Optimization of Ampacities for Unequally Loaded Underground Power Cables

Underground power cable systems often contain different types of cables with unequal currents. Programs which calculate cable ampacities and temperatures need to be able to maximize these unequal currents subject to the temperature restrictions on each cable's insulation. This paper presents an optimization routine to maximize the currents for unequally loaded cable systems using the reduced gradient method. The computational algorithm also considers the temperature dependence of the conductor electrical resistances in determining cable ampacities and temperatures.