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GIS Substation Cable Duct Sealing To Protect HV High Voltage Power Systems

Water Ingress in GIS Substations

A dry cable basement achieved by cable duct sealing is a cornerstone of reliable GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) substation operation – substations provide electricity distribution for both medium (MV) and high voltage (HV) power systems in the UK typically distributing electrical power at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and 132kV voltages.

Water intrusion, even in limited volumes, can have severe and catastrophic consequences to the provision of uninterrupted LV MV HV power supply:

Corrosion: Water ingress and flooding accelerates cable corrosion including metal components compromising the structural integrity of the substation
Electrical Faults: Water can bridge insulation, leading to short circuits, arcing, and potential substation fires
Reduced Equipment Lifespan: Moisture can degrade insulation materials and accelerate equipment aging
Operational Disruptions: Water ingress through unsealed cable ducts can necessitate unplanned maintenance and outages, impacting power delivery

Prevention is Key | Cable Duct Sealing

To safeguard GIS substations, implement these preventive measures:

Robust Drainage Systems: Ensure effective drainage to divert water away from the substation basement.
Waterproof Cable Duct Sealing: Regularly inspect and maintain ducting seals on cable entries plus doors, and other openings.
Regular Inspections: Conduct routine inspections to identify and address potential water ingress points.
Emergency Response Plans: Develop and implement contingency plans for water intrusion events.

By prioritizing a dry cable basement, you can enhance the reliability, safety, and longevity of your GIS substation, MV HV cables and electrical infrastructure – view our complete range of duct seals.

The NOFIRNO Duct Seal System is the proven choice for watertight and gas-tight protection for cable ducts, manhole entries, duct bank entries, and similar applications to prevent flood damage to GIS substations on the UK DNO and private network.

Duct Seals | Stocked & Supplied by Thorne & Derrick

High Voltage Training Courses for Renewables & Offshore Energies Sectors

High Voltage Training Courses

uploaded by Chris Dodds – Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick

NE ENGLAND UK : A POWERBASE PARTNERSHIP | Yesterday with Carl Cox (Thorne & Derrick – Sales Engineer), I was very privileged to be invited to the Grand Opening of the RelyOn UK Electrical Training Facility by Jess Churchman and Ryan Muscroft following introductions by Paul Livingstone from NOF – located within Redcar & Cleveland College the facility will assist the provision of a skilled workforce in HV via a collegiate and multi-faceted approach up to 33kV.

The official launch of the new electrical training Facility located at Redcar & Cleveland College has been a huge success and will assist the development of an electrically skilled workforce capable of rising to the challenges of energy transition.

The highly-engaged audience benefitted from the exciting vision for the Facility in driving Energy Transition across local Wind Energy, Hydrogen & CCUS projects provided by RelyOn UK’s Speakers Jason Faulkner (Deputy Chief Executive) and Colin Leyden (Regional Managing Director) – “essential skills for critical infrastructure.”

The Facility will provide both standard and tailored courses for clients including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Vestas and Siemens Energy.

Via Video Link the Mayor of the Tees Valley, Mr Ben Houchen, nut-shelled it perfectly: “TEES VALLEY, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE – thousands and thousands of local jobs for local people.”

Thorne & Derrick look forward to continuing to realise the possible as an integral supplier to the global renewable industry.

Switchroom wired by Slaters Electricals | Gear by Lucy Electric, Schneider Electric, ABB and Alstom Power.

Pictured | Ryan Muscroft (Head of Electrical Services – RelyOn Nutec UK) with Chris Dodds and Carl Cox from Thorne & Derrick, a Specialist Distributor of High Voltage Cable Accessories, Electrical Safety Equipment & Products to the renewable industries.

RelyOn UK | High Voltage Electrical Engineering Training Courses

Safety Training & Digital Learning Specialists | Renewables and Offshore Energies Sectors

The new electrical facility, located within Redcar and Cleveland College, and officially supported by Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, is part of the RelyOn Group’s wider growth strategy which includes building a robust global electrical training and consulting service, with an emphasis on HV and LV electrical systems.

