Solar Farms | 600V to 66kV

Reliable 3M Electrical Solutions That Help Keep Your Power On

Since 1985, Thorne & Derrick have been Authorised Distributors for the 3M Electrical range of Low, Medium & High Voltage Cable Accessories for the insulation, connection, repair and provision of reliable electrical power up to 66kV utilising Cold Shrink, heat shrink, Scotch Tape and Scotchcast Resin technologies.

For more than 30 years, 3M Electrical has been a trusted supplier of advanced materials for the solar industry. From engineered films to modular assembly solutions, 3M products are engineered to enhance performance, help improve reliability, and help drive down the critical cost per watt.

11kV | 33kV | 66kV Connections & Energisation

Thorne & Derrick distribute the most extensive range of MV HV Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors – this includes heat shrink, cold shrink, push-on and slip-over cable accessories enable the jointing, terminating and connection of 11kV-33kV and 66kV-72kV cables to oil, air or gas insulated switchgear, transformers, motors and overhead lines distributing electricity at medium/high voltages.

3M Electrical Products — More Uptime, Reduced Outages

Insulate, Connect, Protect & Energise

Cable Applications

A	Insulate Wires and Cables • Repair and re-insulate LV cables and busbar • Repair or replace busbar insulation • Insulate and seal in harsh conditions
Connect Wires and Cables • Conductor to conductor (pigtail and inline) • Conductor to flat pad or pin-connection	B
C	Splice Cables • Splice underground buried and submerged • Splice in cable tray or ductwork • Shearbolt and compression connectors
Rejacket and Protect Medium Voltage Cables • Rejacket buried and submerged cable • Provide mechanical and abrasion protection	D
E	Terminate Cables • Terminate in switchgear • Terminate live-front busbar connections • Terminate with dead-front separable equipment connection • Terminate in outdoor pole top and substation connection
Motor and Equipment Maintenance • Insulate motor lead connections • Repair busbar insulation • Repair metal housing for motors and pumps	F
G	Be Safe on the Job • Equipment outlet line insulation • Personal protection
Protect Cables from Fire, Water or Corrosion • Resist water, oil and chemicals • Resist abrasion, puncture and cut-through • Resist pipe corrosion	H
Locate & Mark • Map path and depth of underground assets	J
K	Maintain & More • Cable identification and cable management • Metal lubrication and rust resistance

Photovoltaic Solar Farms

Voltage Rating of 3M Product Applications

Indicates High Voltage Application (69KV-145KV)
Indicates Medium Voltage Application (5KV- 46KV)
Indicates Low Voltage Application (<1000V)

Kitting & Stocking Commitment | Thorne & Derrick have expanded existing stock lines and introduced products into stock across the 3M Electrical Product range from LV to HV. From Scotch Tapes for 600V repair to QTEN for 66kV termination – we hold the deepest and broadest selection of 3M Scotch, Scotchcast and ColdShrink cable accessories in UK stock, 11kV 33kV 66kV.

3M Electrical Product Application Guide

NOTE: Products vary within each category. Not all products will be suitable for all the application requirements listed.

*Speciality Tapes coding: S=silicone, C=corrosion protection, G=glass cloth, V=varnished cambric

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors to Solar EPC’s & High Voltage Jointing Contractors working on the design, construction and maintenance of UK, European and international projects supplying an extensive range of LV HV Solar Cables, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt. Based in the UK, we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

We stock LV HV Solar Cables, Accessories & Electrical Equipment to enable the construction, maintenance and operation of utility-scale PV installations – our products connect 600V/1500V solar cables into combiner boxes, inverters, transformers and energise switchgear up to 33kV/132kV for high voltage grid connections. Since 1985, we have provided expert technical support and express delivery from extensive UK stocks to world-wide destinations. 

View our Solar Capability page.

