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Live Line Testers | Network Rail PADs Approved 25kV a.c. Capacitive Live Line Tester

PR by Chris Dodds Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick | 13.04.2021

Following extensive and successful field trial testing the Pfisterer range of Live Line Testers have now received Full Acceptance by Network Rail with Official PADS Approval – specifically this includes Pfisterer KP-Test 5HL Capacitive Live Line Testers for 25kV AC Rail Electrification systems.

The product authorisation by Network Technical Head Power Distribution HV/LV on behalf of the Network Rail Acceptance Panel (NRAP) permits the installation of the Live Line Testers on Network Rail controlled 25kV a.c. infrastructure as a separate device with approved live line poles for:

Pfisterer KP-Test 5HL Capacitive Live Line Testers | With UK specific insulating rod of greater than 600mm length| Pfisterer Part Number  | PADS Catalogue No 0040/090157

Pfisterer KP-Test 5HL Capacitive Live Line Testers | Unit as a separate device without an integrated insulated pole | PADS Catalogue No 0040/090158

➡ Certificate of Acceptance PA05/06351 | Network Rail Certification

Thorne & Derrick are currently supplying this range of live line testers to several UK rail projects – we are Approved Vendors to Network Rail, CP6 Framework Delivery Partners and several HS2 Joint Ventures working on rail transport projects.

➡ For further information on Live Line testers by Pfisterer please refer to this download

Further Reading

• Network Rail Full Acceptance for Nexans Tee Connectors & Bushings for 25kV Power Transformers
• 25kV Live Line Voltage Indicators | Network Rail Approved
• Rail Cable Labels with Network Rail & London Underground (LUL) Approval
• Network Rail Approved Cable Trough Delivered to South Rail Systems Alliance
• 3M LO42 Cold Shrink Tube | Track Feeder Cable Joints | Network Rail Approved

Pfisterer CONNEX PADS Approved | Thorne & Derrick supply from stock Standard and Customer Variants of the CONNEX Connector for the termination of 33kV/52kV medium voltage power cables into gas insulated switchgear with inner cone bushings.

Rail Cable Accessories, Electrification

& Installation Equipment

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

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.

Joints & Terminations for Network Rail 25kV Electrification Projects | PADS Approved

Joints & Terminations

The following 25kV Joints & Terminations manufactured by 3M Electrical utilising their innovative Cold Shrink Technology are Network Rail (NR) certified and PADS Listed as meeting the requirements for installation on their electrical infrastructure.

25kV single core cables are mainly used to carry 3-phase electrical power supplies from Network Rail trackside switching stations to the overhead line equipment on A.C electrified lines per cable specification:

NR/PS/ELP/00008 25/44kV MDPE High Voltage Power Cable

• Voltage Rating | 25/44kV
• Conductor | Class 2 Compacted Circular Stranded Copper
• Conductor Screen | Extruded Semi-conductive XLPE Bonded
• Insulation | XLPE
• Insulation Screen | Extruded Semi-conductive XLPE Strippable
• Bedding Tape | Water Swellable Semi-conductive Tape
• Screen | Copper Wire Screen 83sqmm
• Separator | Water Swellable Tape
• Cable Sheath | MDPE Graphite Coated

Joints & Terminations

Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and delivery from stock for a complete range of Joints & Terminations to suit NR/PS/ELP/00008 25/44kV cable.

3m cold shrink selection table 

QTII v QTIII Termination Technology

➡ Enquire about our complete range of jointing and preparation tools for peeling and stripping of XLPE insulation, semi-con conductive layer and outer sheath cable jackets from medium and high voltage power cables up to 132kV.

Alroc Tools – Cable Jointing Tools (MV HV)

Rail Cable Accessories, Electrification

& Installation Equipment

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

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.

Stocking & Supplying | Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling Eqpt | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV HV | Live Line Testers

Network Rail PADS Approved | Cable Joints, Terminations & Connections | Distributors & Stockists for 3M Cold Shrink | Nexans Euromold | Pfisterer CONNEX

115kV Straight & Stop Joint On LPLF, PILC Cables In Cable Vault

This series of excellent photographs taken from site have been kindly provided by: Douglas Page, Instructor & Cable Splicer at Hydro One (Training and Development Services)

“It must be said, cable jointing is a team effort with multiple cable splicers, confined space entry personnel, there’s a “kitchen cook” that is outside the space, that keeps tapes and oil hot, hands us kettle after kettle of flushing oil, certain size rolls and tapes before we know we need them – there are very few splices that are completed by one person,” adds Douglas.

HV-EHV Cable Splicing Team : Douglas Page, Peter Hatziiounou, Craig Dowling, Walter Ryan and Bob McViegh in the “kitchen”.

115kV Straight & Stop Joint On LPLF, PILC Cables In Cable Vault

Pictured: Classic “roman arch” conductor, 115kV LPLF, PILC Transmission Cable (Low Pressure Liquid Filled, Paper Insulated Lead Covered).

Originally installed in the 1960’s the sequence shows back to back cable splices in a 16 foot cable vault – the cable jointing was required after the original cable splice became damaged in an explosion. The images cover the cable preparation and jointing stages required to reinstate the 115kV cable.

Conductor insert to prevent crushing the oil duct during cable crimping

Cable polishing

Hand taping by the cable splicer to restore cable to “factory insulation diameter”

After build up is complete, “carbon black” is added – this is the semi-conductive screen in modern cable manufacture

In the background is the completed insulated cable splice – the EHV cable splicers then had to make the 115kV stop joint shown in the preceding images about 18″ to 24″ distant from the straight joint on the same cable to allow the installation to be accommodated within the confines of the cable vault.

Jointers blog

Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.

Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.

15,000+ Subscribers. ➡

EHV 132kV Outdoor Termination NKT Cable

Images Courtesy of: Tamer Ali – EHV Cable Jointer at Ibn Omairah Company, Saudi Arabia

Pictured: 132kV Cable Termination, NKT Cable

NKT have been a pioneer in the cable industry since the company was established in 1891. They offer a wide range of cable joints, terminations and cable accessories for LV, MV & HV projects.

NKT’s flexible and reliable solutions bring power to interconnections, hydro-electric and nuclear power plants, as well as onshore and offshore wind farms, oil and gas platforms and solar energy. We pride ourselves on delivering sustainable solutions for a lifetime and for generations to come.

3M Cold Shrink 25kV Straight Joint & Cable Termination

Image Courtesy of: Andy O’Malley – IBEW 258, EHV Cable Jointer/Splicer

Pictured: 3M Cold Shrink 25kV Straight Joint & Cable Termination

3M Cold Shrink High Voltage Cable Termination 25kV

3M Cold Shrink High Voltage Cable Joint 25kV

Further Reading

• MANWEB – Cable Jointing Past & Present by Patrick & Andy O’ Malley
• Confined Spaces Cable Jointing Using 3M Cold Shrink Straight Joint Splice (25kV)
• EHV Cable Joint – LS Cable 240kV 3000 KCMIL XLPE Cable Circuit

Jointers blog

Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.

Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.

15,000+ Subscribers. ➡