3M QECC

Advanced Power Services is the first company in the UK to be awarded the Qualified Electrical Construction Contractor Accreditation (QECC) from 3M.

Advanced Power Services is the first of a very small number of companies across the UK to be selected by 3M based on qualifications, experience and assessments on skills.

Since 1985, Thorne & Derrick have been Approved Distributors for 3M Electrical Products (LV HV) and whilst the competitive supply of product from stock on short lead times is essential to the contractor it is equally vital that 3M product reputation is preserved through the correct installation of products in accordance with 3M recommendations.

Until now the market has been largely unregulated until the 3M QECC launch. Advanced Power Services are proud to represent 3M in the marketplace and pleased to champion their first adopter of the QECC warranty program.

Advanced Power Services qualified and skilled Jointing Teams have completed in-depth assessments along with theoretical training on each 3M Medium Voltage product family that qualifies for the warranty.

Advanced Power Services qualified and skilled Jointing Teams have completed in-depth assessments along with theoretical training on each 3M Medium Voltage product family that qualifies for the warranty.

Training included Cable Theory, Joint Theory, Termination Theory, 3M Material Science and hands-on training & assessments. In addition to this, 3M will also provide continuous updates and refresher training as per the market requirements.

The QECC Certification enables Advanced Power Services to issue a 20-year product warranty to their clients on each new installation completed by our certified Jointing Teams.
Lee Burrell, Managing Director of Advanced Power Services said;

“I have been working with 3M now for a many years providing feedback on their products and over time we have built up a very good relationship. This new programme we hope will bring confidence to clients that our in-house, experienced jointers installing products on their network are competent, skilled, trained and qualified. This programme will strengthen our clients’ and consumers’ confidence when utilising our services on their networks and investing long term in their assets.”

This will change the landscape for Medium Voltage products.

Who would not want a 20-Year Warranty that provides value for money and peace of mind on their investment?

This will be invaluable for maintenance departments and private networks as any product failure will be covered by the 3M QECC Extended Warranty.

Each 3M Medium Voltage product family that qualifies for the warranty will be recorded in detail so that they can be properly referenced in the unlikely event of a failure to assist in any investigation.

As part of the QECC programme, contractors receive in-depth 3M product and technology training, including theoretical training on 11kV, 22kV, 33kV and 52kV joints, terminations and Separable Connectors.

Advanced Power Services is excited to be able to offer this amazing 20-Year Warranty to all their existing clients and welcomes new relationships with those interested in our cable jointing and testing services.

Choosing a 3M QECC certificated company allows you to have peace of mind that the contractors you’re working with are trained to the highest level and backed by an extended 3M 20-year product warranty.

Advanced Power Services

Advanced Power Services was established as a specialist electrical contractor in July 2010. Our ambition was to create a team of committed cable jointing and testing professionals that fully understands their clients’ needs and are dedicated to delivering exceptional service, safely and within budget.

Advanced Power Services offer Cable Jointing, Terminations, Commissioning and Fault Rectification Services for EHV, 132kV ,275kV, 400kV, HV 66kV and MV, 11kV, 22kV, 25kV, 33kV, 52kV throughout the UK and overseas. Our Jointing and Testing Teams are experienced in working within the Railway Networks, Infrastructure Networks, Renewable Energy, Private Networks, Datacentres and Shipping Industries.

For further details please contact Business Development Manager, Heather Andrews at [email protected] or 07754 855938.

3M Electrical | Scotchlok | ColdShrink | Scotchcast Resin | Scotch Electrical Tapes

Supplying Cable Termination, Jointing, Pull-in & Electrical Equipment up to 66kV

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 and Shrink Polymer Systems.

Heat shrink, cold shrink, push-on and slip-over cable accessories enable the jointing, terminating and connection of 11kV-33kV and 66kV-132kV cables to oil, air or gas insulated switchgear, transformers, motors and overhead lines distributing electricity at MV HV.

MV HV High Voltage Cable Joints | Cable Terminations | Cable Connectors | Distributed from Stock | UK & Export Sales

Article Written by Andrew Sillars, Rail Sector Manager, Wibe Group UK Ltd

GRP Cable Containment

Having supported the specification of Glass Reinforced Polymer cable containment since 2005, I have experienced its unique features such as lightweight, long-life durability, no deburring, no earth bonding and many more. All these advantages of GRP Cable Containment support a cheaper, quicker and easier-to-install system that gives a true fit-and-forget  solution.

