Phone: 888-593-3355

www.generalcable.com
SPEC F125
January, 2010
Short Circuit Current Calculation Overview
Copper Conductor t = 0.0297 log
10
Aluminum Conductor t = 0.0125 log
10
Which simplify to:
Copper Conductor amperes for MV-90
Copper Conductor amperes for MV-105
Aluminum Conductor amperes for MV-90
Aluminum Conductor amperes for MV-105

0.06773 A
I =

t
The maximum short circuit current which is permitted to flow in the insulated conductor, or the metallic shielding
and bonding (grounding) components, is dependent on the duration of the short circuit and the material used in
the cable.
Insulated Conductors Formula
The graphs on the following pages show the short circuit capability of 10 AWG to 1000 kcmil, copper and
aluminum, XLPE and EPR insulated conductors for various periods of time. These graphs are in accordance with
ICEA publication P-32-382. The equations are based on the assumption that the duration of the short circuit is so
short that the heat generated is contained within the conductor, taking into consideration the temperature limit of
the insulation.
The graphs are derived from the following formula:
Where: I = Short circuit current (amperes)
A = Conductor cross-sectional area (circular mils)
t = Short circuit duration (seconds)
T
1
= Maximum normal operating temperature, 90C for MV-90 or 105C
for MV-105
T
2
= Maximum short circuit temperature, 250C

0.07195 A
I =

t

0.0470 A
I =

t

0.044 A
I =

t
[ ]
T
2
+ 234

T
1
+ 234
[ ]
T
2
+ 228

T
1
+ 228
[ ]
2
I

A
[ ]
2
I

A
Phone: 888-593-3355
www.generalcable.com
SPEC F125
January, 2010
Short Circuit Currents
Allowable Short Circuit Currents For Thermoset Insulated Copper Conductors
Rated For 90C Maximum Continuous Operation
S
h
o
r
t

C
i
r
c
u
i
t

C
u
r
r
e
n
t

A
m
p
e
r
e
s
1 Cycles
16 Cycles
2 Cycles
30 Cycles
4 Cycles
60 Cycles
8 Cycles
100 Cycles
Conductor Size (AWG/kcmil)
Reference P-32-382-2007, reprinted in part with permission of ICEA. This excerpt is not intended to replace the standard in its entirety.
ICEA standards are subject to periodic review and revision. Complete texts of this and all ICEA standards are available at IHS.
10 8 6 4 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 250 350 500 750 1000
1000000
100000
10000
1000
100
I = Short Circuit CurrentAmperes
A = Conductor AreaCircular Mils
t = Time of Short CircuitSeconds
T
1
= Maximum Operating Temperature90C
T
2
= Maximum Short Circuit Temperature250C
Curves Based on the Formula
t = 0.0297 log
10 [ ]
I
A
[ ]
T
2
+ 234
T
1
+ 234
2
Phone: 888-593-3355
www.generalcable.com
SPEC F125
January, 2010
Short Circuit Currents
Allowable Short Circuit Currents For Thermoset Insulated Copper Conductors
Rated For 105C Maximum Continuous Operation

1 Cycles
16 Cycles
2 Cycles
30 Cycles
4 Cycles
60 Cycles
8 Cycles
100 Cycles
S
h
o
r
t

C
i
r
c
u
i
t

C
u
r
r
e
n
t

A
m
p
e
r
e
s
Conductor Size (AWG/kcmil)
Reference P-32-382-2007, reprinted in part with permission of ICEA. This excerpt is not intended to replace the standard in its entirety.
ICEA standards are subject to periodic review and revision. Complete texts of this and all ICEA standards are available at IHS.
10 8 6 4 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 250 350 500 750 1000
1000000
100000
10000
1000
100
I = Short Circuit CurrentAmperes
A = Conductor AreaCircular Mils
t = Time of Short CircuitSeconds
T
1
= Maximum Operating Temperature105C
T
2
= Maximum Short Circuit Temperature250C
Curves Based on the Formula
t = 0.0297 log
10 [ ]
I
A
[ ]
T
2
+ 234
T
1
+ 234
2
Phone: 888-593-3355
www.generalcable.com
SPEC F125
January, 2010
Short Circuit Currents
Allowable Short Circuit Currents For Thermoset Insulated Aluminum Conductors
Rated For 90C Maximum Continuous Operation
1 Cycles
16 Cycles
2 Cycles
30 Cycles
4 Cycles
60 Cycles
8 Cycles
100 Cycles
S
h
o
r
t

C
i
r
c
u
i
t

C
u
r
r
e
n
t

A
m
p
e
r
e
s
Conductor Size (AWG/kcmil)
Reference P-32-382-2007, reprinted in part with permission of ICEA. This excerpt is not intended to replace the standard in its entirety.
ICEA standards are subject to periodic review and revision. Complete texts of this and all ICEA standards are available at IHS.
1000000
100000
10000
1000
100
I = Short Circuit CurrentAmperes
A = Conductor AreaCircular Mils
t = Time of Short CircuitSeconds
T
1
= Maximum Operating Temperature90C
T
2
= Maximum Short Circuit Temperature250C
Curves Based on the Formula
t = 0.0125 log
10 [ ]
I
A
[ ]
T
2
+ 228
T
1
+ 228
2
10 8 6 4 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 250 350 500 750 1000
Phone: 888-593-3355
www.generalcable.com
SPEC F125
January, 2010
Short Circuit Currents
Allowable Short Circuit Currents For Thermoset Insulated Aluminum Conductors
Rated For 105C Maximum Continuous Operation
1 Cycles
16 Cycles
2 Cycles
30 Cycles
4 Cycles
60 Cycles
8 Cycles
100 Cycles
S
h
o
r
t

C
i
r
c
u
i
t

C
u
r
r
e
n
t

A
m
p
e
r
e
s
Conductor Size (AWG/kcmil)
Reference P-32-382-2007, reprinted in part with permission of ICEA. This excerpt is not intended to replace the standard in its entirety.
ICEA standards are subject to periodic review and revision. Complete texts of this and all ICEA standards are available at IHS.
1000000
100000
10000
1000
100
I = Short Circuit CurrentAmperes
A = Conductor AreaCircular Mils
t = Time of Short CircuitSeconds
T
1
= Maximum Operating Temperature105C
T
2
= Maximum Short Circuit Temperature250C
Curves Based on the Formula
t = 0.0125 log
10 [ ]
I
A
[ ]
T
2
+ 228
T
1
+ 228
2
10 8 6 4 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 250 350 500 750 1000