The Welcome Speech & Introduction to RelyOn Open Day

Selection of Photographs of High Voltage Electrical Switchgear & Transformers – the HV Training Centre is equipped with leading brand and cutting-edge technology equipment to enable the upskilling of High Voltage AP’s, SAP’s and Electrical Engineers to install 11kV/33kV Cable Accessories including Joints & Terminations.

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors to international Utilities, UK DNO’s, ICP’s and HV Jointing Contractors of an extensive range of LV HV Cable Jointing, Substation, Tooling & Installation Equipment from 600V to 66kV –  we service wind energy, solar power, battery storage, rail, utility, datacentre and the explosive atmosphere industries.

Based in the UK, we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

Since 1985, we have provided expert technical support and express delivery from extensive UK stocks to world-wide destinations.

Key Product Categories: Connectors, Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cable Preparation & Jointing Tools | Duct Seals | Cable Transits | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection | Cable Pulling | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars

Sealing Cable Ducts in the Process Industry

CSD Sealing Systems UK have recently completed work on the CATS Terminal in Seal Sands, for Wood Plc. Seal Sands is at the heart of the Teesside integrated energy network, connecting hydrocarbon-based transition fuels with new energy provision, powering the UK today and into a Net Zero sustainable future.

CATS – the Central Area Transmission System – is a natural gas transportation and processing system that transports gas through a 250 mile, 36inch diameter subsea pipeline from the Central North Sea to a reception and processing terminal in Teesside, Northern England. The initial construction of the pipeline reception and gas treatment facility, and the CATS gas and liquids processing plant, comprised two processing trains each with the capacity to handle around 17 million standard cubic metres (600 million standard cubic feet) of gas per day.

At the CATS Terminal, the pipeline gas is treated to remove contaminants. The gas is then delivered directly into the National Transmission System for commercial and domestic use.

CSD carried out the duct seals to multiple cable and pipe building entries and penetrations across the site – the critical areas to be sealed included offices, equipment rooms, the gatehouse and 2 refuge areas used during emergencies.

During the survey and following discussions with Wood plc, CSD established that these areas required the installation of a water and gastight duct seal system with some critical areas, including the refuge buildings, requiring fire-rated seals. The CSD Nofirno multi-cable and pipe penetration sealing system was provided as the preferred engineered and specification cable and duct sealing solution.

Nofirno provides the highest fire ratings, the shortest installation times, and a long-term, maintenance free service life for the sealing of cable ducts, penetrations and entries to building and substation infrastructure.

Sealing Cable Ducts

The fire, water and gastight system, consisting of Nofirno rubber filler sleeves and Nofirno sealant, provided the protection required on site. The system was used to seal a range of metallic and plastic pipe penetrations as well as all of the multi-cable transits of various diameters and configurations.

CSD’s highly skilled installation team installed the Nofrino system across the Terminal and the sealed penetrations will help ensure the safety and protection of personnel and assets should a disaster situation occur.

The work completed by CSD was delivered to a high-quality and will ensure long-lasting protection to the CATS Terminal.

Andy Pearson, Projects, Mods & TAR Manager at Wood Plc, said “the work carried out by CSD has been first class from start to finish. The survey and installation work carried out was all managed in a very professional manner. Likewise, the timely submission of the Installation Completion Report is much appreciated.”

Preventative & Planned Maintenance to Avoid Downtime & Damage

Failure to correctly and effectively seal cable ducts with compliant duct seals can inflict catastrophic damage to LV-HV electrical distribution networks, substations and power supply. View below our complete ranges of Duct Sealing Products including cable transits to provide a watertight seal and defence against flood damage to low, medium and high voltage cable ducts with additional protection against harmful flammable gas migration and fire spread.

The water flooding of building basements can inflict disastrous damage to sensitive electrical equipment and building fabric if adequate precautions are not implemented to mitigate risk. Poorly sealed or unsealed cable ducts in normal UK weather conditions are serious and widespread causes of flood damage – high groundwater can exert considerable pressure which can cause sub-standard and non-approved products, such as standard polyurethane expanding foam, to be flushed or degraded to destruction within the cable duct creating an open path for water ingress, flood entry and consequent damage.

