Continuous current and temperature rise in aircraft cables

THE current capacity of aircraft cables in the simplest of environmental conditions is governed by many variables whose relations cannot be made explicit easily. For this reason, most current ratings have been determined empirically. The desirability of having a method for calculating current ratings becomes evident when changes are made in cable or in the cable environment. Improved insulation, lighter conductors, and higher ambient and operating temperatures are some of the more important factors which affect current ratings.