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Networked Professionals – The Cable Jointers Recruitment Agent

Helping Cable Jointers Into Work…..

• by Chris Dodds T&D - estimated reading time 5 minutes
  

If you’re a Jointer of cables you better read this.

Last week, I had the pleasure to meet Duane Thompson (Founder & Managing Director) of Networked Professionals and learn how he and his team are quickly positioning their recruitment agency at the forefront of the Cable Jointing sector of the electricity industry.

In the following Post we introduce this innovative recruitment agency dedicated to placing and supporting Jointers (LV MV HV) with payment applications settled early and regular work flows while sheltering them from the chill winds of sllooowww payment from contractors.

Who Are Networked Professionals?

Networked Professionals are a global recruitment business dedicated to senior and middle management recruitment in three specialist sectors – Renewable Technology, Transmission & Distribution and Sales, both in the U.K and Internationally.

Networked Professionals Core Sectors

What Do They Offer?

Networked Professionals deliver permanent and contract staffing solutions throughout Europe, Middle East, The Americas and Africa regions in both Energy & Infrastructure and Renewables & Environment.

The T&D team are specialists working across Electricity, Water, Gas, Transmission & Distribution and Rail projects, finding niche skills for transmission owners, TSO’s, network operators, multi-utility operators, contractors, service contract providers, principle contractors design consultancies and OEM’s.

Networked Professionals Deliver Contract & Staffing Solutions Across the Utilities Sector

Quality Assurance

Networked Professionals are able to meet all of the niche requirements of their clients because of extensive sector experiences in addition to a solid infrastructure and a parent company that has been trading strongly for over 30 years.

Networked Professionals understand that it can be frustrating working with a recruitment agency that doesn’t understand your requirements and working practices fully.

Building strong relationships with clients is the number one goal.

NP believe that every experience a client has with them should be of the highest standard, which is why they will provide a smooth, professional transition within any placement period and rigorously vet our candidates. This approach has enabled them to secure clients within large organisations.

Transmission & Distribution

Networked Professionals are responsible for delivering permanent and contract staffing solutions throughout Europe, Middle East, Asian, Americas and Africa across the Transmission and Distribution finding niche skills for the following clients:

• Transmission Owners | Distribution Owners
• Network Operators | Multi Utility Operators
• Contractors | Service Contract Providers
• Design Consultancies
• Local SME’s
• Large Corporations

Currently supplying candidates throughout the Transmission & Distribution industry to clients who specialise in MV-HV switchgear substations, new connections, transformers and cabling of various voltages – including the installation of 11kV/33kV joints and terminations. Dealing with candidates from all levels i.e. cable jointer, commissioning engineer to Director.

Their policy is to meet the individual needs of each client by using a wealth of experience and knowledge gained with the capability to meet all of the niche requirements of the client.

Working For Networked Professionals

Secure Payment, Early Payment

Networked Professionals pride themselves on the delivery of high calibre candidates along with continuous feedback for candidates.

Most recently they have developed great contracts with distribution suppliers in the south and the Midlands from which work can be ad-hoc days to 6 -12 month contracts. They ensure smooth payment terms which help with smaller teams just starting out that can’t take the usual 45 day payment terms.

A Satisfied Client

Their most recent success story of this is Lee Richards, former Project Manager for Dragon Infrastructure. With their help sourcing work and short payment terms he was able to take the leap from PAYE employee to Director of his own successful cable jointing contracting company LR Power Services.

Lee Richards is a 33kV Competent Jointer with diverse cable jointing skills covering LV (Consasc Wavecon | Live Cable Jointing), 11kV (Triplex PILC)  up to 33kV – this encompasses manufacturers such as Lovink, Nexans Euromold, Tyco and Prysmian.

If you currently have a client with payment terms that don’t work for your pocket but you wish to continue working with them consider introducing them to Networked Professionals – their services will ensure that not only will they be happy by little to no change in the bottom line charge for them but the client will be a happier contractor getting paid for your hard work much sooner.