Thorne & Derrick are an approved distributor of the MITA brand, now powered by Wibe Group who are a RISQS approved supplier. Andrew together with Wibe are proud to introduce our extensive cable support offer which includes Glass Reinforced Polymer GRP cable ladders, CABSYS cable trays and elevated cable troughing with accessories.

GRP Elevated Cable Troughing | Containment System for Rail

GRP elevated cable troughing is an especially useful containment system for rail.

Ground Level Troughing (GLT) is often used in signalling and telecoms schemes for the cable connections to lineside equipment such as points, train detection, signals and radio sites. However, in many places, GLT cannot be used due to the ground profile and steep embankments and cuttings. GRP is an ideal alternative for such locations and it is also essential for large current-carrying power cables.

High quality manufacture

Mita GRP is produced by pultrusion technology. This uses a combination of unidirectional and cross-strand glass mat which is resin-impregnated and pulled through a hot die to produce a very solid, structurally sound profile with excellent mechanical rigidity unlike other moulded systems.

Mita GRP does not contract or expand with heat causing the troughing route to distort. It is produced with a high quality of manufacture and modified by the use of additives to the resin, and with protection from ultra-violet light.

This year, with the launch of the new GRP GMAX^R 6m troughing range, which allows a 6m post span, Mita GRP becomes a full offer with its 3m or 6m lengths to meet the needs of every application in the most cost-effective way.

Features and benefits

Mita GRP is 70% lighter than steel; it is also corrosion resistant. It does not conduct heat and has excellent durability against adverse weather conditions. The product offers excellent UV stability resulting in a cost-effective long-term solution.

The Mita GRP is provided in a wide range of trays, troughing and ladders which can support any type of cable – especially power and fibre cables which require a gentle bending radius. Unlike some competitors’ systems, Mita elevated troughing is provided with GRP support posts to increase its durability. The troughing lids clip securely in place, providing cable theft protection. Further security can easily be added by installing stainless steel bands around the elevated route.

Working with GRP

Another particularly useful feature of the Mita^R GRP system is that it is integrated with the Bentley Raceway and Cable Management Building Information Modelling (BIM) tool.This provides a complete layout, routing and material estimating function in a single, integrated system. It can be applied from the initial concept design through to detailed design and construction.

A user can create an accurate 3D model of the cable troughing route, making it easy to ensure that adequate space and clearances are available in confined locations, and for the detailed design and material requirements to be quickly and easily produced.

Network Rail approval and other applications

The Mita GRP elevated cable route has been fully approved by Network Rail under Certificate of Acceptance PA05/00442 issued in 2015 for use in locations unsuited to GLT. The Zero Halogen Low Smoke (ZHLS) version has also been approved for use in sub-surface stations, connecting tunnels, and London Underground applications.

It was a concern that sensitive signalling equipment was susceptible to contact by flakes of galvanisation from steel support systems and that DC traction cabling system might create eddy currents within troughing ladders and supports if they were metallic.

Mita GRP troughing was chosen as it is the best candidate with non-magnetic and non-conductive properties.

The cable containment system is not just used in rail, but has also been successfully employed in a wide range of industries including data centres, petro-chemical industries, water treatment, off-shore oil and gas etc.

RAIL CABLE ACCESSORIES, ELECTRIFICATION

& INSTALLATION EQUIPMENT

Thorne & Derrick supply an extensive range of 400V-33kV Rail Cable Accessories & Power Distribution Systems 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.

Article Written by David Bryan, UK GRP Account Manager, Wibe Group UK Ltd

GRP Cable Support Solutions

Did you know that there is an alternative option to steel cable support solutions, which is more durable and has less hassle while handling? Through this article, we will explore the features of GRP, its additional and unique benefits in cable support applications and discover the Mita brand.

Thorne & Derrick are an approved distributor of the MITA brand, now powered by Wibe Group, providing competitive prices and fast delivery from stock for the complete range of cable troughs, CABSYS cable trays & GRP cable ladders

What is GRP?

