Working with Slingco we have produced engineered and customised solutions using cable grip and support innovation to major cable laying contractors for the connection of wind farm projects globally.
Thorne & Derrick together with Slingco offer pulling and supporting to power & subsea cables in the wind sector. Slingco have developed a comprehensive range of cable grips (commonly referred to as cable socks) specifically tailored to the needs of the renewable energy sector.
The marine pulling grips are the for installation of inter-array and export cables for offshore wind farms. There are grips to suit common cable sizes used in offshore applications and have increased break loads.
The cable socks also feature a new ‘two over / two under double weave’ on the lattice which tightens up the angle of deflection over the end of the cable.
Together we can offer an extensive range of marine and hose restraint cable grips for onshore and offshore cable installation, including the support of cables inside wind turbines and general cable management.
Marine cable socks are designed, manufactured and tested to exacting standards to ensure safe and reliable operation under the most challenging condition
Every Slingco product is designed, manufactured and tested to exacting standards to ensure safe and reliable operation under the most challenging conditions. From initial product design to technical support and customer service, we are your trusted partner.
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 the most extensive range of Cable Pulling & Cable Laying Equipment to enable the installation of low, medium and high voltage power cables into underground trench or duct.
We service UK and international clients working on underground cables, overhead lines, substations and electrical construction at LV, 11kV/33kV and up to EHV transmission and distribution voltages.
Key Products: MV-HV Cable Joints & Terminations, Cable Cleats, Duct Seals, Cable Transits, Underground Cable Protection, Copper Earth Tapes, Cable Jointing Tools, Feeder Pillars, Cable Ducting, Earthing & Lightning Protection, Electrical Safety, Cable Glands, Arc Flash Protection & Fusegear.
Distributors for: 3M Electrical, ABB, Alroc, Band-It, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Furse, Lucy Zodion, Nexans Euromold, Pfisterer, Polypipe, ProGARM, Prysmian, and Roxtec.
Further Reading | Cable Drum Handling & Laying Cables | A Guide from Nexans
Thorne & Derrick, distributors of a range of Cable Pulling & Laying equipment, are pleased to announce that Slingco’s innovative Catchblock has received formal approval from Network Rail and National Highways (formerly Highways England).
In addition, National Grid has now endorsed the use of the Slingco Catchblock system.
Catchblock from Slingco is a system for replacing and recovering overhead conductor cable and makes some pretty big claims, including reducing disruption, risks of accidents and costs during replacement of conductor cable.
Nick Dykins, Managing Director, reported: “Our single system has been fully and permanently approved by Network Rail and National Highways.”
“In addition, Network Rail has approved temporary certification for our Catchblock twin system for 12 months. For our utilities contractors this means the seamless replacement of cable with minimal disruption to infrastructure.”
Catchblock is now supplied in two versions – UK and export to meet growing national and international demand for this product.
Catchblock from Slingco is approved by Network Rail and National Highways for OHL Conductor replacement.
Lightweight, robust and easy to deploy, CatchBlock helps to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
REDUCED DISRUPTION
CatchBlock is an innovative OHL catenary roller system. Designed to deploy a twin-rope system, it allows the recovery and redeployment of broken conductors without the need to take possession of road/rail or client/third party property or infrastructure.
REDUCED ACCIDENT RISK
CatchBlock significantly reduces the need for erection and dismantling of scaffolding – cutting down the risk of accidents and harm to site workers.
REDUCED STRINGING COSTS
The reduced need for scaffolding, ease of deployment, and the ability to recover and redeploy, results in a faster, more efficient operation. With fewer hours of effort and less equipment required, Catch Block can deliver substantially reduced costs.
TRUSTED INNOVATION, OUTSTANDING SUPPORT, BESPOKE SOFTWARE
In addition to our complete engineering support service, we offer bespoke software for the CatchBlock system to replace spreadsheet calculations. Intuitive and easy to use, this software needs only limited training to enable site staff to complete regulatory checks. The CatchBlock system has been rigorously trialled and tested.
At no point has there been the need to take out possession orders for property or infrastructure, even with a failed conductor.
CatchBlock has received formal approval from Network Rail and National Highways
Complete range of LV, MV and HV cable pulling products for installation and enabling cable jointing in trench or ducts including LV, 11kV/33kV medium voltage (MV), 66kV/132kV high voltage (HV) and EHV transmission and distribution cables up to 400kV.
Thorne & Derrick distribute the most extensive range of 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.
We service UK and international clients working on underground cables, overhead lines, substations and electrical construction at 11kV and up to and EHV transmission and distribution voltages.
