8

TABLE OF MAXIMUM
INTENSITIES
PERMISSIBLE IN
PERMANENT
SERVICE

8.1 INSTALLATION CONDITIONS

Tables 6 to 9 show the maximum permanent intensities admissible for copper or
aluminium conductors, with single or three core , EPR or PRC (XLPE) insulators,
installed either overhead or underground, for medium-voltage cables (1.8/3 kV to
18/30 kV). Those values given with (*) have been determined with the calculation
system published in IEC 287 (translated to the UNE 21144 Standard).
Consequently, it should be borne in mind that, at these intensities, the temperature
that the conductor is subjected to is 90C.
It should also be taken into account that these intensity
values are below the following installation conditions

UNDERGROUND CABLES
Cable laid over tubes at a depth of 0.7 metres, the
thermal resistivity of the terrain being 2.5 km/W and
the temperature of the terrain of 25C.

OVERHEAD CABLES
A circuit of three single cores in tre-foil configuration, or a
single or three core cable arranged in such a way that between
them there is efficient air replacement, an ambient
temperature of 40C, and they are not exposed to sunlight. For
both cases, if the conditions do not correspond exactly to the
aforementioned reference models, the corresponding
correction factors should be applied. These factors are given
on the following pages, where the most common and usual
conditions are described.
With the exception of certain coefficients, such as those that
are applicable to temperatures that are lower than the typical
ones that are given, or thermal resistivities below the one
given as typical and which increase the maximum intensity
admissible in Tables 6-9, the remaining coefficients make the
62

intensity given as maximum decrease, at times significantly, especially when

various conditions, that clearly have to be linked, play a role.
For low-voltage cables, the application will adhere to the same correction values as
indicated; although, in addition, it is highly important to take into account potential
drops, it being common to have to increase the cross-section of the conductors for
medium and long paths in order to obtain an intensity that will flow through smaller
sections.

(*) NOTE: With respect to the intensities that appear for each section,
whether the installation is overhead or underground, it is of paramount
importance to remember that the value given is the maximum
permissible permanent one, and for that intensity the conductor will be at
a temperature of 90C if the insulators are thermoset (XLPE, EPR) or 70C if
they are thermoplastic (PVC, PE). Consequently, any reducing coefficient that is
applicable to the installation, e.g. cables exposed to sunlight (coefficient 0.9), will
reduce the original maximum capacity by 10%. For various reasons, there may often
be a number of coefficients in the installation which, once applied, will cause us to
select cables with a larger section than originally planned.
On the other hand, in an economic study we must consider that when the service
temperature of a cable is increased due to the Joule effect, we are using a large
quantity of energy in kW/h in calorific form. Clearly it is better to opt for cables with
a greater section; the increased investment will be recouped in a short time.

63

8.2 MAXIMUM INTENSITIES

PERMISSIBLE IN PERMANENT
SERVICE (UNE 20460-5-523)
RATED VOLTAGE CABLES: 0.6/1 kV
TABLE 6
OVERHEAD INSTALLATION (Air temperature: 40C)
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF CONDUCTOR: 90C
CABLES INSULATED WITH RETICULATED POLYETHYLENE (XLPE)
SECTION

NUMBER OF COPPER CONDUCTORS

NUMBER OF ALUMINIUM CONDUCTORS

mm2

ONE*

TWO

THREE

ONE*

TWO

THREE

1,5

21

24

20

2,5

29

33

26,5

22

25

20

38

45

36

29

35

27,5

48

57

46

38

45

36

10

68

79

65

53

61

50

16

91

105

87

70

83

66

25

116

123

110

88

94

84

35

144

154

137

109

117

104

50

175

188

167

133

145

127

70

224

244

214

170

187

162

95

271

296

259

207

230

197

120

314

348

301

239

269

228

150

363

404

353

277

312

264

185

415

464

391

316

359

301

240

490

552

468

372

429

355

300

400

500

630

If there are any special conditions in the choice of cross-section, correction factors should be applied.
* Considering 3 loaded conductors

64

MAXIMUM INTENSITIES
PERMISSIBLE IN PERMANENT
SERVICE (UNE 20460-5-523)
RATED VOLTAGE CABLES: 0.6/1 kV
TABLE 7
UNDERGROUND INSTALLATION
(Temperature of ground: 25C) Thermal resistivity of the ground: 2,5 K.m/W
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF CONDUCTOR: 90C
CABLES INSULATED WITH RETICULATED POLYETHYLENE (XLPE)
SECTION

