An Improved Formula for External Thermal Resistance of Three Buried Single-Core Metal-Sheathed Touching Cables in Flat Formation

An improved formula for the assessment of the external thermal resistance of three buried single-core, metal-sheathed, touching cables, laid in a flat formation, is proposed. The formula arises from the analysis based on a coupled electric-thermal model, as well as on the stochastic optimization method based on differential evolution. The effect of the new formula on cable rating is illustrated in a numerical example.