Networked Professionals currently supply candidates throughout the Renewable Energy Industry, that specialise in all aspects of Wind Power

A word from Duane Thompson Co-Founder & Managing Director:

If you require staff for sub-contracting work nationally or internationally Networked Professionals can support your needs.

With our partnerships with generic and specific jobs boards and of course Thorne & Derrick we can support the labour and manning side of your company; whether this be one or two candidates to the supply of staff for an entire project the team at Networked Professionals is just on the other end of the phone to support you.

We have set up Networked Professionals to service the burgeoning talent requirement for transmission and distribution, renewables and infrastructure internationally and I am confident that our dedicated team will quickly establish the brand as a front-runner for recruitment in these sectors, with the support of the Solutions infrastructure.”

Operating from Turbine Business Park in the North East of England, the team at Networked Professionals have already signed up a number of clients including ESM Power, Dragon Infrastructure, Fulcrum UK and BGS Utilities.

Get In Touch With Networked Professionals 

Phone: 01917316500

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.networked-professionals.com

LinkedIn: Networked Professionals

Twitter: @NetworkedPros

FaceBook: @NetworkedPros 

Specialist Distributors: LV, MV & HV Cable Jointing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt

THORNE & DERRICK are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Earthing & Electrical Equipment – we service UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

Contact us for 3M Electrical, ABB, Alroc, AN Wallis, CATU Electrical, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, CSD, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Euromold, Filoform , Furse, Lucy Electric & Zodion, Nexans, Pfisterer, Polypipe, Prysmian, Roxtec, Sicame, WT Henley.

Invitation

Thorne & Derrick invite you to join LinkedIn’s largest LV-HV Electrical Discussion Group : Low & High Voltage Power, Cabling, Jointing & Electricals. 

Discussion subjects include cable installations, cable jointing, substation earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

Network, engage and promote your profile, company or products with over 10,000 influencers.

11kV Cable Terminations – How To Perform Perfect Preparation Of The Semicon Cutback

Images: David Baldock (HV Cable Jointer)

• Application: 11kV Cable Terminations
• Cable Preparation : Semicon Cutback On 11kV XLPE Insulated Cables (Easy-Peel)
• Cable Jointer: David Baldock (HV Jointer)
• Product Category: MV HV Power Cable Terminations

• by Chris Dodds T&D - estimated reading time 2 minutes 

11kV Terminations

Prior to the installation of MV-HV cable accessories whether it be heat shrink, cold shrink or separable connectors, it is critical that careful and accurate semicon workmanship is achieved by the Jointer. The treatment and cut of the semicon screen by the 11kV jointer is essential to the stability and service of all joints, terminations and connectors on 11kV/33kV power systems.

The above cable preparation images clearly shows the straight and clean cut to the black semicon screen stepping down onto the 11kV cable insulation (XLPE) – here a constant force spring provides a straight edge for copper tape screen on the 11kV cable before installing the cable termination.

Semicon cutback has been enabled by the innovation and development of dedicated cable jointers tools which should provide precision engineered cable preparation.

However, jointers tools alone without the knowledge, expertise and skill of a Competent Jointer to use them are not worth diddly squat.

For instance the photograph below highlights the problem of unskilled labour, even if equipped with the correct cable jointing tools, inflicting catastrophic damage to MV-HV power systems through lack of training, experience and understanding of the criticality of semicon cutback.

Non-radial, rough and jagged semicon screens with protuding points at the cutback will cause cable termination or joint failure. Outage. Blackout.

Meet The Cable Jointer

David Baldock is an experienced LV-HV cable jointer up to and including 33kV specialising in electrical cable installation and repair to medium/high voltage power cables including XLPE, PILC, PILC/SWA, PICAS and EPR. Ranging in cable sizes from 25sqmm to 800sqmm and covering single cores to 3 cores with copper tape screen and wire screen.

Qualified and Competent to carry out all MV-HV cable terminations such as Tyco-Raychem, Nexans, Pfisterer, 3M, Euromold and ATEX Euromold cable terminations covering all heatshrink and cold shrink terminations.