Further Reading

• Jointing, Grounding & Terminating DC Solar Cables
• Solar Farms Replace Nylon Cable Ties With Metal Cable Ties
• Video : Solution to Terminating & Connecting Photovoltaic Solar Aluminium Cables
• Seaward Solar Utility Pro | Solar Cable & PV Installation Tester
• Bi-Metallic Cable Lugs | Compression Crimp Terminations for Aluminium Cables
• Nexans Euromold Connectors : EPDM Rubber Screened Separable Connectors For Medium Voltage Cables

Networking, Knowledge Sharing & Innovation with Klauke

7th February 2024

Thorne & Derrick | Preferred UK Stockists & Distributors for Klauke

Danke Schon Klauke for an electrifying experience at the UK Partnership Conference held at their Remscheid/Germany HQ this week.

Excellence in Electrical Engineering – over 3 days we were all extremely privileged to benefit from “pre-release” product reveals of the NextGen Tools for Engineers, Jointers & Linesmen. These Innovations by Klauke will soon give our industry seriously significant safety, productivity and reliability gains to maintain power whether underground, overhead or subsea. Innovation glimpses gave attendees a view into the future of solar connections, high voltage cable cutting and crimping best-practices.

Leadership in Learning – from immersive theoretical drill-downs into Connectors (IEC 60228) to practical “hands-on” Cut & Crimp Tool Demonstrations on LV DC solar to HV 2500sqmm 110kV renewable energy cable.

Thanks for the warmest of welcomes and excellent genial hosting led by Paul Morrow and supported by John Muckle, Alex Hart, Tom Betts, Tom O’Neil and John Lake – special thanks for the incredible insights and high-value Presentations from Ufuk Tasli, Luciana Lazar and Roman Esser and their colleagues.

Thank you to the Channel Partners, and to the new friends we made, for the excellent round-table talks, tips and industry insight sharing.

THORNE & DERRICK are Specialist Distributors of LV HV Cable Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt up to 66kV – this includes the most extensive range of Ex Stock Innovation Tooling to facilitate safe and reliable crimping, cutting, preparation, termination and installation of cables.

Arc Flash Protection for High Voltage Engineers

Specialist Distributor & Customer Service

Thorne and Derrick are Approved Specialist Suppliers & Distributors of ProGARM Arc Flash Clothing & PPE providing competitive prices from extensive stocks with excellent customer service levels. We protect LV HV Cable Jointers, SAP’s, Overhead Linesmen, Substation & Electrical Engineers; whether racking and switching Medium Voltage switchgear or fusing Low Voltage feeder pillars – we have the correct clothing and workwear to provide safe protection against all calculated levels of arc flash hazards.

Working alongside High Voltage Power Services (SW) Ltd and ProGARM we are committed to providing Jointer & SAP protection against the risk of arc flash incidence.

All clothing can be supplied transferred with company logo, this includes their 6444 Coveralls with Arc Flash Protection (ARC 2) using FR Fabric to provide ultimate worker protection.

The HVPS Team is a well-established, highly accomplished, and competent High Voltage Engineering Team, who between them has over one hundred years of experience in the electrical industry – look them up and Link-In with Paul Birch to discover more.

PROGARM 6444

Arc Flash Protection Coverall

• Flame Resistant fabric and Arc Flash protection
• Mandarin collar // Maximum neck protection
• Kneepad pockets // Wear with kneepads for extra comfort
• Chest pockets with zippers // Secure storage
• Gas monitor loop // Secure fixing point
• SafetyICON™ on arm // Visual EN Standards icon system
• 5cm Flame Resistant Anti Static Reflective Tape // Double-stitched for longer life
• Phone pocket on sleeve with flap // Safe and secure
• Velcro® secured cuff tabs // Close fit around wrist or gloves
• Side access pockets with flaps // With entry inside coverall
• ThermSAFE™ plastic Flame Resistant zippers // CE Certified
• Internal elastic two-point adjustable waistband // Ensures close fit
• Triple stitched side seams // Lifetime quality assurance
• Easy-Stretch™ side panels // Maximum wear comfort
• Action back for improved comfort
• More Information PROGARM 6444 Arc Flash Protection Coverall

ProGARM garments and arc flash clothing protection provides worker comfort and durability to your designs and printed preferences. 

