A trefoil formation is a cross-sectional arrangement of electrical cables that minimises electrodynamic

forces during fault conditions.

I understood that single core cables for three phase AC supplies shall run in trefoil formation. Is this is
to minimize EMI? If yes, how we achieve minimization of EMI by having trefoil form? If no, please
explain the correct reason in detail with reference to illustration of the trefoil form arrangement

Explain other requirements on installation of single core cables w.r.t passing through
penetrations/openings, earthing, etc.

The trefoil arrangement [or twisting in a 3 phase group] of cables is undertaken with large current
carrying conductors and is done to minimise the effects of self inductance and losses. If sheathed or
armoured cables are in use, they should be bonded and grounded at the trefoil point.

If you refer to passing single core cables through a metal plate [e.g. entry into a switchboard] the
preferred option is to use a non-ferrous material such as brass or aluminium plate. If steel is used it will
be necessary to cut a slot say no more that 0.5mm between each hole cut for the cable gland. Doing
this will eliminate current being inducted into the plate, that would otherwise circulate in the plate
around the cable and cause heat rise.

Generally best to use the Cable Maker of your particular cable, but try: http://relemaccables.com/

Google had one by a Greek crew which was quite a nice piece, with tables, etc. It is in both PDF and
html, but I couldn't find the html site independently, so I'm sending you the Google link.

PDF: http://users.ntua.gr/stpapath/Paper_2.48.pdf

I was hoping for some feedback on the MU metal/grounded RF cage sheathing concept. For example, is
there a possibility that it might diminish the line's carrying capacity in any aspect? The arrangement for
transmission (centre to outside): trefoiled core with insulated sheathing, MU metal (foil) sheathing,
insulated sheathing, RF caging with periodic grounds. All laid in underground tunnels and conduit.

Trefoiling(occupying 120° of 360° degrees of the cable's cross-section) THE 3 conductors of a

But what about the increased capacitance? All known Loads are lagging--any way.

More Capacitance-should be welcome. Will at least partly compensate the LAGGING P.F.

In instrument cabling, it is done to minimize RF interference with the sensitive cable signal.

One of the challenges in electricity delivery for the environmentally friendly power station invention was
the elimination of both EMI and RFI radiation from transmission cabling. There have been medical
reports of the statistically higher occurrence of brain cancer in children living in close proximity to
transmission corridors. Debating the accuracy of those findings is a future challenge for the
engineering/medical community. But meanwhile, the existence of both EMF and RF radiation from the
lines is not in question.

To eliminate both, the stations' delivery strategy calls for MU metal trefoiling of all cabling as well as
wrapping it in RF caging with periodic grounds. In addition, all electricity delivery, including capacitance
stations, is to be located below ground with the same protection. In addition to the advantages already
mentioned by Greg Lynch, the MU metal trefoiling and below-ground corridors, sub-stations and
conduits will largely eliminate potential danger from EMI noise, and the grounded RF caging around the
cabling will eliminate all stray RF.
Monitoring of the transmission corridors is done by creating deliberate small breaks in the insulation
from time to time. EMI and RF monitoring positions along the corridors measure both the breaks
(datum) and the lines, looking for unwanted changes.

Other environmental protections offered by the stations can be read about on the bits of Executive
Summary posted at http://ecofriendlypower.wetpaint.com . The power station patent requires all such
stations to be cabled in this fashion all the way from the genset to the end-users.

A single core cable creates concentric magnetic fields radiating outward from the conductor, when this
magnetic field encroaches on adjacent ferrous metal local heating is produced as a result of Eddy
Currents. I was once called to a customer’s premises where the 300A meter tails passed through
individual drilled holes in the metal trunking at the mains switchgear. With the switch room in darkness
it was possible to see that the trunking was glowing a cherry red colour with the heat. This is why single
core cable must not be passed through separate holes in metalwork; all cables must pass through the
same slot or hole so that the resulting magnetic fields around the phases/neutral conductor cancel each
other out. Multi core cables are not a problem because all the magnetic fields from the adjacent
conductors are cancelled out within the cable.

In the UK this requirement is covered by BS 7671 - IEE Regs.

The main reason for the trefoil formation in heavy current applications is to reduce local heating caused
by magnetic Eddy Currents which set up around single core cables.

If three single cables are laid side by side the magnetic fields from the middle cable will to a certain
extent be cancelled out by the magnetic field from the two outer cables.

The magnetic field from the outer cables however, have no magnetic field on their outer side to cancel
out and therefore these magnetic fields can react with steelwork to produce local heating.

When cables are laid in trefoil formation this is usually done by spacer blocks to prevent cables actually
touching, the concentric magnetic fields around each conductor all intersect equally and especially if all
cable are equally loaded then there is no imbalance and therefore no magnetic field being produced.

Obviously having three cables placed together in contact is not a good idea and this would require a
design current reduction in the cable. That is why trefoil formation cable should always be used with
spacers. In bygone days these were a wooden block with three holes drilled in them in a triangle
formation, and then the block was sliced through the holes to allow them to be located on the cables

When single conductor cables are installed, two type losses take place in the cable support system. One
is magnetic hysteresis loss and another is eddy current loss. Hysteresis loss can be avoided by
installing non-ferrous materials for cable support system. The eddy current loss can be minimized by
putting 3-single conductor cable in trefoil formation and by supporting it by using trefoil cable clits.
Generally trefoil cable clit is made of stain less steel (non ferrous). This kind of support system also
helps to prevent cable damage from mechanical forces developed during the short current flowing
through the cable.