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Slingco Take A Firm Grip on The Future With Cable Socks

February 8th, 2021

Slingco Cable Socks

Published in Wind Energy Network Magazine January 2021

You’re standing on a metal-decked platform, no land in sight, just the North Sea stretching as far as the eye can see. You know precisely how cold that water is. Of course you do – it’s a crucial factor. With years of preparation and hundreds of millions of pounds at stake, there’s no room for guess work.

You scan the sea – are those waves any longer or higher than the models predict?

Somewhere out there, coming closer every minute, is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), it’s destination dependent upon those calculations made months ago, in an office hundreds of miles away.

The last link in a chain is about to connect: an underwater cable as thick as a tree trunk, spanning land to sea. Only when it does, can this wind turbine – the largest ever built – start spinning its massive rotor blades.

You realise you’re holding your breath!

The stakes couldn’t possibly be higher
This is no time to experiment
It’s no time to take chances
This is simply put, no time to lose your grip………and this is why you choose Slingco

Cable Socks & Typical Applications

Array
Export
Submarine
Umbilical Cable Pulling Installations
Telecom
Fibre
Turbine & Wind Tower Cable Installations
Flexible Hose Support & Restraints

Experience

For forty years this award-winning UK Heritage company has stepped into the breach. Wherever connections matter, where support is crucial, and where standards are absolute, they supply the missing link.

Construction of wind turbines and offshore high voltage stations rely on the successful installation of infield and export cables. Every one of the numerous disciplines, contractors and suppliers in this process must be impeachable.

When you choose Slingco, your choice is backed by state of the art facility, a dedicated research and development team, meticulous manufacturing, relentless testing, a peerless track record and fanatical customer service.

Preferred Partner

In this era of ever longer lengths and even greater loads, Slingco is the preferred partner for successful offshore cable socks and cable installations. They come by their reputation honestly – by dint of hard work, across generations of technology.

Back in the 1980’s, when mining operations relied on cable grips and supports, they were there. In the 90s, as telecommunication cables snaked under city street s, they were there. Now as the world harnesses the power of wind, Slingco helps meet the challenge through deep institutional memory and decades of proven innovation.

Slingco Cable Socks

Offshore Pulling Cable Socks At A Glance….

Types of cable socks – Single eye, double eye, lace-up
Materials – Galvanised, stainless steel, non- metallic aramid fibre
Ferrules – Aluminium
Length of lattice – 1500mm – 3500mm+
Range – 100mm – 350mm+
Configurations – Single weave, double weave, triple weave, quad weave
Additions – Shoulders (single eye only), anodes

Offshore Pulling Cable Socks

Wide Ranging Solutions

The company has seen every possible variation of strength, cable gripping and environmental factors and have a wide range of solutions along each of these continuums.

Every product in Slingco’s range is rigorously tested, both internally and externally, to ensure accurate loads and reliable factors of safety. their break strengths are not theoretical; they’re proven, for the jobs where it has to be right the first time (and every other time).

Of course, designing the right product is no use without the capacity to faultlessly manufacture, constantly stock, and reliably deliver. At every step, the company have removed the guesswork.

To ensure uninterrupted stock levels, they maintain multiple supply channels, constantly auditing their supply partners to ensure ISO compliance. Their multi-million-pound investment in a new facility helps meet aggressive timelines for on time delivery.

Recent Projects

UK Sales Director Ian Harrison points to Slingco’s role in such recent, major windfarm installations such as Hornsea 2, Triton Knoll and Moray East commented:

‘More than ever, the world looks towards Renewable Energy (in particular, wind) to support the demand for more sustainable power. We have seen in the past few years an increase in the number of wind towers per field, larger turbines and more recently floating structures to push these farms further offshore.

Slingco’s strategy for growth over the next three years will enable us to maintain our status as the leading cable pulling grip supplier to the Wind Energy and Subsea market.’

All the cable socks are fully tested before they leave the factor to confirm MBL is actual, not calculated. Tests reports provided, certificate of conformity and mill certs to ensure traceability.

The company has their own fully certified test facility which allows comprehensive testing of all the cable socks prior to release. They design and manufacture to the highest specifications and test to destruction. Their lead times are competitive and they also offer a bespoke design service, courtesy of a dedicated UK R&D team.

