The ampacity of high-voltage power cables depends, among others, on their core cross-sectional area as well as thermal resistivity of the thermal backfill surrounding the cables. The cross-sectional area of the power cables’ core is selected according to the expected power to be transferred via the cable system. Usually, the higher the power transfer required, the higher the cross-sectional area of the core. However, the cost of...

One of the factors affecting current-carrying capacity of underground power cables is the thermal resistivity of soil. Its value in the close proximity of the cable is the most important, and for this reason, in some cases, the local soil is replaced with an another soil type or with a cement-sand mixture. The thermal resistivity of the soil is strongly affected by moisture, and in the case of a cement-sand mixture – as tested...

Current-carrying capacity of underground power cable lines depends, among others, on thermal resistivity of the soil and cables layout: trefoil formation, flat formation with or without spacing. If conditions for heat transfer in the ground are favorable, the current-carrying capacity is relatively high. Therefore, it generates risk of the power cables overheating, if part of the cable line is located vertically in the air, to...