U/G Ampacity Calc (ETAP)

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Andrew445

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Hi there, I am fairly new at the game and need to be pointed in the right direction regarding ampacity calculations.

I'm using the Neher-McGrath method via the ETAP software. It seems to me that ETAP allows you to model two situations: Conduit in a duct bank, and cables directly buried. I would like to model conduit dircetly buried but that does not seem to be an option. I'm thinking that I don't understand the definition of what a duct bank is perhaps. Can someone point me in the right direction?:)
 
Andrew445 said:
Hi there, I am fairly new at the game and need to be pointed in the right direction regarding ampacity calculations.

I'm using the Neher-McGrath method via the ETAP software. It seems to me that ETAP allows you to model two situations: Conduit in a duct bank, and cables directly buried. I would like to model conduit dircetly buried but that does not seem to be an option. I'm thinking that I don't understand the definition of what a duct bank is perhaps. Can someone point me in the right direction?:)
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Not sure exactly what you're looking for, but a duct bank can be buried in concrete or directly buried. A duct bank is basically a group of conduits.
 
I expect that the software you are using is not normally used for a single run of conduit. Most of the installations where that software would be used will have multiple runs. Multiple runs of underground conduit would be duct bank. Since the ampacity is based a lot on the ability to dissipate the heat generated, the thermal properties of the soil and the configuration of the duct bank (number of conduits, conduit spacing) should be required inputs to the software.
 
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