The Definitive Guide To Arc Flash 

Overview of Arc Flash Clothing | Contact us to discuss your garment and PPE requirements, we can mitigate risk with guidance on safe working practices and by providing appropriate worker clothing that offers advanced Arc Flash Protection that saves lives every day. Whether working on underground cables or overhead lines, here is a selection of workwear clothing – contact us to discuss your requirements;

ProGARM 4690 Coverall	ProGARM 4616 Trouser	ProGARM 5816 Trouser	ProGARM 7638 Trouser	ProGARM 6458 Coverall
ProGARM 7418 Trouser	ProGARM 7480 Coverall	ProGARM 5290 Polo Shirt	ProGARM 6444 Coverall	ProGARM 5286 Polo Shirt

HV Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors | Approved Stockists & Distributors | 3M Electrical (Cold Shrink) | Nexans (Euromold JTS MONO) | Pfisterer (CONNEX SEANEX) | 11kV 33kV 66kV Medium & High Voltage Cable Accessories

Operational Problem | Recurring 33kV Joint Failures Caused by Water Ingress to AXAL-F-TT Cables – a Medium Voltage Cable with XLPE Insulation 3 Core Construction.

Approved Technical Recommendation | Design, Specification & Supply of Customised Medium Voltage Polymeric Trifurcating Cable Joints (3 Core to 3 Single Core Cables).

Uploaded by Chris Dodds | Sales & Marketing Manager Thorne & Derrick

Thorne & Derrick have been working across several portfolios of renewable assets in the UK with Solar EPC’s to produce a reliable rectification to 33kV cable joint failures caused by water ingress. The Approved Polymeric Heat Shrink Trifurcating Joint with integral water-barrier features a “resin block” before the cable joint to prevent additional water from penetrating the seals of the joint shell.

Rather than use heat shrink shapes, such as a cable break-out, the client preference for the MV Joint was to include a combined Resin & Shell Water-Blocking Kit to overcome future water penetration compromising solar cable service, reliability and circuit integrity.

Cable reliability increases plant profitability and overall operational efficiency with reduced downtime caused by cable failures on PV power plants.

Water spread and the capillary effect under the cable sheath can cause excess stress on the seal leading to premature joint failure. The solution covered in the Jointing Instruction is to install the jointing encapsulation resin and shell 1000mm from the cable sheath and create a birdcage with the cores – note the core of the medium voltage cable must be separated to allow the resin to flow fully into all voids to eliminate air gaps and possible pathways for water ingress to travel into the Joint and minimise the risk of future failure.

With an expected shelf-life of 2-3 years the Joints have now been introduced to several solar farm sites as Strategic Spares – this provides the client with contingency planning, emergency response and immediate fault repair to any future 33kV cable failures.

The Joint features a “single-tube” shrink over the mechanical shearbolt connector overcoming the traditional multi-tube process with independent stress control and triple wall heat shrink tubes requiring additional working time. Repair and Jointing work should only ever be carried out by an Authorised & Competent Jointers.

The existing faulted 33kV 3 Core AXAL-F-TT specification cable was jointed onto new 33kV BS7870 Single Core BS7870 type cables in accordance with the manufacturers Jointing Instruction – here is an excerpt from the JI Document, ownership of Shrink Polymer Systems.

REQUEST COPY OF JOINTING KIT INSTRUCTION

33kV Cable Specification | AXAL-F-TT 18/30 (36kV) 3 x 230 / 50 AL

AXAL-F-TT Cables with Aluminium, Compacted Stranded, Longitudinally Watertight Conductors, XLPE Insulation with Extruded, Bonded Semi -conducting Insulation Screen.

Further Reading

• Jointing, Grounding & Terminating DC Solar Cables
• Earthing Armoured Cables To Safely Protect LV AC Cables In The Solar Industry

sOLAR Cable Accessories & Electrical Equipment

600V to 66kV

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors to Solar EPC’s & High Voltage Jointing Contractors working on the design, construction and maintenance of UK, European and international projects supplying an extensive range of LV HV Solar Cables, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt.

