64 0.69 1.42
Resistivity 𝜌𝜌f K.m/W 5.600 4.325 3.754
Jacket Thickness tj mm 1.5 1.8 2.2
Resistivity 𝜌𝜌j K.m/W 3.5
Overall Diameter De mm 24.75 40.75 63.90
Fig. 1 Conduction shape factor Case 2, Table 4.1 of [9]
Th. Resistance T1 K.m/W 0.5531 0.4043 0.3993
Th. Resistance T3 K.m/W 0.0720 0.0515 0.0397
Table 14 Column 23 rating A 172 344 567
MODELLING Table 1. Cable dimensions and properties
Modelling and calculation was done using a commercially The resistivity of the filler was selected such that the
available web-based cable rating software tool. resulting current capacity at standard condition
corresponds with the value given in Table 14, column 23 of
Cables [1]. The jacket material is not defined in [1] and PE with a
For the comparison, three-core cables with X-90 insulation thermal resistivity for ρj = 3.5 K.m/W according to [7] was
according to Table 14 of [1] were modelled. selected to match the current capacity. Selecting PVC, for
which a higher value of 5.0 K.m/W is normally given, a

Jicable'23 - Lyon - 18-22 June, 2023 2/6

B5-1 11th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables B5-1

lower value for ρj would have to be substituted in order to • Table 27(2) for soil ambient temperature, varying
obtain the same rating. between 10 and 40 °C
• Table 28(1) for depth of laying buried directly in ground,
Concentric neutral varying between 0.5 and 3.0 m
The cables were modelled without common round copper • Table 29 for thermal resistivity of the soil, varying
screen wires (concentric neutral). According to standard between 0.8 and 3.0 K.m/W.
IEC 60287-1-1 [7], two- or three-core unarmoured cables For each of these parametrizations, a table has been made
where the cores are contained in a common metallic sheath listing parameter value, corresponding derating factor (DF),
(or likewise with a concentric neutral), losses caused by current resulting from multiplying the rating given in Table
circulating currents are negligible. And the eddy-current 1 multiplied with the DF, calculated current according [7] as
losses are considered negligible for a wire screen. well as the the effective and relative difference between the
Therefore the loss factor λ1 is zero and the common screen tabulated to the calculated rating. Positive relative
alias concentric neutral is not relevant. difference significates that the tabulated value is too high
Modelling a concentric screen would result in a change of and potential overheating may occur.
filler and jacket thickness and therefore also the values for Soil ambient temperature
T1 and T3 would be lower. In that case, the value of the
thermal resistivity of the filler would have been adjusted to The ambient temperature varies by ± 15 °C from standard
a higher value to get the current capacity in [1]. Either way, condition with non-proportial behaviour.
the outer diameter of the cable and the total thermal
θamb [°C] DF Current rating [A] Difference
resistance would be the same and therefore, the behaviour
Column 1 Column 3 AS/NZS IEC [A] [%]
in the comparison would be identical.
10 1.11 381.8 381.6 0.2 0.1%
Laying arrangement 15 1.07 368.1 369.5 -1.4 -0.4%
For laying arrangement, the directly buried cables as 20 1.03 354.3 357.0 -2.7 -0.8%
shown in Table 2 was selected. 25 1.00 344.0 344.0 0.0 0.0%
30 0.97 333.7 330.5 3.2 1.0%
35 0.93 319.9 316.4 3.5 1.1%
40 0.89 306.2 301.7 4.5 1.5%
Table 3. Deviation Table 27(2) for cable B
There is a good agreement for changing soil ambient
temperature with relative difference -0.8% and +1.5%.
Cable Min Mean Max StdDev
Cable A -0.75% 0.34% 1.44% 0.83%
Cable B -0.75% 0.35% 1.48% 0.84%
Table 2. Extract of Table 3(3) from [1]
Cable C -0.75% 0.35% 1.47% 0.83%
Buried was chosen in order to show impact of burial depth
and soil thermal resisivitiy. Directly buried was chosen over Table 4. AS/NZS 3008.1.1 to IEC 60287, Table 27(2)
cables in ducts in order to eliminate any uncertainties in Depth of laying buried directly in ground
modelling the wiring enclosure.
The depth of laying varies by +0.1 to +2.5 m from standard
Fig. 4 shows a preview of cable C buried in depth of 0.5 m. condition, with non-proportial behaviour.
Lc [m] DF Current rating [A] Difference
Column 1 Column 3 AS/NZS IEC [A] [%]
0.50 1.00 344.0 344.0 0.0 0.0%
0.60 0.98 337.1 337.7 -0.6 -0.2%
0.80 0.96 330.2 328.5 1.7 0.5%
1.00 0.94 323.4 321.8 1.6 0.5%
1.25 0.92 316.5 315.5 1.0 0.3%
1.50 0.91 313.0 310.7 2.3 0.8%
1.75 0.89 306.2 306.7 -0.5 -0.2%
Fig. 4 Laying arrangement 2.00 0.88 302.7 303.4 -0.7 -0.2%
2.50 0.87 299.3 298.1 1.2 0.4%
3.00 0.86 295.8 293.9 1.9 0.7%

