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ELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS
Cables for a.c. circuits
E105-1
Contents
1.
Introduction
2.
Generation of heat
3.
4.
5.
1.
Introduction
Electromagnetic effects from incorrectly installed cables of alternating current (a.c.) circuits
can cause heat to be generated in the metal of ferromagnetic enclosures, such as steel
conduit or steel equipment housings. To prevent such heat, which may damage cables
and other materials, Regulation 521-02-01 of BS 7671 calls for the following requirements
to be met:
(i) Single-core cables armoured with steel wire or tape must not be used for a.c. circuits.
(ii) Conductors of a.c. circuits installed in ferromagnetic enclosures (such as steel
conduit, trunking or ducting) must be arranged so that the conductors of all phases
and the neutral conductor (if any) and the appropriate protective conductor of each
circuit are contained in the same enclosure.
(iii) Where such conductors enter a ferromagnetic enclosure, they must be arranged so
that they are not individually surrounded with ferromagnetic material, or other
provision must be made to prevent eddy (induced) currents.
Requirements (i), (ii) and (iii) above are explained in items 3, 4 and 5, respectively, of this
topic.
Item 2 of this topic explains the mechanism by which heat can be generated in
ferromagnetic materials surrounding conductors carrying alternating current.
2.
Generation of heat
When a conductor, such as a single-core cable, carries alternating current, the conductor is
encircled by a magnetic field that alternates (changes in magnetic polarity) at the same
frequency as the current. Where the conductor is also surrounded with metal, the
alternating magnetic flux cuts the metal, inducing voltages in it which in turn cause
circulating currents called eddy currents to flow (see Fig 1). The eddy currents
produce power in the metal, due to its electrical resistance. In a single-phase or
three-phase circuit the magnetic fields cancel each other out unless one or more of the
conductors (phase or neutral) is outside the enclosure, in which case eddy currents will be
produced.
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Cables for a.c. circuits
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Where metal surrounding a conductor (or some of the conductors) of an a.c. circuit is
ferromagnetic, such as iron or steel, the power dissipated in the metal as a result of the
eddy currents can cause the metal to heat up. This is because, with a ferromagnetic
metal, the flux density of the alternating magnetic field is greater than with a
non-ferromagnetic metal, such as aluminium or copper, due to the high relative
permeabilities of ferromagnetic metals. Hence the eddy currents, and consequently the
power dissipated in the metal, are greater if the metal is ferromagnetic, making the metal
liable to heat up. If the metal is non-ferromagnetic, no noticeable heating of it due to eddy
currents will occur.
Metal surrounding a single conductor carrying alternating current
Warning!
This arrangement is not permitted
by BS 7671 where the metal surrounding
the conductor is ferromagnetic (such as steel)
Metal surrounding
conductor (eg tube)
Alternating
magnetic field
Conductor
Eddy current heating of metal does not occur if it surrounds all the conductors of an
a.c. circuit collectively, even if the metal is ferromagnetic. This is because, in such
circumstances, the overall sum of the magnetic fields encircling the conductors is equal to
zero. In this context, it should be noted that BS 7671 regards the circuit protective
conductor as one of the circuit conductors (unless formed by the enclosing metal, such as
conduit), as it has to carry current in certain circumstances.
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ELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS
Cables for a.c. circuits
3.
E105-1
Regulation 521-02-01 does not permit the use of single-core cables armoured with steel
wire or tape for a.c. circuits. Such use would automatically result in conductors being
individually surrounded in ferromagnetic material, with the consequent risk of the
armouring being heated up as a result of eddy currents.
4.
Ferromagnetic enclosure
(eg steel conduit)
Phase
Luminaires
All associated unswitched
and switched phase conductors
contained in the same enclosure
Lighting switch
(2 - gang)
Fig 2
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5.
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The conductors are arranged so that they are not individually surrounded with
ferromagnetic material. An example of this is given in Fig 3, which shows cables
supplying an item of switchgear having a ferromagnetic enclosure, entering the
enclosure from steel trunking though a single entry hole.
Some other provision is made to prevent eddy currents. For example, the
conductors may enter the enclosure through separate holes of a plate made of either
non-ferromagnetic metal (such as aluminium, brass or some types of stainless steel *)
or non-metallic material (see Fig 4), or through separate holes of a ferromagnetic
plate (such as steel) having a slot which joins the holes to each other, so that they
effectively form a single hole (see Fig 5). It should be remembered that where a
plate containing such a slot is used to protect against contact with live parts
(protection against direct contact), the width of the slot must be small enough to
meet the requirements of Regulation Group 412-03 .
Item of switchgear
having a ferromagnetic
enclosure
L1
L2
L3
Steel trunking
Fig 3
The material should be selected to meet the requirements of Regulation 526-03-02 for enclosure of
connections.
To satisfy Regulation Group 412-03, the width of a slot must be less than 1 mm (IP4X) if in a readily
accessible top surface, or not more than 12 mm (IP2X or IPXXB) if in any other surface.
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Cables passing through separate holes of a non-ferromagnetic metal plate or a non-metallic plate
Conductors (sheathed
with non-ferromagnetic material)
Ferromagnetic enclosure
N
L3
L2
L1
Fig 4
Cables passing through separate holes of a ferromagnetic metal plate having a slot
Conductors (sheathed
with non-ferromagnetic material)
L1
N
L3
L2
Ferromagnetic enclosure
Fig 5
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Topics not referred to in this text, which are related and may be of interest:
None listed
521-02
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