Blog
Avoiding Subsea Cable Failures Before They Hit The Water
December 7th, 2020
RenewableUK
Subsea Cable Failure
Republished from RenewableUK & Subsea UK Cables 2020 Event Special thanks to Aparna Coutinho Head of Marketing at RenewableUK Author: Alex Neumann, Head of High Voltage, Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult
Subsea cable failures remain one of offshore wind’s biggest headaches, continuing to account for the bulk of insurance claims made by our sector.
A failure can arise from minute defects, but can spiral into big cost consequences and months of lost generation, investigation and repair work.
Induced currents and water ingress, for instance, can accelerate ageing of components within cable systems and lead to premature cable failure.
The cost of repairing a subsea cable can reach £2-5 million per km, so a fault, such as a cable short-circuit, could prove costly for developers.
Ensuring that hidden design or material flaws in cables are caught before installation is the mission of my team at our UKAS-accredited facility located in ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth.
If a cable fails a test in a warm, dry laboratory (albeit subjected to a variety of stresses!), it will not withstand the extreme loads and harsh conditions experienced subsea.
This role is crucial for cable designers, researchers and manufacturers who are seeking to improve their designs and bring new innovations to market.
Cable customers need to be aware that it is their role to specify appropriate test regimes above the standards’ requirements. Meanwhile, the research we conduct for owner/operators provides understanding of the root causes of failures, as well as directly furnishing the insurance community with intelligence to support claims settlement.
Cable Qualifications – Fit For Purpose?
The process for truly testing if a cable is fit to deploy has to go beyond official standards and qualifications. Compliance with these is a bare minimum, in my view.
I argue that a cable can only be considered gold-plated for offshore installation once a more rigorous set of criteria are met.
At this year’s Cables 2020, Alex will be leading a roundtable to discuss precisely this issue.
I will be ready to answer questions on the techniques we currently apply to cables in our test regimes. These include accelerated ageing of cables, thermal stability testing and a variety of forensic investigations that include such wizardry as heating insulation in silicon oil, rendering it transparent and revealing the flaws contained within.
I’ll also be keen to emphasise the benefits of knowledge-sharing in the industry: testing individual cable designs is one thing, but without greater transparency on why cables fail in the field, we will not progress as an industry. You can find out more details about our newly launched ELECTRODE programme, led by my colleague Charlotte Strang-Moran in her recent blog, as she builds the world’s first database of offshore wind cable failure data.
Alex Neumann, Head of High Voltage, Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult
Alex led the Cables 2020 Problem Solving Roundtable on Cable Design, Test and Manufacturing (13.30-14.40, Tuesday 24th November).
RenewableUK
About RenewableUK
RenewableUK members are building our future energy system, powered by clean electricity.
We bring them together to deliver that future faster; a future which is better for industry, bill-payers, and the environment. We support over 400 member companies to ensure increasing amounts of renewable electricity are deployed across the UK and access markets to export all over the world. Our members are business leaders, technology innovators, and expert thinkers from right across industry.
Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors to the UK and international Offshore Wind & Renewable 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.
Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV HV
See how T&D support, supply and service the Renewable Energy industry.
MV HV Cables 11kV 33kV 66kV | Cable Joints, Terminations & Connections
Switchgear Solutions: Beyond the Standard By G&W Electric
December 7th, 2020
Electric Power Solutions
Transient Recovery Voltages for Medium Voltage Switchgear
The following Whitepaper by G&W Electric and presented by Thorne & Derrick discusses system parameters like capacitance and inductance can have adverse effects on the performance of load switching mechanisms. Highly capacitive and inductive loads cause transient recovery voltage (TRV) during load switching beyond the values determined by the IEEE C37.74 standard.
Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories to UK and international utilities and contractors providing electrical power at distribution and transmission voltage levels.
G&W Electric
Overview of G&W Cable Accessories
In 1905 G&W introduced the first disconnectable cable terminating device.
Over 100 years later, G&W continues to create technical innovations that have improved performance and reliability. With over 100 years experience, G&W is the name you can trust for quality cable accessories. With sales representation worldwide, G&W has a proven track record for success.
