Short-Term Transient Temperature Calculations and Measurements for Underground Power Cables

A time-dependent heat transfer model based on the complete Fourier integral was developed for calculating cable temperatures during short-term transient conditions. A cyclic heat transfer calculation is used to obtain the initial temperature-time profile of the cable before the transient loading begins. The short-term transient model uses a lumped parameter formulation for the different cable regions and the Fourier integral to approximate the transient heat loss profile. Calculated conductor, jacket, and conduit temperatures show reasonable agreement with experimental results for a number of short-term transient tests with cables in a typical duct bank arrangement.