DepartmentofElectricalandComputerEngineering

The examples that are shown here are representative of

the cables that we used to verify our application. The
calculations that we performed to analyze and compare
our results are modeled off of these examples as well.
Project Description:
We are investigating the methods
that are used throughout the
world to estimate maximum
current carrying capacity of
power cables; The current
standards have been individually
developed through recognized
standards associations over
recent years.
Project Proposal:
We have developed a comparison
of modern day methods used for
the optimal sizing of power
cables by devising a MATLAB
application. The application
performs complex calculations in
order to draw comparisons and
simplify the comparison process.
The resulting conclusions that we
have drawn, provide us with
experiential knowledge on the
best fir comparisons of multiple
industry standards.
Capstone Advisor: Robert Bass, Ph. D. Capstone Coordinator: Prof. Mark Faust TeamMembers: SadokHouimel , Abdullah Al Salem, David Dang, Ignatius Frederick Susanto, Solomon Cooper
Summary of Results:
The findings of our research are consistent with
the industry practices and it is generally
conveyed through the percent error differences
that the standards and commonly used methods
of calculation provide a fairly accurate result.
We still maintain our speculation that estimation
of underground cables and the current methods
of calculation that are used are not accurate
upon the addition of many variables. It is
imperative that advanced methods are used in
the estimation of current carrying capacities.
Common Standards:
IEEE Standard 835
IEC 60287
NFPA 70E 2012
Application Description:
The development of the application is based of the
work of J.H. Neher and M.H. McGrath in their 1957
paper, The Calculation of the Temperature Rise and
Load Capability of Cable Systems. Neher and
McGraths paper simplifies the complex calculations
used for calculating cable ampacity and the developed
application follows the workflow diagram that is
presented here. It was necessary to make
assumptions in the calculations such as maintaining a
steady state and ignoring the cyclical response that
most systems normally see.
Heat Transfer Diagrams:
Ladder networks and heat flow diagrams are
representative of some of the methods that are used in
estimation of the current capacity. These estimates
represent the thermal impedances of the cables.