Practical Power Cable Ampacity Analysis

The Practical Power Cable Ampacity Analysis 3 hour PDH online course is a part of the Electrical category courses.

Cable ampacity studies calculate the current-carrying capacity (ampacity) of power cables in underground or above ground installations. This ampacity is determined by the maximum allowable conductor temperature. In turn, this temperature is dependent on the losses in the cable, both I2R and dielectric, and thermal coupling between heat-producing components and ambient temperature.

The ampacity calculations are extremely complex. This is due to many considerations, some examples of which are heat transfer through the cable insulation and sheath, and, in the case of underground installations, heat transfer to duct or soil as well as from duct bank to soil. Other considerations include the effects of losses caused by proximity and skin effects. In addition, depending on the installation, the cable-shielding system may introduce additional losses. The analysis involves the application of thermal equivalents of Ohm’s and Kirchoff’s laws to a thermal circuit.

This course is intended for electrical engineers and other construction professionals wanting to learn about power cable ampacity analysis.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course you will gain the following knowledge and skills:

• Basic theory and factors that stand behind underground cable ampacity calculations
• How underground cable installation methods affect cable current carrying capacity
• Numerical methods that are used underground cable sizing including voltage drop and short circuit current calculations
• How to calculate underground cable current carrying ampacity following real world examples