33kV Cable Jointing Using 3M QS2000 Cold Shrink Joints On Rail Power Cables
Published 06 Oct 2020
The following sequence of site photographs detail the installation of 3 x single core 3M QS2000 Cold Shrink Inline Cable Joints onto trackside rail power cable – the 33kV high voltage single core cables are XLPE insulated with a graphite coated sheath and stranded copper conductor (300sqmm).
Key stages of the cable jointing process are detailed including cable spiking, cable preparation and the installation of the Cold Shrink Joints.
Thorne & Derrick are 3M Electrical UK’s largest stockist of their range of Scotchcast and Cold Shrink cable joints, terminations and abandonment kits for industrial and hazardous area installations.
Images Courtesy :Â Steve Amos (Director & HV/MV Cable Jointer & Supervisor)
Company : Ady-hv limited
“My position within the company is Lead Cable Jointer/Jointing Supervisor. I am responsible for the running of HV cable feeder renewals from substation to substation. My skill set includes : sheath testing, cable fault finding, cable repairs, jointing HV and pilot cables, high voltage cable terminations, pressure testing and lead plumbing.”
“My passion is cable jointing and I will strive to progress to be the best Jointer I can be,” Steve comments.
Blue Sky, Sunny Day – trackside cable identification underway on existing 33kV cables using a Lee Vaughan cable identifier and setting up of the Accles & Shelvoke spiking gun under a sanction for cable testing.
Cables Spiked – 33kV power cable is spiked to ensure worker safety by short circuiting the high voltage power and making the cable “dead”.
Cables Cut – cable jointing position is prepared and cables cut.
Cables Stripped – the cable sheath is cleaned using jointers cable wipes and stripped using appropriate cable jointing tools.
Cable Preparation Perfection – the copper screen wires are peeled back over the cable jacket and taped using PVC tape. Marker applied for semi-con screens.
Cables Stripped – 33kV semi-con screen removed.
More Cable Stripping – 33kV XLPE insulation removed using Alroc stripping tools.
Ready For Jointing – both 33kV cables are expertly prepared and ready to be jointed using 3M QS2000 Cold Shrink.
Cold Shrink Tubes Parked – 3M cable joint components slid onto the 33kV cables before cable can be jointed.
Conductors Jointed – Pfisterer Sicon bolted connectors installed to joint the 300sqmm stranded copper conductors without resort to crimping tools and die sets.
Cold Shrink Joint – once cables are cleaned and grease has been applied then the 3M cable splice body and tapes are installed. Grease is applied onto primary insulation, semi-conductive screen and connectors.
Taping Time – electrical and mastic tapes applied to both sides of the cable joint. Earth Continuity – copper screen sleeve or stocking is then positioned and constant force springs applied.
Almost Done – 3M Cold Shrink outer jacket is then applied and the cable joint is now complete. The cable joint body is shrink down by turning and pulling out the zip core in counter clockwise direction.
Cable Joints Positioned – red and blue phase both complete and in position
Jointing Done For One Day – all three 33kV phases are jointed
Rail Cable Accessories, Electrification
& Installation Equipment
Thorne & Derrick supply an extensive range of 400V-33kV Rail Cable Accessories & Power Distribution Sytems including feeder pillars to contractors undertaking Low Voltage Power Distribution, HV Electrification & Substations, DC Traction & Networks, OLE and Track Feeder Cable Renewals – a complete range of Network Rail PADS approved track terminations, cable joints, cable repair and connection products up to 25kV, including 3M Cold Shrink, Pfisterer CONNEX and Nexans Euromold products.
Full range of Cable Pulling Equipment & Products to ensure safe and efficient of rail cables in to cable ducts and containment infrastructure including cable troughs.
