Medium voltage joint design options for higher conductor temperature (110°C)

Research output: Contribution to conferencesPaperContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

A new special polypropylene insulation (PP-insulation) for medium voltage cables (MV-cables) permits a permanent conduc-tor temperature of 110 °C for cables in continuous operation. However, connectors and accessories are only tested an ap-proved for a conductor temperature of 90 °C. To ensure a long lifetime of the connectors and the insulating part of the joints, the connection areas should be designed as a kind of a heat sink. Using MV cables with different conductor cross-sections (95 mm2, 300 mm2) and materials (aluminium (Al) or copper (Cu)), it is shown how such a heat sink can be designed. The intention is to limit the temperature in the connection area of the joint to 90°C, while the temperature of the conductor of the PP-insulated medium-voltage cable, which is not thermally affected by the joint, can reach 110°C. The ampacity of these MV-cables with PP insulation is compared with cables made of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation. The investiga-tions were conducted using calculations with a thermal model based on the Thermal Network Method (TNM) on a single cable joint arrangement. Different ambient temperatures of air and soil conditions were taken into account.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 16 Jun 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Conference

Title28th Conference and Exhibition on Electricity Distribution
Abbreviated titleCIRED 2025
Conference number28
Duration16 - 19 June 2025
Website
Degree of recognitionInternational event
LocationPalexpo
CityGeneva
CountrySwitzerland

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

Subject groups, research areas, subject areas according to Destatis

Keywords

  • PP-cable, MV-cable-joints, ampacity, resistance factor, thermal network method