SINGLE CIRCUIT Table 5. Deviation Table 28(1) for cable B

Variation of single parameter The relative difference is small for cable B. For cable A and
C, the relative difference is only positive up to 2% for cable
For directly buried cables, three derating tables with a A and even 2.25% for cable C,
varying parameter exist in [1]:

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B5-1 11th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables B5-1

Cable Min Mean Max StdDev Variation of two parameters

Cable A 0.00% 1.16% 1.99% 0.64% When two parameters are varied at the same time, the
Cable B -0.22% 0.26% 0.75% 0.37% relative differences may increase even more. At standard
Cable C (col 3) 0.00% 1.17% 2.25% 0.73% burial depth of 0.5 m, variation of soil ambient temperature
Cable C (col 4) -1.32% -0.85% 0.00% 0.43% and thermal resistivity of soil confirms this.

Table 6. AS/NZS 3008.1.1 to IEC 60287, Table 28(1) Table 10 shows how the largest negative difference is
found for lowest thermal resistivity at ambient temperatures
The Table 28(1) shown in Table 7 considers different of 15 to 20 °C and and the positive difference increases
derating factors depending on the conductor size. with thermal resistivity and ambient temperature. The same
Considering the colum 4 applicable for cross-sections behaviour was found for all three cables.
above 300 mm2 for our cable C, the relative difference is
only negative with a smaller average and standard θamb [°C] 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
deviation. On this basis, it is recommended to use column 0.8 -6.6% -7.0% -7.3% -6.7% -5.7% -5.6% -5.3%
4 for larger conductor sizes including 300 mm2.
0.9 -4.2% -4.7% -5.0% -4.3% -3.4% -3.2% -2.9%
1.0 -3.1% -3.6% -3.9% -3.2% -2.2% -2.1% -1.8%

ρ4 [K.m/W]
1.2 0.1% -0.4% -0.8% 0.0% 1.0% 1.1% 1.5%
1.5 0.8% 0.4% 0.0% 0.8% 1.8% 1.9% 2.3%
2.0 0.4% -0.1% -0.5% 0.3% 1.3% 1.4% 1.8%
2.5 1.2% 0.7% 0.3% 1.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.6%
3.0 2.4% 2.0% 1.6% 2.4% 3.3% 3.4% 3.9%
Table 10. Deviation Table 27(2) + 29 in 0.5 m depth for
cable B

Variation of three parameters

Table 7. AS/NZS 3008.1.1, Table 28(1) The analysis was done for different burial depths, namely
0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 m.
Thermal resistivity of the soil
Table 11 shows how the negative differences are larger for
The thermal resistivity of the soil varies by -0.4 to +1.8 m shallow burial depth, lower ambient temperature and
from standard condition, with almost proportial behaviour. thermal resistivity whereas the positive differences are
A lower thermal resistivity than standard condition results increasing with burial depth, ambient temperature and
in a significant negative difference up to almost 7% for thermal resistivity.
0.8 K.m/W.
Lc [m] 0.5 1.5 2.5
ρ4 [K.m/W] DF Current rating [A] Difference
θamb [°C] 10 25 40 10 25 40 10 25 40
Column 1 Column 3 AS/NZS IEC [A] [%]
0.8 1.09 375.0 401.7 -26.7 -6.7% 0.8 -6.6% -6.7% -5.3% -4.6% -4.7% -3.3% -4.1% -4.2% -2.8%
0.9 1.07 368.1 384.6 -16.5 -4.3% 0.9 -4.2% -4.3% -2.9% -2.0% -2.0% -0.6% -1.4% -1.4% 0.0%
1.0 1.04 357.8 369.5 -11.7 -3.2% 1.0 -3.1% -3.2% -1.8% -0.6% -0.7% 0.8% 0.1% 0.0% 1.5%
ρ4 [K.m/W]

