How is the maximum current carrying capacity calculated in low power electrical cable conductors?
There are two factors to be considered for practical calculation of cable current carrying capacity: – copper resistance and current increase the cable temperature and if it becomes too high it can damage the insulation. – copper resistance and current also generate a voltage drop on the cable and if it is too high can interfere with correct plant operation. See http://www.shield.net/en/?download/support, in the section “Maximum voltage rating and current-carrying capacity calculation” for a detailed explanation and a few tables, which facilitate the practical calculation. Table data are based also on IEC 60204-1 – Machinery Safety.
