Single-core cables laid in trefoil or flat formations

Advantages & Disadvantages

6th November 2013
By: ETS Cable Components
Knowledge
Single-core power cables can be run in a number of formations, the most common include flat or trefoil formations. Each cable
formation has its benefits and drawbacks, were going to look at the differences between each way for laying these cables.
Trefoil Phase Formation
One of the main reasons trefoil formations are used is that it places the phases the same distance apart, so the magnetic field and
circulating currents are equivalent for each cable phase. Typically, trefoil phase formation is more commonly used for Low and
Medium Voltage applications up to 132kV due to ease of installation and the reduction in space the formation has across the
containment system used. However, installing single-core cables in trefoil formation can mean that the touching cables will exhibit
worse heat-dissipation when compared to flat formation, therefore lowering the current-carrying capacity. Considerations which
should be taken into account by specifying electrical engineers when designing such systems.
Flat Phase Formation
Rarely used at voltages below 275kV due to the mounting centres. having to allow for sufficient heat-dissipation. Running in flat
formation, the central phase of the three-phase set is adversely affected by the magnetic fields around the neighbouring phases,
leading to a higher running temperature on the middle phase and subsequent voltage imbalance. Phase transposition can be used
to counter-act these affects, but the necessary mounting space required for such installations usually precludes their use in most
industrial/commercial installations and flat formation tends to only be used by major DNOs in their distribution networks.
Trefoil formations are chosen for applications where space is at a premium and flat formations also tend to be less cost effective
due to the increase potential cable route space they take up. Our experience of such installations has generally been with cables
above 132kV, with cables under 132kV being laid in a trefoil formation.
Triplex Formation
An adaptation of the trefoil formation can be found with the increasingly popular Triplex formation. Triplex cables are three
conventional single-core cables supplied pre-wound in trefoil formation by the cable manufacturer/vendor, the three cores having
been slowly twisted together during the manufacturing process and supplied on one drum, offering significant benefits in installation
time.
Due to the constant phase rotation of the cores, using conventional trefoil cleats is not possible as the position of the mounting
base will not be constant. For this reason our Triplex Cable Former provides a cleating solution, allowing traditional trefoil cleats to
be used.


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Why single core cables are laid in trefoil formation?
Voltages are induced in the sheath of cables running in parallel which result in circulating currents flowing in the sheaths.
The distances between single core cables running in parallel determine the voltages induced. With single core cables in
trefoil formation (touching each other) the distances between the cables are minimum and thus the voltages induced are
minimised and hence the circulating currents.The circulating currents cause localised heating.

XLPE cable system configurations
Trefoil and flat formation

Trefoil or flat formation of three-phase XLPE cable?


The three cables in a 3-phase circuit can be placed in different formations. Typical formations include trefoil
(triangular) and flat formations. The choice depends on several factors like screen bonding method, conductor area and
available space for installation.


Bonding of the metallic screens
The electric power losses in a cable circuit are dependent on the currents flowing in the metallic sheaths of the cables.
Therefore, by reducing or eliminating the metallic sheath currents through different methods of bonding, it is possible to
incresase the load current carrying capacity (ampacity) of the cable circuit.
The usual bonding methods are described below:
Both-ends bonding
A system is both ends bonded if the arrangements are such that the cable sheaths provide path for circulating currents at
normal conditions. This will cause losses in the screen, which reduce the cable current carrying capacity. These losses are
smaller for cables in trefoil formation than in flat formation with separation.
Single-point bonding
A system is single point bonded if the arrangements are such that the cable sheaths provide no path for the flow of
circulating currents or external fault currents. In such case, a voltage will be induced between screens of adjacent phases
of the cable circuit and between screen and earth, but no current will flow. This induced voltage is proportional to the cable
length and current.
Single-point bonding can only be used for limited route lengths, but in general the accepted screen voltage potential limits
the length.
Cross-bonding
A system is cross-bonded if the arrangements are such that the circuit provides electrically continuous sheath runs from
earthed termination to earthed termination but with the sheaths so sectionalized and cross-connected in order to eliminate
the sheath circulating currents. In such case, a
voltage will be induced between screen and earth, but no significant current will flow. The maximum induced voltage will
appear at the link boxes for cross-bonding.
This method permits a cable current-carrying capacity as high as with single-point bonding but longer route lengths than
the latter. It requires screen separation and additional link boxes.
XLPE cable system configurations
Trefoil and flat formation

Trefoil or flat formation of three-phase XLPE cable?