G&W cable accessories are designed to accommodate cables from all manufacturers and can be created to accommodate any customer cable system. The optional mechanical shrink feature offers an easier and faster installation while reducing possible damage during installation. G&W also offers installation supervision and installation training, which can be customized to suit the audience.
G&W offers a variety of transmission cable accessories for extruded dielectric cable systems. Cable terminations are available for outdoor applications to 230kV and include porcelain or composite insulator options and premolded designs. Gas insulated substation designs are available to 230kV.
Transition cable splices and cable joints are available to 138kV and include premolded designs. All cable terminations and cable joints incorporate built-in stress control and dielectric fluid. Dry type designs are also available for maximum ease of installation.
Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories | 11kV 33kV 66kV to 400kV
How Current Limiting Devices for Low-Voltage Applications Can Help Save Lives for Your Organisation
December 7th, 2020
Electric Power Solutions
Are You Prepared to Mitigate Arc Flash Risk?
The following Whitepaper by G&W Electric and presented by Thorne & Derrick is written for those who specify electrical components, switchgear and power distribution equipment for utility, heavy industrial, healthcare or offshore applications, will discuss current regulations and requirements, define arc flash and its impacts, discuss arc flash mitigation and, most importantly, how current limiting devices for low-voltage applications should be seriously considered as part of an organisation’s comprehensive arc flash mitigation strategy.
Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories to UK and international utilities and contractors providing electrical power at distribution and transmission voltage levels.
Introduction
As the demand for electrical power increases, distribution systems are expanded to accommodate the increased demand. Stiffened transmission systems, increased substation capacity, and added on-site and distributed generation all contribute to increases in available fault currents.
Often these currents exceed the capability of the electrical equipment, putting the equipment and maintenance personnel at risk for a catastrophic event.
Current limitation drastically reduces the magnitude of the peak let through current and the system energy, protecting equipment from costly failure and protecting workers from dangerous arc flash.
For high-voltage and medium-voltage applications, current limitation methods have been well-established, but for low-voltage applications, other options have served as the last line of defence in the event of an arc flash incident.
Traditional methods to mitigate an arc flash are plagued by high detection and clearing times, which result in high incident energy. Any method that takes more than 100 ms will cause vaporising of metals, which can severely injure people and damage equipment surrounding the affected gear.
Finally, this Whitepaper will provide key considerations and questions that engineers, specifiers, safety officers and plant managers should ask when considering the installation of low-voltage current limiters.
Contents
- Introduction
- Arc Flash – A Catastrophic Event
- What is Arc Flash Mitigation?
- What is Arc Flash?
- Current Limiting Devices vs. Conventional Devices in Arc Flash Mitigation
- CLiP-LV vs. Circuit Breaker
- Key Considerations
G&W Electric
Overview of G&W Cable Accessories
In 1905 G&W introduced the first disconnectable cable terminating device.
Over 100 years later, G&W continues to create technical innovations that have improved performance and reliability. With over 100 years experience, G&W is the name you can trust for quality cable accessories. With sales representation worldwide, G&W has a proven track record for success.
G&W cable accessories are designed to accommodate cables from all manufacturers and can be created to accommodate any customer cable system. The optional mechanical shrink feature offers an easier and faster installation while reducing possible damage during installation. G&W also offers installation supervision and installation training, which can be customized to suit the audience.
G&W offers a variety of transmission cable accessories for extruded dielectric cable systems. Cable terminations are available for outdoor applications to 230kV and include porcelain or composite insulator options and premolded designs. Gas insulated substation designs are available to 230kV.
Transition cable splices and cable joints are available to 138kV and include premolded designs. All cable terminations and cable joints incorporate built-in stress control and dielectric fluid. Dry type designs are also available for maximum ease of installation.
Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories | 11kV 33kV 66kV to 400kV
Arc Flash Clothing | Customer Testimonial | Utility Cable Ploughing
December 1st, 2020
Arc Flash Clothing Protection PPE
“As our last line of defence ATP Cable Plough have selected ProGARM arc flash clothing distributed by Thorne & Derrick to protect our utility workers when cable ploughing, trenching and excavating in the vicinity of live electrical cables. With a lifetime seam guarantee their arc clothing is purpose built with superior quality and industry-leading innovations to meet safety standards whilst keeping our teams comfortable in challenging environments.” Ben James, Operations Manager at ATP Cable Plough.
Utility Showcase: Cable Ploughing | Meet ATP The Utility Ploughing Specialists
Arc Flash Learning & Resources
Thorne and Derrick are proud to be distributors of ProGARM arc flash coveralls and protection.
We can help – should you require arc flash calculators or advice on the type of clothing and protection available please do not hesitate to contact us.
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 Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV HV
Challenges With Aging Electrical Infrastructure By G&W Electric
November 27th, 2020
Electric Power Solutions
Challenges With Aging Electrical Infrastructure
The following Whitepaper by G&W Electric and presented by T&D discusses the challenges that are encountered with aging electrical infrastructure with emphasis on insights into the planning, design, and execution of a major campus upgrade project at the California State University in Fresno, California.
The project had the objective to replace an aging electrical distribution system with one that delivers a continuous supply of power to all of the campus facilities, regardless of the reliability of the utility feed to the campus.
Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories to UK and international utilities and contractors providing electrical power at distribution and transmission voltage levels.
Introduction
This paper will provide insights into the planning, design, and execution of a major campus upgrade project at the California State University in Fresno, California. The project had the objective to replace an aging electrical distribution system with one that delivers a continuous supply of power to all of the campus facilities, regardless of the reliability of the utility feed to the campus.
This objective was accomplished by delivering a multi-vendor turnkey automation solution including metal-clad switchgear, pad mount switches with voltage and current sensors and motor actuators, transformers, relays, a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) with Human Machine Interface (HMI), and communication devices.
The system can be expanded easily to handle the future plans of the university. Key elements of the upgraded electrical distribution system are the engineered-to-order Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR) and Loss of Voltage (LOV) automation schemes that ensure the continuous supply of power to all campus facilities.
The automation equipment, such as relays, RTU, and communication devices, was chosen based on performance, support for open communication protocols like IEC 61850with GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented System Event) messaging, and best fit for the application. Another deciding factor for California State University Fresno was the seamless integration of best-in-class products from multiple vendors into one system.
This included major milestones such as system engineering and testing, factory acceptance testing, training for operators, and documentation with the ultimate goal to eliminate any issues during the commissioning of the solution. The intent of this paper is to share lessons learned with other potential end-users and provide helpful insights into issues to consider for distribution system upgrade projects in general.
Contents
- Introduction
- About California State University
A. Quick Facts
B. Challenges With Aging Electrical Infrastructure
C. Goals for Upgrade of Electrical Infrastructure - State-of-the-art distribution automation upgrade project
A. Design & Planning
B. Execution & Delivery - Lessons Learned
- References
- Authors
G&W Electric
Overview of G&W Cable Accessories
In 1905 G&W introduced the first disconnectable cable terminating device.
Over 100 years later, G&W continues to create technical innovations that have improved performance and reliability. With over 100 years experience, G&W is the name you can trust for quality cable accessories. With sales representation worldwide, G&W has a proven track record for success.
G&W cable accessories are designed to accommodate cables from all manufacturers and can be created to accommodate any customer cable system. The optional mechanical shrink feature offers an easier and faster installation while reducing possible damage during installation. G&W also offers installation supervision and installation training, which can be customized to suit the audience.
G&W offers a variety of transmission cable accessories for extruded dielectric cable systems. Cable terminations are available for outdoor applications to 230kV and include porcelain or composite insulator options and premolded designs. Gas insulated substation designs are available to 230kV.
Transition cable splices and cable joints are available to 138kV and include premolded designs. All cable terminations and cable joints incorporate built-in stress control and dielectric fluid. Dry type designs are also available for maximum ease of installation.
Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories | 11kV 33kV 66kV to 400kV
