The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

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Copyright 1994 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
All rights reserved. Published 1994. Printed in the United States of America.
ISBN 1-55937-478-0
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the publisher.
IEEE Std 835

-1994 (R2006)
IEEE Standard Power Cable
Ampacity Tables
Sponsor
Insulated Conductors Committee
of the
IEEE Power Engineering Society
Reaffirmed 7 June 2006
Approved 22 September 1994
IEEE-SA Standards Board
Abstract: Over 3000 ampacity tables for extruded dielectric power cables rated through 138 kV and
laminar dielectric power cables rated through 500 kV are provided.
Keywords: ampacity, cable, dielectric, extruded, laminar, power
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Foreword
(This foreword is not a part of IEEE Std 835-1994, IEEE Standard Power CableAmpacityTables.
The original edition of the "Current Carrying Capacity" tables was published by the Insulated Power Cable Engineers
Association (IPCEA) in 1943. With the advent of new types of cables and better knowledge of thennal circuits, IPCEA
decided, in 1954, that a new edition should be published. Since the ArnE Insulated Conductors Committee was interested
in the subject, a joint AIEE-IPCEA working group was fonned to handle the technical aspects. The members of this work-
ing group were J. H. Neher, Chair, F. H. Buller, R. W. Burrell, W. A. Del Mar, M. H. McGrath, E. J. Merrell, H. A. Schu-
macher and R. J. Wiseman. The financing of the computer programming and calculations was underwritten by IPCEA,
now ICEA, while the AlEE (now the rnEE) assumed the publishing role for the 1962 version of the ArnE- IPCEA Ampac-
ity Tables Standard. This standard, identified as AlEE S-135-1 and S-135-2 and IPCEA Publication P-46-426, served the
industry well for the last 30 years.
From 1970 onward, the design and application of medium and high voltage cables underwent many changes. The use of
medium voltage extruded dielectric cables grew tremendously in the United States and throughout many other industrial-
ized countries. New insulating materials and improvements in the design and installation of underground cables were
developed, creating a need for updating and expanding the original ampacity tables. Advances in computer technology
could also be utilized to facilitate the work on new tables.
Because of continuing demand for upgraded tables, the IEEE Insulated Conductors Committee (ICC) was asked to under-
take a project to meet this need. In the late 1970's, ICC fonned a working group within the Cable Characteristics Subcom-
mittee, Project 3-1, to prepare a document outlining the scope of work necessary to establish parameters, and to update the
cable constructions and design changes that had taken place since the original publication. This would then lead to a revi-
sion and expansion of the ampacity tables. This document, P835, was prepared and subsequently approved by the ICC and
the IEEE Standards Board in 1984. However, the large amount of computer time and work by experts in the field to com-
pile the actual tables placed this prqject beyond the reach of the normal volunteer approach to creating IEEE standards.
Thus, due to lack of funds, the project languished for several years.
In 1990, following a special meeting of the ICC officers and colleagues during the Winter Power Meeting in Atlanta, a
new effort to resurrect this project was developed. This new effort included a drive to raise the necessary funds through
contributions from companies and individuals who would benefit from the new tables. This was the first attempt ever to
raise funds from mEE members and companies to support a standard. Following mEE approval, this drive was launched
"and was successful in meeting the project's financial needs. A letter ballot was circulated to ICC voting members in 1990
to reaffirm the scope of the project. After minor changes were made to resolve negative votes, the mEE contracted for the
needed services. Following completion of the initial tables, a team of volunteers was appointed to verify preliminary
results through manual computations.
In addition to the Chair, Past Chair, and members of the Working Group (listed on the next page), other ICC members are
deserving of special recognition in bringing this project to fruition. Roland Watkins, while ICC Chair in 1990 and 1991,
was instrumental in reviving the project and instigating the successful fund raising effort. Past ICC Chairs E. Duffy, I.
Berkhan, I. B. Gardner, B. Smith, and T. Balaska worked diligently during their terms, along with the past chairs of the
Working Group, to solve the problems that were delaying the project. A special thanks is given to M. A. Martin, Ir., who
fostered this project from its early beginnings in the late 1970's to its publication in 1994. Over this time period, he spent
many volunteer hours educating the IEEE on the need for this project.
