SPANISH ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL AND FIBRE OPTIC CABLE AND

CONDUCTOR MANUFACTURERS

Maximum current
ratings for high-voltage
distribution cables

Distributed by:
0. BACKGROUND

There is currently no standard to generally indicating the maximum current ratings for high-voltage distribution
cables (over 0.6/1 kV).
Standard UNE 211435:2007 covers cable designs and the cross-sections used by Utility Companies on
power distribution circuits and the scope of this limitation means that many different high-voltage installations
have no standard of reference, e.g. industrial-type installations.

Therefore, it is common for project designers to have serious doubts and difficulties when assessing the
maximum current ratings for cables.

1. PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT

This document provides users with knowledge as to the maximum current ratings for distribution cables of
rated voltage up to18/30 kV for reception installations.

Depending on the type of installation, the current ratings are indicated in:

TYPE OF INSTALLATION, CABLE RATED VOLTAGE, CURRENT RATINGS,

high voltage up to in

Power Distribution 18/30 kV Standard UNE 211 435

Industrial 18/30 kV Tables 1 to 8 of this document

MAXIMUM CURRENT RATINGS ON CABLES WITH RATED VOLTAGE UP TO
18/30 Kv FOR INDUSTRIAL INSTALLATIONS
Tables 1 to 8 below indicate the maximum current ratings for cables of an assigned voltage of up to 18/30
kV for use in reception installations.

In cable designs and cross-sections that match those used by the Utility Companies in their power distribution
circuits, the tabulated values match those of standard UNE 211 435.

THE INDEX OF THESE TABLES IS:

Table 1: Single-core cables with copper conductor (up to 18/30 kV)

Table 2: Single-core cables with aluminium conductor (up to 18/30 kV)
Table 3: Armoured single-core cables with copper conductor (up to 18/30 kV)
Table 4: Armoured single-core cables with aluminium conductor (up to 18/30 kV)
Table 5: Three-core cables with copper conductor (up to 18/30 kV)
Table 6: Three-core cables with aluminium conductor (up to 18/30 kV)
Table 7: Armoured three-core cables with copper conductor (up to 18/30 kV)
Table 8: Armoured three-core cables with aluminium conductor (up to 18/30 kV)

The calculations to determine the maximum current ratings are based on the method and parameters
indicated in standard UNE 21144 (derived from standard IEC 60287) for EPR (ethylene propylene), XLPE
(cross-linked polyethylene) and HEPR (high modulus ethylene propylene) insulated cables.

THE FOLLOWING TYPICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONSIDERED FOR THE CALCULATIONS:

- Ground temperature: 25 C
- Air temperature: 40 C
- Ground thermal resistivity: 1.5 Km/W
- Buried depth: 1 m
- 1 strand of single-core cables or 1 three-core cable

Where the specific conditions of the installation differ to these typical conditions, the appropriate correction
factors indicated in standard UNE 211435 must be applied to learn the maximum current ratings.
TABLE 1:
Maximum current ratings (in Amps) for single-core cables with Copper conductor (up to 18/30 kV)
EPR insulation, Copper Conductors XLPE insulation, Copper Conductors HEPR insulation, Copper Conductors
single-core cables in trefoil Single-core cables in trefoil Single-core cables in trefoil
Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open
mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected
from the sun from the sun from the sun

Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25

Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40
Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5
Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1
Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 105
TABLE 2:
Maximum current ratings (in Amps) for single-core cables with Aluminium conductor (up to 18/30 kV)

EPR insulation, Aluminium Conductors XLPE insulation, Aluminium Conductors HEPR insulation, Aluminium Conductors
single-core cables in trefoil Single-core cables in trefoil Single-core cables in trefoil
Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open
mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected
from the sun from the sun from the sun

Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25

Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40
Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5
Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1
Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 105
TABLE 3:
Maximum current ratings (in Amps) for armoured single-core cables with Copper conductor (up to 18/30 kV)

EPR insulation, Copper Conductors XLPE insulation, Copper Conductors HEPR insulation, Copper Conductors
Armoured single-core cables in trefoil Armoured single-core cables in trefoil Armoured single-core cables in trefoil

Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open
mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected
from the sun from the sun from the sun

Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25

Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40
Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5
Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1
Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 105
TABLE 4:
Maximum current ratings (in Amps) for armoured single-core cables with Aluminium conductor (up to 18/30 kV)

EPR insulation, Aluminium Conductors XLPE insulation, Aluminium Conductors HEPR insulation, Aluminium Conductors
Armoured single-core cables in trefoil Armoured single-core cables in trefoil Armoured single-core cables in trefoil
Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open
mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected
from the sun from the sun from the sun

Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25

Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40

Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5

Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1

Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 105

TABLE 5:
Maximum current ratings (in Amps) for three-core cables with copper conductor (up to 18/30 kV)

EPR insulation, Copper Conductors XLPE insulation, Copper Conductors HEPR insulation, Copper Conductors
three-core cables three-core cables three-core cables

Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open
mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected
from the sun from the sun from the sun

Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25

Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40
Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5
Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1
Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 105
TABLE 6:
Maximum current ratings (in Amps) for three-core cables with Aluminium conductor (up to 18/30 kV)

EPR insulation, Aluminium Conductors XLPE insulation, Aluminium Conductors HEPR insulation, Aluminium Conductors
three-core cables three-core cables three-core cables

Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open
mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected
from the sun from the sun from the sun

Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25

Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40
Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5
Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1
Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 105
TABLE 7:

Maximum current ratings (in Amps) for armoured three-core cables with Copper conductor (up to 18/30 kV)

EPR insulation, Copper Conductors HEPR insulation, Copper Conductors XLPE insulation, Copper Conductors
Armoured three-core cables Armoured three-core cables Armoured three-core cables

Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open
mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected
from the sun from the sun from the sun

Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25

Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40
Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5
Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1
Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 105
TABLE 8:

Maximum current ratings (in Amps) for armoured three-core cables with Aluminium conductor (up to 18/30 kV)

EPR insulation, Aluminium Conductors XLPE insulation, Aluminium Conductors HEPR insulation, Aluminium Conductors
Armoured three-core cables Armoured three-core cables Armoured three-core cables

Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open Cross-section Directly In buried In the open
mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected mm2 buried ducts air, protected
from the sun from the sun from the sun

Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25 Ground temperature C 25

Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40 Air temperature C 40
Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5 Ground thermal resistivity Km/W 1,5
Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1 Buried depth m 1
Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 90 Conductor temperature in C 105