THORNE & DERRICK LV HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt
Welcome to our initial industry bulletin – VOLTS.
So what is VOLTS?
VOLTS is our first monthly round-up of industry news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars and career opportunities from Thorne & Derrick. Take a moment to Follow Us on LinkedIn to receive future VOLTS.
We celebrate our most successful year to date at T&D with a fantastic night at the South Causey Inn. Thank you to our Managing Director, Richard Derrick and Business & Development Manager, Terry McDonald for organising the event.
Chris Dodds, Sales & Marketing Manager said: “What a year, what a night but most importantly what a TEAM. Special thanks to all of our Customers & Suppliers across the whole business for making this our most successful since 1985.”
CHEERS! Thorne & Derrick Celebrate Record Sales Year
We celebrated the occassion with a glass of champagne and a video call with our Bristol team; before heading out to a local restaurant for their outdoor dining option.
November marked a major milestone for McGowan Environmental Engineering delivering the largest project they have undertaken to date, at Moy Wind Farm, south of Inverness.
During November, the civil and environmental engineering contractor successfully installed over 60km of 33kV high voltage underground cable consisting of three circuits in trefoil for SSEN. The project represented the largest completed to date and a great success for their game-changing Eco Cable Protect UK technology.
McGowan Wraps Up £7.2M Wind Farm Cabling Project For SSEN
Utilising cable ploughing, open-cut methods and Horizontal Directional Drilling, a huge multi-department team effort from McGowans over the last 12 months culminated with the circuits being connected to the national grid in recent days.
SSEN awarded McGowans the Moy cabling contract in October 2021 as part of a £7.2m project to deliver a total of 81km of cabling across Inverness and Caithness.
Due to increased wind farm yield from Moy Windfarm and the newly established Burn of Whilk windfarm in Caithness, the projects involved the installation of new 33kV single-circuit and triple-circuit underground cabling, fibre-optic cable, cross-bonding and intermediate earthing across rural and urban areas.
To enable completion of our largest supply contract for MV Cable Accessories this year, we have now delivered the final 5 pallets of Nexans Surge Arresters specified to a large-scale UK BESS project – this delivery from Thorne & Derrick will facilitate a significant step towards the energisation of an additional 100MW power grid stability when the facilities are energised in 2023.
Thorne & Derrick’s scope of supply include MV Euromold Separable Connectors, Surge Arresters and the new Nexans In-Air Bushing 400AR-4BC.
The Nexans range of Medium Voltage Power Cable Accessories ranged is stocked and supplied in the UK by Thorne & Derrick, contact us for commercial quotations, specification support, product training or to discuss your requirements.
The BESS will provide vital services to the National Grid ESO power system included in the Balancing Mechanism and Dynamic Containment markets once operational.
Nexans MV Surge Arresters In Stock From Thorne & Derrick
The Balancing Mechanism
The Electricity National Control Centre has a suite of tools required to keep GB’s system in balance.
The Balancing Mechanism (BM) is the ESO’s primary tool to balance supply and demand on GB’s network. In the Electricity National Control Centre (ENCC), National Grid use the BM to buy and procure the right amount of electricity required to balance the system.
The BM is a continuously open online auction, with thousands of trades issued daily. For every half hour, the BM signals how much it will cost to provide power at that time.
The ENCC then accepts bids and offers, and decides which offers to accept based on those who are capable of delivering what is needed. The balancing team in the ENCC continuously reviews bids and offers and issues instructions 24/7 to keep the system in balance, and the frequency stable.
In 2020, the ENCC issued 1,800 daily balancing instructions to market participants. Today, balancing services regularly exceed 50% of national demand. For reference, the average was just 5% in 2012.
Dynamic Containment
National grid ESO have rolled their new Dynamic Containment frequency response service in the national control room, significantly boosting their ability to respond rapidly to disturbances in the flow of electricity around the grid.
One of the most important factors influencing the stability of the electricity system is frequency. In simple terms, frequency is the measure of the supply and demand of electricity in Britain’s transmission network. Supply and demand are in constant flux, and so these constant changes are managed to make sure supply and demand are in as near-perfect balance as possible to keep the frequency within one per cent of 50Hz.
