Insulated cable temperature calculation and numerical simulation

Abstract

A mathematical model of electrified insulated cable was established to calculate temperature of insulating layer. The insulating layer temperature is determined as a function of the current intensity, time, insulation layer thickness, etc. A widely used polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cable with sectional area of 4 mm2 was selected as example and its insulating layer temperature was simulated using ANSYS. The simulation revealed the evolution of insulating layer temperature with time, and also along radius after a certain time when the cable was applied with 40A and 60A constant current respectively. The analysis method has practical significance to prevent electrical fire and can be applied to analyze spontaneous combustion accident of insulated cable.