Chapter 8

Introduction to Power
Systems(ECEG-3176)
Addis Ababa University

Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (AAiT)
School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Instructor: Awraris Getachew
Chapter 8
Underground Cables
1
Introduction
Underground cables have several advantages such as less
liable to damage through storms or lightning, less chances
of faults, smaller voltage drop and better general
appearance.
However, their major drawback is that they have greater
installation cost and introduce insulation problems at
high voltages compared with the equivalent overhead
system.
For this reason, underground cables are employed where
it is impracticable to use overhead lines
2
Cont’d…
3
Cont’d…
3
An underground cable essentially consists of one or more
conductors covered with suitable insulation and
surrounded by a protecting cover.
Several types of cables are available and the type of cable
to be used will depend upon the working voltage and
service requirements.
They may be classified in two ways according to the type
of insulating material used in their manufacturing
or/and the voltage for which they are manufactured.
4
Cont’d… 4
In general, an underground cable must fulfil the
following necessary requirements :
1. The conductor used should be tinned stranded copper
or aluminum of high conductivity. Stranding is done so
that conductor may become flexible and carry more
current.
2. The conductor size should be such that the cable carries
the desired load current without overheating and
causes voltage drop within permissible limits
5
Cont’d…
5
3. The cable must have proper thickness of insulation in
order to give high degree of safety and reliability at the
voltage for which it is designed.
4. The cable must be provided with suitable mechanical
protection so that it may withstand the rough use in
laying it.
5. The materials used in the manufacture of cables should
be such that there is complete chemical and physical
stability throughout.
6
Insulating Materials for Cables
6
In general, the insulating materials used in cables should
have the following properties :
1. High insulation resistance to avoid leakage current.
2. High dielectric strength to avoid electrical breakdown
of the cable.
3. High mechanical strength to withstand the mechanical
load on the cables.
4. Low cost so as to make the underground system a viable
proposition.
7
Cont’d…
7
5. Non-inflammable.
6. Non-hygroscopic i.e., it should not absorb moisture
from air or soil. The moisture tends to decrease the
insulation resistance and hastens the breakdown of the
cable. In case the insulating material is hygroscopic, it
must be enclosed in a waterproof covering like lead
sheath.
7. Unaffected by acids and alkalies to avoid any chemical
action.
8
Cont’d… 8
The principal insulating materials used in cables are:
Rubber
Vulcanised India Rubber (VIR)
Impregnated Paper
Varnished Cambric
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
9
Electric Stress in a Single-Core Cable
9
If the dielectric strength of the insulating material is

exceeded during the operation of the cable, the
insulation will break down.
Hence, the cable must be designed so that the electric
field strength, or the maximum electric stress, at the
surface of the conductor does not exceed that required to
break down the insulation.
It has been found that the optimal ratio of the radius of
the cable to the radius of the conductor is given by
𝑅1
=2.718
𝑅2
10
10
Smaller ratios will result in unstable cable

operation, in that the dielectric will tend to break
down.
Any ratio exceeding 2.718 will result in satisfactory
cable operation.
For economic reasons, however, it is best to
maintain the ratio close to 2.718.
11
Grading of Cables
11
In order to minimize the difference between the

maximum and minimum electric field strengths in the
cable, many cables contain several layers of dielectric
material.
This process is known as grading, and two types of
grading are commonly used. (Capacitance grading and
inter-sheath grading
12
Cont’d… 12
In capacitance grading two or more layers of different
dielectrics are used to insulate a cable.
Two such layers are shown below and the permittivity
of these layers are so chosen that the maximum field
strength is the same in both regions.
For equal maximum field strengths, we must have:
𝜀1 𝑅2 =𝜀2 𝑅3
If is the maximum allowable electric field strength,
the operating voltage V of the cable is
(
𝑉 =𝐸 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑅 3 𝑙𝑛
𝑅2
𝑅3
+ 𝑅 2 𝑙𝑛
𝑅1
𝑅2 )
13
Cont’d… 13
14
Cont’d…
14
In inter-sheath grading, the cable contains several

layers of a single dielectric material, separated by
coaxial metallic sheaths that are inserted into the
dielectric and maintained at predetermined voltages.
A cable with one such inter-sheath is shown below.
𝑅1 𝑅2
= =𝑎
𝑅 2 𝑅3
15
Cont’d…
15
If the inter-sheath is kept at voltage , then at the surface

of the conductor 𝑉 − 𝑉1 𝑉 − 𝑉1
𝐸 3 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = =
( )
𝑅2 𝑅3 𝑙𝑛𝑎
𝑅 3 ln
𝑅3
At the surface of the inter-sheath, the maximum

𝑉1 𝑉1
electric field is𝐸2 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = =
( )
𝑅1 𝑅 2 𝑙𝑛𝑎
𝑅 2 ln
𝑅2
For the maximum electric fields to be the same at these

two surfaces, we must have
16
Cable Capacitance
16
The capacitance per unit length of a single-conductor

cable is given by:
in F/m
In a three-conductor cable, the capacitances between

pairs of conductors and between the conductors and
the sheath are shown below, where equilateral spacing
is assumed.
To find the capacitance per phase, the delta connected
capacitances are changed to their equivalent wye form.
17
Cont’d…
17
18
Cont’d…
18
Cable Inductance
The inductance per unit length of a single conductor
cable is given by:
Analytical expressions leading to the per phase

inductance of a three conductor cable are extremely
cumbersome and are beyond the scope of this course.
19
Dielectric Loss and Heating
19
In an underground cable, heat is generated through

losses in the conductor and the sheath, and dielectric
loss in the insulation.
The dielectric loss in the insulation of the cable occurs
due to leakage currents.
In other words the capacitance of the cable may be
considered to be lossy, having a resistance as shown
below.
20
Cont’d…
20
The loss in
 In terms of the loss angle :
21
Overhead Lines versus Underground Cables
21
The inductance is more predominant in case of overhead
lines whereas capacitance in the case of underground
cables.
The large charging current on very high voltage cables
limits the use of cables for long length transmission.
The conductor in the overhead line is less expensive than
the underground cable. The size of the conductor for the
same power transmission is smaller in case of overhead
lines than the cables because of the better heat
dissipation in overhead line.
22
Cont’d…
22
The insulation cost is more in case of cables than
overhead lines.
The erection cost of an overhead line is much less than
the underground cable.
23
Thank
You!!! 24

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Introduction to Power

Addis Ababa University

If the dielectric strength of the insulating material is

Smaller ratios will result in unstable cable

In order to minimize the difference between the

In inter-sheath grading, the cable contains several

If the inter-sheath is kept at voltage , then at the surface

At the surface of the inter-sheath, the maximum

For the maximum electric fields to be the same at these

The capacitance per unit length of a single-conductor

In a three-conductor cable, the capacitances between

Analytical expressions leading to the per phase

In an underground cable, heat is generated through

 In terms of the loss angle :

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