Current rating of multicore cables

An algorithm to calculate the current-carrying capability of multicore cables is presented. The method takes into account the presence of air gaps and metallic conductors in the cable bundle. Under an assumption of a uniform loss density, analytical expressions, which take into account conduction inside the bundle and convection and radiation outside it, are developed. The method is illustrated with a numerical example of a telecommunication cable with 96 stranded cores. Experimental results are also reported for the same cable.