In order to effectively reduce the damage of short-circuit electromagnetic force to cables and cleats, and scientifically and reasonably determine the loop spacing of cables, this paper adopts electromagnetic coupling finite element method to calculate and analyze the short-circuit electromagnetic force of high-voltage large-section cables. The finite element model of three-phase short-circuit electromagnetic coupling for single-loop and double-loop cables in flat formation and trefoil formation is established, and the changes of short-circuit electromagnetic force in time and space are calculated and analyzed. The equation that the maximum value of three-phase short-circuit electromagnetic force varies with the distance between two circuits is obtained. The results show that the short-circuit electromagnetic force of double-loop cables satisfies a specific functional relationship with the loop spacing, and there is an inflection point of the change slope of electromagnetic force, which can be used to determine the loop spacing. This study can provide theoretical and technical support for the theoretical research of cable short-circuit electromagnetic force and engineering design or construction.