Olex HV Cable Rating
Olex HV Cable Rating
Olex HV Cable Rating
Notes 58
Section 4, Page 1
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
CONSTRUCTION
Olex Medium Voltage TR-XLPE cables are designed in accordance with AS/NZS 1429.1:2000 and specific customer
requirements where applicable to provide optimum performance for the end application.
The AS/NZS 1429.1:2000 is compatible with, and in some instances exceeds, the requirements of the international
standard IEC 60502.2. AS/NZS 1429.1 is also compatible with (UK) BS 6622 and (US) AEIC CS8 and ICEA S-93-
639/NEMA WC74.
Component Detail
Conductor
Conductors are made of either copper or aluminium to AS/NZS 1125. To assist in producing a smooth circular profile at
the interface between the conductor screen and the insulation, compacted stranded conductors are used.
Insulation and Semiconductive Screens
All Olex Medium Voltage TR-XLPE insulated cables are produced under clean room conditions, using the triple extrusion
process in which the conductor screen, insulation and insulation screen are extruded simultaneously through a single
extrusion head. The surface of the insulation is never exposed to the atmosphere or to any material other than the
adjacent semiconductive screens, ensuring that the interfaces between the materials are completely free of voids and
contamination.
A sophisticated dimension control device uses X-Rays which are fired through the three layers of polymer to accurately
measure the individual layer thicknesses; this ensures that the dimensions of all layers are constant and concentric
through the entire length of the cable.
The cross-linking process is carried out in a totally water-free environment, using inert gas rather than steam as the curing
medium. This dry-cure process ensures a high integrity insulation and leads to excellent electrical performance.
Section 4, Page 2
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
CONSTRUCTION (CONT.)
Insulation and Semiconductive Screens (cont.)
The functional components of this triple layer are:
1. Conductor screen, a semiconductive cross-linked polymeric material applied over the conductor and bonded to the
insulation. This provides a smooth, circular interface between the conductor and insulation and eliminates stress
concentrations.
2. Insulation , a clean, low density, high molecular weight cross-linked polyethylene. A tree-retardant grade, which has
shown improved performance in accelerated ageing tests, is used. This leads to superior long term reliability.
TR-XLPE
3. Insulation screen, a layer of semiconductive cross-linked polymeric material which adheres firmly to the insulation, yet
remains readily strippable by hand for jointing and terminating.
Metal Screen
A screen of plain annealed copper wires is helically applied over the semiconductive insulation screen, ie, over the core of
a single core cable or each core of a three core cable.
This screen acts as a return path for capacitive charging current and induced circulating currents under normal operating
conditions. The screen will also carry short circuit current in the event of an electrical fault in the circuit.
Core Assembly (Three Core Cable)
The cores are laid up and the interstices filled with a non-hygroscopic material to achieve a circular cable cross section.
The laid up core assembly is bound with helically applied non-hygroscopic tapes.
Separation Sheath and Armour (Three Core Cable)
In three core armoured cables, a separation sheath of PVC is extruded over the core assembly followed by a layer of
helically applied galvanised mild steel wires.
Outer Sheath
A sheath of PVC, or a dual sheath of PVC/HDPE, is extruded over the metal screen of a single core cable, or over the core
assembly or steel wire armour of three core cables.
Alternative protective coverings may be applied depending on the environment in which the cable is installed, eg, LLDPE,
MDPE, HDPE, Megolon.
Section 4, Page 3
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
SCREEN DESIGNS
The standard range of Olex Medium Voltage TR-XLPE cables rated up to and including 33 kV incorporates copper wire
screens based on fault levels of either 3 kA or 10 kA for 1 second. If either of the standard screen designs does not suit a
particular installation, the screen constructions can be tailored in size to meet the specific fault requirements of any
operating system.
Section 4, Page 4
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
TESTING
Testing of Olex Medium Voltage TR-XLPE cables is carried out in accordance with AS/NZS 1429.1:2000. The tests
performed are :
Routine tests* - "tests made by the manufacturer on all completed cable to demonstrate the integrity of the cable."
Sample tests* - "tests made by the manufacturer on samples of completed cable, or components taken from a completed
cable, at a specified frequency so as to verify that the finished product meets the design specification."
Type tests# - "tests made by a manufacturer before supplying commercially a type of cable in order to demonstrate
satisfactory performance characteristics to meet the intended application. These tests are of such a nature that, after they
have been made, they need not be repeated unless changes are made in the cable materials, design, or method of
manufacture, which might change the performance characteristics."
Section 4, Page 5
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Section 4, Page 6
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
INSTALLATION TESTS
General
After the cable has been installed and prior to commencing terminating or jointing, it is desirable to carry out checks to
establish that the cable has not been damaged during the installation process, namely a Sheath Integrity Test and an
Insulation Resistance Test of Primary Insulation
After completion of the tests, if the terminating or jointing is not being commenced straight away, the cable ends should be
resealed with heat shrinkable end caps or similar to prevent the ingress of moisture.
Section 4, Page 7
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Section 4, Page 8
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Principles of Operation
The DTS technology is based on Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) technology whereby a laser pulse is
transmitted down a length of fibre. As the pulse travels down the length of the fibre a certain amount of light is reflected
back towards the DTS instrument. This reflected signal or backscatter signal is then sampled and analysed by the DTS
software to provide a temperature profile or trace of the fibre that is being probed. The trace can be displayed on a real
time basis on an attached computer and/or recorded for future analysis in the DTS hard drive. Data stored in the DTS hard
drive can be retrieved and then sorted into a Microsoft Excel style format for a more detailed analysis of the temperature.
