Equivalent Heat Generation per unit volume for Electrical Conduit 1

[shan0124]

I am trying to create a spreadsheet or find a closed-form solution to determine the heat transfer rate, flux, and heat generated per unit volume for a cross section of an electrical conduit which consists of multiple copper conductors surrounded by various layers of insulating material. If possible, I would like to determine the material properties for a single theoretical material that would have the same heat generation and heat transfer properties as the actual electrical conduit. The conduit has a variable number of conductors and insulation thicknesses, so being able to solve for a theoretical material with a similar heat signature would greatly simplify our FEA analysis. It seems to me this must have been tried by somebody else before. Anyone out there have any ideas?

 

[DonLeffingwellPE]

Are you trying to find the steady state temperature distribution based on current flow through one or all of the conductors?<br><br>Don Leffingwell

 

[shan0124]

There is current flow through all of the conductors, [which is known] and the analysis is for a steady-state condition.

 

[jobeth]

Check EIA Standard RS-214 &quot;Method for Calculation of Current Ratings on Hookup Wire&quot; (November 1958), I have developed a Mathcad worksheet to illustrate this recommended practice for calculating the current rating for a single wire. There is much literature on the subject. Good luck. Bill B. <p>William H. Bernhart, P.E.<br><a href=mailto: > </a><br><a href= > </a><br>I work as a development engineer for AMP - Tyco Electronics located near Harrisburg, PA. I help design interconnections and electrical connectors for aerospace applications.