3M Cable Joints & Terminations

A series of informative and educational Video Blogs demonstrating how to joint, terminate and abandon cables using Cold Shrink and Scotchcast Resin type products.

How To Repair A Damaged Cable Jacket With 3M Mining Cable Splice Kits 3100 Series

January 10th, 2019

A series of How-To videos for repairing, jointing and terminating cables using 3M Cold Shrink & Scotchcast products.

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

Repairing Mining Cables

This video by 3M Electrical shows how to apply 3M Mining Cable Splice Kits when repairing a damaged cable jacket or sheath.

3M Mining Cable Splice Kits 3100 Series may be used for flexible conduit and cable jacket repairs, as well as for cable splicing and jointing three conductor mine and portable cables, type 3M SHD-GC, MPF GC, and MPF.

The 3M video shows how to repair the damaged cable jacket by using 3M Mining Cable Splice Kits type 3100, 3103 and 3104.

3M Cable Splice Kit 3100

2-Conductor Flat W-Type Cable

Remove the damaged cable jacket and taper the jacket approximately one inch
Scuff and clean three inches of the cable jacket beyond the split end
Bind cable assembly with 3M Temflex Vinyl Electrical Tape 1700P staring one inch above the split or top of the taper
Apply half lap layers of Scotch Brand Linerless Rubber Splicing Tape 130C to one inch past the end of the opposite split or top of the taper
Apply half lap layers filling all voids until the area is returned to greater than or equal to the original cable profile
Start two inches from the 3M Scotch 130C splicing tape and apply one and a half layers of 3M Scotchcast Heavy Duty Mining 31 tape continuing two inches past the end of the 130C tape
Always wrap the Scotch 31 tape towards the machine end of the cable
Start one inch past the 3M 31 Mining Tape and apply three and half lap layers of 3M 1700P to each end to temporary secure the ends of the 31 tape jacket until the jacket reaches full bond

3M Cable Splice Kit 3103

15kV Type SHD-GC Cable

Remove the damaged cable jacket and taper the jacket approximately two inches
Scuff and clean four inches of the cable jacket beyond each split end bundle of the cable assembly and bind with 3M Temflex Vinyl Electrical Tape 1700P tape
Cover the 3M 1700P tape with one half lap layer of Scotch Brand Rubber Mastic Tape 2228
Wrap half lap layers of Scotch Brand Linerless Rubber Splicing Tape 3M 130C building up and across the splice until it is equal to or greater than the original jacket thickness
Extend one inch past the top of the jacket tapers
Start two inches beyond the 130C tape and wrap one half lap layer of 3M Scotchcast Heavy Duty Mining Tape 31 two inches beyond the 130C tape on the opposite end
Always wrap the 3M Scotch 31 tape towards the machine end of the cable. Please Note: for purposes of this video only the MSHA number is not printed on the mining tape Scotch 31
Start one inch past the 31 tape and apply three and half lap layers of 3M 1700P tape to each end to temporarily secure the ends of the Scotch 31 tape jacket until the jacket reaches full bond

3M Cable Splice Kit 3104

2kV Type SHD-GC Cable

Remove the damaged cable jacket and taper the jacket approximately two inches
Scuff and clean four inches of the cable jacket beyond each split end
Bundle the cable assembly and bind with 3M Temflex Vinyl Electrical Tape 1700P
Starting half way up the tapers wrap half lap layers of 3M Scotch Brand 130C Tape building up and across the splice until the taper is equal or greater than the original jacket thickness
Extend pas the top of the jacket tapers
Start two inches beyond the 3M 130C tape and wrap one half lap layers of mining tape Scotch 31 extending two inches beyond the 130C tape on the opposite end
Always wrap the 3M Scotch 31 tape towards the machine end of the cable
Start one inch past the 3M Scotch 31 tape and apply three half lap layers of 3M Scotch 1700P tape to each end to temporarily secure the ends of the Scotch 31 tape jacket until the jacket reaches full bond.

3M Mining Cable Splice Kits 3100 Series

We hope you find this video informative and educational, contact T&D for technical support, quotations and stock availability for 3M Mining Cable Splice Kits .

