Describe The Perfect Cable Joint Bay….

Published 01 Apr 2020

Who better to ask than Chris Barker, a leading UK and International EHV Jointer and owner of CB Jointing Ltd.

Chris informed us, “the perfect cable jointing bay for me would have a concrete float finished floor. Timber sides and horses heads with no acro’s in the way.”

“No other services in the joint bay would be present and no live cables nearby the cable jointing zone. Fault joint bays are a nightmare.”

“Other underground utility services constrict the available working space – this is especially difficult when multiple new cable joints need to be installed.”

Pictured below : Cable Jointing Bay Typical – this cable joint bay has been constructed to accomodate 4off 132kV Pfisterer cable joints.

The joint bay was prepared by the civil engineering contractor – ideally the civils contractor would liase with, and listen to, the site cable jointer to ensure sufficient working room is created when building the joint bay.

Here, the EHV cables have been straightened using cable heating blankets.

Two Pfisterer cable joints need to be installed side by side. And the same at the other end of the bay.

Pictured below : Cable Joint Bay Perfection – note the upright timbers along the joint bay side and perfect clear working area for the cable jointer.

EHV Jointers Glossary

Horse heads – these are 9×3 metre timbers upright in the ground and concrete. Located about 1.9 metres above ground level and then a 9×3 metre across the top of them.

Acro’s – these push the sides of the cable joint bay out to stop the timbers collapsing providing structural stability.

A Battle Between Jointer & Joint Bay….

Chris Barker proves that experience and professionalism can conquer jobsite difficulties. Recall the cramped conditions captured in the top photograph. Now imagine not only the sweat and toil needed to wrestle with the cables and joints but the intelligence and determination to actually accomplish the installation.

Lets watch the magic unfold…….

For Starters – Cable Preparation Perfection

Main Course Served – 1 Joint Down, Just 3 More To Go…..

Back For More – 2nd Joint Down…..

Getting Crowded – not much space left to connect concentric bonds and to fit two PP housings…..

Take A Deep Breath….. 

Victory – joints boxed up and ready for backfill. Jointer covered in bruises but triumphant.

Further Reading

• Masterclass – 132kV ABB Cable Termination
• 3M Cold Shrink HV Joints Splicing 66kV XLPE Cable
• Hivotec Tools For 66kV Cable Jointing, Stripping & Peeling High Voltage Cables

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