NUMBER OF COPPER CONDUCTORS

NUMBER OF ALUMINIUM CONDUCTORS

mm2

TWO

THREE

THREE

THREE

1,5

24,5

21

2,5

32,5

27,5

24,5

21

42

35

32,5

27,5

53

44

40

34

10

70

58

53

45

16

91

75

70

58

25

116

96

89

74

35

140

117

107

90

50

166

138

126

107

70

204

170

156

132

95

241

202

185

157

120

275

230

211

178

150

311

260

239

201

185

348

291

267

226

240

402

336

309

261

300

455

380

349

295

400

500

630

If there are any special conditions in the choice of cross-section, correction factors should be applied.
* Circuits with single core cables according to UNE 20460-5-523 the values of columns TWO and THREE can be
taken depending on the number of loaded single core cables of the circuit in question

65

8.3 OVERHEAD CABLES

CORRECTION FACTORS
OVERHEAD CABLES AT TEMPERATURES OTHER THAN 40C
Correction coefficient for an ambient temperature other than 40C.
TEMPERATURE

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

Cables insulated
with PVC

1,35

1,29

1,22

1,15

1,,08

1,00

0,91

0,81

0,71

-.58

Cables insulated
with XLPE, EPR

1,22

1,18

1,14

1,10

1,05

1,00

0,95

0,90

0,84

0,77

OVERHEAD CABLES IN DUCTS OR GALLERIES.

It is clear that under certain installation conditions (in ducts, galleries??, etc), the
heat dissipated by the cables cannot be diffused freely, giving rise to an increase in
air temperature. Many factors depend on the size of this increase, and it must be
determined in each case. For an approximate evaluation, it must be borne in mind
that the increase in temperature is in the region of 15C; thus, the intensity
permitted in the conditions for this rating must be reduced with the coefficients in
the table above.

THREE PHASE CABLES OR SINGLE

CORES IN TREFOIL INSTALLED
OVERHEAD AND IN GROUPS
Three phase or Single core cables in tre-foil
a i d ove r co n t i n u o u s t rays (w h e re a i r
circulation is restricted), with a separation
between cables equal to a diameter "d".
Distance from the wall > 2 cm

66

CORRECTION FACTORS
NUMBER OF CABLES OR TRE-FOIL GROUPS
NUMBER OF TRAYS

0,95

0,90

0,88

0,85

0,90

0,85

0,83

0,81

0,88

0,83

0,81

0,79

0,86

0,81

0,79

0,77

Note: When the separation between cables is equal to or greater than "2d", no correction is required.

THREE PHASE OR SINGLE CORE TREFO I L CA B L ES L A I D OV E R

P E R FO R AT E D T R AYS W I T H A
SEPARATION BETWEEN CABLES
EQUAL TO A DIAMETER "d".
Distance from the wall > 2 cm

CORRECTION FACTORS
NUMBER OF CABLES OR TRE-FOIL GROUPS
NUMBER OF TRAYS

0,98

0,96

0,93

0,92

0,95

0,93

0,90

0,89

0,94

0,92

0,89

0,88

0,93

0,90

0,87

0,86

Note: When the separation between cables is equal to or greater than "2d", no correction is required.

67

THREE PHASE OR SINGLE CORE TRE-FOIL

CABLES LAID ON A WALL WITH A SEPARATION
BETWEEN CABLES EQUAL TO A DIAMETER "d".
Distance from the wall > 2 cm

CORRECTION FACTORS
NUMBER OF CABLES OR TRE-FOIL GROUPS
1

0,93

0,90

0,87

Note: When the separation between cables is equal to or greater than "2d", no correction is required.

THREE PHASE OR
SINGLE CORE TRE-FOIL
CABLES IN CONTACT AND
WITH THE WALL, LAID ON
CONTINUOUS OR
PERFORATED TRAYS
(WHERE AIR
CIRCULATION IS
RESTRICTED).
CORRECTION FCTORS
NUMBER OF CABLES OR TRE-FOIL GROUPS
NUMBER OF TRAYS

0,84

0,80

0,75

0,80

0,76

0,71

0,78

0,74

0,70

0,76

0,72

0,68

68

THREE PHASE OR SINGLE CORE TRE-FOIL

CABLES IN CONTACT LAID OVER STRUCTURES
OR ON A WALL

CORRECTION FACTORS
NUMBER OF CABLES OR TRE-FOIL GROUPS
1

0,85

0,78

0,73

0,68

BUNCHING OF THREE PHASE OR

SINGLE CORE TRE-FOIL CABLES, WITH
A SEPARATION OF LESS THAN ONE
DIAMETER AND GREATER THAN A
QUARTER OF A DIAMETER, SUPPOSING
THAT THEY ARE INSTALLED ON A
PERFORATED TRAY, I.E., ALLOWING AIR
TO CIRCULATE FREELY BETWEEN THE
CABLES.
CORRECTION FACTORS
NUMBER OF CABLES OR TRE-FOIL GROUPS
NUMBER OF TRAYS

>3

1,00

0,93

0,87

0,83

0,89

0,83

0,79

0,75

0,80

0,76

0,72

0,69

Over 3

0,75

0,70

0,66

0,64

CABLES EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT.