3M Scotch Tapes

Further details on the complete range of 3M Scotch Electrical Tapes can be found here:

➡ Visit 3M Electrical for further information about joints, terminations, tapes and insulation to seal, repair, splice and connect LV MV HV cables.

3M Electrical Products Stocked By Thorne & Derrick International

3M HDCW 35/10 Wraparound Heat Shrink Cable Repair

October 17th, 2018

3M HDCW 35/10

Product Group: Heat Shrink
Family: Wraparound Heat Shrink Cable Repair
Manufacturer: 3M Electrical
3M Description: 3M HDCW Repair 35/10 – 250mm
3M Reference: HDCW 35/1-25
Stock | Non-Stock: Stock – check with Thorne & Derrick

3M Electrical Stockists Since 1985 ♦ Cold Shrink ♦ Scotchcast Resins ♦ Cable Joints ♦ Cable Terminations 
♦ Scotch Electrical Tapes ♦ Heat Shrink ♦ LV MV HV Cable Accessories

THORNE & DERRICK

LV MV HV Cable Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt 11kV 33kV 66kV

Cold Shrink Splices & Cable Jointer Training

August 29th, 2018

Cold Shrink Splices

Image Kind Courtesy : John Perez - Quanta Underground Power Services / A Quanta Company
Words : Chris Dodds - Thorne & Derrick Sales & Marketing Manager

Cold Shrink

The dependability of any proprietary brand of Joint or Termination is dependent upon the skill and competence of the Splicer and ultimately the standard of the Splicer Training provided to that Splicer. Bad pun klaxon……this is a simple fact of Splice.

Since their introduction in the 1970’s, 3M Cold Shrink products, including cable splices and terminations, document exceptional field service history – BUT this failure rate is only as exceptional as those Splicers installing them.

Splicers specialising in the jointing and terminating of MV HV cables require initial work experience, on-the-job mentoring, training and often formal vocational education – training continues throughout the lifetime of the career of a Splicer as new methods and working practices evolve against the backdrop of changes to the types of cable being used.

Our dynamic Splicers with their nerves of steel and the concentration powers of a chess Grandmaster must maintain a steady hand and focussed mind when working their cables – whether strong-arming a PILC cross in a muddy hole knee deep in brown squelch or performing a high-wire terminator act out the back end of a Bucket Truck.

Anyway, here goes those jaw-drop 3M stats 🙂 :

Low failure rates*
– 0.067% for Cold Shrink Cable Splices
– 0.022% for Cold Shrink Cable Terminations

*Data based upon U.S. failure data of U.S. manufactured 3M Cold Shrink Medium Voltage Cable Accessories between 2009 and 2012.

Cable Splices

Here, the trainee Splicers are shown the installation procedure for cable splicing of medium voltage PILC (Paper Insulated Lead Covered) cables – the Cold Shrink cable splice body is positioned on the cable following the preparation of the cable using appropriate jointing tools and prior to the installation of the mechanical shearbolt connectors.

Cold Shrink Splices

Cable Type: MV Medium Voltage PILC 3 Core 15kV Manufactured by CME Wire & Cable.

QS4 Splices & QTIII Terminations

Listen, before the phone calls start these Videos are NOT for Training purposes – so to all the “You Tube Jointers“ watching out there, get real and get trained.

Better still become Competent. Then train some more. Stay Competent. Achieve Manufacturers Certifications – go get trained by Nexans Euromold, Pfisterer and 3M.

Choose your UK Jointer Training Centre with care, especially Live Cable Jointers Courses.

Let’s protect and preserve the reputation of the beautiful Craft of Splicing – like Andy O’ Malley says “build it like you own it.”

Take Pride but above all Take Care. Enjoy the Movies!

…

THORNE & DERRICK SPECIALIST ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTOR

LV ♦ MV ♦ HV

T&D distribute the most extensive range of LV, MV & HV Cable Jointing, Terminating, Cable Pulling & Installation Equipment – we service UK and international clients working on underground cables, overhead lines, substations and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV transmission and distribution voltages.

Key Products: MV-HV Cable Joints & Terminations, Cable Cleats, Duct Seals, Cable Transits, Underground Cable Protection, Cable Jointing Tools, Feeder Pillars, Cable Ducting, Earthing & Lightning Protection, Electrical Safety, Cable Glands, Arc Flash Clothing & Fusegear.