Dynamic Containment is the first in a suite of new services that will help us do this faster and more effectively than ever. Dynamic Containment is strengthening Britain’s electricity system, making it smarter and more flexible, and allowing us to accommodate more renewable power – meaning more progress towards our ambition of operating the system with zero carbon by 2025.
Thorne & Derrick are proud to provide support to this significant project with the BESS and National Grid ESO.
Thorne & Derrick are delighted this month to receive formal notification of Approval & Technical Acceptance (ATA) to supply the MONOi range of MV Heat Shrink Terminations to a new client.
MONOi terminations will be used to connect 72 medium voltage power cables across several marine vessel projects for international shipping container giant, Maersk Line.
It was vital that the MV Cable Accessories hold DNV GL Approval in order to recieve ATA. ➡ download and retain the current issue Catalogue listing the Nexans range of DNV GL Approved products.
Thorne & Derrick distribute DNV GL Approved Cable Accessories manufactured by Nexans including elbow connectors and cable terminations for the reliable distribution of medium and high voltage power in the marine and offshore sectors up to 33kV
Pictured below: 400 cable joints passing out the warehouse, destined for Nigeria LNG Limited. These cable joints (type LVI3), manufactured by 3M and stocked by Thorne & Derrick, will be used to repair, extend and joint cables exhibiting a mix of sheath damage and armour corrosion.
Our Technical Submission was approved by the end-user on the basis of the Type Test Report from 3M Electrical, evidencing the ability of the Jointing System to withstand aggressive hydrocarbons in Zone 2 hazardous areas during normal service operations. The client also required cable joints that do not emit halogens in fire conditions. Demonstrable asset life of the joint is equal to that of the cable; so power distribution is reliable.
3M LVI-3 hazardous area resin cable joint kits are designed to be used for multi-core, armoured polymeric, LV energy cables in hazardous areas – the cable joints are suitable for both wire braided (galvanised steel wire braid GSWB) and wire armoured (galvanised steel wire armour SWA) cables, including XLPE and PILC cables with lead sheath.
The cable joint shell and resin is flame retardant, hydrocarbon resistant and halogen free.
Thank you again to Kate Palmer-Randle for the customer project support and world-class logistics.
T&D hold the largest UK stocks of Size 3 33kV Inner Cone style Connectors. All sizes of connector are back in stock including:
A 25/52kV PADS Approved variant for Network Rail electrification projects is also available from stock. Contact us for a competitive quotation.
Pfisterer Connex Connectors in stock from Thorne & Derrick
Lucy Electric have adopted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) framework and prioritise 8 SDGs, while also supporting all others, putting people and planet at the heart of everything they do, to achieve progress with purpose.
The SDG’s are a collection of 17 interlinked Global Goals that were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 to help achieve a sustainable and brighter future for all.
As main distributors for Lucy, Thorne & Derrick are proud to work with companies who are keen to strengthen sustainability.
Introducing the ShoveIt no touch push – pull hand safety tool that helps avoid hand injuries while working with suspended loads or manoeuvring objects.
Thorne & Derrick’s mission is to provide tangible solutions to reduce the impact of potential hand and finger injuries in all industries where hazardous conditions exist. We truly envision a world where hand injuries are no longer the number one recordable incident.
T&D are now Official UK Partners for the Hand Safety Tool Company range and will be stocking the ShoveIt and supporting the complete range of Push-Pull Tools. Over recent weeks the ShoveIt hand safety tool has undergone successful field trialling at Jaguar Land Rover, Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin and a wind turbine manufacturer (under NDA).
The ShoveIt® no touch hand safety tool manufactured by the Hand Safety Tool Company helps avoid hand injuries while working with suspended loads or manoeuvring objects, maintaining proper body positioning for safe handling out of the line of fire.
Thorne & Derrick are wrapping up the end of 2022 with a specific focus on safety throughout all sectors. We are delighted to announce two new partnerships with companies that specialise in safety equipment to prevent user injury on site.
