10/21/2019 Short-Time Current Rating of Conductor - Time Calculation

SHORT-TIME CURRENT RATING OF CABLES,

CONDUCTORS, AND BUS BAR
The following calculator computes the expected time for a cable, conductor, or bus bar to rise in temperature under short circuit or
short-time overcurrent conditions. The calculator uses empirical formulas that consider all heat generated by I2R losses in the
conductor during an overcurrent condition to be absorbed by the conductor and that no heat is transmitted from the conductor to its
surroundings.

Calculator-1

Known variables: Conductor cross-sectional area (Circular Mils), Conductor Material, Short Circuit/Overload Current (RMS
Amperes), Operating Temperature, Maximum Temperature

Input Conductor, Current, and Temperature Details

Choose Conductors: 12 AWG
Choose Conductor Material: Copper

Conductor area: 6530 Circular Mils

Input Short Circuit/Overload Current: 1327.00 RMS Amps
Input Opera ng Temperature: 50.00 Celsius

Input Maximum Temperature: 60.00 Celsius

Calcula on Results
Time to Reach Maximum Temperature: 0.01 Seconds

Formulas and Variables

Copper Conductors Where:

T = Time Duration of Short Circuit/ Overcurrent Condition (seconds)

Θ1 = Operating Temperature (degrees Celsius)
Θ2 = Maximum Temperature (degrees Celsius)
A = Cross-Sectional Area of Conductor
Aluminum Conductors I = Short Circuit / Overload Current (RMS Amperes)

Conductor / Cable / Bus Bar Data

Tables below provide circular mil and area information for various size conductors and bus bar for reference purposes.

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