Contribution to the discussion of `1987 ampacity tables-demystifying the myths´

The author discusses J. Nasilowski´s remarks (see ibid., vol.26, no.4, p.605, 1990) on a paper by D.W. Zipse (see ibid., vol.25, no.5, pp.910-17, 1989). Nasilowski claimed that in M=(hS/R)^1/2, where M is the current coefficient of heating, h is the heat transfer coefficient, including both convection and radiation, S is the surface area of the conductor, and R is the resistance, M is constant for a specific material for a range of currents and for temperature rises up to about 60 K. The author argues that M is approximately constant only for a specific conductor and for restricted ranges of temperature rise and ambient temperature. In his reply, Nasilowski stresses the utility of the assumption that M =constant for calculations of steady state temperature rise of the conductors in a quiet air