While it is the policy of the IEEE to not publicly recognize IEEE employees and paid professionals involved in the devel-
opment of IEEE standards, it goes without saying that this document could not have been created without their dedicated
effort. We must also document the use of commercial computer programs identified as USAMP and TRAMP in the com-
pilation of these tables, although IEEE owns the copyright and assumes full responsibility for this publication.
iii
The initial ground work by the original AIEE-IPCEA Working Group laid the foundation for ampacity tables in thi~IEEE
standard. The IEEE sincerely appreciates the working relationship it has maintained with ICEA and the effort by ICEA
members in the development of new ~bles. ,
Past and present members of the Working Group are as follows
D. A. V~ltz, Chair
M. A. Martin, Jr., Past Chair
P. A. Nobile, Vice Chair
D. A. Silver, Past Chair
w. z. Black
R. R. Borowski
A. W. Reczek
F. A. Teti
M. D. B~ckweitz
K. F. Comelisort
A. Emst
Members of the verification team were as follows
P. A. Nobile, Chair
K. W. Brown
J.'Bougie
R. L. Harp
IEEE al~o wishes to give a special thanks to the following individuals and organizati9ns for their financial contribution to
..,
this vc;nture. It was 1;heir dedication and effort that allowed thlS proJect to go forward,
Alcatel Canada Wir~ Inc.
Allegh.eny Power $ervices Corporation
Anixter Inc.
Atlantic Electric
BICC Cables Corporation On behalf of the
Corporation and two of its business units:
CABLEC Continental Cables Company
.CABLEC Utility Cable CQmpany
Canada Wire
Chas; T. Main, Inc.
Cristino Associates, Inc.
p, Hittle andA.ssociates
Dalton Associates PC
Dow Ch~micalllSA
EPRI Power Deliyery Group
Jiitzhugh Electric Corporation
Florida Power Corporation
Georgia Power Company
Harold Miura, Inc,
Hotsp~cer CoCp9ration
Jackson County Rural Electric Memrership Corporation
LYnches River Electric Cooperative, Inc:
Mississippi Power and Light Company
Mr.Bruce McClung
MrcJohn G, St, Clair,P. E.
Mr. William A. Thue
Neste Chemicals, Inc.
Northern States Power Company
Oklahoma Gas arid Electric
Okonite Company
PacifieGasand Electric Company
Pacific Power Utah Power
Phillips Cables
Potornac Electric Power Company
Puget Sound Power and Light Company
Riveria Utilities
Snow Consulting, Inc.
Soutbern California Edison
Southern California Electric and Gas
Southern Company Services, Inc.
Southwire Company
The Duke Power Company Foundation
Union Carbide Corporation
Union Electric Company
United Illuminating
Virginia Electric and Power Company
Washington WaterPower Company
Wisconsin Electric Power Company
Wisconsin PQwer and Light Company
iv
The following persons were on the balloting committee:
Torben Aabo
P. Alex
R. W. Allen, Jr.
W. 0. Andersen, Jr.
R. H. Amdt
T. P. Arnold
T. A. Balaska
Anthony Barlow
E. W. Bennett
C. W. Blades
Ricardo Bolado
George W. Bolden
Vincent J, Boliver
R. R. Borowski
Ken E. Bow
John E. Brarnfitt
M. D. Buckweitz
R. R. Burghardt
Milton D. Calcarnuggio
John L. Carlson
Charles White
Wayne E. Cole
Stan J. Croall
Frank V. Cunningharn
E. J. D' Aquanno
S. J. Dale
J. M. Daly
R. A. Decker
Jarnes C. Dedman
C.Doench
E. K. Duffy
J. P. DuPont
G. S. Eager, Jr.
R. M. Eichhom
Hussein El Badaly
J. S. Engelhardt
S. L. Fitzhugh
A. Fitzpatrick
E. 0. Forster
R. W. Foster
Ronald F. Frank
R. D. Fulcomer
J. B. Gardner
J. J. Garland
P. Gazzana-Priaroggia
R. B. Gear
Paul Giaccaglia
S. M. Gilbert
0. I. Gilbertson
A. Godoshian
R. A. Guba
S,tan V. Harper
R. Hartlein
S. V; Heyer
R. W. Higginbottom
Lauri J. Hiivala
R. E. Hoy
W. F. Jensen, Jr.
Darrel R. Jeter
C. V. Johnson
J. Jurcisin
F. E. Kimsey
Joel Kitchens
H. T. Knox
Frederick B. Koch
M. Kopchik, Jr.
S. Kozak
F. E. LaFetra
F. E. LaGase
Carl Landinger
J. S. Lasky
Jack H. Lawson
R. E. Leuch
Raoul H. Leuteritz
T. H. Ling
John V. Lipe
G. Ludasi
G. R. Lusk
R. Luther
G. J. Luzzi
J. P. Mackevich
M. A. Martin, Jr.
I. J. Marwick
s. G. Mastoras
A. R. McCulloch
E. J. McGowan
A. L. McKean
W. J. McNulty
J. D. Medek
John E. Merando, Jr.