Slingco’s new state of the art facility opening in February 2021

Cable Socks | Pulling Underground Cables & Stringing Overhead Conductors LV MV HV

CABLE SOCKS & PULLING PRODUCTS LV MV HV

Complete range of LV, MV and HV cable pulling products for installation and enabling cable jointing in trench or ducts including LV, 11kV/33kV medium voltage (MV), 66kV/132kV high voltage (HV) and EHV transmission and distribution cables up to 400kV.

Panduit Oil & Gas Infrastructure Solutions for Harsh & Hazardous Areas

February 5th, 2021

Panduit | Powering & Protecting Cables & Infrastructure

Oil & Gas solutions by panduit

Panduit working with Thorne & Derrick, their UK Distributor, have the proven oil and gas solutions, along with supply chain and engineering guidance you need to design and build in Oil & Gas environments.

Oil and gas infrastructure solutions from Panduit can help you minimise downtime, improve operational performance, and compress installation times.

Panduit partners with producers seeking to identify new technologies to handle remote environments, integrate new capabilities, and meet updated safety protocols.

Thorne & Derrick | Distributors

Network Infrastructure & Industrial Electrical Wiring

Should you require customer service, specification support or a competitive quotation please do not hesitate to contact us – extensive range of Cable Accessories, Protection & Management products available for LV MV HV Electrical Infrastructure projects in commercial, industrial and hazardous area sectors.

Energy producers in the oil and gas industry look for partners who can help them keep up with changing business conditions & goals including wear and tear from extreme weather conditions in remote locations that affect system reliability and could cause long-term damage. Safety on the plant floor, maximised productivity, space optimisation & reduced installation speeds are all industry challenges and priorities.

Panduit’s solutions are designed for enhanced safety, optimised installation & preventive maintenance in the harsh environments where refineries operate.

Panduit Cable Cleats For Short Circuit Protection

Cleats | Protection for LV MV HV Power Cables

Verisafe is an electrical safety product manufactured by Panduit that automatically isolates electrical control panels and distribution boards

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors to the UK and international Oil & Gas industry to provide safe and reliable LV HV Electrical Cable & Power Distribution Systems up to 66kV – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

Contact our UK Power Team for competitive quotations, fast delivery from stock and technical support or training on all LV-HV products.

Proving Dead To Keep You Safe | Safe Electrical Isolation 1 of 2

February 5th, 2021

Proving Dead To Keep You Safe

Electrical Safety

Guest Article by Paul Wilson from Martindale Electric

UKs Leading Manufacturer of Safe Isolation & Voltage Detection

Promoting Electrical Safety

Martindale Electric

Importance of Safe Electrical Isolation

Safe isolation procedures are in place to ensure that workers on site are not exposed to danger when working on or near live electrical systems and equipment. Both the standards for the equipment and the potential penalties for non-compliance have changed in recent years. With around 1,000 serious accidents in the workplace each year and 16% of all fatalities linked to electricity, it’s clear to see how following simple safe isolation procedures and using the correct electrical test and isolation equipment can keep your team safe and avoid heavy penalties.

Article Start

With clear directives from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that live work should never be undertaken where there is the option to work dead, establishing an effective electrical safe isolation procedure is critical when it comes to proving dead and keeping you safe.

Despite legislation designed to ensure that everyone goes home safely at the end of the day, electricity is still the root cause of about 1,000 accidents at work each year – with many more incidents inevitably going unreported. With 16% of all workplace fatalities linked to electricity – each and every fatality devastating beyond measure – failure to comply with the Electricity At Work regulations is simply not an option.

The emphasis of enforcement is now as much about the potential risk to personnel as it is about actual incidents. Average fines have trebled in recent years and penalties are extended to all employees, including, for example, chargehands not only Directors, as per section 37 of the Health and Safety At Work Etc Act.

In breach of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, a British waste management firm was fined £900,000 plus costs in 2017 after a contractor suffered serious injury by inadvertently cutting through live cabling and removing equipment – having been told that it was safe to do so.

Subsequent investigations found that several further pieces of equipment had not been subject to effective safe isolation procedures and had not been electrically isolated.

