Guest Blog From COBA
Electrical safety is non-negotiable, especially when working around live switchgear, high-voltage panels, and electrical distribution equipment. One critical but sometimes overlooked safeguard is electrical insulating matting, designed to protect operatives from electric shock by insulating them from earth potential during live working.
Insulating matting is a essential component of electrical safety and is specified and installed to provide protection against electrical shock and hazards around electrical equipment, such as switchboards and switchgear – this can include Low Voltage, Medium Voltage & High Voltage.
Electrical insulating mats are specialist workplace safety products. They are made from dielectric elastomer rubber and placed in front of switchboards, control panels, generator housings, and other high-voltage equipment. Their purpose is simple but vital: to prevent people from becoming part of an electrical circuit that could deliver a shock.
COBA’s insulating matting, marketed as COBA Switch BS EN 61111, conforms to the internationally recognised BS EN 61111:2009 (aligned with IEC 61111:2009) standard. This standard ensures consistent quality, performance and safety characteristics for insulating mats used in live working.
BS EN 61111:2009 is the current European adoption of the IEC 61111 standard for electrical insulating matting. It sets out:
This standard underpins every COBA Switch mat, giving end users the confidence that the product meets internationally accepted performance benchmarks.
How Electrical Insulating Matting Protects WorkersAt its core, insulating matting provides a non-conductive barrier between a worker and the grounded floor. In high-voltage environments, if someone is standing on a conductive surface, they can become part of the electrical return path.
An insulating mat reduces that risk by increasing resistance to current flow, which lowers the likelihood of electric shock during live operations.
Practical benefits include:
BS EN 61111:2009 defines multiple classes of matting based on dielectric performance and typical working voltage ranges. This makes it straightforward to select a mat that aligns with your application’s requirements:
When specifying matting, choose a class with a working voltage rating equal to or greater than the highest voltage present in the area where the mat will be used. This ensures adequate protection and aligns with the standard’s guidance for safe live working.
Even the best electrical insulating mats need regular inspection and maintenance:
Proper care, storage (clean, dry locations) and adherence to inspection schedules help ensure the matting performs as intended throughout its service life.
Electrical insulating matting is suitable for:
Its installation is a key part of establishing a safe working zone and reducing the risk of contact with energised parts during maintenance, testing, and live working.
Electrical safety is built on layers of protection and insulating matting plays an essential part in that system. By understanding BS EN 61111:2009, selecting the right class of matting and maintaining it properly, you can significantly reduce electrical risk for personnel exposed to live working conditions.
If you have any questions about choosing the correct COBA Switch insulating mat for your application or would like tailored recommendations, our team is always ready to help.
By Chris Dodds | Thorne & Derrick – Sales & Marketing Manager
For contestable connections adoptable by NGED, Lovink Enertech 11kV and 33kV cable joints are specified, with the M-series LoviSil 33kV system being the Sole Approved Manufacturer for NGED adoptable 33kV joints within the Independent Connection Provider (ICP) sector – this covers 33kV Straight, Transition & Trifurcating Transitions applications according to G81 NGED Document.
Where cables undergo dynamic cyclical load in high harmonic and non-linear load applications the Lovink range of cable joints demonstrate years of fault-free field performance in high temperature installations. Additionally, the cable joints are “flame-free” and therefore safe for installation in potentially explosive atmospheres as no heating source or naked flame is required for the installation.
Lovisil has been approved for use by NGED for more than 25 years and is also widely used by UKPN providing a dielectric strength greater than 21kV/mm remaining fluid in service, allowing for natural movement without creating voids.
Network resilience requires advanced technology solutions manufactured from highest performance materials; if high harmonics, Sine wave distortion, AD8 protection, abnormal thermal cycling, high-water table, ALE of legacy PILC or general cable failure prevention to critical 11/33kV circuit smatters to you, then talk to us.
T&D recently hosted Lovink for a product training session focused on their latest medium-voltage jointing and connectivity solutions. The visit provided an opportunity for hands-on product demonstrations, technical discussions and knowledge sharing around installation best practices and applications.
It was a valuable session that strengthened collaboration and enhanced understanding of Lovink’s technologies and capabilities.
Thank you to Stephen Davies (Lovink Enertech Account Manager) for your emphatic presentation and roundtable with our incredible team.
Lovink Enertech products are proven in service worldwide for network resilience, ease of installation, and long-term reliability.
Thorne & Derrick provide expert technical support, fast delivery and comprehensive stock availability for the complete Lovink range — from medium voltage straight joints to high voltage transition solutions.
