Low Voltage Cables

Section Three

SELECTION PROCEDURES
In accordance with AS/NZS 3008.1.2:2010 and AS/NZS 3000:2007, the four main factors which affect the minimum
size of cable required for a particular installation are:
1. The cable current-carrying capacity, which is influenced by the cable materials and construction, the conditions of
the cable environment and the method of installation due to their effects on the dissipation of heat from the
conductors.
2. The voltage drop in the cable circuit, which is a function of load current, load power factor, and length of the cable
run.
3. The temperature rise under short-circuit conditions, which is a function of both the magnitude and duration of the
short-circuit current and is limited by the cable materials.
4. The maximum fault loop impedance which will still allow the protective device to trip within the specified time.

Procedures
To select the cable size required, based on the above considerations, follow the steps listed:

Current-Carrying Capacity
1. Determine the minimum current for which the cable is to be rated, taking account of the maximum demand of the
circuit and the type and rating of the overcurrent protection device.
2. Ascertain how the cables are to be installed, and the conditions in the cable environment. From the tables of rating
factors, select any rating factor(s) which are applicable.
3. Divide the rating from step 1. by the appropriate factor(s).
4. From the current rating tables, select a cable which, for the appropriate method of installation, has a tabulated
rating not less than the value obtained from 3.

Voltage Drop
1. Determine the Load Current I (A) to be carried by the cable, and the Route Length L (m) of the circuit.
2. Establish the maximum voltage drop Vd (V) permitted in the circuit (taking account of any other voltage drops in
series).
3. Evaluate the equation Vc =
the required voltage drop.

1000 * Vd
(mV/A.m). This value is the maximum mV/A.m figure which will give
I*L

4. From the voltage drop tables, select a cable for the appropriate method of installation which has a tabulated
mV/A.m figure not greater than this value.

Short Circuit Temperature

1. Determine the Maximum Duration t (s) and Magnitude Isc (A) of the prospective Short Circuit Current.
2. Evaluate the equation I1 = Isc * t (A). This is the required short circuit rating converted to a one second basis.
3. From the conductor short-circuit ratings tables, select a cable with a rating not less than the value obtained from 2.

Fault Loop Impedance

1. Determine the maximum fault loop impedance which will still allow the protective device to trip within the specified
time.
2. From the above calculate the maximum length of cable run to comply with the maximum fault loop impedance.
Refer to AS/NZS 3000:2007, Clause 1.7.4.3 and Appendix B.

General
For any circuit, the cable size selected should not be less than the largest of the sizes calculated to meet the above
limitations (this is the smallest size which will meet all of the requirements).
In practice, the current-carrying capacity will be found to prevail in short-run/high-current circuits while voltage drop
considerations will usually prevail in long-run/low-current circuits. It is unusual for short-circuit temperature
requirements to determine the conductor size required for low voltage cable circuits.

Section 3, Page 11