I. G. Merodio
David J. Mintz
J. A. Moran, Jr.
D. J. Nichols
Harry E. Orton
J. J. Pachot
Cutter D. Palmer
Keith A. Petty
James J. Pickering
W. J. Pickett
Jan s. Pirrong
N. R. Plant
Ga,ry A. Polhill
1. B. Prime,Jr.
Paul F. Pugh
John 0. Punderson
Peter Ralston
Greg P. Rampley
Robert A; Resauli
R. B. Robertson
Candelario J. Saldivar
RalphW, Samm
S. J. Sandberg
David Sandwick
E. L. Sankey
Wayne E. Schuessler
John F. Shimshock
Bynum E. Smith
Joseph H. Snow
N. R. Spencer
Nagu Srinivas
T. F. StabOsz
D. R. Stein
Joseph L. Steiner
George A. Straniero
Mike D. Sweat
Keith W. Switzer
John Tanaka
Jarnes W. Tarpey
Frank A. Teti
H. D. Thomas
W. A. Thue
Austin C. 1ingley
Don Tomaszewski
Williarn Torok
Duc B. Trinh
S. E. Thmer
Jack R. Thzinski
C. F. Von Hermann. Jr.
J. G. Waligorski
Steven P. Walldorf
E. M. Walton
Verlin J. Wamock
Roland H. W. Watkins
A. C. Westrom
Charles A. White
Robert 0. Wilkinson
J. A. Williarns
Williarn G. Wimmer
Clarence Woodell
J. T. Zimnoch
v
The scope of this standard was approved by the mEE Standards Board on J une 27, 1991. The mEE Standards Board
approved this standard on September 22, 1994, with the following membership:
Walla~e S.Read, Chair Donald C. Loughry, Vice Chair
Andrew G. Salem, Secretary
Gilles A. Baril
Bruce Bo BaiTCYw
Jose A. Berrios de la Paz
Clyde Ro Camp
James Costantino
Stephen Lo Diamond
Donald C. Fleckenstein
Jay Forster*
Ramiro Garcia
Donald N. Heirman
Richard J. Holleman
Jim Isaak
Ben C. Johnson
Sonny Kasturi
Lorraine c. Kevra
B. G. "AI" Kienet
Ivor N. Knight
Joseph L. Koepfinger*
D. N. "Jim" Logothetis
L. Bruce McClung
Marco W. Migliaro
Mary Lou Padgett
Arthur K. Reilly
Ronald H. Reimer
Gary S. Robinson
Leonard L. Tripp
*Member Enierltus
Also included are the following nonvoting mEE Standards Board liaisons'
Satish K. Aggarwal
James Beall
Richard B. Engelinan
Robert E. Hebner
David E. Soffrin
Stephen J. Huffman
IEEE Standards Project F;ditor
vi
Contents
PAGE
CLAUSE
Index-
Index to Tables
.Intro- Introduction to the Power Cable Ampacity Tables.
.Intro-l
Overview
.Intro-l
.Intro-l
1.1 Scope 1.2 Purpose
Intro-2
2. References
3. Technical features of the tables Intro-2
Intro-2
lntro-4
lntro-8
lntro-l0
lntro-ll
lntro-16
3.1 Parameters 3.2 Cable constructions 3.3 Installation conditions 3.4 Adjustments for change in parameter
3.5 Method of calculation 3.6 Definition of constants
.Intro-18 4. Bibliography
.Intro-19 Annex A-Electrical/thennal circuit
.Intro-19
.Intro-21
A.l Electrica1/thennal analog circuit
A.2 Calculation examples
Power Cable Ampacity Tables
vii
Intro-l
1. Overview
1.1 Scope
This standard provides calculated ratings for the following cables'
Type 1: 600 V-5 kV unshielded extruded dielectric
Type 2: 5-15 kV two conductor shielded URD single phase extruded dielectric
Type 3: 5-46 kV single conductor extruded dielectric
Type 4: 69-138 kV single conductor, unfilled, crosslinked polyethylene
Type 5: 69-138 kV single conductor, filled crosslinked polyethylene and ethylene propylene rubber
Type 6: 5 kV and 15 kV three conductor extruded dielectric
Type 7: 5-35 kV single conductor paper insulated, lead sheathed
Type 8: 5-35 kV, three conductor, paper insulated, lead sheathed, shielded
Type 9: 69-500 kV, single conductor, self contained, paper insulated, liquid filled
Type 10: 69 kV, three conductor, self-contained, paper insulated, liquid filled
Type 11: 69-500 k V high pressure, paper insulated, liquid filled, pipe type
Type 12: 115-500 kV high pressure, laminated paper, polypropylene insulated, liquid filled, pipe type
Type 13: 69-138 kV high-pressure gas-filled, pipe type
Installation conditions include duct banks (as shown in figure I), direct buried cables, cables buried in ducts, buried pipes,
horizontal cable in ducts, in air and vertical non-vented riser cables. The various operating conditions for each of the cable
designs and installation conditions are described in the technical features of the tables (clause 3).