The correction coefficient to be applied to a cable exposed to direct sunlight is
highly variable. The recommended figure is 0.90.
69

8.4 UNDERGROUND CABLES

CORRECTION FACTORS
UNDERGROUND CABLES WITH AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OTHER
THAN 25C.
Correction coefficient for ambient temperature other than 25C.
TEMPERATURE

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

CABLES INSULATED WITH PVC

1,15

1,10

1,05

0,94

0,88

0,81

0,74

0,66

CABLES INSULATED
WITH XLPE, EPR

1,11

1,07

1,04

0,96

0,92

0,88

0,83

0,78

CABLES BURIED DIRECTLY OR IN CONDUCTS BURIED IN TERRAIN

WITH A THERMAL RESISTIVITY OTHER THAN 150C PER cm/W.
THERMAL RESISTIVITY OF THE GROUND C cm/W

80

100

120

150

200

250

UNIPOLARES

1,28

1,18

1,09

0,88

0,80

TRIPOLARES

1,23

1,15

1,08

0,90

0,82

CORRECTION
FACTOR

THREE PHASE OR SINGLE CORE TRE-FOIL CABLES BUNCHED

UNDERGROUND
CORRECTION FACTORS
LAYOUT OF CABLES
WITH A SEPARATION OF 7 CM
(THICKNESS OF A BRICK)
IN CONTACT

10

12

0,85

0,75

0,68

0,64

0,60

0,56

0,53

0,50

0,80

0,70

0,64

0,60

0,56

0,53

0,50

0,47

70

CABLES BURIED IN TRENCHES AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS

For a THREE PHASE OR SINGLE CORE TRE-FOIL CABLES buried directly, the
permitted intensity will be corrected by applying a correction coefficient in the
basis of the depth of the installation. In the table, the coefficients to be applied
are given depending on the installation type, of 70 cm or of 100 cm. It is
recommended that only one single core or three core cable be installed per tube.
The ratio of the tube diameter to that of the cable will be greater than or equal to
2. Whenever it is necessary to install one triad of cables per tube, the ratio
between the diameter of the tube and the apparent diameter of the triad of cables
must be greater than or equal to 2.
Depth of installation (m)

0,4

0,5

0,6

0,7

0,80

0,90

1,00

1,20

Correction Factor

1,03

1,02

1,01

0,90

0,98

0,97

0,95

CABLES BURIED IN TRENCHES INSIDE SHORT TUBES OR SIMILAR

By short we refer to tubular installations with a length no longer than 15 m
(crossovers for paths, roads, etc.) In this case, no correction coefficient need be
applied.

CABLES BURIED IN TRENCHES INSIDE LONG TUBES OR SIMILAR

The correction coefficient to be applied to these cables will
depend on the type of bunching employed, and will vary for
each cable, according to whether it is placed in the centre of
the tube or on the periphery. Each case needs to be
studied individually. It is recommended that one single
core or three core cable be installed per tube. The ratio of the tube diameter to
the cable must be greater than or equal to 2. When a triad of cables needs to be
installed in a tube, the ratio of the tube diameter to the cable must be greater
than or equal to 2. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended that a correcting
coefficient of 0.8 should be applied in the case of a line with three core cable or
with three single cores in tre-foil inside the same tube. In the case of a line of
three single core cables inside their respective tubes, a correcting coefficient of
0.9 should be used.
71

8.5 SHORT CIRCUITS

GENERAL COMMENTS
Electric networks must be capable of withstanding, while sustaining no permanent
damage, not only operating currents, but also the intense currents that are
produced under conditions of faults (short circuits) in the network itself or in the
receptors connected to it. These are short duration currents (a few seconds, at
maximum), and disappear when the protection devices that must be installed to
this end come into action. But in spite of this, their thermal effect may be very
important due to the intensity under these conditions being many times higher
than that of normal working conditions, and due to the heat production per time
unit depending on the square of the intensity of the current. In three phase
networks short circuits may be of different types, depending on which conductors
come into accidental contact. At most points of an electric system, the most
unfavourable case is a solid three phase short circuit, as this is when the highest
currents appear.
Only at points that are very close to generators or conversions with neutral rigidly
earthed can the current of a single phase or two phase fault exceed a three phase
one. In any case, the intensity of the three phase one is the easiest to calculate,
as it corresponds to a symmetrical case in the network, while in non-symmetrical
cases more complex methods are required for the calculation (symmetrical
component method, Clarke's fault analysis method, etc.)
The calculation of the current in a short circuit in general is beyond the scope of
the present work; nevertheless, in the case of a tripolar short circuit, it can be
calculated using the suitable conductor section.

THREE PHASE SHORT CIRCUIT

The current in a short circuit is necessary for determining the thermal and
mechanical loads to which the installations, and thus the cables, are going to be
subjected. In order to determine the thermal loads, the load time and the
evolution of the current must be taken into account in the most complete way

72

possible; the shorter the predicted duration of the phenomenon the better. The
evolution of the current depends on the permanent short circuit current at the
point being considered, on the sub-transitory, transitory and synchronic reactance
of the short circuit in question, and on the instant when they are produced.

For t values in the order of 1.5 seconds, it is sufficient to consider the current of
the permanent short circuit. The permanent symmetrical current of a THREE
PHASE short circuit can be calculated, to an effective value, on the basis of the
following formula:

Pcc = Permanent potential of the short circuit

U = Nominal VOLTAGE between phases

This formula is shown in Figure 1 for the normal application field of our cables.
The dynamic loads are proportional to the square of the current surge in the
short circuit (peak value): for the most severe cases, this value, which is
dependent on the aforementioned reactance and on in the instant of the short
circuit, is considered to be equal to 1.8 2 Icc. Dynamic loads subject cables and
terminals to high mechanical forces. In tripolar cables these forces are absorbed
by the effect of the wiring, sheathing or armour. Single Core cables must be fixed
firmly over the entire cable run.

73

GRAPH 1
U=0,380 kV

PERMANENT SHORT CIRCUIT POWER Icc (kA)

300
200

100

6
10

50
40

15

30

20

20

25
30
45

10

65

5
4
3
2

1
1

10

20 30

4050

100

200 300 400 500

PERMANENT SHORT CIRCUIT POWER Pcc (MVA)

74

1000

GRAPH 2
SHORT-CIRCUIT INTENSITY ADMISSIBLE IN THE CONDUCTORS IN VULPREN AND
HERSATENE CABLES (COPPER CONDUCTORS)
300
MAXIMUM SERVICE
TEMPERATURE 90C

200

MAXIMUM SHORT-CIRCUIT
TEMPERATURE 250C

INTENSITY (kA)

100

50

630 mm2

40

500

30

400
300

20

240
185
150

10

120
95

70
5
4

50

35

25

16

1
0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

TIME (SEC.)

75

GRAPH 3
SHORT-CIRCUIT INTENSITY ADMISSIBLE IN THE CONDUCTORS IN VULPREN AND
HERSATENE CABLES (ALUMINIUM CONDUCTORS)
300

MAXIMUM SERVICE
TEMPERATURE 90C

200

MAXIMUM SHORT-CIRCUIT
TEMPERATURE 250C

100

50
40

INTENSITY (kA)

30
630 mm2
500

20

400
300
240
10
185
150
120
5
95
4
70
3
50
2

35
25

1
0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

TIME (SEC.)

76

SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT IN THE CONDUCTOR

Graphs 2 and 3 show the short circuit intensities permitted by VULPREN and
HERSATENE cables with copper or aluminium conductors, according to the time in
seconds of the duration of the short circuit, and of the nominal section of the
conductor. These intensities have been calculated supposing that:
1. The phenomenon has a limited duration.
2. The temperature prior to the short circuit is the maximum admissible
under a permanent regime for each type of insulation.
3. The temperature at the end of the short circuit is the maximum admissible
for the insulation for this regime.
4. All heat that is generated is accumulated in the conductor mass, thus
increasing its temperature, and consequently that which is transmitted to
the exterior is null (an adiabatic process). Under these conditions the
following formula can be applied:

Icc

c
t

Icc = Short circuit current admissible, in A

S = Conductor section in mm2
t = Duration of the short circuit, in seconds.
C = Coefficient that depends on the nature of the conductor and the

CONDUCTOR

temperatures at the onset and the conclusion of the short circuit.

INSULATION

Cu

141,8

Al

92,8

C VALUES

EPR Y XLPE

77