Losses distribution in sheathed power cables under non-sinusoidal currents using numerical method

This paper presents losses distribution in power cables conductors and metallic sheaths. Losses are computed in sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal currents with considering all sequences harmonics. Two numerical methods as finite element and integral method are used to determine the distributions and also total harmonic losses. Thus skin and proximity effects of all metallic parts of cables are considered accurately. Integral method is utilized for losses calculation by considering of earth return path and eliminating it. Furthermore, IEC formulations are used for losses computations. Numerical results suggest inserting the earth return path effect on cable losses in some harmonic frequencies of currents. Power cables are assumed to be single core medium voltage type. Lead sheaths of cables are bonding together and grounded at both ends for calculation of circulating current losses. Also the effects of different distances between cables in losses calculations are assessed. For validation of integral method, finite element simulation, as proven method in accurate power cable losses computations is used. These methods are completely described in this paper. Accuracy of integral method for harmonic losses computations of conductor and sheaths is verified by finite element simulation results. Also it is shown that proximity and skin effects are considered very well by integral method even in metallic sheaths. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21741