Cable Fault Withstand Tables.

Yes they are right - it is the old adiabatic assumption again, and a bit  of algebra to manipulate. Note that the tabulated K values are specific to a particular conductor metal and assumed safe temperature rise.

It  is not the full story a however. for bare cables the maximum safe temperature rise may be a lot higher than for plastics - though we rarely want to go near the fusing temperature, unless trying  to design a fuse of course. If we did then the temp rise and the energy dissipation is about 10 times higher and the current about 3 times for the same duration.

At the extreme of high currents and short duration, then magnetic effects take over from heating as the failure mode, as shown in this amusing clip (here) where the wires try to tear them selves apart during the impulse. Generally for low voltage electrics it is simply not credible to get high enough energy densities for this to be a problem, and the only damage mechanism we need consider is thermal. Pulse power is another game.

Mike.

It is nice to see the old "conventional current" direction flow here (+ to -), it brings back memories of old school days in the physics class.

Z.

It is interesting to see aluminium (aloooominum) act as though it is a ferrous metal in a magnetic field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MglUIiBy2lQ

Z.