Cembre “Bilinear” Cordless Battery Crimping Tools
ND Series, Battery Crimping Tools 18.0V – 2.0 Ah
Cembre have launched a new generation of hand-held cordless battery crimping tools, characterised by a “Bilinear” mechanical design. Operator comfort and convenience are key
factors in producing repeatedly consistent high integrity crimped joints.
Thorne & Derrick supply the Cembre ‘ND Series’ of bilinear tools. They have their mechanical centre of gravity nearest to the operator’s wrist to optimise the overall ergonomics of the tool and provide a wider support for the hand.
Thus the innovative misalignment between the pump drive mechanism and the hydraulic system both reduce the torque generated on the operator’s wrist and best distribute the stresses acting on the hand.
➡ Cembre offer a complete range of battery operated cable crimping tools for use with crimps, connectors and lugs up to 400sqmm including medium/high voltage cables at 11kV/33kV.
“Smart Release Technology” is a new development by Cembre whereby an intelligent oil pressure release system stops the motor at the end of the crimping cycle. Automatic retraction of the ram only occurs when the operator releases the start button, this allows visual verification of the jaws to ensure that they have fully met prior to releasing.
Similar tools with ‘standard’ automatic return do not permit this visual verification that full compression has taken place before releasing pressure.
The Electronic Pressure Sensor (EPS) guarantees the precision of the crimping operation, checking the actual value of pressure and informing the operator about possible errors.
Data recording and intelligent control allow complete verification of operational parameters. SMARTOOL technology enables the user to to store data from up to 200,000 cycles on the integrated memory card for transfer to a computer via a USB cable.
On the new generation of tools, a dual speed hydraulic system has been implemented with the double concentric pumping system and interlocked spring, the original patented solution by Cembre.
Faster compression and greater crimping force result from the new two-speed hydraulic system: a high approach speed which automatically switches to a low crimping speed, ensuring optimal use of the available energy.
New Multifunction OLED Display With Touch Button
The OLED display provides essential real time operating data, including:
Equipped with Li-Ion 18 V-2Ah rechargeable high capacity batteries. Fitted with a maximum pressure sensor for enhanced precision and repeatability of the maximum pressure cycle, and a pressure relief valve providing additional safety for the operator. Weight and balance have been reconfigured to yield improvements in handling and convenience.
The more rigid structure of the bi-component plastic body provides greater mechanical protection while its rubber inserts boost operator safety and comfort. Quieter operation, illumination of the working area via LED lights and a minimum of vibration enhance the tool’s practicality.
Operating Features of the Tools
18V Handheld Cordless Hydraulic Tool With Bilinear Structure I Cembre B-FL750ND
LV Lugs & Connectors – complete range of copper crimp connectors suitable for use with joints and terminations for low voltage cables | Cable Lugs | Cable Splice Connectors | Aluminium Lugs | Aluminium Splices | Bi-Metallic Cable Lugs
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 | Cold Shrink
Guest Article by 3M Electrical
From lost time to repairs, cable failure can result in costly power outages. Often, these failures are the result of electrical stress.
Improper cable termination stress control can result in premature electrical aging and can lead to failures. It can also present risk to the overall safety and reliability of a utility distribution system, windfarm, or heavy industrial facility.
The question is are all cold shrink terminations equal? Not necessarily. Test results indicate this is not the case, taking stress control into consideration. Learn more about Geometric and High-K stress relief, the differences between them, and how test results show better performance with 3M’s method of using High-K stress relief.
Managing electrical stress comes down to design.
I’ve noticed when meeting with customers that there is a consensus that all types of cable terminations are equal. That’s simply not the case. Just because cable termination accessories may look similar, it doesn’t mean they perform the same.
To help dispel this myth, we ran our own study comparing our own 3M™ Cold Shrink Termination technology, which leverages capacitive stress control versus geometric stress cones. Here’s what we found.
A test was conducted in a controlled laboratory environment to determine which method is most effective at controlling electrical stress. As part of our study, we looked at the performance difference between two common types of cable terminations:
1. Geometric Stress Cone: This is an electrical stress control method aimed at reducing stress at the shield discontinuity. It works by extending the shield and gradually increasing the thickness of insulation under it.
2. Capacitive Stress Control: This is a high dielectric constant (Hi-K) stress control method that controls the stress at the end of the insulation shield. It lowers the electrical stress at the point of shield discontinuity by diverting the electrical stress along the cable insulation interface.
The comparison: 3M™ Cold Shrink Products that use Hi-K capacitive stress control versus competitive cold shrink products that use geometric stress control.
