Cable Parameters

In this tutorial, we will describe the steps needed to achieve a proper representation of a cable in PowerFactory.
For this, a model example has been prepared for use. Click on the icon , to import and activate the project.

The system consists of two independent cables of 1 km length each, connected between two 66 kV busbars to
feed a 40 MW load. The external grid is connected at the Busbar A, providing the electric power to the system.

1 Cable Type Definition

The first step is to define the cable type. We will model the cable as to be representing a 3-phase single core
cable, disposed in a flat arrangement. The representative values to be entered in PowerFactory are extracted
from a vendor catalog [1]. The data related to the cable as seen in the catalog is summarised in the table
below.

Description Value
Cable Type XLPE Single Core
Nominal Voltage 66 kV
Cross Section of Conductor 150 mm2
Diameter of Conductor 14.2 mm
Insulation Thickness 9.0 mm
Diameter Over Insulation 34.6 mm
Cross Section of Screen 35 mm2
Outer Diameter of Cable 46.0 mm

Table 1.1: Datasheet values for a XLPE 66 kV 150 mm2 cable

Note that the cable has no armour nor shield in its structure.

First of all we need to identify the values which PowerFactory need in order to make a proper modelling, and
then insert them on our model. Follow these steps to create a new cable type:

• Double click on the Single Core Cable A line element.

• Click on the select arrow ( ) in the Type field and choose New Project Type . . . → Cable Definition
(TypCabys). A new dialog appears.
• Right-click on the cell corresponding to the TypCab of the Circuit 1 row and click Select Element/Type
. . . , as shown here:
CABLE PARAMETERS

Figure 1.1: Cable Definition dialog

• Since there isn’t any Single Core Cable Type created yet, we have to create one first. This can be done
directly from the actual dialog, clicking on the New Object icon .

• Single Core Cable Type should by automatically selected as Object. Click OK.
• The new dialog of the Basic Data tab page, contains all the geometrical data for the Single Core Cable
at the Conducting, Semiconducting and Insulation layers. We have to determine which parameters must
be entered to properly define the Single Core Cable Type.

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Figure 1.2: Singe Core Cable dialog

• Define the rated voltage with a value of 66 kV.

• For the conductor, from the vendor information the diameter of the conductor is 14.2 mm. This will give
a Thickness of the Conducting Layer section in PowerFactory of “7.1” mm. Insert this value in the cell of
the Thickness of the Conductor row. Also, define the material of the conductor with “Copper”.
• The next layer is the Insulation. As you can see from the vendor data, the value is 9.0 mm and can be
directly inserted in PowerFactory. However, if you compare this thickness with the thickness resulting
from the Diameter Over Insulation minus the Diameter of Conductor, you will notice a slight difference of
about 1.2 mm. Thus, we should insert “10.2” mm as Insulation thickness. This thickness is decisive in the
equivalent capacity of the cable. Define the Material as to be of “XLPE (>18/30(36)kV cab.(fil.))” type.
• The Sheath is made of copper. Define the material with “Copper”. For the thickness, note that the vendor
data is in terms of a cross section. By means of a geometric calculation, we can determine the thickness
of this layer, being 0.32 mm approximately. Input this value in the corresponding cell.
• The final layer is the Oversheath. Define the material as to be of the same type of the Insulation layer,
and input 5.38 mm as the thickness value.
• Finally, change the name of the Single Core Cable Type to “Cable XLPE 66 kV”.

• Note that the Outer Diameter field of the Core is the double of the Conductor thickness, as should be.
Also, note the Overall Cable Diameter value at the lowest part of the dialog. If the values were entered
correctly, the cable should show an overall diameter of 46.0 mm, coincident with the vendor catalog data.

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CABLE PARAMETERS

Figure 1.3: Singe Core Cable XLPE 66 kV data

• Press OK on the single core cable type dialog and then OK on the Please select... dialog.

Now the Cable Definition dialog is automatically updated with the new TypCab. In this dialog you can also
specify the environmental conditions such as the specific earth resistivity and the treatment of the sheath. We
will leave the default parameters as shown here:

Figure 1.4: Cable Definition dialog with assigned Cable Type

Go to the Circuit Position tab and input the following coordinates for the line circuits:

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CABLE PARAMETERS

X1 X2 X3 Y1 Y2 Y3
Coordinate Value -0.116 0 0.116 1 1 1

Table 1.2: Coordinates for the Single Core Three Phase System

The final arrangement should see as in the figure below.

Figure 1.5: Cable System with Coordinates

Assign the same cable system for the Single Core Cable B element:

• Double click on the Single Core Cable B line element.

• Click on the select arrow ( ) in the Type field and choose Select Type . . . → Cable Definition (Typ-
Cabys).
• Select the recently created Cable Definition and click OK.

Execute a load flow calculation with the default parameters. The system should show the following results:

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CABLE PARAMETERS

Figure 1.6: Load flow calculation results

2 Output Matrix

In order to check if the parameters entered will be representing the cable electrical parameters in reality, we
can compare the capacitance and inductance values given from the vendor catalog and the values determined
in PowerFactory. Follow the following steps:

• Edit any of the lines by double clicking on them, then click on the left arrow ( ) of the Type field of the
dialog.
• From the Cable Definition element, press the button Calculate.
• PowerFactory will automatically reproduce the matrixes defining the cable system and showing all the
data in the output window.

• Press OK and OK.

For the output information, two sections can be identified: a phase and a sequence parameters matrix. The
following figures indicate in detail the internal sections of the matrixes, and how the parameters should be
identified.

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Figure 2.1: Matrix of impedance parameters per phase

Figure 2.1 refers to the impedance parameters per phase. For each row, the real (resistance) and imaginary
(reactance) part is given in Ohm/km. The index indicated in parenthesis has a correspondence with the legend
at the top, e.g. (1) is equivalent to the Phase 1, as defined in the Cable Definition.

Figure 2.2: Matrix of admittance parameters per phase

Similar description applies for phase admittance matrix shown in Figure 2.2. For each row, the real (conduc-
tance) and imaginary (capacitance) part is given in uS/km.

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Figure 2.3: Matrix of impedance parameters per sequence

Figure 2.3 refers to the impedance parameters per sequence. For each row, the real (resistance) and imaginary
(reactance) part is given in Ohm/km. The index indicated in parenthesis has a correspondence with the legend
at the top, e.g. (1) is equivalent to the positive sequence.

Figure 2.4: Matrix of admittance parameters per sequence

Similar description applies for sequence admittance matrix shown in Figure 2.4. For each row, the real
(conductance) and imaginary (capacitance) part is given in uS/km. Note that the conductance values are
zero, since there is no dielectric losses defined for the insulation material in the Single Core Cable type.

The comparison must be performed with the sequence parameters. For the resistance, reactance and suscep-
tance values, we extract the following information from the figures presented above:

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[Link]. [Link]. Zero seq.

Resistance 0.1096 Ohm/km 0.1096 Ohm/km 0.2573 Ohm/km
Reactance 0.2057 Ohm/km 0.2057 Ohm/km 1.8573 Ohm/km
Susceptance 58.8723 uS/km 58.8723 uS/km 58.8723 uS/km

Table 2.1: Cable sequence parameters

On the vendor catalog data, the capacitance and inductance values are 0.21 uF/km and 0.65 mH/km corre-
spondingly, which is equivalent to a 65.97 uS/km susceptance and 0.20 Ohm/km reactance.

Comparing these values, we see that the reactances have very close values, however the susceptance has
a difference of about 11% with respect to the vendor data. We can adjust the value by changing the Relative
Permittivity of the insulation layers, without affecting the geometry of the cable.

This adjustment is a valid approach since we don’t have the specific data of the insulation layers.

• Open the Network Model Manager to find the Single Core Cable Type created in section 1, named
“Cable XLPE 66 kV”.

• Double click on it to open the edit dialog.

• Change the Material of the insulation layer to Unknown and input the value of 3.35 for the Relative
Permittivity.
• Click OK and close the Network Model Manager.

• Perform a calculation of the electrical parameters of the cable system, in order to display the new
susceptance values.
• Check that the positive susceptance has now changed to 65.74 uS/km.

References

[1] “XLPE Land Cable Systems User’s Guide”, ABB, rev. 5.

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3 Additional PowerFactory Documentation

There is additional information available, depending on what you are looking for; the following documents
can be accessed either directly from PowerFactory or from the DIgSILENT download area ([Link]
[Link]/en/[Link]).

• Tutorials: step by step description of several tasks in PowerFactory. Help → Tutorial. . .

• Examples: the window PowerFactory Examples provides a list of application examples of PowerFac-
tory calculation functions. Every example comes with an explanatory document. Additionally, videos
demostrate the software handling and its functionalities. File → Examples. . .
• User Manual: all the functions, objects and settings of PowerFactory are described in the User Manual.
Pressing the key F1 while working with PowerFactory will lead directly to the related topic inside the User
Manual. Help → User Manual

• Technical References: description of the models implemented in PowerFactory for the different power
systems components. Help → Technical References
• What’s New: document and video provided with every annual release. Help → What’s New
• Release Notes: for all new versions and updates of the program Release Notes are provided, which
document the implemented changes. Help → Release Notes
• Knowledge base: a database of information, based on an FAQ format, available for any users (whether
registered or not) in [Link]
• Scripting References: description and examples of DPL and Python commands. Help → Scripting
References

• Additional Packages: documents with additional description and /or examples of the PowerFactory
Interfaces. Help → Additional Packages

Apart from the mentioned documentation, DIgSILENT provides Direct Technical Support, where PowerFac-
tory experts offer direct assistance to registered users with valid guarantee/maintenance. The Support Centre
is located on the website [Link]