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 the 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.