The three cables in a 3-phase circuit can be placed in different formations. Typical formations include trefoil
(triangular) and flat formations. The choice depends on several factors like screen bonding method, conductor area and
available space for installation.


Bonding of the metallic screens
The electric power losses in a cable circuit are dependent on the currents flowing in the metallic sheaths of the cables.
Therefore, by reducing or eliminating the metallic sheath currents through different methods of bonding, it is possible to
incresase the load current carrying capacity (ampacity) of the cable circuit.
The usual bonding methods are described below:
Both-ends bonding
A system is both ends bonded if the arrangements are such that the cable sheaths provide path for circulating currents at
normal conditions. This will cause losses in the screen, which reduce the cable current carrying capacity. These losses are
smaller for cables in trefoil formation than in flat formation with separation.
Single-point bonding
A system is single point bonded if the arrangements are such that the cable sheaths provide no path for the flow of
circulating currents or external fault currents. In such case, a voltage will be induced between screens of adjacent phases
of the cable circuit and between screen and earth, but no current will flow. This induced voltage is proportional to the cable
length and current.
Single-point bonding can only be used for limited route lengths, but in general the accepted screen voltage potential limits
the length.
Cross-bonding
A system is cross-bonded if the arrangements are such that the circuit provides electrically continuous sheath runs from
earthed termination to earthed termination but with the sheaths so sectionalized and cross-connected in order to eliminate
the sheath circulating currents. In such case, a
voltage will be induced between screen and earth, but no significant current will flow. The maximum induced voltage will
appear at the link boxes for cross-bonding.
This method permits a cable current-carrying capacity as high as with single-point bonding but longer route lengths than
the latter. It requires screen separation and additional link boxes.
o Static field limits
132 kV

132 kV overhead lines are usually carried on lattice steel pylons, but smaller than used for 275 kV and 400 kV
lines. Sometimes they are carried on wood poles.
Magnetic field
The maximum field is produced by the largest design of line the L7 when the ground clearance is the
minimum allowed 7.0 m and the loads are the highest allowed 1.4 kA in each circuit. The field also
depends on the phasing. 132 kV lines usually have Untransposed (U) phasing.

Typical fields are lower than the maximum field because the clearance is usually higher and the loads are
usually lower. The three curves shown here are for typical loads, the normal U phasing, and three different line
designs: L7 (the highest), a smaller pylon design, the L132, and a wood-pole design (the lowest field).

This table gives some actual field values for the same conditions.
magnetic field in T at distance from
centreline
maximum
under line
10 m 25 m 50 m 100 m
132
kV
largest
lines
L7
twin
bundles
0.305 m
lynx
maximum
clearance
7 m
phasing U
load
1.4/1.4 kA
30.445 20.532 5.553 1.528 0.392
typical
clearance
1.848 1.359 0.468 0.138 0.036
magnetic field in T at distance from
centreline
maximum
under line
10 m 25 m 50 m 100 m
10 m
phasing U
load
0.13/0.13
smaller
lines
L132
single
conductors
0.4 sq in
maximum
clearance
7 m
phasing U
load
1.2/1.2 kA
24.585 17.217 4.587 1.247 0.318
typical
clearance
10 m
phasing U
load
0.13/0.13
kA
1.731 1.317 0.451 0.132 0.034
smallest
wood-
pole
trident
maximum
clearance
7 m
single
12.347 3.633 0.738 0.192 0.048
magnetic field in T at distance from
centreline
maximum
under line
10 m 25 m 50 m 100 m
design 150 m span
single
conductors
lynx
circuit
load 0.7
kA
typical
clearance
10 m
single
circuit
load 0.1
kA
1.764 0.385 0.099 0.027 0.007
Note:
1. All fields calculated at 1 m above ground level.
2. All fields are given to the same resolution for simplicity of presentation (1 nT = 0.001 T) but are not accurate
to better than a few percent.
3. Calculations ignore zero-sequence current. This means values at larger distances are probably
underestimates, but this is unlikely to amount to more than a few percent and less closer to the line.
4. The maximum field under the line is the largest field, which is not necessarily on the route centreline; it is
often under one of the conductor bundles.
5. Sometimes, a 132 kV circuit could be carried on a line designed for 275 kV or 400 kV. Then the magnetic
fields could be larger than shown here.
Electric field
The maximum field is produced by the largest design of line the L7 when the ground clearance is the
minimum allowed 7.0 m. The field also depends on the phasing. 132 kV lines usually have Untransposed (U)
phasing.