We are now the CableSafe Preferred Stockist & Distributor for the UK & Ireland covering their range of Safety Hooks – this commercial agreement builds upon our existing relationship with CableSafe, the manufacturer of the market-leading range of Cable Safety Hooks.
CableSafe® is a trusted industry specialist and manufacturer of products to promote Cable Safety, Cable Management, Dropped Objects Prevention and Confined Safety.
CableSafe Safety Hooks Extreme for Harsh & Hazardous Environments
The CableSafe Extreme hooks, available for overnight delivery, provide orderly support and suspension for cables; creating a cable management system to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of electricity. Less mess, less risk.
Thorne & Derrick have committed to hold extensive stocks of the Extreme range of cable hooks to support the electrical industry with excellent customer service levels at the most competitive prices.
Cable Safety Equipment | Cable Stand | Cable Bridge | Cable Rail | Cable Guard | Dropped Object Prevention Mats
Thorne & Derrick have also now partnered with Hand Safety Tool Company to distribute their range of hand safety tools to prevent pinch point injury to workers.
The range of Push Pull Tools manufactured by the Hand Safety Tool Company provide significant Health & Safety Improvements around site where “pushing and pulling” operations such as handling deliveries or loading/unloading in yards is commonplace. This download produced by the UK HSE enables the Risk Assessment according to Load Weight, Operation Frequency, Push/Pull Distances and other impacting factors – the range of tools to keep hands off loads, enable “hands-free” lifting, mitigate risk of load handing and prevent hand or finger injury are available in the UK from Thorne & Derrick.
The range of hand safety tools include:
Thank you once again to our supply chain and customers for helping us to achieve a record-breaking year at Thorne & Derrick. We hope you have a fantastic Christmas and New Year, and we look forward to working together in 2023.
Thorne & Derrick distribute the most extensive range of Low & High Voltage Cable Installation & Electrical Distribution Equipment to the Power Transmission & Distribution industry in the onshore and offshore wind, solar, rail, oil/gas, data centre, battery storage and utility sectors – this includes Joints, Terminations & Connectors to enable the installation of low, medium and high voltage power cables into underground trench or duct.
Key Product Categories: Connectors, Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cable Preparation & Jointing Tools | Duct Seals | Cable Transits | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection | Cable Pulling | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars
Main UK Stockists for: 3M Electrical, PFISTERER Connex, Nexans Power Cable Accessories (Euromold), Alroc, Ellis Patents, ABB, Roxtec, Cembre & CATU Electrical.
Cable Cleats & Hangers
Thorne & Derrick | Distributors for Ellis Patents | Cleats | Supports | Hooks | Hangers
Ellis was approached by a customer who were contracted to install cables in a trench on the Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station. The installation required the cables to be formed into a snake configuration in a concrete cable trough.
Ellis modelled the trough, calculated the forces required to bend the cable and developed a solution. Various solutions were investigated including air bags, for ease of use. The solution was based on an off the shelf ram and hydraulic pump coupled with CNC machined aluminium base and a modified Ellis Patents aluminium profile to support the cable. The timescales on the project were short so it was essential to use off the shelf components and Ellis’s in house design and CNC capability.
Cable Installation and Bespoke Cable Press shown in position in cable trough
Cable Press CAD Drawing
Bespoke Cable Press and Hydraulic Hand Pump
Thorne & Derrick | Cable Cleats | Ellis Patents UK Distributors
Specialist Distributors of High Voltage Jointing & Electrical Safety Equipment
Thorne & Derrick International are Specialist Suppliers of products to provide safe and reliable LV HV Cable Termination, Jointing, Installation & Power Systems up to 66kV.
Key Product Categories: Connectors, Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cable Preparation & Jointing Tools | Duct Seals | Cable Transits | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection | Cable Pulling | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars
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.
Cable Cleats & Hangers
Thorne & Derrick | Distributors for Ellis Patents | Cleats | Supports | Hooks | Hangers
Ellis was approached by a customer who required a solution for a cable management challenge. The customer was using a mobile generator and required short circuit protection for the cables from the generator to where the electricity was required approx. 20m away. The solution needed from Ellis Patents needed to provide short circuit protection and also be easily transportable.