Distributors for: 3M, ABB, Alroc, Band-It, Catu, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Furse, Lucy Zodion, Nexans Euromold, Pfisterer, Polypipe, Prysmian, Roxtec.

Cable Joints Glands Cleats Lugs - LV Low Voltage

LV – Low Voltage Cable Joints, Glands, Cleats, Lugs & Accessories (1000 Volts)

Cable Joints Terminations - MV HV Medium High Voltage

MV HV – Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors (11kV 33kV EHV)

Cable Laying – Underground Cable Covers, Ducting, Seals & Cable Pulling Equipment

T&D, CATU Electrical Safety & Arc Flash Protection Specialists for SAP’s, Linesmen, Jointers & Electrical Engineers – Largest UK Stockist

3M Scotch Tapes – PVC Vinyl Electrical Tapes

July 26th, 2018

A series of How-To videos for repairing, jointing and terminating cables using 3M Cold Shrink & Scotchcast products.

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

Scotch Tapes

This video by 3M Electrical shows the benefits of 3M Scotch Electrical Tapes.

3M Scotch tapes are used to cable joint, splice, repair damaged cables, seal and protect cables against abrasion, fire and corrosion – this includes protection of LV-HV (11kV-33kV) cables and connections.

Please contact T&D should you require assistance with selecting the correct 3M Scotch tape.

The 3M video explains the benefits of using Scotch electrical tape over alternative tapes.

Extreme Heat or Cold Applications For Scotch Tapes

Watch the video to see how Scotch tapes perform and endure installation and service conditions at temperatures down to 0°F and up to 220°F temperatures with cracking or unwinding. Scotch tapes will not degrade overtime when subject to temperature extremes, weathering, moisture or chemicals.

3M Scotch tapes demonstrate strong adhesion and excellent durability ensuring they are ideal for permanent jobs such as insulating and protecting electrical cable connections – once wound properly it remains wound.

3M Scotch tapes can also be used in zero degree temperatures and withstands high temperature up to 220ºF unlike other vinyl electrical tapes which would crack and unwind.

A greater stretch and tape elasticity provides a smooth, professional wrap and the coloured coded and fade resistant design ensures permanent and clear cable identification using 3M Scotch vinyl electrical tapes.

Scotch Electrical Tapes

Scotch Tapes Manufactured By 3M Electrical For Professionals

The Scotch brand of PVC vinyl electrical tapes, manufactured by 3M Electrical, provide distinct competitive advantages over unbranded poor quality tapes which may have a superficial low price but actual high cost associations – since plastic vinyl tapes hit the mass-market in the 1940’s 3M Scotch has been the choice brand of the professional electrician for tapes with excellent electrical and mechanical properties.

For instance, 3M Scotch Super 33+ is the market-leading “fit and forget” vinyl electrical tape for providing cable protection, insulation and repair in industrial and hazardous area installations – this includes chemical (resists acids and alkalies), offshore (resists abrasion and corrosion) and industrial outdoor (resists UV ultraviolet light) applications.

As standard Scotch 33+ is coloured black so for colour-coding, phase marking and identification applications go with 3M Scotch 35 – same product specification as Scotch 33+ but with a colour spectrum of red, yellow, blue, brown, grey, white, green, orange and violet.

For cold weather and extreme low temperature applications select 3M Scotch 88 for continuous service down to 0 Degrees Celsius – Scotch 88 by 3M features excellent pliability and adhesion.

A varnished cambric tape is “off-the-shelf” for high puncture and cut-through resistance with Class A thermal stability – contact sales and ask about 3M Scotch 2510 for further information.

The protection of medium/high voltage cables and joints demands heavy-duty electrical tapes – substandard and under specified tapes pose risk and danger to power systems and life. Here, upgrade your tape choice to 3M Scotch 22, recommended by 3M Electrical for outer sheath and cable jacket protection or repairs to high voltage power cables and joints with rubber or polymeric cables. That’s XLPE and EPR in “cables-speak”.

Where cost is King but a good quality and general purpose PVC electrical tape is required contact us to place an order for 3M Temflex 1500.

All 3M Electrical Tapes are super stretch and strong for holding power in place without fail.