Based in the UK, we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

We stock LV HV Solar Cables, Accessories & Electrical Equipment to enable the construction, maintenance and operation of utility-scale PV installations – our products connect 600V/1500V solar cables into combiner boxes, inverters, transformers and energise switchgear up to 33kV/132kV for high voltage grid connections.

Since 1985, we have provided expert technical support and express delivery from extensive UK stocks to world-wide destinations.

>> MORE INFO <<

Uploaded by Chris Dodds | Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick 

Here the Jointer, Steffan Evans, from HVSM is shown expertly removing the cable sheath and bonded aluminium screen using the Ripley US15 Cable Sheath Stripping Tool (10-50mm) – the Jointing tool when used by Trained & Competent Jointers effortlessly and safely removes both the outer sheath jacket with aluminium foil screen without incurring damage to the copper wire screens on a 33kV single core 800sqmm XLPE insulated cable.

Cable Preparation | Excerpt from Nexans Euromold Type C Interface Connectors (K), (M), (P) 800PB/G Up to 20.8/36 (42)kV | Note the instruction references the requirement to remove the outer cable sheath with Aluminium foil together.

Caution: in the case of conductive coated outer cable sheaths, the conductive coating must be removed during the installation of accessories in order to be able to carry out e.g. cable sheath testing. For this purpose, the conductive coating of the outer cable sheath must be removed with a suitable stripping tool for a length of approx. 400 mm below the end of the cable sheath.

Sheath Stripping with the Ripley US15

Stripping Bonded Screens 33kV

Here Steffan is shownly stripping bonded semi-conductor screen from medium voltage power cables (20/22kV) prior to terminating the cable into Siemens NXAIR type Vacuum Circuit Breaker – the Ripley US02-7000 comfortably caters for the precision stripping of the bonded screen from the 400sqmm cable for preparation of the Raychem (Tyco) heat shrink termination to be installed.

The US02 Tool manufactured by Ripley Tools features a revolving ergonomic handle and accessible adjustment knobs for comfort and ease-of-use, reducing effort and potential strain for cable jointers performing repetitive shaving functions in the field.

“Investing in innovation and introducing cable jointing tools to HVSM improves safety and reliability for our clients. The Ripley US02 is very Jointer-friendly with a spectacular finish to the XLPE insulation – the automatic cut-off and incremental blade adjustments ensure a professional perfection of cable preparation at medium voltages,” comments Steffan.

Stripping in the Switch | the US02 Tool is compact but robust allowing confined space working in Medium Voltage Electrical Equipment.

Cable Preparation Tools | Distributed From Stock | Approved Supplier 

HVSM are one of Ireland’s most long-standing High Voltage Engineering companies, which has been operating since 1991. Headquartered in Ireland but present and operating globally, they provide best in class specialist service for High Voltage Power Industries such as Commercial, Utilities, Manufacturing, Life Science, Data Centres as well as the Renewable Energy Sector.

Thorne & Derrick are now Official Distributors for the Vicera range of Cable Jointing Stands – the introduction of this new product range is an excellent extension to our core ranges of Cable Jointing, Pulling Equipment & Preparation Tooling and we look forward to further supporting efficient, easier and more reliable power cable installations.

Thorne & Derrick distribute the most extensive range of MV HV Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors from manufacturers including 3M, Prysmian, Nexans Euromold, Elastimold, Pfisterer CONNEX & SEANEX. Heat shrink, cold shrink, push-on and slip-over cable accessories enable the jointing, terminating and connection of 11kV-33kV and 66kV-132kV cables to oil, air or gas insulated switchgear, transformers, motors and overhead lines distributing electricity at medium/high voltages.

T&D hold large stocks of 11kV 33kV 66kV Joints & Terminations suitable for XLPE, PILC and EPR cables, in both heat shrink and Cold Shrink technologies, to service the medium/high voltage power cable accessory requirements of UK and international customers.