1.2 Purpose
Over the past 30 years the AlEE S-135-1 and S-135-2 (IpCEA P-46-426) Power Cable Ampacities publications have often
been referred to as the "black books" and have been used by engineers, planners, and system designers throughout the
world. During this time period, these publications were the only complete document on power cable ampacities in the
United States. In 1976, the Insulated Conductors Committee, in cooperation with the Insulated Cables Engineering Asso-
ciation (ICEA) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), published supplemental ampacity tables
to provide ampacity ratings for single conductor cables with shield losses due to circulating currents. That publication was
needed due to the tremendous increase in the use of single conductor extruded dielectric cables with multiple point bond-
ing and grounding.
As time passed, new cable designs were developed with synthetic insulation, different shielding designs and higher oper-
ating voltages and temperatures. Moreover, new technology and equipment was developed for measuring the thermal
properties of soil. These developments with heat transfer in soils provided a different \,lnderstanding and approach for rat-
ing cables based on maximum cable/earth interface temperature. In addition, new forced convection heat transfer analyti-
cal methods were employed for cables in air, which provided for1ess conservative ampacity ratings.
The tables in this standard reflect these changes in methodology and provide the user with a vast array of cable ampacity
ratings for 600 V utilization cables, medium voltage distribution cable and high voltage transmission cables.
2. References
This standard shall be used in conjunction with the following references. Other related documents are listed as biblio-
graphical items in clause 4.
AEIC CS4-93, Specifications for Impregnated-Paper-Insulated Low and Medium Pressure Self-Contained Liquid-Filled
Cable.l
AEIC G 1-68, Guide for Application of AEIC Maximum Insulation Temperatures at the Conductor for Irnpregnated-Paper-
Insulated Cables.
ICEA P-45-482 (1979), Short Circuit Performance of Metallic Shielding and Sheaths.2
IEC 287 (1982), Calculation of the Continuous Current Rating of Cables (100% load factor).3
IEEE Std 738-1993, IEEE Standard for Calculating the Current Temperature of Bare Overhead Conductors (ANSI).4
NEMA WCSO-1988/ICEA P-S3-426, Ampacities, 15'-'69 kV 1/c Power Cable Including Effect of Shield Losses (Solid
Dielectrics).5
3. Technical features of the tables
3.1 Parameters
The calculated ampacities in this standard are based on the parameters and assumptions discussed in the following sub.
clauses.
3.1.1 Voltage
600 V-5 kV, 5 kV, 15 kV, 25 kV, 46 kV, 69 kV, 115 kV, 138 kV, 230 kV, 345 kV and 500 kV as indicated for each cable type.
3.1.2 Load and loss factors
Load factors onSand 100 percent (%)andcorresponding loss factors 6Ls and 100 percent (%) for buried cable:
3.1.3 Dielectric loss
The dielectric loss was computed based on the values of dissipation factor and dielectric constants listed below. The
dielectric loss may have a significant effect on cable ilmpacity for multiple 15-35 kV cables in a duct bank or for some
cables rated above: 35 kV. However, in general, the dielectric loss is negligible for single circuit extruded diel~~J; .cables
rated up to 35 kV, unless the dissipation factor increases significantly with elevated operating temperatures.
lAEIC publications are available from the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies, 600 N. 18th Street, P. 0. Box 2641, Binningham,AL35291-
0992, USA.
21CEA publications are available from ICEA, P.O. Bo~ 411, South Yarmouth, MA 02664, USA
JIEC publications are available from IEC Sales Department, Case Postale 131, 3 rue de Varenib6, CH-1211 , Geneve 20; Switzerland/Suisse. mc publi-
cations are also available in th~ United States from the, Sales Department, American National ,5tandards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, 13th Floor, New
York, NY 10036, USA.
41EEE publications are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 445 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331,
USA.
5NEMA publications are available from the National Plectrical Manufacturers Association, 2101 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA,