CIRED2005

Session No 1
THERMAL ANALYSIS OF PARALLEL UNDERGROUND ENERGY CABLES
J. Desmet*, D. Putman*, G. Vanalme*, R. Belmans

, D. Vandommelen

*Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen, Dep PIH, Belgium
jan.desmet@howest.be

KULeuven, Dep ESAT-ELECTA, Belgium

ronnie.belmans@esat.kuleuven.ac.be



1 INTRODUCTION

A simple model for the calculation of cable temperature,
in case of parallel underground cables, will be proposed
and validated with test set ups for different cable
topologies. The model takes into account the load
conditions and also the influencing parameters such as
cable type, cable geometry and environmental
conditions.
A practical test set up was built in order to investigate
experimentally the thermal behaviour of underground
cables. Sensitivity analysis is performed in order to
evaluate the influence of the different boundary
conditions, including the mutual influence of parallel
cables.
In a further analysis, temperature occurring in the cable
for a certain distribution of heat generation is
investigated by Flux2D finite element modelling.


2 EXPERIMENTS

2.1 Test Set-Up

Measurements are performed on a medium voltage cable
with specifications as given in Table 1. In order to
measure the temperature in the cable (type
EAXeCW20.8/36kV), thermocouple probes are
penetrated into the cable. Different set ups are analysed,
starting from three phases in trefoil configuration in
full ground, over to the same configuration in tubes both
air filled and tubes filled with bentonite. At start up
every five minutes the temperature is logged in order to
determine the point of steady state.


15m 15m
F R
1
3
2
4
6
5
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C


Fig. 1 Top view of cable positioning (first 15m in ground, next
15m in tube)






0,25 0,25
1,20
1
,2
0

(a) first 15 meter of test set up
0,25
1,20
1
,2
0
0
,8
0

(b) last 15 meter of test set up


Fig. 2 Cross section view of cable positioning.
Table 1. Cable characteristics EAXeCW20.8/36kV
Cross section (mm) 240
Conductor diameter (mm) 18.3
Total thickness of insulation (mm) 9.1
DC Resistance @ 20C [/km] 0.125
AC Resistance @ 90C / 50Hz [/km] 0.161
Capacity [F/km] 0.29
Inductance [mH/km] 0.37
Current loading in ground trefoil/in line [A] 420/430
Current loading in air trefoil/in line [A] 505/575

All measurements are performed with symmetrical and
balanced sine wave currents but for different load
conditions. Cable loading is done by creating a short
circuit condition of a medium voltage transformer by the
cable set (point 4, 5 or 6 in figure 1, depending of one,
two or three parallel cable tests).


Fig. 3 Some detail photos of the construction of the test set up

CIRED2005

Session No 1

2.2 Measurements

In a first measurement, the cable was loaded with a
symmetrical balanced current of 420A each phase and
three parallel cables connected. Temperature was logged
for 24 hours or for 250 hours, depending on test set up.
It is proven that end effects can be neglected [2].
A second and third measurement were performed with
the same current, but this time for two parallel and one
single cable in trefoil. Logging results of cable
temperature are given in Fig. 4 en Fig. 5.


0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
50.0
0
:0
0
0
:4
0
1
:2
0
2
:0
1
2
:4
1
3
:2
1
4
:0
2
4
:4
2
5
:2
2
6
:0
3
6
:4
3
7
:2
3
8
:0
4
8
:4
4
9
:2
4
1
0
:0
5
1
0
:4
5
1
1
:2
5
1
2
:0
6
1
2
:4
6
1
3
:2
6
1
4
:0
7
1
4
:4
7
1
5
:2
7
1
6
:0
8
1
6
:4
8
1
7
:2
9
1
8
:0
9
1
8
:4
9
1
9
:3
0
2
0
:1
0
2
0
:5
0
2
1
:3
1
2
2
:1
1
2
2
:5
1
Time
C
a
b
l
e

t
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

[

C
]
1 cable
2 cables
3 cables

Fig. 4 Influence of the number of cables on the cable temperature
(measurements at outer cable, cable load: 420A)

