Optimization design for rating calculations of power cables in pipes

Although standard methods in the literature for solving this problem provide satisfactory results, however, these values are not always optimal and the algorithms are not always convergent. In order to improve the current carrying capacity of power cables, based on the IEC standard, a method and associated computer program that calculate the maximum current load of underground cables were developed. This thesis takes these standard methods as a starting point and formulates the ampacity calculations as an optimization problem. The solution to this optimization problem gives required ampacity, and is determined by utilizing the barrier method and Newton´s method algorithm. This algorithm is implemented in MATLAB and used to obtain ampacity solutions for cables in pipes. The results reveal that the total current can be improved by 7 %~10 % over standard ampacity method. Such an increase in total current load greatly improves the utilization efficiency of power cables and the optimization operation of Cables in pipes.