Cable sizing-avoid shortcuts and do it right

The task of selecting power cable and wire types along with the sizing of the conductors for specific applications is a very important part of the design of any electrical system. Unfortunately, this is a task that is often performed with a minimum of effort and with little consideration for all of the relevant design issues. The resulting tragedy is that improper selection and sizing can easily increase the installed cost of a facility while also reducing the reliability of the complete system. This paper outlines some of the considerations that should be applied to cable selection each and every time. It then suggests the design for a computer based tool which will facilitate the selection process without resorting to simplifications. The conclusion is that cable and wire can be readily sized properly if the power of personal computers are used to evaluate the various criteria and economic options.