Effect of geometry between cables on the heat dissipation from underground cable systems

A system of three cables in a trench is modelled using the finite difference method. The horizontal and the vertical spacing between the three cables are varied in order to determine the values of the de-rating and the optimum location for that system. Also, the model simulates the eccentricity in laying out the three cables, horizontally or vertically. The heat dissipation from each individual cable is determined for each considered case. The temperature distribution of the soil inside the trench is available for some cases. The results obtained from this model will help in the design of multi-cable trench in respect to optimum spacing and location. Also, the model can be very useful in studying the thermal field generated by the cables especially on the other underground objects such as pipes, telephone cable or television cable, etc