Proving Dead – for the ultimate protection across the electrical infrastructure

Ensuring that workers are not exposed to danger when working on or near live electrical systems requires a combination of effective safe isolation procedures and equipment that meets the latest standards, including HSE GS38 guidance notes.

With over 90 years of experience in the development of electrical safety testing solutions, Martindale Electric specialises in safe isolation – ensuring that circuits have been de-energised and properly isolated prior to maintenance and modification – and is leading the charge for safer working to reduce preventable accidents.

Wherever possible and practicable, it is vital that engineers and maintenance teams work on dead circuits. By taking the time to identify risks and introduce steps to ensure that all equipment is electrically safe prior to starting work, it is possible to protect employees and contractors working across the entire electrical infrastructure.

Failure to use the right equipment can result in a circuit remaining live – with fatal consequences. So many incidents can be avoided with proper work planning as well as by selecting the right tools for the job.

Safe Electrical Isolation | Ensuring Compliance Around Electrical Safety

When OFF doesn’t mean OFF

One of the most important elements of the safe isolation procedure – the selection and deployment of the right safe isolation equipment – can protect against serious injury and prevent loss of life.

Whilst locking off the circuit correctly is an important step in the procedure, it’s not enough to assume that the circuit is subsequently dead because a particular isolation device has been placed in the OFF position. Although a particular circuit may be locked off, the neutral conductor can become live if an energized load on another circuit is connected to it.

Eliminate uncertainty with a vital cross-check

Guidance from Electrical Safety First – the UK charity working across the electrical industry and government to reduce deaths and injuries caused by electrical accidents – states that before carrying out any work on a circuit, contractors should use a dedicated voltage indicator (VI) and proving unit when proving dead.

It’s not uncommon for circuits to be mislabeled – which can be particularly dangerous as this provides no certainty that the correct circuit is actually locked off.

Whilst it may sound obvious to use a voltage indicator and proving unit to prove dead, we know that there are still far too many instances where engineers might try to use a known live source to test a voltage indicator.

The problem is that the known live source may only light some of the LEDs on the tester – whereas a proving unit will ensure that all the LEDs on all ranges are working, eliminating any uncertainty. A further issue is that a known live source may not be conveniently available, increasing the risk that the VI is not actually proved to be operating correctly.

Safe Isolation Procedures & Proper Equipment Save Lives

Busting the multimeter myth

As well as identifying the right tools for the task, with a wide range of equipment on hand, it’s as important to understand what should not be used as part of this critical process.

Multimeters introduce the potential for human error – making it too easy to select the wrong range. In addition, multimeters rely on battery power; if the batteries are flat then a false “dead” reading will be given on a live circuit. The position is similar with non-contact voltage detectors; whilst these are frequently used to detect live cables, they cannot reliably be used to prove dead or to confirm the safe isolation of a circuit.

Keeping you safe – made simple

It is now possible to ensure full compliance with the latest standards by using a fail-safe range of voltage indicators and proving devices that have been engineered specifically with safety in mind – and are easier to use than ever before.

We know how important it is to simplify the procedure for proving dead and to support the safe isolation procedure with equipment that is reliable, accurate and easy to deploy.

When selecting a voltage detector, you can be assured of compliance with GS38 by ensuring that the unit you are purchasing complies with BS EN 61243-3, such as the VI13800 and VI15000 voltage indicators from Martindale Electric, which have been specifically designed to meet this regulation.

Furthermore, they have been designed without batteries or switches which could lead to false indication. Dedicated purely to detect voltage, we have eliminated the potential for error from selecting the wrong setting, for example. For increased efficiency, we have also introduced complete safe isolation kits – bringing together all the necessary equipment to prove dead and lock out the circuit being worked on.

Widely specified by contractors and maintenance teams, the kits include the GS38 industry standard voltage indicator, proving unit and locking off devices in a combination carry case – so that vital instruments cannot be inadvertently left behind. Easy to use, the kits ensure compliance with the latest regulations and legislation.

Non-compliance presents unacceptable levels of risk in terms of human cost – as well as the potential for financial penalties that would be more than most organizations could bear.

At Martindale Electric, we are committed to keeping you safe and driving down the level of preventable accidents that continue to take place. That’s why we work hard to make it simple for our customers to stay safe and stay compliant – regardless of size or budget – as we believe that everybody deserves the most reliable safe isolation solutions.