0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1
0
:2
1
:2
7
1
9
:3
4
:3
2
4
:4
7
:3
7
1
4
:0
0
:5
3
2
3
:1
4
:0
8
8
:2
7
:1
8
1
7
:4
0
:3
3
2
:5
3
:5
2
1
2
:0
6
:4
7
2
1
:1
9
:4
0
6
:3
2
:1
2
1
5
:5
0
:1
1
1
:0
9
:3
8
1
0
:2
2
:3
0
1
9
:3
3
:0
7
4
:4
4
:0
5
1
3
:5
4
:4
3
2
3
:0
5
:2
0
8
:1
5
:5
7
1
7
:2
6
:3
6
2
:3
7
:1
5
1
1
:4
8
:1
1
2
0
:5
8
:5
0
6
:0
9
:2
9
1
5
:2
0
:2
5
0
:3
1
:0
4
9
:4
2
:0
0
1
8
:5
0
:3
4
4
:0
1
:1
3
1
3
:1
1
:5
1
2
2
:2
2
:3
1
7
:3
3
:0
9
1
6
:4
3
:4
8
1
:5
4
:2
7
1
1
:0
5
:0
6
2
0
:1
5
:4
5
5
:2
6
:2
3
1
4
:3
7
:0
2
2
3
:4
7
:4
0
8
:5
8
:2
0
Time
C
a
b
le

t
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

[

C
]
soil
polyurethane
conduit, filled with air

Fig. 5 Influence of the enviromental conditions on the cable
temperature (cable load: 336 A)


3 ANALYSIS

3.1 Electrical equations

As known, power dissipation generates heat in electrical
systems, so also power dissipation in energy cables will
heat up cable. There is a direct link between dissipated
power and cable resistance R. Also, cable resistance is
temperature dependent according to
( ) | | 20 1
20
+ = T R R o

(1)
where R
20
[/m] the reference resistance at 20C, and T
[C] and the temperature respectively temperature
coefficient of the conductor material (o
Cu
=0.0041 and
o
Al
=0.0040). The cable series resistance is (2), where
both skin and proximity effects are included and R
dc

expressed per length units.



( )
p s dc
Y Y R R + + = 1

(2)

Both proximity and skin effect can increase the cable
resistance. In a first consideration, we neglect harmonic
currents, so current frequency remains at 50Hz. For
cross sections up to 400mm both skin and proximity
effect have a minor effect, since the ratio
dc
R
f
will
remain lower than 1000. Consequently, both proximity
and skin effect are negligible in this case.

The dissipated power is calculated per conductor from
the loaded rms-current, e.g. for phase A:
| | m W RI P
A A
/
2
=
(3)

The heat generated per unit length in the cable is
calculated by
( )
ph C B A
R I I I Q
2 2 2
+ + =

(4)
where R
ph
the phase conductor resistance [/m] and
neglecting both skin and proximity effect.


3.2 Thermal Equations

Thermal calculations are made to estimate the maximum
temperature in the cable. Subsequently, temperature
distribution is calculated using a Flux2D finite element
model. The conductors can be considered as heat
sources. The radial thermal resistance for homogeneous
material is given by:
t 2
ln

=
L
d
D
R
rad
(5)
with D [m] the outer diameter of the considered
cylindrical shell, d [m] the inner diameter, [W/mK] the
thermal conductivity of the material and L [m] the length
of the considered cable. The large difference in
magnitude between longitudinal and radial thermal
resistance justifies the assumption that the entire
dissipated heat is carried out in radial direction [5].
With the parameters defined in the test set up,
conductive temperature drop is calculated by (6).
t 2
ln .

= A
d
D
Q
T
conduct
(6)
A good approach is found by considering the heat
generating area as a circle in the centre of the cable
section [2].
Consequently copper temperature is calculated from the
ambient temperature and the temperature rise due to both

CIRED2005

Session No 1
convection, conduction and radiation.
However, in our situation, in a first approach, we only
consider conduction. Since Q is temperature dependent,
Q and T
cu
, are calculated for a new iteration step, thus
proceeding until iteration converges.

