Electro-Thermal Performance of LV Cable Formations for Non-Linear Loads: Loss, Temperature, and Reliability Trade-Offs

The demand for a reliable power supply is growing. Non-linear loads are becoming more numerous, so supply cables must be carefully selected to consider the skin effect. This article calculates the power losses and cable temperature for different cable arrangements supplying non-linear loads. Power losses are determined using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the distorted current signal and the current penetration depth method. The temperature distribution is then calculated using finite element analysis (FEA) for selected cases. The results show that cable bundles can be used instead of single cables with a large cross-sectional area because of lower conductor temperatures, lighter cable arrangements, and reduced installation costs. These aspects are important for the sustainable development of the economy, particularly with regard to material usage.