ELEK Software Cable High Voltage v7.0 – Professional Software for Power Cable Ampacity and Thermal Analysis from LV to HV/HVDC

ELEK Cable High Voltage is a specialized engineering program for calculating the permissible current load and heating of power cables, primarily medium- and high-voltage cables. It is used for designing cable lines from LV to HV/HVAC/HVDC.

The program’s main objective is to answer a fundamental engineering question: what current can a specific cable carry, either temporarily or continuously, under specific installation conditions, without the core temperature exceeding the permissible limit?

To answer this, the software performs detailed thermal analysis of the cable and its environment, considering all relevant factors including cable construction, installation geometry, soil properties, and environmental conditions.

Primary Users

ELEK Cable High Voltage v7.0 is designed for electrical engineers, cable system designers, utility engineers, and consultants who need to calculate the permissible current load and thermal behavior of power cables. It serves professionals who:

  • Design cable lines for medium- and high-voltage transmission and distribution systems

  • Calculate continuous and emergency ampacity under specific installation conditions

  • Optimize cable sizing to ensure core temperatures remain within permissible limits

  • Analyze complex installations including buried cables, ducts, pipes, and thermal backfill

  • Evaluate different grounding methods for cable screens and sheaths

  • Validate designs against international standards including IEC 60287 and IEC 60853

Key Features & Capabilities

Cable Configuration

  • Voltage Levels: 110 kV, 132 kV, 220 kV, 330 kV and other HV/EHV levels

  • Core Cross-Section: User-defined cross-sectional area

  • Core Material: Copper (Cu) or Aluminum (Al)

  • Insulation Type: XLPE, oil-filled, gas-filled, and other insulation systems

  • Screen and Sheath Design: Configuration of metallic screens and protective sheaths

Installation Environment

  • Ambient Temperature: Ground or air temperature at installation

  • Soil Thermal Resistivity: Thermal resistance of the surrounding soil

  • Burial Depth: Depth of foundation or burial

  • Cable Spacing: Distance between adjacent cables

  • Phase Arrangement: Configuration of phases (trefoil, flat, etc.)

  • Screen Grounding Method: Single-point, both-ends, or cross-bonded grounding

  • Number of Circuits: Single or multiple cable circuits

  • Pipes and Channels: Presence of pipes, ducts, or channels

  • Thermal Backfill: Use of special thermal backfill materials

Analysis Types

  • Continuous Ampacity: Steady-state current rating

  • Emergency/Temporary Loading: Short-term overload capacity

  • Cyclic Loading: Daily or weekly load cycles

  • Short-Circuit Withstand: Thermal capacity under fault conditions

Standards Compliance

  • IEC 60287: Cable current rating calculations

  • IEC 60853: Cyclic and emergency current ratings

  • IEC 60949: Adiabatic short-circuit calculations

  • National Standards: Support for local standards and regulations

Outputs and Reporting

  • Ampacity Results: Continuous and emergency current ratings

  • Temperature Profiles: Core, sheath, and surface temperatures

  • Thermal Resistance Networks: Detailed breakdown of thermal resistances

  • Graphical Reports: Charts and diagrams for inclusion in engineering reports

  • Export Options: Export to PDF, Excel, and other formats

What’s New in Version 7.0

While specific release notes for version 7.0 are not detailed in the available search results, ELEK Software continues to develop its cable ampacity tools with regular updates. The 7.0 release likely includes:

Enhanced Calculation Capabilities

  • Improved Numerical Methods: More accurate thermal modeling for complex installations

  • Expanded Cable Libraries: Updated databases with the latest cable types and materials

  • New Installation Scenarios: Additional configurations for modern cable systems

User Interface Improvements

  • Streamlined Workflow: More intuitive navigation and data entry

  • Enhanced Visualization: Improved graphical output and reporting

  • Better Integration: Enhanced interoperability with other engineering tools

Standards Updates

  • Latest IEC Standards: Compliance with current editions of IEC 60287 and related standards

  • Regional Standards: Support for updated national and regional requirements

For detailed release notes and specific version information, users should consult the official ELEK Software documentation or contact their support team.