GRP or FRP is the abbreviation for Glass/Fibre Reinforced Polymer, meaning it is a man-made resin based material which makes it a polymer, reinforced with glass. Polymer itself is extremely strong – it is a fibre material and in contrary to how it sounds, it is very durable. It is resistant to most chemicals, stretching and shrinking, resistant to mildew and abrasion as well. When it is reinforced with glass through pultrusion, it becomes a structural polymer resistant to fire and highly corrosive environments. Furthermore, it does not conduct heat. GRP has extra durability to adverse weather conditions and has UV stability which makes it an excellent candidate for outdoor applications, even for wind power substations built in the middle of the sea.

GRP cable support

Cable support is the backbone of any development. Wherever there is a structural development, cable support is there to facilitate electrification, signalling and data.

GRP cable support systems possess unique properties which provide structural strength as much as a stainless steel installation and resist many corrosive environments, particularly where conditions indicate that conventional materials may not provide an economic service life.

Features of GRP Cable Support Solutions vs Steel

Supporting Applications With A long Standing Brand

Mita GRP, designed and manufactured in the UK, is now powered by Wibe Group. Thorne & Derrick supply and distribute the complete GRP cable support system range specifically designed for harsh and corrosive environments, ensuring a sustainable installation through its lifetime. Serving industries of transportation, onshore and offshore power, water and waste management, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and many more, Mita GRP stands for “peace of mind” with its “fit and forget” solutions for generations to come.

Working with GRP

Another particularly useful feature of Mita GRP cable support solutions and systems is its ability to be integrated with the Bentley Raceway and Cable Management Building Information Modelling (BIM) tool. This provides a complete layout, routing and material estimating function in a single, integrated system. It can be applied from the initial concept design through to detailed design and construction. A user can create an accurate 3D model of the cable troughing route, making it easy to ensure that adequate space and clearances are available in confined locations, and for the detailed design and material requirements to be quickly and easily produced.

In conclusion, the Mita GRP cable trough system is a non-hazardous, inert product. It is lightweight and can be manually handled without difficulty, unlike concrete and steel. In contrast to steel, GRP does not have to be deburred or given edge treatment before fitting, saving time and further reducing labour costs. During installation, any cutting, drilling, bonding and jointing can be easily undertaken and will not give rise to a hazardous situation, with any dust kept to a minimum.

RAIL CABLE ACCESSORIES, ELECTRIFICATION

& INSTALLATION EQUIPMENT

Thorne & Derrick supply an extensive range of 400V-33kV Rail Cable Accessories & Power Distribution Systems 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.

Cut, Strip, Crimp, Punch – All In One Solutions By Klauke

Cable Tools

Cut, Strip, Crimp, Punch

Panel Building & Electrical Contracting

Anyone who works in building electrical panels, knows that customers might have different requirements, so flexibility and being able to respond and adapt fast is a critical success factor. When Klauke develop new cabling tools, versatility is one of the most important drivers. Designing the best quality tools that solve the problem at hand in that fastest and most efficient way is in Klauke’s DNA.

Below is the best range of cable cutting and crimping tools manufactured by Klauke. They are renowned for high-quality, electrical connection tools for cable crimping, cutting and punching that can be used in panel building installations.

Klauke now offer efficiency and safety for control panel building as part of an all-inclusive worry-free package. Whether it’s cutting, stripping, crimping or punching: our power package has just the tool you need!

Crimping Cables, Lugs & Tools

Thorne & Derrick distribute Cable Lugs & Cable Connectors to terminate, splice and joint LV MV HV cables – this includes copper, aluminium and bi-metallic connectors and a range of crimping tools for specific use on all Low, Medium & High Voltage cable types.

➡ Associated Brands & Products | Klauke | Cembre | Pfisterer Sicon | Cable Crimping & Cable Cutting Tools

Should you require technical assistance to select the correct cable crimping or cable cutting tools please contact us.

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of cable tools to enable the preparation of all LV MV HV cables prior to the installation of Joints, Terminations & Connectors – this includes Klauke, Cembre, Alroc and Boddingtons cable jointing tools for removal of cable sheath, screen and insulation on 11/33kV (MV) and 66kV/132kV (HV) power cables.

View the complete range of Cable Crimping & Cable Cutting Tools

3M Sensored Cable Accessories for Medium Voltage Grid Automation

Seeing the Whole Picture

Situational awareness is critical in the underground medium voltage distribution grid, as faults in this segment can potentially impact large numbers of customers downstream. This can be compounded by the wide-scale integration of renewables, which places additional demands on aging equipment and compromises network efficiency. Although distribution automation and control solutions have evolved to tackle these issues, acquiring key grid parameter data with high accuracy – and in real time – continues to be a major challenge, especially for underground medium voltage systems.

