It is shown in this paper that the non-adiabatic nature of phase-to-earth fault thermodynamics in buried power cables can be modelled in an even more precise manner by using the FEM. The nonlinear FEM model has been created on the basis of an authentic case of fault caused by a previous mechanical damage of the cable sheath and insulation, as well as heat sources, thermo-physical and electrical material properties as functions of temperature and time. The proposed model is applicable to power cables of all voltage levels with different polymer insulations laid in soils with changeable moisture content, as well as to the dry arc tracking or wet arc tracking phenomena in PVC-insulated cables. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.