The regional Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for the Midlands, South West and Wales responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity distribution network.
Accredited companies permitted to carry out contestable works such as cable installation and jointing, allowing customers to connect to DNO networks.
Elements of new electricity connections that can be delivered by an ICP rather than the DNO, often including civil works and jointing up to the point of network adoption.
Thorne & Derrick support your Medium Voltage Jointing & Connection requirements.
Solar & BESS | Wind Energy | Data Centres | Rail | Hazardous Areas | Utilities
Speak with our MV Product Specialists today to discuss jointing, terminations and materials for your next project.
Throughout 2025, we have been proud to support a wide range of charities, community groups, and voluntary organisations working across our region. Our donations have helped strengthen local communities, improve wellbeing and ensure vital services continue to reach those who need them most.
We’re continually inspired by the dedication of these organisations and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their meaningful work. Below, we highlight the initiatives we’ve supported not as a measure of our giving, but as recognition of their invaluable community impact.
Alington House Community Association provides a welcoming space for local residents to access essential services, activities and support. Our funding helped cover vital roof repairs, preventing further water damage and ensuring the building can continue to operate safely as a hub for community programmes and groups.
The Foundation uses football as a tool to engage people of all ages, promoting health, inclusion, and positive life skills. Our donation supported weekly community football sessions, covering coaching, equipment, pitch hire and an end-of-season awards event celebrating participation and achievement.
Endeavour Woodcrafts CIC works with vulnerable individuals, offering practical skills training and supportive activities in a safe environment. Funding contributed to the installation of high-security roller shutters, protecting the premises and helping ensure services can continue without disruption.
Consett & District Cricket Club plays an important role in bringing people together through sport, supporting both junior and adult players. Our support helped purchase new cricket sightscreens, improving safety, visibility and overall playing standards.
This partnership focuses on improving opportunities and outcomes for local residents, particularly young people. Our donation helped launch a new Friday night youth club, providing a safe, structured space with positive activities and support.
Serving as a long-standing community sports venue, the club supports physical activity and social connection. Funding helped purchase essential grounds maintenance equipment and new seating, improving accessibility, sustainability and comfort for users.
Shildon Methodist Church provides a wide range of community activities beyond worship, including groups, events and support services. Our funding supported the renewal of the community hall roof, protecting the building and ensuring it remains available for local use.
This organisation supports young people across the region through structured activities and development opportunities. Our donation contributed to a large-scale wellbeing programme offering sport, outdoor learning and residential experiences for more than 350 young people.
Sacriston Community Association works to reduce isolation and improve quality of life for older and vulnerable residents. Funding helped expand outreach, befriending services and transport support, allowing the organisation to reach more people in need.
The Allotment Project CIC focuses on mental health and wellbeing through community gardening. Our support helped deliver an allotment-based programme that encourages physical activity, social connection, skill-sharing and shared meals in a supportive environment.
Durham Fringe delivers an annual arts festival that supports local creatives and brings cultural activity into the city. Funding contributed to volunteer subsistence, skills development and artist progression linked to the Durham Fringe Festival.
Providing inclusive childcare and play opportunities, the club supports children and families throughout the year. Our donation funded the construction of an outdoor canopy, enabling safe, year-round outdoor play, including for children with additional needs.
This association delivers a range of activities aimed at improving wellbeing and community engagement. Funding supported the continuation of the ‘Wellbeing Tuesdays’ programme, covering staffing, specialist instructors, materials and safe facility use.
Wellbeing 4 Men CIC supports boys and young men through education, discussion and practical wellbeing activities. Our funding helped deliver a structured programme addressing mental health, identity, resilience and positive masculinity.
Dare North East CIC uses dance and social learning to support adults with mental health needs. Funding enabled delivery of a year-long ballroom dance and social skills programme focused on confidence, connection and wellbeing.
Live Well North East provides holistic support to individuals and families through physical activity and wellbeing services. Our donation supported weekly sessions across North Durham, combining mental wellbeing, exercise and family support.
The association provides a base for youth activities and wider community support. Funding contributed to a major refurbishment of the youth centre kitchen, improving safety, efficiency and opportunities for life-skills learning.
Ushaw delivers cultural, heritage and community engagement programmes. Our donation supported community activities linked to the Summer of Stories programme and the Festival of Books, helping widen access to arts and heritage.
South Stanley Partnership supports residents through advice, activities and community-led initiatives. Funding helped cover core running costs following a loss of income, ensuring vital services could continue.