Ellis developed a solution based on existing proven Emperor cleats, combined with bespoke steelwork. The steelwork was designed to be lightweight and easily assembled, whilst maintaining the structural integrity required to restrain the cables in the case of a short circuit. The Ellis technical team used 3D CAD modelling to design the structure. This was then optimised by using FEA software and hand calculations. The finalised design drawings were passed to the Ellis operations team and the parts were manufactured in house at Ellis.
CAD Model of stacked cable stand showing Emperor single cleat
FEA software used to optimise design
Trial assembly of finished product
Thorne & Derrick | Cable Cleats | Ellis Patents UK Distributors
Specialist Distributors of High Voltage Jointing & Electrical Safety Equipment
Thorne & Derrick International are Specialist Suppliers of products to provide safe and reliable LV HV Cable Termination, Jointing, Installation & Power Systems up to 66kV.
Key Product Categories: Connectors, Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cable Preparation & Jointing Tools | Duct Seals | Cable Transits | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection | Cable Pulling | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars
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.
Cable Cleats & Hangers
Thorne & Derrick | Distributors for Ellis Patents | Cleats | Supports | Hooks | Hangers
A customer required a cable cleat solution to fit existing brackets in a vertical access tunnel to a mine shaft. A range of cables were required to be held; the brackets were already installed in the shaft so the solution was required to interface with them.
Ellis Patents received samples of cables and brackets and experimented with a number of retention solutions in their in-house test facility. Upon completion of the development work, new designs were created and manufacturing drawings produced. The material selection and size were backed up with hand and FEA calculations. One of the solutions was based around an existing design and the other required a completely new solution. Drawings were supplied to the customer including the supply of the part number to be filed in the project documentation pack.
Testing concept designs with customers cable in Ellis on site test facility
3D Model of customers bracket in blue with adaptor bracket and Ellis Phoenix cleats
3D Model bracket and cable
Completed part installed on customer supplied bracket
Thorne & Derrick | Cable Cleats | Ellis Patents UK Distributors
Specialist Distributors of High Voltage Jointing & Electrical Safety Equipment
Thorne & Derrick International are Specialist Suppliers of products to provide safe and reliable LV HV Cable Termination, Jointing, Installation & Power Systems up to 66kV.
Key Product Categories: Connectors, Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cable Preparation & Jointing Tools | Duct Seals | Cable Transits | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection | Cable Pulling | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars
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.
Cable Cleats & Hangers
Thorne & Derrick | Distributors for Ellis Patents | Cleats | Supports | Hooks | Hangers
Following Ellis’s supply of steel work on the Wear Crossing project, Ellis Patents was approached to provide a steelwork solution for the Springhead Bridge. The main design of the bridge had been completed but the structure to support ducts that would carry power cables was still to be completed.
Members of the Ellis technical team visited the site and were provided with detailed drawings of the bridge structure. Using this data a 3D CAD model was created and a design developed to fit the requirements of the project. A challenge specific to the project was that the cable supports were all required to be of varying heights due to the geometry of the bridge. To simplify installation and eliminate the potential for confusion on site, a single design was created that offered a range of heights. The design was required to be finished in a short timescale, so off the shelf material was used. The design was then checked for strength by using a combination of hand calculations and 3D CAD. The solution was then manufactured and assembled by Ellis.
Adjustable duct support bracket including brackets on bridge (brown) and ducts (black)
Cable brackets and duct installed on underside of bridge
Duct & Pipe Cable Support Brackets For Road Bridge
Thorne & Derrick | Cable Cleats | Ellis Patents UK Distributors
Specialist Distributors of High Voltage Jointing & Electrical Safety Equipment
Thorne & Derrick International are Specialist Suppliers of products to provide safe and reliable LV HV Cable Termination, Jointing, Installation & Power Systems up to 66kV.
Key Product Categories: Connectors, Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cable Preparation & Jointing Tools | Duct Seals | Cable Transits | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection | Cable Pulling | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars
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.
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