3.3 Calculations

A Matlab/Simulink

calculation was performed, based

on an equivalent scheme as given in Fig 6. Heat
dissipation is presented by a current source generating a
given Q, while thermal resistivity (1/) is given by a
resistance. The specific heat capacity c
p
will be
presented by a capacity value in the electrical equivalent.

cable soil
1/
s
1/
w
c
p_s2
c
p_w2
1/
ca
c
p_ca2
c
p_ca1
Q
c
p_s1
c
p_w1

Fig. 6 Electrical equivalent of thermal behaviour

In [2] it is proven that the heat generated by different
cables can be taken as an equivalent heat circle in the
centre of the three cables. Cable insulation can be taken
as homogeneous and concentric distributed in different
shields around this heat circle. Heat will be evacuated
by those shields.

Other calculations, using a thermal model for cables in
trefoil, as given in [1,3,6,7,8] are also performed. Those
calculations also give good results with respect to both
Matlab/Simulink

and measurements.

0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Time [h]
C
o
n
d
u
c
t
o
r

t
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

[

C
]
measurement
simulation [k=0.8 W/(m.K); c=1.32E6 J/(mK)]
simulation [k=0.6 W/(m.K); c=1.32E6 J/(mK)]
simulation [k=0.7 W/(m.K); c=1.32E6 J/(mK)]

Fig. 7 Influence of soil parameters on simulation results (1 cable,
460A), including measurement results

3.4 Simulations

The mathematical model, as defined and discussed in
paragraph 3.3 was validated with measurements as
discussed in 2.2. Besides that, Flux2D finite element
simulations ware performed in order to analyse both
sensitivity parameters of configuration and geometry.

Color Shade Results
Quantity : Temperature degrees C.
Scale / Color
12 / 16,72815
16,72815 / 21,4563
21,4563 / 26,18446
26,18446 / 30,91261
30,91261 / 35,64076
35,64076 / 40,36892
40,36892 / 45,09707
45,09707 / 49,82522
49,82522 / 54,55338
54,55338 / 59,28153
59,28153 / 64,00968
64,00968 / 68,73784
68,73784 / 73,46599
73,46599 / 78,19415
78,19415 / 82,92229
82,92229 / 87,65044

Fig. 8 Flux2D finite element simulations on 420A cable

50
60
70
80
0 0,5 1
mm
degrees C.

Fig. 9 Flux2D finite element simulations temperature distribution

Figure 8 gives temperature distribution over ground
section in case of three parallel cables, while Figure 9
illustrates temperature over horizontal cross section in
the center of the cables. The results gathered in the
Flux2D finite element simulations are compared with
both the mathematical model and measurements. Results
are given and discussed in paragraph 4. Same
simulation models are also used in order to analyse both
the influence of different material constants and load
conditions. Also the influence of cable position in
function of cable temperature is analysed in case of the
cable in tube. Results are given in both Fig. 10 and 11


Fig. 10 Flux2D finite element simulations on cable in tube.


Thermal resistance between cable core and tube outer surface
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Distance from cable outer surface to inner boundary of tube [cm]
T
h
e
r
m
a
l r
e
s
is
t
a
n
c
e
[
K
m
/W
]
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e
fo
r
s
p
e
c
ific
s
e
t u
p
[

C
]

Fig. 11 Calculated value of both cable temperature and equivalent
thermal resistance in function of airgap between cable and
inner surface of tube.