Edenhill People Centre provides welcoming activities aimed at reducing isolation. Our support funded arts, crafts and community meal sessions designed to improve mental health, wellbeing and social connection.
The church acts as an important community space for events and support services. Funding contributed towards roof repairs, helping ensure the building remains warm, safe and accessible for local residents.
The rowing club supports fitness, discipline, and teamwork for young people and adults. Our donation helped purchase specialist fitness equipment for a new training space used by both junior and adult athletes.
Coxhoe Village Hall provides inclusive community space for activities and support services. Funding helped cover staffing, energy and activity costs, ensuring continued access for older people and disabled residents.
North East Dance CIC supports young people through creative movement and mentoring. Our donation funded a year-long programme combining dance, fitness and mentoring for boys and young men, promoting confidence and positive identity.
Stronger Together works with communities to develop local support networks and peer-led groups. Funding contributed to a part-time Project Officer role, supporting planning, coordination and delivery of community groups.
Muscletone Gym and Fitness CIC supports young people through structured physical activity and mentoring. Our funding supported the ‘Gym Heroes’ programme, combining fitness sessions with mental health support and positive role models.
Barnard Castle Football Club plays a key role in community sport and volunteering. Funding helped cover operational costs, volunteer support and equipment, strengthening long-term sustainability.
The church supports a wide range of community activities and local events. Our donation helped sustain its role as a community hub, ensuring continued access to support and shared space.
Burnhope Community Centre provides essential space for activities, groups and services. Funding contributed towards running costs, helping maintain this important local facility.
Learning Library delivers outreach education and learning opportunities across the community. Our support helped cover core running costs, including staffing, vehicle use and outreach delivery.
The Just Love Project focuses on strengthening relationships and improving wellbeing. Funding supported targeted work with individuals and communities to build healthier, more resilient connections.
Wheatley Hill Community Association supports a wide range of local activities and services. Our donation provided core funding to help sustain community programmes and vital local support.
These donations reflect our continued commitment to supporting communities, improving wellbeing and investing in organisations that make a real difference. We are grateful to all the groups we supported in 2025 and look forward to continuing this work in the future.
Thorne & Derrick International are UK based and are the leading specialist distributors of LV, MV and HV cable accessories and tooling from 600V to 132kV complemented by an extensive range of hazardous area certified electrical equipment (ATEX and IECEx) to provide compliant, safe and optimised power, heating and lighting. Thorne and Derrick International supports critical infrastructure projects across power, utilities, rail, construction, oil & gas, marine, and process industries.
With over 40 years of industry expertise, Thorne & Derrick International delivers trusted products, technical support, and tailored solutions to meet the evolving needs of the energy and industrial process markets.
Lovink is a global leader in medium- and high-voltage (MV / HV) cable jointing technologies, delivering industry-proven cable connection solutions for utilities, transmission networks, renewable energy, industrial and infrastructure projects. The range of Lovink cable joints such as LoviX® R and LoviSil emphasise high performance, long-term reliability, simplified installation and full lifecycle support.
Underground cable jointing is a crucial yet complex component of modern electrical infrastructure. Unlike overhead systems, underground joints are hidden beneath layers of soil and subject to moisture, temperature fluctuations, confined spaces, and unexpected site conditions, all of which make reliable jointing essential to network performance and longevity.
One of the most common obstacles in underground jointing is moisture ingress. With saturated soil conditions becoming increasingly common across the UK particularly in coastal and low-lying areas waterlogged ground, high water tables, and unstable soil can all accelerate joint failure if sealing systems are not robust.
Traditional jointing methods often struggle in flooded or contaminated environments, leading to insulation breakdown and long-term reliability issues.
During a recent hands-on workshop trial, Stephen Davies, UK Account Manager at Lovink Enertech, saw firsthand how the new LoviX® R joint addresses these challenges. The system’s sealing method, combined with high-quality Protolin® resin, delivered a reliable and consistent seal.
The resin was noted for being easy to mix, uniform in application, and setting solid a crucial advantage when installers are working against time, weather, and water exposure. Additionally, the cable joints are “flame-free” and therefore safe for installation in potentially explosive atmospheres, as no heating source or naked flame is required for the installation.
Urban environments and congested infrastructure often mean limited access and reduced excavation areas. Traditional jointing systems can be difficult to install when working around existing utilities such as gas, water, and telecommunications services.
Modern joint designs are increasingly focused on compact assemblies that can be installed in small pits without compromising performance. This is especially valuable for UK sites where excavation space is often restricted.
