Calculation of losses and ampacity derating in medium-voltage cables under harmonic load currents using finite element method

This paper investigates the influence of metallic sheaths on alternating current (AC) losses and ampacity of power cables. The AC losses are expressed as AC/direct current (DC) resistance in power cables, which is the main factor in loss computations. With regard to the importance of harmonic contents of the currents, a comprehensive study is performed on AC/DC resistance of medium-voltage cables in the presence of harmonics. Different harmonic frequencies include triple and nontriple orders are considered. A derating factor is proposed on the basis of cable constructions. Two types of sheathed and unsheathed medium-voltage power cables are considered. Also for metallic sheathed cables, 2 types of sheath grounding are investigated. It is shown that single-point bonding and both-ends bonding of sheaths have different effects on cable ampacity in harmonic frequencies. Moreover, different conductor cross sections and distances between cables are considered, and their effects on AC/DC resistance and ampacity derating are assessed. It is shown that these factors have important effects on AC/DC resistance and thus power cable losses. Furthermore, all cases are investigated in both flat and trefoil formations that are the most popular formations in power cables. To achieve precise results, we performed this study on the basis of finite element simulation, which is an exact way to cable losses computations in each configuration.