➡ Second Blog Of Series Would You Trust A Voltage Indicator With Your Life & Your Business? | Safe Electrical Isolation 2 of 2

Safe Isolation Procedure

This chart is published with the kind permission of the JIB and shows the safe isolation procedure that you should use when working on electrical systems and equipment.

Safe Electrical Isolation

Isolation Procedures for Safe Working on Electrical Systems and Equipment by the JIB from Thorne & Derrick International

LV MV HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt

The UK’s Leading Electrical Safety Equipment Distributors

Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and fast delivery from UK stock for the complete range of Electrical Test Equipment, Voltage Detection & Safe Electrical Isolation manufactured by Martindale Electric.

T&D are the UK’s largest stockis of CATU Electrical Safety Equipment of products for underground, overhead line and substation safety at LV, MV and HV cable networks.

Alroc Cable Jointing Tools MV HV | Video Library

February 1st, 2021

Alroc - Cable Jointing Tools

Cable Jointing Tools By Alroc

LV, MV, HV & EHV Power Cables

The Alroc range of cable jointing tools are used for the removal and stripping of outer cable sheath, semi-conductor screen and insulation from LV, MV, HV and EHV power cables.

The following Video Blogs show how cable preparation is vital for the performance of stability of MV-HV cable joints and terminations – if cables are under prepared using sub-standard tools or basic hand tools then the risk incidence of cable failure is increased.

VIDEO BLOGS

Cable Jointing Tools | Stocked & Distributed by Thorne & Derrick

ALROC

For more than 30 years, ALROC has been engineering, designing and manufacturing cable jointing tools, cable preparation tools and cable fixing solutions to establish the most complete product range in the following areas:

LV Cable
MV Cable
HV Cable
Optical Fibre Cable & Tube
Telecommunications Cable
Coaxial Cable
Steel Gas Pipe
Cable Holding & Fixing Solutions including cleats

Cable Innovation Tools & Accessories

for Low & High Voltage Power Systems

THORNE & DERRICK are Specialist Distributors of LV HV Cable Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt up to 66kV – this includes the most extensive range of Ex Stock Innovation Tooling to facilitate safe and reliable preparation, termination and installation of cables.

THORNE & DERRICK

Thorne & Derrick are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing businesses involved in cabling, jointing, substation, earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and EHV. Supplying a complete range of power cable accessories to support the installation and maintenance of low/medium and high voltage power systems:

Slip-on Cable Terminations
Cold-shrink Cable Terminations
Heat-shrink Cable Terminations
Cable Joints – Heat & Cold-shrink
Separable Connectors (Euromold)
Surge Arresters & Switchgear/Transformer Bushings

Fox-In-A-Box | The Worlds Fastest & Simplest Cable Labelling System

January 25th, 2021

Silver Fox FIB Thermal Printer Kit

Silver Fox

Fox-in-a-Box Thermal Printer Kit

Cable Labelling System

Silver Fox are the leading UK manufacturer of cable labels.

Silver Fox produce the world’s most powerful labelling system for cables, wires and electrical equipment via their Fox-In-A-Box® thermal printing kit.

Thorne & Derrick are Main Distributors for Silver Fox and are well placed to support the needs of professional engineers in all the different energy sectors and across the globe. Although, detailed support this is not strictly needed with Silver Fox as it is easy to install and operate – the easiest on the market.

Plus, Silver Fox also supply comprehensive videos showing how to set up the printer and load the labels. We’ve watched them at Thorne and Derrick, and they are very impressive.

The Silver Fox labelling range covers – LV MV HV power, telecom, data, signal, network and fibre optic cables.

Cable Labelling Features & Benefits

High specification labels for cables have been independently tested for salt mist spray, heat, high and low temperature and even H2S. There are also more specific tests for example for their LSZH range for, oxygen index, smoke emission and toxicity.

Their Fox-Flo tie-on cable labels have even been successfully independently tested for a world-leading 8000 hours accelerated UV ageing and then successfully flexed on a 3 mm mandrels. These are ideal for all aspects of labelling both internal and external.