Due to the physical properties of 3M Scotch the tapes provide moisture-tight, chemical resistant electrical sealing of cables, connections and cable joints.

So overall, Thorne & Derrick distribute an extensive range of electrical tapes including fire proofing tapes with arc protection, see 3M Scotch 77 and high specification fire resistant tapes manufactured by Nexans.

Further details on the complete range of 3M Scotch Electrical Tapes can be found here:

Cold Shrink – invented by 3M over 40 years ago and now the preferred technology for heat-free jointing, terminating, sealing and abandonment of LV HV cables

We hope you find this video informative and educational, contact T&D for technical support, quotations and stock availability for 3M Scotch Electrical Tape.

➡ Visit 3M Electrical for further information about joints, terminations, tapes and insulation to seal, repair, splice and connect LV MV HV cables.

- - 3M Electrical Products Stocked By Thorne & Derrick International

Damaged Cables – Strikes & Products To Repair Cable Damage

June 27th, 2018

Damaged Cables – Some Cable Repair Solutions & Products

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

In this following post we highlight several causes of cable damage to low voltage underground power cables courtesy of a selection of case studies from SP Energy Networks.

We also explain and demonstrate product solutions for the repair of damaged cables.

Damage to live underground cables during excavation works is the cause of an increasing number of accident which can result in severe burn injuries to workers and disruption to consumer electricity supplies.

Occasionally such accidents prove fatal. Frequently such accidents were avoidable.

Cable damage is usually caused by excavating machines – hand held tools such as pneumatic drills, crowbars, pins, picks and forks also expose workers to potential sources of danger when digging around underground cables.

Thorne & Derrick have been distributors for 3M Electrical since 1985 and can provide a range of reliable and easy to install Cable Repair Products – this includes Scotch Tapes, Scotchcast Joints and Cold Shrink Tubes to provide effective re-instatement of cable sheath jackets on all types of LV MV HV cables in onshore and offshore locations with safe or hazardous area workplace classifications.

Cable Repair Products

3M Electrical

Scotch Tapes, Scotchcast Joints

& Cold Shrink Tubes

Depending on the cable location and workspace restrictions, both physical and atmospheric, a cable repair solution can be provided by 3M Electrical – most commonly their 3M HDCW heat shrink wrap-around cable repair kit is used to repair both LV and 11kV/33kV cables distributing medium/high voltage electricity. Due to the ease of installation, water-tight sealing and versatile range taking capability of heat shrink cable repair kits coupled with relative low-cost efficiency compared to cable replacement the 3M HDCW range has been adopted by contractors for sheath repairs on LV-HV cables.

Where hot-working is not permitted due to the presence of flammable gas and access to an open end of the cable circuit is achievable, on de-energised or isolated cable circuits, the range of cold shrink tubings can be used to achieve primary electrical insulation for all solid dielectric (rubber and plastic) insulated wire and cable splices rated to 1000 volts.

Alternatively, if the installed cable cannot be accessed at mid-circuit a taped cable repair can be used. Where the the cable damage has penetrated into the cable armour a cable joint would be recommended – suitable resin cable joints are available for both industrial non-hazardous and hazardous area cable joints.

See the following LinkedIn Post from IMCORP – based in the USA but with global operations IMCORP provide the best diagnostic services for medium/high voltage power cable systems and utility asset management systems. Here they show how PVC insulation tape has been applied to attempt to cosmetically patch the damage but not recover the insulation or protection level required to prevent future cable failure. So the tape has concealed the damage but not repaired the problem.

Cable Repair Despair

Damaged Cable Case Studies

1 Low Voltage Mains Cable Damaged With Underground Moling Appliance

Image 1 highlights a situation when a moling device came into contact with a low voltage (.3(4) PILC) mains cable, the operatives task was to install an underground pipe at the locus. Cable damage during excavation works and new installations on underground cables and buried utility pipes is a common cause of power cuts and outages.

During the works the moling device inadvertently came into contact with the cable causing a loss of electricity supplies to customers. This cable construction is an older type cable called PILC (Paper Insulated, Lead Covered) – looking at the PILC cable it can clearly be seen that the outer skin of the cable is covered in taped armour, this type of cable was widely used on the underground electricity network.