For the interfaces’ stress control method, we chose our own 3M™ Cold Shrink QT-III Termination. It’s designed to spread the electrical stress lines, which helps to reduce the surface stress, resulting in improved termination performance and overall cable life expectancy.*
After putting both methods through several tests in the 3M lab, the results yielded three key benefits.
| Product | Stress Control Technology |
Partial Discharge |
1 Minute AC Withstand |
15 Minute DC Withstand |
BIL (10+/- Surges) |
HOT BIL (10+/- Surges) |
Partial Discharge |
5 Hour AC Withstand |
5 Minute AC Withstand |
BIL (10+/- Surges) |
Partial Discharge |
| Competitive Sample 2, 3, 4 |
Geometric | X | X | Cannot Test further. Samples failed. | |||||||
| Competitive Sample 5 |
Geometric | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | Cannot Test further. Sample failed. | ||
| Competitive Sample 6 |
Geometric | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X | Cannot Test further. Sample failed. | ||
 (4 Samples) |
Hi-K | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Our test results showed that the design behind cable termination accessories can have an impact on electrical stress management and can help prevent premature electrical aging, failures, and power outages.
There are three crucial benefits of choosing 3M™ Cold Shrink QT-III Termination:
Overall, test results showed that 3M™ Cold Shrink Termination technology has a excellent behaviour compared to the competitive stress cone technology.*
Further Reading
T&D are Specialist Distributors to UK Distribution Network Operators (DNO’s), NERS Registered Service Providers, ICP’s and HV Jointing Contractors of an extensive range of LV, MV & HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – this includes 11kV/33kV/66kV joints, terminations and connectors for both DNO and private network applications.
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
Secure Conductor Material Transition From Aluminium To Copper
PFISTERER Sicon offer a range of mechanical shearbolt cable connectors with stepless shear-off bolts providing the right connector for any termination application for medium voltage power cables up to 66/72kV.
For years now, bolted clamps, connectors and cable lugs have been gaining ground as bolted connectors offer technical and practical advantages that conventional cable crimping and compression technology such as copper tube lugs cannot match.
With the Sicon CopperTop range of electrical connectors PFISTERER connects both the well-known SICON technology and the material transition from aluminium to copper in one cable lug. At the same time the copper/aluminium material transition is shifted to an area that easily can be covered with a heat shrink tube and can be secured against environmental impacts.
This allows for example a safe and corrosion resistant connection to copper bus bars, especially in outdoor use. Additionally, the SICON CopperTop 332 907 082 is an alternative for connections in elbow connectors from aluminium cable to copper connection elements.
Like all other SICON connectors the CopperTop can be used independently of the conductor material and type*. The special aluminium alloy allows a safe and corrosion resistant connection of both aluminium and copper material with perfect electrical characteristics.
Thanks to the patented SICON step-less shear off bolts, optimal contact force is always achieved and avoids mounting failures.
SICON CopperTop Benefits
| Conductor type | Cross section aluminium conductor | Cross section copper conductor | ||
| mm² (mm) | AWG / kcmil (inch) | mm² (mm) | AWG / kcmil (inch) | |
| SM 120° / sector stranded 120° | 185 (240 rounded) | 185 (240 rounded) | 185 (240 rounded) | |
| SE 120° / sector solid 120° | 185 – 240 | |||
| SM 90° / sector stranded 90° | 185 – 240 | 185 – 240 | 185 – 240 | |
| SE 90° / sector solid 90° | 185 – 240 | |||
| RE / round solid | 185 – 500 (Ø 14,5-25,1) | 350 – 1000 (Ø 0.59“-0.99“) | 185 – 500 (Ø 14,5-25,1) | 350 – 1000 (Ø 0.59“-0.99“) |
| RMV / round stranded and compressed | 185 – 400 (Ø 15,3-24,6) 3 | 350 – 800 (Ø 0.65“-1.01“) | 185 – 400 (Ø 15,3-24,6) 3 | 350 – 800 (Ø 0.65“-1.01“) |
| RM / round stranded | 185 – 400 (Ø 17,0-26,1) | 350 – 800 (Ø 0.67“-1.03“) | 185 – 400 (Ø 17,0-26,1) | 350 – 800 (Ø 0.67“-1.03“) |
Thorne & Derrick stock and distribute PFISTERER CONNEX Connectors for medium / high voltage cable connection and termination to electrical systems up to 33kV – we provide competitive prices for PFISTERER CONNEX connectors used to terminate and connect polymeric insulated MV-HV cables into gas insulated switchgear and electrical equipment from extensive UK stocks.
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
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