Quality Tested and Approved Cable Labels

Low Temperature -40°C
High Temperature up to 70°C- 100°C depending on cable label type
Chemical | Solvent Resistance Test
H2S Sour Gas Exposure
Fox-Flo tie-on UV Weathering ISO4982 Part 3 Method A Cycle 1
Fox-Flo tie-on/Legend Heatshrink Smoke, Toxic Fumes & Oxygen Index T
Network Rail Approved
London Underground

Productivity Significant time benefits eg: 25,000 wire markers printed in 4 hours

Versatility One printer, one ribbon, one software – all thermal labels

Simplicity Quick + easy to install and operate – “turn time into profit”

Silver Fox cable labels are used globally in the Oil & Gas, Renewables, and Nuclear sectors. Providing permanent and legible cable labelling of LV HV power, control and service cables in switchgear, control panels and substations.

3 Options

The Fox-In-A-Box® cable label system is available in three levels which offer increased software functionality for the DTP1/300 thermal printer – Basic, Advanced and Professional.

The Basic Fox-In-A-Box® allows users to create their own thermal cable labels, whilst the Advanced package adds the ability to accept or merge one or more columns in CSV files and to split the wire or cable label into more than one line.

It also allows the user to override the auto-font sizing and manually set this as required and to print from 2 rolls at the same time halving the label printing time and the print ribbon capacity.

The Professional model adds further functionality allowing the user to view and select individual or groups of cells for importing, duplicate cable ID’s, amend the number of labels required for each cable ID or produce cross ferruling ID and even print both ends of a wire at the same time.

Additionally, the Professional Fox-In-A-Box® can print bar codes and QR codes and import graphics for use such as printing warning signs on cable labels.

➡ Basic

Entry Level starter pack with Labacus® Innovator Basic software to print all of the thermal range of Silver Fox cable labels, the software also includes templates for all our laser range

Cut and paste from spreadsheets straight into the software
Automated USB port identification
Seamlessly change between cable label types

➡ Advanced

Mid-range cable labelling pack includes Labacus® Innovator Advanced Software.

All functionality of the Basic plus:

From CSV Spreadsheet – Import single columns/merge multiple columns
Multiple line labels
Choose your own font size
Print 2 rolls of heat-shrink/non-shrink at same time

➡ Professional

Top end solution cable labelling system includes Labacus® Innovator Professional Software.

All functionality of the Advanced plus:

Full spreadsheet view/import
Select specific cells
Produce cross ferrules
Variable quantity duplication for each cable ID
Bar Codes and QR Codes
Import graphics and logos onto labels for asset management

Order Code	Printer Model	Labacus Software
FIAB-BAS	DTP-1/300	Basic
FIAB-ADV	DTP-1/300	Advanced
FIAB-PRO	DTP-1/300	Professional

All Silver Fox Thermal Labels are printed using One Software, One Printer and One Ribbon – better for you – better for the environment.

Overview of Silver Fox Cable Labelling Products

LV, MV & HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt

Thorne & Derrick International are specialist distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

Thorne & Derrick International

Blog

Slingco Take A Firm Grip on The Future With Cable Socks

Slingco Cable Socks

Cable Socks & Typical Applications

Experience

Preferred Partner

Offshore Pulling Cable Socks At A Glance….

Wide Ranging Solutions

Recent Projects

CABLE SOCKS & PULLING PRODUCTS LV MV HV

Panduit Oil & Gas Infrastructure Solutions for Harsh & Hazardous Areas

Oil & Gas solutions by panduit

Thorne & Derrick | Distributors

Proving Dead To Keep You Safe | Safe Electrical Isolation 1 of 2

Electrical Safety

Importance of Safe Electrical Isolation

Safe Isolation Procedure

The UK’s Leading Electrical Safety Equipment Distributors

Alroc Cable Jointing Tools MV HV | Video Library

Cable Jointing Tools By Alroc

VIDEO BLOGS

ALROC

Cable Innovation Tools & Accessories

for Low & High Voltage Power Systems

THORNE & DERRICK

Fox-In-A-Box | The Worlds Fastest & Simplest Cable Labelling System

Silver Fox

Fox-in-a-Box Thermal Printer Kit

Cable Labelling Features & Benefits

3 Options

➡ Basic

➡ Advanced

➡ Professional

FURTHER READING

LV, MV & HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt

Get a quote