Question

A 2-mm-diameter electrical wire is insulated by a 2-mm-thick rubberized sheath (k = 0.13 W/m ? K), and the wire/sheath interface is characterized by a thermal contact resistance of R c = 3 X 10-4 m2 ? K/W. The convection heat transfer coefficient at the outer surface of the sheath is 10 W/m2 ? K, and the temperature of the ambient air is 20

Answer 1

Question

A 2-mm-diameter electrical wire is insulated by a 2-mm-thick rubberized sheath (k = 0.13 W/m.K), and the wire/sheath interface is characterized by a thermal contact resistance of Rtc = 3E-4m².K/W. The convection heat transfer coefficient at the outer surface of the sheath is 10 W/m²K, and the temperature of the ambient air is 20°C.

If the temperature of the insulation may not exceed 50°C, what is the maximum allowable electrical power that may be dissipated per unit length of the conductor? What is the critical radius of the insulation?

Answer:

a. 4.52W/m

b. 13mm

Explanation:

Given

Diameter of electrical wire = 2mm

Wire Thickness = 2-mm

Thermal Conductivity of Rubberized sheath (k = 0.13 W/m.K)

Thermal contact resistance = 3E-4m².K/W

Convection heat transfer coefficient at the outer surface of the sheath = 10 W/m²K,

Temperature of the ambient air = 20°C.

Maximum Allowable Sheet Temperature = 50°C.

From the thermal circuit (See attachment), we my write

E'q = q' = (Tin,i - T∞)/(R'cond + R'conv)

= (Tin,i - T∞)/(Ln (r in,o / r in,i)/2πk + (1/(2πr in,o h)))

Where r in,i = D/2

= 2mm/2

= 1 mm

= 0.001m

r in,o = r in,i + t = 0.003m

T in, i = Tmax = 50°C

Hence

q' = (50 - 20)/[(Ln (0.003/0.001)/(2π * 0.13) + 1/(2π * 0.003 * 10)]

= 30/[(Ln3/0.26π) + 1/0.06π)]

= 30/[(1.34) + 5.30)]

= 30/6.64

= 4.52W/m

The critical radius is unaffected by the constant resistance.

Hence

Critical Radius = k/h

= 0.13/10

= 0.013m

= 13mm