OVERHEAD LINE RATINGS 1 Introduction This standard details the Electricity Networks Association Engineering Recommendation P27 Current Rating Guide for UK Power Networks’ Overhead Lines (P27). 2 Scope This standard specifies the use of the cable rating tool ‘ORAT 4’ (developed by EA Technology as part of the Overhead Line Strategic Technology Project), which specifies the current ratings that UK Power Networks’ overhead line network should be designed and operated to 3 Methodology of Conductor Ratings The ratings contained in P27 are based on statistical studies by CERL. These studies provided data on the likelihood of a conductor exceeding its maximum operating temperature for a given continuous current in specified weather conditions. The aggregate period of time during which the conductor exceeds its maximum operating temperature is called the 'exceedance’. It is usually expressed as the percentage of the total time for which the current was maintained. P27 makes no distinction between pre-fault and post-fault ratings and allows 0.001% excursion time for single circuits and 3% for double circuits. Under post-fault concitions the duration of the excursion is not set out as in P27. Under these conditions and dependant on the network configurations, the percentage exceedance can be altered. Table 1 gives guidance on this. All ratings are appropriate to their maximum operating temperature and the season (winter, spring/autumn, summer), for which an ambient temperature is specified 4 Circuit Identification Under P27 there is the need to identify the type of circuit you are operating. These types of circuit are identified as: © Single Circuit. Single circuit radial systems, E.g. LV and 44kV spur. ‘+ Secondary Distribution. These refer to ring-type systems with a number of tapping off points, such as 11kV main lines. ‘+ Multi-circuit Primary. These refer to circuits which would be called upon to supply maximum load only in the event of the outage of another circuit, the category therefore includes 132kV and 33kV duplicate transformer feeders, together with some untapped T1KV circuits providing a firm supply to end loads.