Section 4, Page 9
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
CURRENT RATINGS
The continuous current ratings given in this publication have been calculated in accordance with the International
Electrotechnical Commission Publication No. IEC 60287 - "Calculation of the Continuous Current Rating of Cables (100%
Load factor)", based on the following environmental conditions: Ambient Air Temperature, 30°C; Ambient Soil
Temperature, 15°C; Soil Thermal Resistivity, 1.2 K.m/W; Depth of burial, 1.0 m; and Screens bonded both ends.
In all cases, the ratings given are the single circuit ratings corresponding to continuous loading at the maximum conductor
temperature of 90°C. Where the conditions vary from those on which the ratings are based, rating factors from Tables 4.1
to 4.4 (Section 4 Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables) need to be applied.
Methods of Installation
The methods of installation for which the ratings are applicable are shown graphically in Figure 2.1 (Section 2 General
Technical Information).
Groups of Circuits
For groups of circuits unenclosed in air, the spacings and arrangements which need to be maintained to prevent derating
are given in Figure 2.2 (Section 2 General Technical Information).
Where a number of circuits are installed in close proximity in such a way that they are not thermally independent, the
appropriate rating factors from Tables 4.5, 4.6, (Section 4 Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables) and 2.1, 2.2 (Section 2
General Technical Information) need to be applied.
Cables in Parallel
For cables operated in parallel, each parallel leg is regarded as a separate circuit for current rating purposes and the
appropriate rating factors for grouping are applicable. Refer also to Figure 2.3 (Section 2 General Technical Information)
for the arrangements of single core cables so as to ensure equal current sharing between parallel legs of the same phase.
Bonding of Screens
The current ratings given for single core cables assume that the copper wire screens are solidly bonded to earth at both
ends. Solid bonding can result in a reduction in current ratings on larger cables due to the heating effect of circulating
currents induced in the screen. This loss can be minimised, either in short runs of cable, by earthing at one end only
(single point bonding) which results in a standing voltage proportional to the conductor current and the length of run being
induced on the screen and in long runs of cable, by dividing the route into tri-sections and transposing or "crossbonding"
the screens at every joint position in a tri-section so that the e.m.f.'s induced by the three phases cancel one another.
When these methods of bonding are employed, higher current ratings may be used, however attention must be paid to the
safety aspects with respect to the induced standing voltages. This places a limitation on the length of circuit for which
single point bonding can be used.
Generally it is only considered practical to use special cross-bonding arrangements on transmission class cables (66 kV
and above) as the benefits of the higher current ratings are outweighed by the costs of the extra equipment required.
Emergency Ratings
TR-XLPE insulated cables can operate under emergency conditions with a conductor temperature of 130°C for periods of
up to 36 hours, not more than three times per year. In practice, however, due to the difficulty in ensuring compatibility with
terminations and the high volume expansion of TR-XLPE above 100°C, a limit of 105°C for emergency rating is specified in
AS/NZS 1429.1. The 105°C emergency limit represents the following approximate percentage increase over the normal
continuous ratings:
Cables in air: +12%
Cables in ground (laid direct or in ducts): +9%.
Section 4, Page 10
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Section 4, Page 11
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
2 0.78 0.80 0.82 0.86 0.89 0.91 0.80 0.85 0.89 0.91 0.93
3 0.66 0.68 0.71 0.77 0.80 0.83 0.68 0.76 0.81 0.84 0.87
4 0.59 0.62 0.65 0.72 0.77 0.80 0.62 0.71 0.77 0.81 0.84
5 0.55 0.58 0.61 0.68 0.74 0.78 0.57 0.66 0.73 0.78 0.82
6 0.52 0.55 0.58 0.66 0.72 0.76 0.54 0.64 0.71 0.77 0.81
7 0.49 0.52 0.56 0.64 0.70 0.75 0.51 0.61 0.69 0.75 0.79
8 0.47 0.50 0.54 0.63 0.69 0.74 0.49 0.59 0.68 0.74 0.79
9 0.45 0.48 0.52 0.61 0.68 0.74 0.47 0.58 0.67 0.73 0.78
10 0.44 0.47 0.51 0.61 0.68 0.73 0.45 0.57 0.66 0.73 0.78
11 0.43 0.46 0.50 0.60 0.67 0.73 0.44 0.55 0.65 0.72 0.77
12 0.41 0.45 0.49 0.59 0.67 0.72 0.43 0.54 0.64 0.72 0.77
spacing
spacing
spacing
Section 4, Page 12
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
NOTES
Section 4, Page 13
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 14
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 15
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 16
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 17
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 18
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 19
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 20
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 21
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 22
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 23
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 24
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 25
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 26
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 27
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 28
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 29
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 30
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 31
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 32
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 33
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 34
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 35
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 36
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 37
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 38
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 39
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 40
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 41
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 42
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 43
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 44
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 45
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 46
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 47
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 48
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 49
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 50
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 51
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 52
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 53
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 54
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends
Section 4, Page 55
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
Note:
1. Subject to confirmation, similar cables can be manufactured to other specifications.
Section 4, Page 56
Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables Section Four
Note:
1. The values in this table are for installation conditions of:
Ambient Air Temperature 30 °C
Soil Temperature 15 °C
Soil Thermal Resistivity 1.2 K.m/W
Depth of Burial 1.0 m
Screens bonded both ends.
Section 4, Page 57
Section Four Medium Voltage TR-XLPE Cables
NOTES
Section 4, Page 58