11kV or 33kV cable sizing calculation

While working on a GIS ASS (Aux. Sub-Station) in one of an underground metro station, a regular
question was how to decide the size of a cable for 11 kV or 33kV line?

We normally used 400 sq. mm cables for 33kV, but how to know that this is the right option to use
400 sq. mm cable. As with increase in cross section of a cable, the price of cable jumps to sky.

To know the size of cable we must consider a couple of things, short circuit current and normal
condition current carrying capacity.

To get the minimum cross section area (A) required of a cable based on short circuit current.

Here is a formula (A) = I x ( t / K) mm2

So, I = (K*A)/ t
Where I is the fault / short circuit current in kA, t is the time of fault and K is a constant
(K=0.094 for aluminum conductor with XLPE insulation) & (K= 0.144 for copper conductor XLPE
insulation) [Electric Cables Handbook Page no: 152]

Based on above equation we can calculate or relate between the cable size and the short circuit
current

Duration of short Area of Alu Short circuit current Area of Cu Short circuit current
circuit current conductor I (kA) = (K*A)/ t conductor I (kA) = (K*A)/ t
Time (t) Area (A) I=(0.094 x A)/(t) Area (A) I=(0.144 x A)/(t)
second sq mm kA sq mm kA
1 10 0.94 10 1.44
1 16 1.50 16 2.30
1 25 2.35 25 3.60
1 35 3.29 35 5.04
1 50 4.70 50 7.20
1 70 6.58 70 10.08
1 95 8.93 95 13.68
1 120 11.28 120 17.28
1 150 14.1 150 21.60
1 185 17.39 185 26.64
1 240 22.56 240 34.56
1 300 28.2 300 43.20
1 400 37.6 400 57.60
1 500 47.0 500 72.00
1 630 59.22 630 90.72
1 800 75.2 800 115.20
1 1000 94.0 1000 144.00