In order to reduce current in metal sheaths of crosslinked polyethylene（XLPE） cables

and to increase the service life and ampacity of cables

we analyzed the effect of mixed arrangement on current in metal sheaths of two-circuit arranged XLPE cables. Firstly

on the basis of the theory of electromagnetism

a process of calculation of current in metal sheaths of two-circuit arranged XLPE cables was deduced. Secondly

the value of current in sheaths of 220 kV single-core cables

which were laid in both horizontal and right angle form

was calculated by using a self-made program. The research results show that the maximum circulating current value of mixed arranged cables has reached 14.4% of load current when the cables are segmented evenly; under the segmentation of 400 m-500 m-600 m

the current value may be 24.2% of load current which is beyond the allowable range. In addition

the circulating currents in single-circuit cables is about 30% lower than that in double-circuit cables under the same laying conditions. In order to reduce the current in sheaths

we should make sure that the cables

which belong to the cross-bonding unit

should be arranged in the same order

and the length of segments should be equal.