Foam Fails | CSD Nofirno Duct Sealing System holds extensive UK Electricity (DNO) and Water (WIMES) industry approvals for utility infrastructure protection against fllood damage, this includes DSEAR Regulatory Compliance for the prevention of flammable gas migration in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres characterised by hazardous area locations (Zone 1 / Zone 2 Areas). Furthermore, Nofirno from CSD is approved for harshest fire ratings for pipe penetrations (EN, A, H and Jet Fire class).

T&D are Specialist Distributors to the Process Industries – this includes the fine and speciality chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and polymers manufacturing sectors.

We supply and support businesses working on the design, construction and maintenance of UK, European and international projects.

We can competently specify and competitively supply an extensive range of Hazardous Area Equipment (ATEX & IECEx) to provide Power, Heating & Lighting to the Explosive Atmospheres industries – this includes LV HV Cables, Accessories, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt from 600V to 66kV.

Based in the UK, we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

Since 1985, we have provided expert technical support and express delivery from extensive UK stocks to world-wide destinations.

Cable Clamps: The BAND-IT BAND-FAST Range – IEC61914 Tested

Cable Clamps

• uploaded by: Chris Dodds Thorne & Derrick Sales & Marketing Manager
  

Short Circuit Restraint for Power Cables

BAND-FAST is a versatile Cable Clamping System for harsh, hazardous and high-performance industrial cable support applications – the cost-saving cable banding solution comprises stainless steel pre-cut banding with pre-assembled buckle.

This IEC61914 compliant cable management system provides installers with significant labour productivity gains of up to 30% and up to 75% material cost savings compared to cable cleats for the short-circuit retention and support of power cables.

Two options are available: a PPA Coated version and an Uncoated version with captive clip both manufactured from type 316 stainless steel – high strength, compact flat profile, space and weight saving, non-corrosive and fire resistant.

The cable clamps have successfully been utilised on the following applications:

• Onshore & Offshore Windfarms (including Converter Stations
• Solar Farms
• Data Centres
• Offshore Platforms / FPSO’s
• Shipbuilding & Marine
• Refineries / Petrochem
• Public Buildings

Specialist Subsea Cable & Pipeline Applications 

BAND-FAST cable clamps are also available in highly corrosion resistance materials including: Monel^®, Alloy 625, Zeron100 and 316 Stainless Steel for the attachment of polyurethane mouldings, saddles, protectors and piggy-back clamps in subsea energy projects.

BAND-FAST cable clamps

Advantages

• Purchase price is significantly lower

–Up to 75% material cost savings

• Installation time is dramatically reduced

–Reduce labour cost up to 50%

• Low smooth profile

–Space savings on construction

• More versatile

–Conforms to most shapes / cable configurations

• Large diameter reduction (one size fits all)

–Fewer SKU’s to order / stock

• No accessories required

–No nuts / bolts / packing blocks

• Lighter weight cable clamps

–Reduced weight on construction

–Easier to carry around site

–Safer during installation at height

Cable Cleat Standard IEC61914

The cable clamps are independently tested to the latest Cable Cleat Standard IEC61914 for resistance to electromechanical force.

Short Circuit Testing of BAND-FAST Clamps

Subjected to 2x Short Circuits and dielectric test after wetting

PPA Coated BAND-FAST Cable Clamps By BAND-IT

Tests conducted to IEC61914

“Tests for Resistance to Electromechanical Force” Section 6.4.3 and 6.4.4.

➡ The following tables enables the selection of the correct BAND-FAST cable clamp manufactured by BAND-IT based on 300mm spacing between clamps according to IEC61914. Request Test Data for 600mm spacing of BAND-FAST clamps.

Uncoated BAND-FAST Cable Clamps installed with additional cushion sleeve

*Note: Maximum cable OD are for a guide only.

