Influence of phase order on losses and outer magnetic field of grouped underground cables

To fulfill installation requirements, sometimes, two or more cables have to be connected in parallel in a three-phase power distribution system. The division of the current among the adjacent cables is governed by several factors, such as position, phase order, and the grounding method of the metal screen. Dissimilar current distributions result in dissimilar power and magnetic-field distributions. Consequently, a modified phase order can alter the total losses and the magnetic induction above the ground. This study demonstrates this effect by finite element simulations of grouped single-core underground cables buried in flat formation, and with screens bonded and grounded at both the ends.