This Article was originally published in September 2015.
Andy O’Malley and Jimmy Nicklin have been jointing cables together for more than a decade.
Andy is a 420kV Cable Jointer and EHV Cable installation 
Supervisor while Jimmy Nicklin is an HV/EHV Cable Jointer, Splicer and acknowledged oil cable expert up to 500kV.
Both are employed by Allteck, international leaders in the design, construction, maintenance and upgrade of overhead and underground high voltage electric power utilities.
The following sequence of site installation photographs demonstrate the high skill levels deployed by the Allteck team in the cable pulling, termination and installation of a Southwire Canada 138kV cable system.
Southwire Company is North America’s leading manufacturer of wire and cable used in the distribution transmission of electricity.
Together, Allteck and Southwire Canada deliver power 24-7-365.
We all take electric power, heat and light for granted. Until we suffer blackout.
Let us offer thanks to those who power our homes and businesses through the simple act of flicking a switch.
To the Splicers and Linemen who face sleepless nights, dizzying heights, atrocious weather and the constant threat of electric shock.
To the pioneering Cable Manufacturers striving to advance technology and improve the reliability of power systems, whether underground or overhead.
Thank you Allteck and Southwire Canada.
Images Courtesy : Andy O’Malley & Jimmy Nicklin
Installation Credit : Andy O’Malley, Jimmy Nicklin & Allteck Crew
Jetset Jointers – Head in the clouds but feet firmly on the ground. Flying into Ontario the Allteck Team will be talking through the “game plan” for the 138kV Southwire cable installation. Working at high voltage and high height is high risk. “Great Safety is Great Business” is Allteck’s maxim and No.1 core value.
Sub-Zero – Sharp chill in the air and a hard ground frost with the dawn sun reflecting on the frozen ice as the Allteck Team arrive at the job site.
Getting Started – cable jacket scraping is key stage of EHV cable preparation.
Lift-Off – cable pulling commences with completion of the cable chute.
Heave-Ho – cables pulled up monopole ready for scaffolding and then terminating.
Tools of the Trade – cable jointers must hold the correct cable jointing tools to strip and remove cable jacket, cable insulation and cable semi-conductive screens from high voltage cables.
Cable Jointing – high voltage cable stalk positioned and sealed.
If The Cap Fits – hard hat swapped out for baseball cap worn for critical parts of the job once the cable oversheath has been removed as it is critical to not damage the cable insulation.
Wiping Down – a highly skilled stage of cable termination
A Master Craftsman – Jimmy Nicklin (Allteck) showing the world how to “wipe”.
Stripping Off – removal of semi-con screen using Hivotec CP90 jointers tool.
No Cheating On Cleating – installing transmission cable cleats to retain the 138kV cable in the event of short-circuit condition (as if). Southwire cable supported by Southwire cable cleats installed by Allteck crew.
Mission Accomplished – completed NKT ODSE 138kV Cable Termination
Why Specify Southwire?
138kV Southwire Cable Specification & Benefits
Conductor Material & Size
The choice of the conductor material, copper or aluminium, is a matter of customer preference and required current carrying capacity. For larger loads, copper is the most common option. When both copper and aluminium conductors can satisfy power system requirements, the more economical solution will be a function of the metal and the cable components costs in effect.
Insulation Thickness
Cables referred to by “Traditional Wall” insulation (850 mils) follow the traditional insulation wall practice referenced in ICEA standard S-108-720 appendix F as still specified by a number of customers and utilities. For cables with a radial moisture barrier, “Southwire(SW) Standard Wall” thicknesses of 650 mils in accordance with AEIC specification CS9 are recommended. For applications requiring smaller cable diameters, cables with reduced insulation thickness are available upon request within the stress limits in AEIC specification CS9.
Cable Sheath Material
Copper and aluminium corrugated sheaths offer the best mechanical and moisture protection for HV cable. In addition, copper will provide better short circuit performance and improved connectability. Another option is Southwire composite laminate sheaths in both copper and aluminium that offer excellent protection against moisture ingress.
Cable Jacket
Southwire standard outer jacket is extruded LLDPE with a co-extruded outer semi conductive polyethylene layer for jacket integrity testing. Halogen Free Fire Retardant (HFFR) compounds are available upon request for installations in cable trays and ventilated troughs.
Southwire is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of Wire and Cable, Tools, Components and Assembled Solutions.
“We Want To Produce The Best Wire Products”
Southwire is one of the world’s leading developers, manufacturers and suppliers of building wire and utility cable, as well as the cable tools used in their installation. As such, Southwire are continually improving their products, studying how they’re used in the field and assessing the needs of their customers to find new and better ways to solve the problems facing the industry.
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Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. ➡ 
Images Courtesy of: Ace David – Owner & Founder of David Laag en Middenspannings Montage (David Low & High Voltage Installation), Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands.
Pictured: The brand of cable accessories are Cellpack Compax CKM straight-through high voltage joints and Lovink LoviSil M105 (polymeric/paper (1-core) joints. Voltage of the cable is 10kV – the high voltage power cable circuit length is almost 4km of cables (400sqmm). The cable jointers used Intercable tools to carry out the cable preparation of the HV cables prior to jointing.
➡ Cellpack Compax CKM are plug-in type cable joints and are the only cable joints with a metallic connector pre-installed inside of the body of the joint.
High Voltage Joints
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. ➡
Cable Terminations for Array Cables | Thorne & Derrick Stockist of 3M ColdShrink | Nexans Euromold | Pfisterer CONNEX up to 66kV
NEWS from HV3 Solutions Limited
by John Harrison | Director
HV3 Solutions have completed the High Voltage Cable Testing on Triton Knoll Windfarm.
