Temperature dependent electrical resistance - QuickField simulation example
Electric current flows in the aluminum bus pipe. As a result of the thermal action of a current, the conductor heats up and its electrical conductivity changes.
How to find temperature dependent resistance of aluminum bus pipe?
Engineering answer Typical applications Geometry
Given
Task
Solution
Then correct the conductor temperature in DC conduction problem and repeat the steps 2 and 3 till the temperature value converges.
Results
Engineering question
Set up an axisymmetric QuickField Multiphysics problem for an aluminum bus pipe and evaluate temperature-dependent resistance from computed field results.
aluminum bus pipes, tubular busbars, high-current conductors
Download
Simulation problem
Problem Type
Axisymmetric multiphysics problem of DC Conduction coupled to Heat transfer.
Resistivity of aluminum ρ20° = 2.65e-8 Ohm*m, temperature coefficient of resistivity α = 0.00429 1/°C.
Current I = 1 kA;
Convection coefficient 5 W/K-m², ambient air temperature +20°C.
Calculate the conductor temperature.
The conductor resistance depends on the temperature as:
ρ = ρ20° · ( 1 + α·( T - 20° ) ).
DC Conduction problem allows us to specify the electrical conductivity vs. temperature dependency and the temperature of the conductor. The problem solving is an iterative process:
The steady state temperature of the aluminum conductor is 66°C.
Video
Related examples