Short Circuit Test Videos

PPA Coated BAND-FAST® Cable Clamps with Clip. Test Video #33 70.1kA (2nd Shock – 600mm Spacings).

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors to international Utilities, UK DNO’s, ICP’s and HV Jointing Contractors of an extensive range of LV HV Cable Jointing, Substation, Tooling & Installation Equipment from 600V to 66kV –  we service wind energy, solar power, battery storage, rail, utility, datacentre and the explosive atmosphere industries.

Based in the UK, we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

Since 1985, we have provided expert technical support and express delivery from extensive UK stocks to world-wide destinations.

Key Product Categories: Connectors, Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cable Preparation & Jointing Tools | Duct Seals | Cable Transits | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection | Cable Pulling | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars

Working Together | Thorne & Derrick with The Faraday Training Centre

Uploaded by Chris Dodds | Sales and Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick

High Voltage Training for Cables & Power Systems

For 40 years Thorne & Derrick have proudly supplied the electrical industry with Power Cable Accessories to provide network reliability, security and energisation from 600V to 66kV – we distribute the most extensive range of Joints, Terminations & Connectors from 3M Electrical, Nexans Euromold and Pfisterer Connex to suit all types of electrical equipment connections in ColdShrink, heat-shrink and EPDM technology.

For 30 years The Faraday Centre, a world class facility, has been delivering hands-on, practical training coupled with theoretical assessment to empower the next generation of engineering talent.

Their 12 Training Rooms and 2 Practical Areas are equipped with a combination of the latest smart technology and legacy electrical equipment to support 50+ Courses delivered by highly qualified and experienced tutors with over 50 years experience.

The Faraday Centre also delivers on-site bespoke courses – this can be for private networks, DNO or tailored to suit the specific High Voltage operational requirements of a project or industry sector.

Expertise & Experience Combined

Both our businesses are now delighted to be Working Together – both our businesses with locations in the North East of England deliver our products and services to UK and international locations. Our industry partnership, based on market-leading Training Course delivery, now intends to close skills gaps, improve workplace safety and both to open and develop career opportunities for attendees.

Standard & Customised Training Courses

Working Together to improve electrical safety knowledge and implementation we will promote the most extensive of range of High Voltage Courses which enable the up-skilling of competency levels and career progression annually of over 2500 Electricians, Cable Jointers, Authorised & Senior Authorised Persons (AP’s & SAP’s) and Authorised Engineers (AE’s).

Standard module Courses are supplemented by tailored training packages to specific customer requirements.

Additionally, brand specific Offshore Wind Termination Courses can be delivered for leading cable accessory manufacturers including Nexans (Euromold), Pfisterer (Connex), 3M Electrical and NkT via The Wind Academy.

With dedicated lecture rooms for Cable Termination, Jointing & Authorisation Training, Thorne & Derrick are delighted to be Working Together in close partnership with The Faraday Centre – we support the delivery of best-practice Courses in the disciplines of High Voltage Jointing, Operational Safety, Protection, Testing & Switching up to 33kV.

“Following our recent visit and tour I am delighted to now be able to extend The Faraday Centre services to our existing and prospective clients. The UK confronts a significant shortage of skilled Electricians & Engineers which could hinder Net Zero goals – facilities like The Faraday Centre can accelerate policy, projects and people’s job opportunities to form the workforce to secure our Green Energy future. Should you have a general or industry specific Training gap, contact us to discuss it,” comments Chris Dodds – Sales & Marketing Thorne & Derrick.

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors to international Utilities, UK DNO’s, ICP’s and HV Jointing Contractors of an extensive range of LV HV Cable Jointing, Substation, Tooling & Installation Equipment from 600V to 66kV –  we service wind energy, solar power, battery storage, rail, utility, datacentre and the explosive atmosphere industries.

Based in the UK, we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

Since 1985, we have provided expert technical support and express delivery from extensive UK stocks to world-wide destinations.

Key Product Categories: Connectors, Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cable Preparation & Jointing Tools | Duct Seals | Cable Transits | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection | Cable Pulling | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars