Section Two

General Technical Information

SHORT CIRCUIT RATINGS

The short circuit capacity of a current carrying component of a cable is determined by the following factors:
1. The temperature prior to the short circuit, generally taken to be that corresponding with the maximum conductor
operating temperature under normal conditions.
2. The energy produced by the short circuit, a function of both the magnitude and the duration of the current.
3. The limiting final temperature, generally determined by all materials in contact with the conducting component.
The adiabatic (no heat loss) equation for the temperature rise during a short circuit is as follows:
I2 * t = k2 * S2
Where I = Short Circuit Current {r.m.s. over duration} (A.), t = Duration of Short Circuit (s), k = Constant depending on the
material and the initial and final temperatures, and S = Cross-sectional Area of Current Carrying Component (mm2).
Rearrangement of the general equation gives the formulae for Isc , the Short Circuit Rating for a particular Conductor Size,
and for calculation of Sc , the Minimum Conductor Size to meet a specified short circuit level.
k *S
Isc =
(A)
t
I* t
(Round up to the nearest standard conductor size.)
(mm 2 )
k
Values of k for Copper and Aluminium conductors and PVC and XLPE insulation materials, based on initial temperatures
corresponding to the maximum continuous conductor operating temperatures are as follows:

Sc =

Values of k for Cu and Al Conductors with PVC or XLPE Insulation

Insulation Type

Copper Conductor
Up to 300 mm2
Over 300 mm2

Aluminium Conductor
Up to 300 mm2
Over 300 mm2

PVC*

111

98.7

73.6

65.3

XLPE#

143

143

94.5

94.5

Insulation material temperature limits for PVC of 75C to 160C up to 300 mm2 and 75C to 140C above 300 mm2 apply.

Insulation material temperature limits for XLPE of 90C to 250C apply.

These values are based on the limits imposed by the insulation material alone. Note that soldered joints impose an upper
temperature limit of 160C, while for mechanical (bolted) joints the manufacturer's recommendations should be observed.
The above temperature limits are appropriate for durations of up to 5 seconds only.
#

One Second Short Circuit Ratings

In practice it is often convenient to work with short circuit ratings converted to a one second basis. Reference may then be
made to Table 2.3 which gives one second short circuit ratings for Copper and Aluminium conductors with PVC and XLPE
insulation materials respectively.
To convert a one second rating to a rating for t seconds, divide by
To convert a t second rating to a one second rating, multiply by

Other Considerations

t , eg, 34 kA for 1s equals 20 kA for 3 s.

t , eg, 10 kA for 0.04s equals 2 kA for 1 s.

In addition to the temperature rise, consideration should also be given to the thermomechanical (longitudinal) and
electromechanical (lateral) forces which can be generated under short circuit conditions.

Section 2, Page 12