Thermal Simulation Models

The heat generation an derating curves specified by manufacturers in cylindrical cable and contact system data sheets are still frequently used in modern wiring harness design. This is why the 3D data required for an FEM or CFD simulation is not qet available in the concept phase. And even in subsequent development phases, the effort required to simulate the thermal system of an automotive wiring harness using the above methods is usually disproportionately high.

The standard characteristic curves in data sheets are only valid for the steady state and it is not possible to adequately assess how the wiring conducts heat using data sheets. Consequently, optimisation potential resulting from the thermal inertia of the wiring harness an heat reduction effects due to axial thermal conduction often remains untapped.

Unfortuantely, no standard format exists for the tool-independent exchange of thermal networks.

Nevertheless, the parties compiling the guideline had the overarching objecitve of making it possible to share models across different organisations. To this end, modules were compiled and their parameters sets defined in the guideline.

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