This part of IEC60287 is solely applicable to the conditions of steady-state operation of cables at all alternating voltages, and direct voltages up to 5kV, buried directly in the ground, in ducts, in troughs or in steel pipes, both with and without partial drying-out of the soil, as well as cables in air. The term \'steady state\' is intended to mean a continuous constant current (100% load factor) just sufficient to produce asymptotically the maximum conductor temperature, the surrounding ambient conditions being assumed constant. This part of IEC60287 provides formulae for thermal resistance. The formulae given are essentially literal and designedly leave open the selection of certain important parameters. These may be divided into three groups: parameters related to construction of a cable (for example, thermal resistivity of insulating material) for which representative values have been selected based on published work; parameters related to the surrounding conditions which may vary widely, the selection of which depends on the country in which the cables are used or are to be used; parameters which result from an agreement between manufacturer and user and which involve a margin for security of service (for example, maximum conductor temperature). Equations given in this part of IEC60287 for calculating the external thermal resistance of a cable buried directly in the ground or in a buried duct are for a limited number of installation conditions. Where analytical methods are not available for calculation of external thermal resistance finite element methods may be used. Guidance on the use of finite element methods for calculating cable current ratings is given in IECTR62095 .