1.2 1.00 344.0 344.0 0.0 0.0% 1.2 0.1% 0.0% 1.5% 3.0% 3.0% 4.5% 3.9% 3.8% 5.4%
1.5 0.92 316.5 314.0 2.5 0.8%
1.5 0.8% 0.8% 2.3% 4.2% 4.1% 5.7% 5.2% 5.2% 6.7%
2.0 0.81 278.6 277.8 0.8 0.3%
2.0 0.4% 0.3% 1.8% 4.1% 4.1% 5.6% 5.3% 5.2% 6.8%
2.5 0.74 254.6 251.8 2.8 1.1%
3.0 0.69 237.4 231.9 5.5 2.4% 2.5 1.2% 1.1% 2.6% 5.2% 5.2% 6.7% 6.5% 6.5% 8.1%
3.0 2.4% 2.4% 3.9% 6.7% 6.7% 8.2% 8.1% 8.1% 9.6%
Table 8. Deviation Table 29 for cable B
The negative relative difference is large for all three cables Table 11. Deviation Table 27(2) + 29 in 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5
with values ≥ 6% whereas the positive relative difference is m depth for cable B
moderate with < 2.4%. Over all considered burial depths, the relative difference
was between -7.0% and +11.8%.
Cable Min Mean Max StdDev
Cable A -5.93% -1.43% 1.18% 2.49% Cable Min Mean Max StdDev
Cable B -6.66% -1.20% 2.35% 3.14% Cable A -6.31% 0.39% 6.70% 3.09%
Cable C -6.49% -1.25% 2.07% 2.98% Cable B -7.02% 1.89% 10.08% 3.75%
Table 9. AS/NZS 3008.1.1 to IEC 60287, Table 29 Cable C -6.85% 2.87% 11.79% 3.72%

The thermal resistivity has by far the highest impact on the Table 12. AS/NZS 3008.1.1 to IEC 60287, Table 27(2)
differences.

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B5-1 11th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables B5-1

GROUPS OF CIRCUITS expect a conductor temperature of 90 °C for the center

cable.
For groups of cables or circuits, the derating factors are
given in Tables 22 to 26. For directly buried three-core In Table 15, the calculated conductor temperatures and the
cables, values are given in Table 25(2) for up to 12 parallel relative difference to the 90°C are shown.
identical cables.
Conductor temperature [°C] Relative difference
When we want to compare with analytic calculations, we No.
touch
center-center [m]
touch
center-center [m]
need to understand how the tabulated values have been 0.15 0.30 0.45 0.60 0.15 0.30 0.45 0.60
derived. For this, two statements were found: 2 97 94 93 92 92 8% 5% 4% 2% 2%
3 101 96 95 94 92 12% 7% 6% 5% 3%
Clause 3.5.2.1: The derating factors have been calculated
on the basis of sustained operation of all cables within the 4 100 99 96 96 94 11% 10% 7% 6% 4%
group. 5 103 100 96 96 94 14% 11% 7% 7% 4%
6 101 101 98 97 95 12% 13% 9% 7% 6%
Clause 3.5.2.5: The derating factors have been
determined from the hottest cable in the group and assume Table 15. Deviation in °C for given rating, cable B
that all cables are of the same thermal grade of insulation. All temperatures are higher than expected with values up
to 103°C. For more than 6 parallel cables, even higher
Standard ambient conditions values can be expected.
First we analyze under standard ambient conditions, 25 °C,
1.2 K.m/W at burial depth 0.5 m. Using the derating factors Variation of condition
of Table 25(2), the current rating was calculated for the If ambient conditions differ from the conditions given in
cable B for up to 6 parallel cables. Table 14, additional derating factor have to be applied.
Considerable positive and negative deviations were found,
Derating factors Current rating [A], AS/NZS
with relative differences being higher or lower, depending
No. center-center [m] center-center [m]
touch touch on the settings.
0.15 0.30 0.45 0.60 0.15 0.30 0.45 0.60

2 0.81 0.87 0.91 0.93 0.95 279 299 313 320 327 A few cases have been calculated considering the DF from
3 0.70 0.78 0.84 0.88 0.90 241 268 289 303 310 tables 29, 27(2) and 25(2) combined to show this effect.
4 0.63 0.74 0.81 0.86 0.89 217 255 279 296 306
Table 29 27(2) 25(2) Current rating [A], AS/NZS
5 0.59 0.70 0.78 0.84 0.87 203 241 268 289 299
ρ4 θamb center-center [m]
6 0.55 0.68 0.77 0.83 0.87 189 234 265 286 299 No. touch
K.m/W DF °C DF 0.15 0.30 0.45 0.60
Table 13. AS/NZS 3008.1.1 Table 25(2), cable B 2 337 362 379 387 395
0.8 1.09 10 1.11 3 291 325 350 366 375
It is understood, that the rating is given by the hottest cable
in a group which is the cable in the middle (or the two 4 262 308 337 358 370
cables for even numbers). The sole information we have is 2 265 285 298 305 311
the conductor temperature so a group of cables would be 0.9 1.07 40 0.89 3 229 256 275 288 295
calculated that all cables reach this temperature. Instead of 4 206 242 265 282 292
being the hottest cable, the center cable will have the 2 171 184 192 196 201
lowest rating and that value we can compare with. 3.0 0.69 40 0.89 3 148 165 177 186 190
4 133 156 171 182 188
Comparing the resulting current rating using the tabulated
values and applied derating factor with the rating from Table 16. AS/NZS 3008.1.1 Table 25(2),27(2),29, cable B
analytic calculations shows critically high deviations for
For low thermal resistivity and ambient temperature,
three and more parallel cables.
negative deviations can be found now except for three and
Current rating [A], IEC Relative difference four touching cables. But in case of high thermal resistivity
No. center-center [m] center-center [m] and ambient temperature, the positive deviations are
touch touch
0.15 0.30 0.45 0.60 0.15 0.30 0.45 0.60 skyrocketing and the cables will soon overheat if operated
2 267 292 307 316 323 4% 3% 2% 1% 1% like this.
3 191 243 271 289 302 26% 11% 7% 5% 3% Current rating [A], IEC Relative difference
4 176 227 260 281 296 23% 12% 7% 5% 3% ρ4 θa N center-center [m] touch center-center [m]
touch
5 160 212 249 274 290 27% 14% 8% 6% 3% 0.15 0.30 0.45 0.60 touch 0.15 0.30 0.45 0.60
6 152 204 245 270 288 25% 14% 8% 6% 4% 2 353 383 401 413 420 -4% -5% -6% -6% -6%
Table 14. Deviation in Amps, cable B 0.8 10 3 268 325 359 380 395 9% 0% -3% -4% -5%
4 244 305 345 371 388 7% 1% -2% -3% -5%
It is more likely that the values in the standard have been
2 265 288 303 312 318 0% -1% -2% -2% -2%
calculated in such a way that only the center cable reaches
0.9 40 3 199 243 270 286 298 16% 5% 2% 1% -1%
90 °C and the other cables carry the same current. The
4 181 228 259 279 293 14% 6% 2% 1% 0%
solver has to increase the current in all cables until one
reaches the given temperature limit. This is not a normal 2 154 169 179 185 189 11% 9% 7% 6% 6%
analytical solver strategy. Instead, a different approach was 3.0 40 3 90 136 155 167 175 65% 21% 14% 11% 9%
made comparing the conductor temperature. This means, 4 89 127 149 162 172 49% 23% 15% 12% 10%
the current rating from Table 13 was set for all cables in the Table 17. Deviation in Amps, varying cond., cable B
group and then the calculation run this way and we would

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 B5-1 11th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables B5-1

CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES

The calculations undertaken show that: [1] AS/NZS 3008.1.1, 2017, "Electrical installations-
Selection of cables, Part 1.1: Cables for alternating
1. Varying a single parameter at a time small deviations voltages up to and including 0.6/1 kV- Typical
in ratings result obtained from tables and those from Australian installation conditions", Standards Australia
analytical calculation showing close agreement for Ltd, Sydney
variation of ambient temperature [-0.7%,+1.5%] and
[2] BS 7671, 2018, "Requirements for Electrical
depth of laying [-1.3%,+2.2%]. Variation of the single
Installations", IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition,
parameter of soil thermal resistivity showed the
The Institution of Engineering and Technology,
greatest deviations [-6.7%,+2.3%] where the negative
London
deviation was most noticeable at lower than standard
soil resistivity conditions. [3] DIN VDE 0298-4, 2013, "Application of cables and
2. Varying two parameters at a time comprising soil cords in power installations - Part 4: Recommended
resisivity and ambient temperature demonstrated the current-carrying capacity for sheathed and
strong impact of low soil resisitivty on the negative nonsheathed cables for fixed wirings in and around
deviation results. The negative deviations for this buildings and for flexible cables and cords", Deutsches
combination of two parameter variation appeared Institut für Normung, Berlin
similar to the one parameter variation of soil resisivity [4] IEC 60364-5-52, 2009, "Low-voltage electrical
indicating soil resisivity as the dominant source of installations – Part 5-52: Selection and erection of
deviation. electrical equipment – Wiring systems", International
3. Three parameter variation comprising soil resisistivity, Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva
ambient temperature and depth of laying resulted in [5] IEC 60502-2, 2014, "Power cables with extruded
the largest deviations [-7.0%,+11.8%] as would be insulation and their accessories for rated voltages from
expected from accumulation of deviations. However, 1 kV (Um = 1,2 kV) up to 30 kV (Um = 36 kV) – Part 2:
contrasting from the previous two parameter variation Cables for rated voltages from 6 kV (Um = 7,2 kV) up
deviation results positive difference was more to 30 kV (Um = 36 kV)", International Electrotechnical
significant than the negative difference indicating the Commission, Geneva
dominate influence of high resisitivity in combination
with large depth of laying and ambient temperature as [6] DIN VDE 0276-1000, 1995, "Power cables – Part
less influential and suggesting a non-linear effect 1000: Current-carrying capacity, general, conversion
when combining multiple varying conditions. factors", Deutsches Institut für Normung, Berlin
4. Results from grouping of buried cables indicates [7] IEC 60287 Series, 2023, "Electric cables - Calculation
significant positive deviation in results for cables of the current rating", International Electrotechnical
grouped closer together and particularly groups of Commission, Geneva
cables touching, and higher numbers of parallel [8] Datasheet 3C+E XLPE Circular cable
cables. Varying soil resisivity for grouped cables
[9] Frank P. Incropera, 2011, Introduction to Heat
reinforced the dominant influence of soil resisivity on
Transfer, John Wiley & Sons, 6th Edition, 235-240
the deviation of results but is compounded further
when combined with high ambient temperatures.
GLOSSARY
To summarise, it is apparent that there are limitations to the
agreement of results obtained from tables with the AS: Australian Standard
analytical calculation method based on IEC 60287 showing BS: British Standard
larger variation when more than one parameter is obtained DF: Derating factor
and in particular at extreme limits of soil resisitivity. When DIN: Deutsches Institut für Normung
three installation conditions are varied significant deviation IEC: International Electrotechnical Commission
can result when combining extreme ambient temperature, NZS: New Zealand Standard
depth of laying and soil resisivity conditions. Similarly, PVC: Polyvinyl chloride
grouping of cables when touching and in close proximity or VDE: Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik
high number of parallel cables or with high soil resitivity will Informationstechnik e.V.
result in significant deviation of results. Users of tables to XLPE: Cross-Linked Polyethylene
determine cable ratings should consider the limitations of
applying rating factors from tables in a linear fashion
particularly for the combination of multiple parameters at
extreme conditions from standard and consider the use of
analytical calculation methods for such cases instead and
avoid oversizing of cables fo low thermal resisivity and
undersizing for high thermal resisivity conditions. The
results also reinforce the importance of determining actual
soil resisivity conditions from survey measurement at site
given the dominant influence in the deviation of results and
is usually the least well known parameter for a buried cable
installation compared with a higher level of certainty for
ambient temperature and depth of laying conditions.

Jicable'23 - Lyon - 18-22 June, 2023 6/6

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