UNDERGROUND CABLES FOR MOVING GIGAWATTS

High-power electricity cables with transfers in the gigawatt range ha ve their own special characteristics which separate them from lower vo ltage distribution cables and domestic wiring. The larger size exacerb ates features and problems such as mechanical handling and, particular ly, heating effects. This article, based on the 36th Hunter Memorial L ecture, measures progress over the last quarter century since D.T. Hol lingsworth gave the 11th Hunter Memorial Lecture(1) though he was spea king of all types of underground cable whereas the present scope is na rrower.