The temperature of cable conductor is the main factor limiting cable ampacity, and determining the life of cable insulation. The accurate calculation of the conductor temperature is of great significance to the safe operation of cable lines. Based on the theory of heat transfer, this paper analyzes the heat source of power cable that causes temperature rise, and the heat transfer (heat dissipation) mode of the cable under different laying methods. Based on the analysis of cable heat transfer problem, main researches on steady state model and transient model of power cable temperature rise is summarized and prospected.