The Effect of Additives to the Primary Material of a Current-Carrying Conductor on the Heating Temperature of an Electrical Wire

Abstract

The work investigates the effect of additives to the primary material of a current-carrying conductor on the heating temperature of an electrical wire, exemplified by a single-core aluminium wire with single-layer polyvinyl chloride insulation. It establishes the dependencies between the wire's heating temperature and its operating time under load currents that are lower, close to, and higher than the permissible levels set by regulations. The effect of chromium, vanadium, and titanium additives to the primary material of a current-carrying conductor on the wire's heating temperature during operation is also evaluated. Even small amounts of additives (less than 0.1%) to the primary material of a current-carrying conductor can affect the heating temperature of the loaded wire. Chromium additives have the most effect, while titanium additives have the least effect. The study demonstrates that during operation, a loaded electrical wire heats the least if the primary material of its current-carrying conductor has none of the additives considered in the article.