One standout feature highlighted during the LoviX® R trial was its compact size. According to Stephen Davies, this proved to be a “game-changer” for installations in tight pits and confined access areas. The reduced footprint made handling and positioning easier, improving both safety and efficiency on site.
Temperature extremes are another challenge underground cables and joints must endure:
Selecting jointing solutions that remain flexible across a wide temperature range helps ensure stable long-term performance. Consistent material behaviour regardless of weather conditions reduces thermal stress and minimises the risk of premature failure.
Even with advanced materials, installation technique matters. Complicated procedures increase the risk of misalignment, improper sealing, and costly rework. Installers need systems that are intuitive, repeatable, and forgiving in difficult site conditions.
The LoviX® R system was particularly well received for its quick and intuitive installation process. Features such as the self-centring spiral tube help ensure accurate alignment, reducing the chance of errors during assembly. Clear instructions without unnecessary complexity further support reliable installations on site.
The all-in-one kit approach was also praised during the trial, keeping components organised and simplifying logistics for contractors. Even details such as the professional black and red design were noted positively, reinforcing confidence in the quality of the product.
Following the workshop trial with experienced UK contractor JK Jointing Ltd, feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Company owner Justin Hay described the joint as “a step ahead,” highlighting the overall build quality, dependable resin system, and thoughtful design that eliminates common weak points — particularly around sheath areas.
This installer-focused approach is what sets modern jointing systems apart: designs that not only perform technically, but also make life easier for those installing them in challenging conditions.
As underground infrastructure faces increasing environmental and logistical pressures, reliable, installer-friendly jointing solutions are no longer a luxury — they’re essential. Innovations like LoviX® R demonstrate how thoughtful design and practical performance can help overcome the toughest underground cable jointing challenges.
Lovink is a global leader in medium- and high-voltage (MV / HV) cable jointing technologies, delivering industry-proven cable connection solutions for utilities, transmission networks, renewable energy, industrial and infrastructure projects. The Lovink product ranges such as LoviX® R and LoviSil emphasise high performance, long-term reliability, simplified installation and full lifecycle support.
Thorne & Derrick are the UK Authorised Distributor for Lovink Enertech and provide stock supply, technical support, project specification assistance, and global export logistics for Lovink’s cable jointing solutions.
Lovink Enertech products are proven in service worldwide for network resilience, ease of installation, and long-term reliability.
Stokbord cable protection covers are rigid HDPE protection boards designed to be installed above buried cables in trenches. They are manufactured and designed by Centriforce to provide strong mechanical protection against impact, backfill pressure and accidental excavation strikes.
The cable covers are available in a range of distinctive colours and feature bold warning text to ensure that they are visible during maintenance and construction projects – optional colours and preferred text sizes are available when placing an order, with personalised text options also possible but dependent on minimum order quantities. Contact T&D for more information.
Not only are Stokbord Cable Covers highly visible and able to withstand large impacts, they are also waterproof and rot proof regardless of acidic or alkaline soil types. Cable covers are fully jointed, laid overlapped and held firm with plastic jointing pegs – a direct replacement for concrete cable covers and steel plate.
Centriforce together with distributor UK Thorne & Derrick Tapetile and Stokbord underground cable protection tiles and covers are the market leading, heavy duty utility protection system for protecting underground cable and pipes – this includes low voltage, medium voltage and high voltage power networks working at 11kV and 33kV.
Stokbord covers provide a durable, lightweight protective barrier for buried cables and joint bays, reducing mechanical damage risks and simplifying long-term asset management. This guide walks installers and supervisors through a safe, repeatable workflow for installing Stokbord in a standard utility trench.
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THORNE & DERRICK are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – we service UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.
Since 1985, T&D have established an international reputation based on SERVICE | INTEGRITY | TRUST.
Contact us for 3M Electrical, ABB, Alroc, AN Wallis, CATU Electrical, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, CSD, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Euromold, Filoform , Furse, Lucy Electric & Zodion, Nexans, Pfisterer, Polypipe, Prysmian, Roxtec, Sicame, WT Henley.
Published 09 Jan 2026
We’d like to welcome our newest addition to the Thorne and Derrick team! Eva will be joining us as a content creator apprentice at our office in Chester-Le-Street. Eva will bring fresh new ideas to all of our social...
Published 09 Jan 2026
Insulating Matting Recommendations and Guidance for Electrical Safety Guest Blog From COBA Electrical safety is non-negotiable, especially when working around live switchgear, high-voltage panels, and electrical distribution equipment. One critical but sometimes overlooked safeguard is electrical insulating matting, designed...
