Underground Power Cables - Yermasoyia – Agios Athanasios

The measurements were performed on the 12th of January 2009 at 09:10 am during clear weather conditions. The EMF measurements were performed in the area located above the underground cable “Yermasoyia – Ayios Athanasios”. The following figures provide pictures of the area where EMF measurements were recorded. 

The underground cables are rated at a nominal voltage of 132.6 kV and a maximum current capacity of 600A. At the time when the measurements were performed, the load of the underground cable “Yermasoyia” was 49 A which represents the 8.17% of its maximum current capacity. The load of the second underground cable with name “Old Engine - Room” was 31 A which represents the 5.17% of its maximum current capacity. The two underground cables are placed close to each other and have opposite directions of power flow.

Limiting exposure values have been provided by the ICNIRP recommendations and are guidelines to many countries and organisations. The exposure limits at 50 Hz are tabulated in the following table according to the limits given by ICNIRP.

Table 1: ICNIRP exposure limits for Occupational and General public exposure

The maximum obtained values are represented below and compared to the ICNIRP specified limits of General Public standards. The highest magnetic field was observed above the underground cable, with a value 3.02 μT (0 m away from the starting point) and a percentage of 3.02 % as compared to the ICNIRP General Public standard.

Table 2: Maximum field measurements