CIRED2005

Session No 1


4 EVALUATION

In order to evaluate results gathered by both simulations
and calculations, results are compared to each other.
Table 2 gives the steady state temperatures calculated
and simulated, using Flux2D. Same material and
boundary conditions are used and also given in Table 2.
Table 2. Calculated and Simulated cable temperatures
I=420A each phase; ksoil = 0.6 W/(m.K); depth=1.2 m
Flux2D Calculated
1 trefoil 122.5 C 128.4 C
2 trefoils 198.5 C 201.3 C
3 trefoils 331.0 C 346.4 C

The given results are very similar, however both
temperatures are much higher than accepted by cable
manufacturer and by standards. Its a matter of fact that
the results gathered by our calculations and simulations
are estimated values for given conditions. Taking to
account the correction factors as given in the standard
NBN 259 (C33-112) for cable depth, thermal
conductivity of ground and proximity of other cables,
maximum current will be much lower.
For those values of current, maximum cable temperature
is determined again using both calculations and
simulations. In Table 3 results are given. It is seen that
in those conditions cable temperature remains under
limitations as given by both standards and cable
manufacturers.
Table3. Calculated and Simulated cable temperatures with corrections
I=420A each phase; k
soil
= 0.6 W/(m.K); depth=1.2 m
Temperature

Correction
Factor
Current
each
phase
Flux2D Calculated
1 trefoil 1x0.98x0.84 346 A 77.7 C 82.7 C
2 trefoils 0.85x0.98x0.84 294 A 78.1C 81.5 C
3 trefoils 0.76x0.98x0.84 263 A 80.1C 86.3 C


SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

With the results gathered by calculations and
measurements, it is found that different conditions can
affect quite well results. So, sensitivity analysis has to
be done in order to determinate the influence of different
parameters, such as material specifications, soil
moisture, ground materials e.o.
Based on those analysis we can draw some conclusions
concerning the influence and/or importance of different
parameters. Especially for parameters who are not well
known, such as moisture level of the soil, thermal
conductivity of the soil.
Due to the fact that those analysis can not be done by on
the field tests, both simulations and calculations have to
be done in order to analyse the influencing parameters.


0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Time [h]
T
e
m
p
e
ra
tu
re
[C
]
Soil cylinder of 1.2 m
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
measured
Soil thermal conductivity [W/mK]

Fig 12. Influence of thermal conductivity of the soil
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Time [h]
T
e
m
pe
r a
t u
r e
[ C
]
Soil cylinder of 1.2 m
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
measured
Moisture fraction

Fig 13. Influence of moisture fraction of the soil


CONCLUSIONS

Changes of cable parameters have a relatively small
influence on the conductor temperature, while
environmental conditions such as thermal conductivity
of soil (e.g. dry sand) affect conductor temperature
highly. Next to a negative effect on the life span of the
cable insulation, high cable temperatures result in a
substantial increase of the cable losses, up to 4 % per 10
K raise in temperature.


REFERENCES

[1] Y.A. Cengel, Heat transfer, a practical approach, New York:
McGraw-Hill, 1998, p.418.
[2] J. Desmet, D. Putman, F. DHulster, R. Belmans, Thermal
analysis of the influence of non linear, unbalanced and
asymmetric loads on current conducting capacity of LV cables,
presented at 2003 IEEE Bologna Power Tech Conference,
Bologna Italy June 23-26
th

[3] P. Caramia, G. Carpinelli, A. Russo, P. Verde, Estimation of
thermal useful life of MV/LV cables in presence of harmonics
and moisture migration, presented at 2003 IEEE Bologna Power
Tech Conference, Bologna Italy June 23-26
th

[4] VDI Wrmeatlas: Berechnungsbltter fr den Wrmebergang;
ISBN 3-18-400415-5
[5] F. Donazzi, E. Occhhini, A. Seppi, Soil thermal and
hydrological characteristics in designing underground cables,
Proceedings IEEE Vol 126. No.6, June 1979, pp506-516
[6] G. Luoni, A. Morello and H.W. Holdup, "Calculation of the
thermal resistance of buried cables throug conformal
transformation," Proc.IEE, Vol.119, No.5, May 1972 , pp575-
586
[7] F.C. Van Wormer, "An Improved Approximate Technique for
Calculating Cable Temperature Transients ," Trans. Amer. Inst.
Elect. Eng., Vol.74, part 3, April 1955 ; pp.277-280
[8] J.P. Holman, "Heat transfer," McGraw-Hill., Fifth edition, 1981