Now, 3M brings you advanced Sensored Cable Accessories that provide highly accurate voltage and current data, and can be deployed throughout your underground medium voltage system with low capital investment. When coupled with your existing communication infrastructure, 3M™ Sensored Cable Accessories enable real-time monitoring, giving you better visibility throughout your underground MV distribution system.

Accurate information about the state of your MV grid can help protect your customers – and your reputation – against the steep costs of outages, cable repair work and lost productivity. Better information drives better decisions: rapid fault diagnosis, fast and accurate response, and precise load control all depend on grid visibility.

3M™ Sensored Cable Accessories

for MV Grid Automation

3M Sensored Cable Accessories consist of passive sensors that provide highly accurate analog voltage and current waveforms. Your existing power equipment can be retrofitted with these accessories, which are both easy and economical to install.

Installation of the 3M SCA

• A fast, economical solution – Ability to retrofit power equipment allows installation at your chosen locations
• Underground system data – Enables real-time monitoring of your underground system when integrated with your communication infrastructure
• Highly-accurate readouts – Provides voltage accuracy of ±0.5%* and current accuracy of ±1%*, giving you real-time data that can be used in advanced automation and control applications
• No external power source required – Enables a simpler, faster, more economical installation
• No field calibration – Factory-calibrated sensors provide reliable, accurate data, without need for calibration in the field.
• Constructed with 3M Cold Shrink technology – For a safe, reliable seal that requires no special tools, sealants, adhesives, torches or other heat sources to install

* Refer to the 3M Sensored Termination Datasheet for detailed accuracy information.

A technology breakthrough, designed to give you more

Flexibility – Upgrade your key locations

Depending on geographic location, load profile, regulatory requirements and legacy equipment, your key locations may be different from those of other utilities. 3M Sensored Cable Accessories and interfaces are engineered to give you the flexibility to monitor key parameters at critical points in your network. This retrofit solution can be installed in your existing power equipment with minimal effort, and integrated into your existing communication infrastructure.

Reliability – Consistent performance

3M Sensored Cable Accessories incorporate passive sensors, which do not require an external power source. These sensors are also factory calibrated – with no field recalibration necessary. And 3M’s advanced Cold Shrink technology provides a reliable, long-lasting compressive seal, even in challenging environments. These features help reduce installation time and chance of craft error, while also providing the data needed to manage your grid assets proactively.

Accuracy – Analog waveforms for advanced analytics

Automatic distribution and control systems require highly accurate, real-time information about key grid parameters, such as voltage and current, in order to perform to their full potential. 3M Sensored Cable Accessories provide voltage data accurate to ±0.5%*, and current data accurate to within ±1%*. The bi-directional power flow and intermittent nature of renewable resources makes this data critical to utilities’ efforts to manage efficiency, quickly locate and correct faults, and keep end customers online.

Visibility – Real-time measurements

Currently available distributed intelligence solutions are generally too expensive to meet return on investment requirements if deployed systemwide. As a result, they are concentrated at just a few nodes – giving only a partial picture of the distribution grid. Since medium voltage cable accessories are typically located close to power equipment, 3M Sensored Cable Accessories can be deployed at strategic locations on the feeder, substations and consumption points throughout the grid – allowing wide-scale deployment and coverage.

Smart grid applications for 3M Sensored Cable Accessories

• Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO), including Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR)
• Fault detection, isolation and restoration (FDIR)
• Asset management
• Load balancing

Voltage and Current Measurement Made Easy

The 3M Sensored Cable Accessory QX-Generation 2.0 enables you to measure critical parameters (voltage, current, phase angle) in an underground medium voltage electrical network. This solution incorporates highly accurate voltage and current measurement integrated into one product which means you get precise measurements without modification of the installed equipment. Additionally, the sensors are passive components thereby not requiring an external power source for sensing.

3M Sensors and Cold Shrink technology ensures easy and fast installation for a wide range of cable cross sections.

Your Trusted Connection

3M, together with Thorne & Derrick, understand the greatest of challenges. Every minute of downtime damages your brand, and power outages can be costly. 3M technology can be trusted to adapt facilities for changing business needs, working with your team to add value to existing infrastructure, reduce operating costs and give a competitive edge.