Thermal performance of underground power cables with constant and cyclic currents in presence of moisture migration in the surrounding soil

A numerical methodology for thermal analysis of buried power cables in presence of heat and moisture migration in the surrounding soil is presented. The governing equations are solved via a finite volume methodology and both cable and soil are incorporated in the problem formulation. The developed program is versatile and user-friendly, and was implemented in a personal computer. Results are presented for constant and cyclic loads, stressing the importance of moisture migration in power cable design.