Rating power cables in wrapped cable trays

Conductor temperatures for a given ampacity loading is a function of ambient temperature inside the tray. In other words, the ampacity of cables included in these tray systems has to be rated at the ambient temperature inside the tray. Cable overheating and eventual failure can result if cables are overloaded or not derated for operation. IPCEA Pub. No. 54-440/WC lists cable ampacities in air ambient temperature of 40°C. Cables operating at temperatures above this have to be derated accordingly. An algorithm is presented for determining ambient temperatures in the cable tray for conditions of natural air convection with different cable loading. Hence, derated cable ampacities can be derived from those at 40°C. Although at present, there is no industry standard for wrapped cable trays, the method used here can be used to develop such a standard