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Sizing Neutrals from TX to LV Panel

A bit of help/ advice needed if anyone has a moment to spare please.


I have carried out numerous cable calculations using Amtech (Trimble) over the years, but, have for the first time come accross an example where I cannot use the software.


Basically, I am looking at a project requiring 2 new TX's from UKPN, serving 2 new LV Switch Panels (Clients).  UKPN have kindly given me all the necessary info on the ACB's etc. and also tell me that I can have 3 No. Al singles per phase up to 630mm CSA, but, I can only have 2 No. Al singles for the Neutral.


Now my helpful friend from Amtech support has just advised that you cannot select 3 cables per phase and only have 2 cables for neutral using the software, leaving me in a position where I have to (dare I say it) manually calc. the nuetral size.


What I do know is that my Amtech calc tells me that I need 3x 600mm CSA Al cables per phase, and it currently tells me I need 3x 600mm CSA neutrals (which I can not have).


I also know that the max permitted neutral size is 630mm CSA, which now leaves me in a postion of concern that being only permitted 2 neutrals, they may calculate out to be too large for the UKPN TX's.


Any help would be hugely appreciated by someone who should know better than to rely on Amtech all the time.


Thanks in advance


Adrian
Parents
  • It rather depends how much neutral current you expect - if all 3 phases are driving the same load and it is classical (resistive heating or inductive motors) then there will be little neutral current to worry about.  Indeed at one time (well into the early 1970s anyway) cables with reduced neutrals (relative to live) were the order of the day. However,   one phase may be unloaded, so the imbalance (which is the neutral current) is comparable to one phase current, or worse you may have loads with high harmonic content, so the cancellation does not occur - then the neutral current can in some cases be higher than any one  phase current.

    If the load  balancing is good accross the phases and the load harmonic distortion and power factor is low, then a 2/3 sized neutral could be used with impunity.  however JPs suggestion of copper is probably better.

    1250KVA  suggests  circa 1.6kA per phase  at full load ?  - what is your most onerous environment ? Hopefully not buried....


    according to   Nexans for copper core One core  of 630mm2 is
    Permissible short circuit current conductor 1s

    90.1kA

    Perm. current rating buried 20°C - trefoil formation

    595A

    Perm. current rating in air 30°C - trefoil formation

    1088A

    Perm. current rating in air 30°C - flat formation

    1454A



Reply
  • It rather depends how much neutral current you expect - if all 3 phases are driving the same load and it is classical (resistive heating or inductive motors) then there will be little neutral current to worry about.  Indeed at one time (well into the early 1970s anyway) cables with reduced neutrals (relative to live) were the order of the day. However,   one phase may be unloaded, so the imbalance (which is the neutral current) is comparable to one phase current, or worse you may have loads with high harmonic content, so the cancellation does not occur - then the neutral current can in some cases be higher than any one  phase current.

    If the load  balancing is good accross the phases and the load harmonic distortion and power factor is low, then a 2/3 sized neutral could be used with impunity.  however JPs suggestion of copper is probably better.

    1250KVA  suggests  circa 1.6kA per phase  at full load ?  - what is your most onerous environment ? Hopefully not buried....


    according to   Nexans for copper core One core  of 630mm2 is
    Permissible short circuit current conductor 1s

    90.1kA

    Perm. current rating buried 20°C - trefoil formation

    595A

    Perm. current rating in air 30°C - trefoil formation

    1088A

    Perm. current rating in air 30°C - flat formation

    1454A



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