All 90 Array Cables have had a full suite of tests including: LRM, TDR, VLF & PD.
The windfarm has the capacity to produce 857MW of sustainable clean energy which will power more than 700,000 homes. We as a company would like to take this opportunity to thank all employees and subcontractors who helped us achieve this huge milestone.
As this year comes to a close, we are gearing ourselves up for a very busy 2021 within the Onshore & Offshore Windfarm sectors.
HV3 are an established company of electrical engineers based in Hampshire, operating throughout the UK. Specialising in the testing/fault finding on HV/LV networks and new connections – company policy is to meet the customer’s needs and is supported by a wealth of experienced and competent staff.
4 vans carry the most up-to-date Cable Fault Location & VLF Testing Equipment available. All operators are fully trained and provide this service to the highest possible standards. Cable Fault Location services are available at short notice on a nationwide basis for the following:
Contact HV3 High Voltage Solutions
Unit 4, Salterns Lane Industrial Estate . Salterns Lane . Fareham . Hampshire . PO16 0SU tel 01329 826 881
Image: Daniel Whitnall
Further Reading
Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors to the UK and international Offshore Wind & Renewable industry to provide safe and reliable
LV HV Electrical Cable & Power Distribution Systems up to 66kV – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
Contact our UK Power Team for competitive quotations, fast delivery from stock and technical support or training on all LV-HV products.
Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV HV
See how T&D support, supply and service the Renewable Energy industry.
MV HV Cables 11kV 33kV 66kV | Cable Joints, Terminations & Connections
uploaded by Chris Dodds | Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick
NEWS Thorne & Derrick | LV HV Cable Jointing & Electrical Equipment – following a successful specification and supplier evaluation by the client today we are despatching 22 x Fibre Optic Cable Splicers Tents & Umbrella’s approved for use on Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), the operator of the national railway network of Ireland.
PADS Approved | Translucent fibre optic splicing tents with Network Rail approved blue colour skirts suitable for protection against water ingress and weather effects into cables and joints are also available from us.
With 35 years of experience Thorne & Derrick have built our reputation from a proven track record of unquestionable customer service and technical excellence. ➡ See our complete range of Jointers Tents for power and fibre cable jointing and splicing.
Pictured: Sheerspeed Jointing Tent Kit consisting of 180 PZTFOS 1.8m x 1.8m Triangle Tent, 8ft Umbrella, Umbrella Clamp and Carry Bag. The Premium Speed tent range allows natural light into the work area, ideal for jointing and splicing cables in poor weather conditions. Both tent and umbrella are quick and easy to assemble with no loose components, flame retardant and 100% waterproof.
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.
Cable Cleats | Cable Hangers | Cable Joints | Cable Glands | Cable Lugs | Cable Transits | Arc Flash Clothing
Achieve Quick Progress With Advanced Technology Solutions
The following Whitepaper by G&W Electric and presented by Thorne & Derrick describes strategies and technologies designed to minimise or even prevent the threat of electric power-induced fires. These solutions are focused on distribution protection equipment that can be quickly applied to high fire risk areas.
Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories to UK and international utilities and contractors providing electrical power at distribution and transmission voltage levels.
In recent years, the electrical power system has increasingly been the source of wildfire ignition. Environmental factors (e.g., climate change, increased temperatures, dry air and land, and high winds) combined with the arcs generated by electric power system equipment significantly increase the risk of wildfire.
To ensure public safety, it is vital to plan, prepare and identify solutions for fire mitigation. Electric utilities implement fire mitigation strategies during high fire risk conditions through preventive maintenance, strategic operational practices, enhanced system protection and system hardening.
Strategic operational practices range from selective relay protection schemes to more extreme, fail-safe measures such as Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) de-energization programs. Selective relay schemes may include reclose blocking, fast fuse curves and more sensitive ground fault protection, while PSPS shuts off power to the high fire risk area and sectionalizes the perimeter of the unaffected area.
Enhanced system protection reduces the likelihood of ignition through technological advancements such as fast fault clearing schemes, downed conductor detection and communications- assisted system automation.
System hardening strategies help create a more robust, fire-resistant grid by upgrading aging infrastructure to mitigate and eliminate ignitions caused by sparks.
This Whitepaper provides a comprehensive review of distribution protection technologies available today for fire mitigation. These solutions are summarized in the Appendix table.
Contents
Overview of G&W Cable Accessories
In 1905 G&W introduced the first disconnectable cable terminating device.
Over 100 years later, G&W continues to create technical innovations that have improved performance and reliability. With over 100 years experience, G&W is the name you can trust for quality cable accessories. With sales representation worldwide, G&W has a proven track record for success.
G&W cable accessories are designed to accommodate cables from all manufacturers and can be created to accommodate any customer cable system. The optional mechanical shrink feature offers an easier and faster installation while reducing possible damage during installation. G&W also offers installation supervision and installation training, which can be customized to suit the audience.
G&W offers a variety of transmission cable accessories for extruded dielectric cable systems. Cable terminations are available for outdoor applications to 230kV and include porcelain or composite insulator options and premolded designs. Gas insulated substation designs are available to 230kV.
Transition cable splices and cable joints are available to 138kV and include premolded designs. All cable terminations and cable joints incorporate built-in stress control and dielectric fluid. Dry type designs are also available for maximum ease of installation.
Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories | 11kV 33kV 66kV to 400kV
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