Has Cable Jointing Just Moved On? Discuss.

Published 31 Aug 2018

Leading ICP – Independent Connection Provider

With Guest Comment by Reece James MIET

Co-Owner and Operations Director at Rock Power Connections

• uploaded by Chris Dodds - Thorne & Derrick Sales & Marketing Manager
  
  
  

  Lets put the Cable Jointing cat amongst the pigeons……..

  Question: Has Triplex Killed The Jointer? 

The universally respected BICC Generation of crème de la crème Cable Jointers experienced on jointing XLPE, fluid-filled and gas type cables might bemoan the modern industry trend, or nose-dive, towards polymeric power cable systems.

Recently nicknamed the Triplex Tripe Age on Linked-In by a former BICC’er.

Paper Lead is in vogue no more, Triplex is the new PILC and Plastic is here to stay.

Face facts, it’s unstoppable but as we hurtle headlong down BS7870 street does that mean we can all become Jointers overnight?

Yes, we know plastic is damaging the Planet and is bad for our environment but is it also messing with our Jointers? Or is plastic fantastic?

Polymeric cables have become increasingly simpler to strip, prepare and joint but surely Competency remains vital to safeguard industry standards?

What role have the Jointer Training Centres to play in this?

The days of metal pots, compound buckets, burners with heater, whackers for backfilling, picks and shovels is long gone. It’s 2018.

The drift away from paper insulated lead covered cables (PILC) started last century with the almost global adoption of modern polymeric type cables – this has heralded the introduction of precision engineered Jointers Tools to ensure efficient cable preparation of medium-high voltage cables.

Allegedly this has removed the skill, dexterity and Craft out of the Art of Jointing Cables?

For what it is worth here’s my two penn’orth.

The “roll-up roll-up”, pay your £2K and in 4 days time you can start your new career as a Cable Jointer message is frankly undermining confidence, reputation and the earning potential of the experienced Jointer.

Familiarisation is not Competency.

But the issued Paperwork can dupe some Recruiters sometimes into booking “Jointers” onto projects they are not yet adequately qualified or trained to undertake.

Many have not invested in the tool-set never mind the skill-set. Believe me, on an average day I receive 10-15 LinkedIn Direct Messages from non-electricians aspiring to become Cable Jointers under the influence of often misleading social media messages.

There is no fast-track to achieve the workmanship and skills levels of most of the Jointers we meet here on LinkedIn – Great Jointers and Great Guys.

Check them out on our Jointers Blog.

Sorry but some Training Centres will take “all-comers” while others screen/vet potential Trainees via CV scrutiny – that’s an important distinction.

Another more important stand-out for me is peer attitude  – some will nurture, care passionately and graft daylong to maintain Jointing industry standards through the sharing of their extensive skills and experience with their staff. Supporting their career paths and fuelling their ambition while getting them to knuckle under and earn their spurs. 

People like Reece James.

So to answer the question Has Cable Jointing Moved On?

Read Reece James thoughts:

“Ok I’m going to be controversial here but Cable Jointing has moved on.

11kV Cable End Termination

As an apprentice trained DNO Cable Jointer who can work on old and new HV and LV lead cables, compound end boxes, do sweated cable joints and lead plumbing yes it did take years to learn the trade properly. However with new plastic Triplex cables, shearbolt connectors etc an experienced electrician can go on a short duration jointing course and learn how to joint / terminate cables to an excellent standard. I’ve shadowed a few of my staff before authorising them, giving them a few extra tips but the standard of there work is top notch. No, they are not fully rounded cable jointers like in the old days but on the cables they have been trained on and with on job experience there is no issue with the quality of there cable jointing work. It’s all down to the person and if they take pride in their work.

I remember the odd DNO trained jointer who did not care and turned out rough cable joints because they were in a rush. I just think it is unfair to tarnish all new (short training course) cable jointers with the same brush. I do however think there needs to be a minimum level of competence for someone doing these cable jointer training courses and in my experience a trained electrician is a good starting point!”

Meet Reece James MIET

♦ Bio

I am a highly motivated and experienced professional who is passionate about the electricity distribution industry and developing people. I have over 30 years experience in the electrical power industry, with the last 5 years as Operations Director of Rock Power Connections, which I Co-founded in 2012.

I have worked on various projects from LV connections to new EHV primary substation builds up to 400kV and have acted as Consultant Project Manager for many large developers, introducing competition, increased value and risk management for all their utility connections / requirements. I pride my self on my excellent customer service and relentless drive to deliver and exceed the customer’s expectations and my down to earth approach to business.

Developing my team and watching them succeed is one of my biggest motivations.

Who Are Rock Power Connections?

Rock Power Connections are power connection experts, specialising in independent electrical connections up to 33kV and DNO services up to 132kV – Lloyds accredited as part of the National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS) and CHAS accredited.

Rock Power provides solutions from initial enquiry through design of electrical networks, construction (cable laying, jointing, substation installation), commissioning and final adoption of assets to DNO or Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO).

Working on behalf of a broad range of commercial developers to install new connections and repair / replace old equipment across sectors from retailers to residential, factories to farms – building and maintaining low, medium and high voltage cables and networks.

Thorne & Derrick – Stickists & Suppliers of MV HV Joints, Terminations & Connectors

Hover over our Interactive Electricity Grid to learn more about our product ranges – T&D are Specialist Distributors to DNO’s, ICP’s and NERS Registered Providers of LV, MV & HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt.

LV 600/1000V ◊ MV 11kV 33kV ◊ HV 66kV 132kV 

T&D - CABLES ♦ JOINTS ♦ TERMINATIONS ♦ CONNECTORS ♦ GLANDS ♦ CLEATS ♦ CRIMPS & LUGS ♦ DUCT ♦ SEALS ♦ ARC FLASH PPE
EARTHING ♦ FEEDER PILLARS ♦ JOINTERS TOOLS ♦ CABLE CUTTING & CRIMPING TOOLS ♦ COLD SHRINK ♦ HEAT SHRINK ♦ FUSES