CFD-based evaluation of current-carrying capacity of power cables installed in free air

Evaluation of current-carrying capacity of power cables and selection of cross-sectional area of their conductors are mainly performed in accordance with requirements of EN, IEC or IEEE standards. However, these standards do not provide all methods of cables installation and location which occur in practice. Thus, in some cases, performance of advanced modeling of various thermal phenomena, affecting power cables current-carrying capacity, is necessary. This paper presents the impact of solar radiation, wind direction and power cable line geographical direction on current-carrying capacity of power cables. The advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been employed to calculate this capacity. Results of simulations and calculations indicate that the above mentioned factors cannot be omitted during selection of power cables to be installed in free air. The result presented in this paper can be treated as supplementary information to the requirements included in international standards.