What is meant by thermally limited feeder in radial type?

A thermally limited feeder in a radial distribution system refers to a feeder line that can carry only a maximum amount of electrical current before it risks overheating. This limitation is primarily due to the thermal characteristics of the conductor material, which can degrade or fail if operated beyond its thermal rating. In a radial type system, where power flows from a single source to multiple branches, the thermal limits of the feeder must be carefully managed to ensure reliability and safety of the electrical distribution network.