Typical fields are lower than the maximum field because the clearance is usually higher. The three curves
shown here are for the normal U phasing, and three different line designs: L7 (the highest), a smaller pylon
design, the L132, and a wood-pole design (the lowest field).

This table gives some actual field values for the same conditions.
electric field in V m
-1
at distance from
centreline
maximum
under line
10 m 25 m 50 m 100 m
132
kV
largest
lines
L7
twin
bundles
0.305 m
lynx
maximum
clearance
7 m
phasing
U
3615 913 182 81 23
typical
clearance
10 m
phasing
U
2372 890 103 72 23
smaller
lines
L132
single
conductors
0.4 sq in
maximum
clearance
7 m
phasing
U
2628 697 154 66 19
typical
clearance
10 m
phasing
U
1780 689 86 59 18
smallest
wood-pole
trident
maximum
clearance
7 m
1174 588 73 11 2
electric field in V m
-1
at distance from
centreline
maximum
under line
10 m 25 m 50 m 100 m
design 150 m span
single
conductors
lynx
single
circuit
typical
clearance
10 m
single
circuit
583 458 89 15 3
Note:
1. All fields calculated at 1 m above ground level.
2. All electric fields are calculated for the nominal voltage. In practice, voltages (and hence fields) may rise by
a few percent.
3. All electric fields calculated here are unperturbed values.
4. All fields are given to the same resolution for simplicity of presentation (1 V/m) but are not accurate to better
than a few percent.
5. Calculations ignore zero-sequence voltages. This means values at larger distances are probably
underestimates, but this is unlikely to amount to more than a few percent and less closer to the line.
6. The maximum field under the line is the largest field, which is not necessarily on the route centreline; it is
often under one of the conductor bundles.
7. Sometimes, a 132 kV circuit could be carried on a line designed for 275 kV or 400 kV. Then the electric
fields could be larger than shown here.
Underground cables
Two main types of 132 kV underground cable are used.
separate cores: the three conductors for the three phases are laid separately but close together in the
ground, typically 1 m deep
single cable: the three cores are twisted round each other in a single outer sheath.
With a single cable, because the cores are so close together and twisted, the fields they produce directly are
very small. Instead, the field comes from any net current in the sheath. This cannot be predicted accurately.
The following graph shows typical fields for these two types of cable (separate cores produce higher fields
close to the cable but lower fields away from it).

Underground cables do not produce any external electric fields.
This table gives some actual field values for the same conditions.
magnetic field in T at distance from
centreline
0 m 5 m 10 m 20 m
132 separate cores (flat 0.3 m typical 9.62 1.31 0.36 0.09
kV formation) spacing
1 m depth
single cable 1 m depth typical 5.01 1.78 0.94 0.47
Notes
1. All fields calculated at 1 m above ground level
2. All fields are given to the same resolution for simplicity of presentation (0.01 T = 10 nT) but are not accurate
to better than a few percent.
3. Calculations for separate cores ignore zero-sequence current. This means values at larger distances are
probably underestimates, but this is unlikely to amount to more than a few percent.
4. Cable designs are not standardised to the same extent as overhead lines and the examples given here are
representative.
5. In practice, there are often several cables nearby, and the fields interact with each other.