AC Resistance, Skin

& Proximity Effect

AC RESISTANCE:

If a conductor is carrying high alternating currents, the distribution of current is not evenly
dispersed throughout the cross section of the conductor. This is due to two independent effects
known as skin effect and proximity effect.

SKIN EFFECT FACTOR(ys):

If the conductor is composed of one or more concentric circular elements, then the centre portion
of the conductor will be enveloped by a greater magnetic flux than those on the outside.
Consequently the self induced back-emf will be greater towards the centre of the conductor, thus
causing the current density to be less at the centre than the conductor surface. This extra
concentration at the surface is known as skin effect, and results in an increase in the effective
resistance of the conductor.

4 4
y = x / ( 192 + x )
s s s
where
2 -7
x = 8 . π . ƒ .10 . k / R
s s dct

f = Frequency (Hz)
ks = Factor determined by conductor construction
1 for circular, stranded, compacted and sectored

Rdc =DC resistance at operating temperature t

t

PROXIMITY EFFECT FACTOR(yp):

The proximity effect also increases the effective resistance and is associated with the magnetic
fields of two conductors which are close together. If each carries a current in the same direction,
the halves of the conductors in close proximity are cut by more magnetic flux than the remote
halves. Consequently the current distribution is not even throughout the cross-section, a greater
proportion being carried by the remote halves. If the currents are in opposite directions, the halves
in close proximity will carry the greater density of current.

1) For TWO CORE and TWO SINGLE CORE cables:

4 4 2
yp = xp / ( 192 + 0.8 xp ) ∗ (d c / S) ∗ 2.9

where
2 -7
xp = 8 . π . ƒ .10 . kp / R
dct

f = Frequency (Hz)

kp = Factor determined by conductor construction

1 for circular, stranded, compacted and sectored
0.8 if above conductors are dried and impregnated

dc = Diameter of conductor (mm)

 Rdc =DC resistance at operating temperature t.
t

S = Spacing between conductor centres (mm)

2) For THREE CORE and THREE SINGLE CORE cables:

4 4 2 2 4 4
y = xp / ( 192+0.8 xp ) . (d c / S) . [0.312 . (d c / S) +1.18 / { xp / ( 192+0.8 xp ) +0.27}]
p

where
2 -7
xp = 8 . π . ƒ .10 . kp / R
dct

f = Frequency (Hz)

kp = Factor determined by conductor construction

1 for circular, stranded, compacted and sectored
0.8 if above conductors are dried and impregnated

dc = Diameter of conductor (mm)

Rdc =DC resistance at operating temperature t.

t

S = Spacing between conductor centres (mm)

For cables in flat formation, S = √(S1 ∗ S2), where S1 , S2 are the distances between conductors.

THUS:
AC RESISTANCE at temperature t :

Ract = Rdc t [1 + y s + yp]

NOTE: The formulae given apply to both copper and aluminium conductors. see IEC 60287 for
more details.

10.3.2.1

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Diagrams of cables are illustrative only and are not necessarily to scale.

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