Republished with the Kind Permission of Sam Soady |
Eccentricity Pty Ltd Director /HV Operator / Cable Jointer
Underground high voltage cables have been a great innovation to the electrical distribution industry. While they make an installation look more visually pleasing than the overhead conductor systems currently being utilised, they are often exposed to scenarios which are overlooked by electrical designers and engineers.
It is common practice to protect your cables from mechanical damage via installation methods and manufacturing mechanical protection systems, however in some areas, cables have an environmental issue leading to a shortened lifespan and failure. Termites!
Even though electrical cables are not considered food for the termites it is well known they can attack underground cables damaging the integrity of the installation, which eventually leads to failures.
Some areas in Australia have a higher risk of termites such as the northern part of Queensland and the Northern Territory requiring underground cables to have an added protective layer during manufacturing.
Methods for termite protection on underground systems include hard physical barriers such as:
While all systems are highly effective at providing termite protection, the most common method utilized for modern installations is option 4 – chemical infused High Density Polyethylene.
This solution provides the most cost-effective choice as additional layers are not required to be added to the normal specification/design of the cable. Some companies however have moved away from this method due to Health and Safety concerns which have arisen from the use of these chemicals.
When performing joints/terminations on the cable, it is imperative to continue the termite protection all the way through the cable joint. This is generally achieved using stainless steel mesh being installed as a protective layer over the joined cable (refer image). The use of roll springs or hose clamps ensures termites cannot enter the joint body.
Eccentricity is a specialised Brisbane based company with a team of dual trade electricians and cable jointers. Our technicians are fully qualified to work on cables up to 66kV, including XLPE, PILC and EPR cables, backed by over a decade of industry experience.
With a modern and fully compliant fleet of industry vehicles, we are capable of accessing any high risk environment to perform works with a wide range of major MV HV cable jointing projects including, mining, oil, gas, renewable energy, and high voltage transmission networks.
Eccentricity has the capacity for small or large scale projects, providing reliability of power networks wherein client satisfaction is a top priority. We provide a high level of quality with all aspects of both installation and commissioning, ensuring we comply with all relevant regulations and legislative provisions.
Specialist Suppliers of High Voltage Electrical Equipment & Cable Accessories
Thorne & Derrick International are specialist distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.
THORNE & DERRICK 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
Distributors for 3M Cold Shrink & Scotchcast | Nexans Euromold | Pfisterer Connex
PR: Chris Dodds Sales & Marketing Manager with Thorne & Derrick International | 17.08.20
Following a 12 month Supplier Performance Assessment and the successful completion of several UK, European and US projects, Thorne & Derrick International based in the UK, are delighted to announce that today we have been accredited with Approved & Verified Supplier Status to GE Renewable Energy.
Our recent projects include the supply off Earthing, Discharging & Substation Safety Equipment to the Terna 320kV HVDC Italy-France Connector project and a 33kV Cable Accessories package to Block Island USA Offshore Wind Farm.
We are also currently assisting GE (Grid Solutions) with the technical specification of Medium Voltage Electrical Equipment to the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) – a joint stock company subscribed by the six (6) Gulf States.
Congratulations to our UK & Export Sales Teams and our Supply Chain for enabling this significant achievement – this opens excellent renewable industry opportunities for our businesses to continue forwards and upwards on our growth paths.
GE Renewable Energy harnesses the earth’s most abundant resources – the strength of the wind, the heat of the sun and the force of water; delivering green electrons to power the world’s biggest economies and the most remote communities.
LV MV HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt
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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 – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
We have an International Distribution Agreement with Nexans Power Accessories UK to supply their Heat Shrink and Cold Applied ranges of 11kV/33kV/66kV joints and terminations and Euromold brand of separable connectors.
Since 1985, we have established an international reputation based on Service, Integrity and Trust – contact us.
t: 0191 410 4292 | e: [email protected] | www.powerandcables.com
We provide expert technical support and supply from a multi-million pound stock holding:
See how T&D support, supply and service the Renewable Energy industry.
Image Courtesy of: Mohamed Ali (Electrical Cable Jointer)
Pictured: EHV Straight Joint & Jointing Bay
Further Reading
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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.
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For All Types Of MV HV Cable Damage
One wrong move with an excavator shovel and the cable is cut. Hundreds of households and businesses are left in the dark. When cable damage occurs, the cable has to be replaced quickly.
With the PFISTERER Universal Repair Kit, they offer grid operators the first “ready-to-use” cable repair system – suitable for all XLPE insulated cables, regardless of type, age or diameter. Energy suppliers can repair MV HV cable faults within a very short time, even in historically evolved networks.
Fault-free grid operation is a must for energy suppliers, not only with a view to customer satisfaction but also because of high downtime costs.
Nevertheless, damage to conductors caused by construction work, ageing or water ingress cannot be completely prevented. When damage occurs, the cable has to be replaced quickly. Yet with historically evolved networks, preventive inventory holding is extremely cost-intensive due to the large number of installed cable types and conductor diameters.
Replace – Plug In – Finished
This is where the PFISTERER Universal Repair Kit comes in, enabling selective and fast repairs to damaged sections of installed cables. It features the universal plug-in principle of PFISTERER fittings. These enable all kinds, materials and diameters of different cables to be connected.
In combination with just one defined XLPE replacement cable – for example the cable with the largest cross-section in the operator’s grid – universal and reliable repair kits for faulty cable sections can be put together within a very short time, regardless of which XLPE cable type and cross-section has been affected by the damage. Thanks to the connection fittings, the pluggable replacement part fits all XLPE cable types in the network.
Less Stock, Less Outlay
As a result, grid operators cut out the expense of holding a stock of all cable types. At the same time, the modular design of the joints and connectors reduces the range of parts that need to be stocked.
The universal cast resin joint is suitable for voltage levels up to 170 kV. It also meets all necessary shielding requirements including cross-bonding or for fibre optic cable monitoring. And it means simpler installation for the fitters, as only one universal system needs to be used.
Ready-To-Use: Quick Deploy Solutions
The PFISTERER fittings are oil and gas-free and therefore ready to use immediately. The new Universal Repair Kit is part of a whole series of rapidly deployable solutions – the Quick Deploy Solutions – which PFISTERER provides to assist its customers with repair, installation, maintenance or overhaul activities.
These include connection solutions for easily transportable emergency transformers, as well as interim cable systems and a universal kit for bridging system components in substations.
Stockists & Suppliers
The range of Pfisterer cable plugs, joints, terminations fittings and accessories offers solutions for virtually all MV & HV Cable Connection applications – Pfisterer accessories use silicone as an insulating medium due to the excellent properties that it possesses.
Thorne & Derrick are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing businesses involved in cabling, jointing, substation, earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and EHV. Supplying a complete range of power cable accessories to support the installation and maintenance of low/medium and high voltage cable systems:
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
Size 3 Pfisterer
Image: Marc Fenn | 11kV & 33kV Cable Jointer
Thorne & Derrick stock Pfisterer Size 3 connectors to terminate 33kV single core 185sqmm, 240sqmm, 300sqmm, 400sqmm and 630sqmm XLPE insulated cables with copper wire screens into SF6 type gas-insulated MV medium voltage switchgear.
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. ➡
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