SP Energy Networks cable records were supplied to the operatives by the contractor and were accurate, cable locator on site, depth of cable 600mm. The investigation into this incident found that contact with the electricity cable was avoidable if adherence to HSG47 had been implemented.

In conclusion, setting a moling device in the direction of underground electricity cables is not recommended – this type of action could lead to serious injuries.

Low Voltage Mains Cable Damaged With Underground Moling Appliance

Image 1

2 Low Voltage Mains Power Cable Damaged In Cable Trench

Image 2 shows latent cable damage to a low voltage mains cable which was not reported to ScottishPower when the cable jointing contractor installed the cable ducting over the electricity cables.

Customers in the area were experiencing loss of supplies to their properties and ScottishPower engineers located the loss of supply problem to the above location.

As the damaged cable was not reported to ScottishPower the situation resulted in damage to the newly installed cable ducting – a situation that could have been avoided if the cable strike had been reported when it happened, as they installed the ducting on top of ScottishPower apparatus.

Please note: separation between underground utilities is important to avoid damage to other utilities apparatus. Reporting cable strikes at the time of occurrence will avoid inconvenience to customers and reduce costs to third parties. Prior to any underground cable excavations taking place cable records should always be consulted. Always assume cables are present and live until proved otherwise.

Low Voltage Mains Power Cable Damaged In Cable Trench

Image 2

3 Low Voltage Waveform Cable Strike & Damaged By Excavator

Image 3 clearly demonstrates the impact on the underground ScottishPower network when an excavator came into contact with a low voltage cable (4 Core 240sqmm Waveform BS7870). The contractor’s task was to carry out excavations to install underground drainage apparatus with ScottishPower cable records and cable locator on site.

Contractors on site had installed the cables previously and were clearly aware of the location of the cable route. During the excavations to progress the drainage works the high voltage cable was located, however an excavator came into contact with the low voltage cable, despite a ScottishPower sub-station being situated in close vicinity to the works taking place.

Fortunately on this occasion no injuries were sustained to the operatives. Excavations require to be planned professionally to avoid cable strikes/serious injuries such as electrocution or arc flash blast to operatives.

Low Voltage Waveform Cable Strike & Damaged By Excavator

Image 3

4 Low Voltage Service Cable Repair & Cable Strike Damage

Image 4 highlights a repair to a ScottishPower low voltage service cable. The cable was evident on the contractor’s cable records – however the operatives still managed to strike the cable with a mini-excavator with the potential to cause injuries to himself and his colleagues as well as serious cable damage.

Prior to main excavations taking place trial holes should always be carried out to locate the line and depth of all utilities throughout the project. Before the use of a mechanical excavator takes place a risk assessment should always be carried out to confirm that it is safe to progress the works with the mini excavator/JCB/track machine etc.

Low Voltage Service Cable Repair & Cable Strike Damage

5 Low Voltage Cable Damage By Mini Excavator Strike

Image 5 highlights the consequences of utilising a mini excavator in close proximity to a low voltage cable.The low voltage cable strike occurred when the operatives were carrying out excavations to install kerbing in a grassy area.

In this case the cable strike was entirely preventable, if the contractor/operatives had adhered to HSG47 the cable strike would not have occurred. Engaging an excavator prior to hand excavating / locating underground services is a clear case of non adherence to HSG47 with the real possibility of serious injuries to personnel. To avoid cable strikes to the LV HV underground cable network seek advice prior to excavations commencing.

Low Voltage Cable Damage By Mini Excavator Strike

Image 5

6 Low Voltage Cable Damaged At Tee Cable Joint

Image 6 highlights a low voltage cable strike to ScottishPower’s underground electrical network. The service cable, 0.225(2) was damaged at the lead tee joint, this type of cable is an older type cable wrapped in taped armours. The task for the operatives at this location was to install street-lighting ducting for the local authority. The cable strike was not reported to ScottishPower at the time of the incident occurring, for some reason the operatives on site presumed that the cable was out of use, the cable was in fact live. When a cable strike has taken place the correct course of action is to evacuate the excavation immediately, secure/protect the area and report the incident to the Network Operator.

Image 6

Specialist Distributors Of LV MV HV Electrical Equipment

Ellis Patents | Nexans Euromold | Pfisterer CONNEX | Prysmian – Distributors