➡ The Semicon Screen – A Most Critical Point In Any MV Cable Joint, Termination Or Connector – Read Blog

11kV Terminations, Joints & Connectors

Thorne & Derrick are national distributors of Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Safety Equipment MV HV – we service UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

Joint | Terminate | Connect Medium & High Voltage Cables MV HV

Invitation

Thorne & Derrick invite you to join LinkedIn’s largest LV-HV Electrical Discussion Group : Low & High Voltage Power, Cabling, Jointing & Electricals. 

Discussion subjects include cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV. Network, engage and promote your profile, company or products with over 10,000 influencers.

Cable Pulling Equipment – A Cable Laying, Duct & Installation Guide From SSE

Thorne & Derrick | Cable Pulling & Laying Equipment Stockists and Suppliers

• by Chris Dodds T&D - estimated reading time 2 minutes 

Cable Pulling

The following information based upon a document produced by UK DNO, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks, provides information and guidance on New Connections and best practise for cable pulling and laying and when installing LV (Wavecon | Concentric), 11kV (3 Core | Single Core) and 33kV (Single Core) cables into underground cable trenches.

The cable pulling equipment for ensuring safe and compliant installation of LV-HV cables up to 33kV is briefly outlined – should you require any further information or technical support please contact us.

All work carried out and cable pulling equipment used must be compliant with SSE technical guidance (TG-PS-881) available from the SSEN website.

It is also recommended that contractors and clients review the ‘Practical Guide to Streetworks’ before undertaking any excavations prior to installing LV-HV cables to form part of new connections.

The following cable trench section shows the position of cable and the cable duct in the ground – it is important that the top of any apparatus is at these depths as a minimum, this includes the top of the cable duct. In addition to the cable or duct there is a requirement for 75mm finefill material on all sides. Cable marker tape or cable tiles/covers must be installed 150mm above the top of the apparatus, this needs to have SSEN branding on.

This table shows the minimum depths to top of apparatus (A within the diagram above)

Minimum Excavation depth required = (A) minimum depth of apparatus + (B) outside duct/cable size + (C) 75mm of sand bedding.

Please note that (M) represents the cable marker tile (for 33kV cables use Stokbord covers) or cable protection tape for all other installations including 11kV cables and cable joint protection.

Please note: Where there are sudden changes in surface type (e.g footway to carriageway), excavations should always be at the greater of the depths required.

New Housing Service Cable Installation Guide

Experience has shown that by using a service tube the disturbance to the site is reduced when the electricity supply is connected.

The service tube can be laid in the same cable trench as the other services are shown, with an identifying plastic cable marker tape installed above to give advanced warning of service cable location on private property.

External meter cabinets

The external meter cabinets must be positioned in agreement with SSE to provide unrestricted access.

The preformed ‘hockey sticks’ can be installed either within the cavity or clipped to the outer surface of the wall below the meter cabinet.

White ‘hockey sticks’ must be used on the outer surface of walls. The service tubing must be securely coupled to the ‘hockey sticks’. The cabinets are only large enough to house SSE service and connection equipment.

Clients must fit own main switches on an inside wall so that the length of interconnecting cable does not exceed 3 metres.

This cable must only enter through the bottom of the cabinet, using the right hand hole, when viewed from the front.

Typical Cross Section of A Service Trench

Duct Seals – contact us for duct sealing solutions and products to provide sealing against water (flood prevention) to copper and ducted low, medium and high voltage power cables.

Installation of Cable ducts

For the installation of ducted schemes the use of Black electric cable ducts only (see table below for approved suppliers) are permitted for use.

Clients should consider the type of cable ducts intended to use before ordering as excavations will be different depending on which cable duct supplier you use – the minimum cable bending radius must also be considered by referring to the manufacturers specification and selecting the appropriate cable pulling equipment to include cable rollers, socks, drum jacks and cable winches.

Emtelle cable duct range includes a smooth bore type of ducts which have rigid preformed bends at differing angles. When pulling and laying cables it is important that angles or bends should not be placed too close together otherwise cable pulling tensions will become greater than the manufacturers guidelines during the installation process.

Bell Mouth Rollers

Winch Cable installation

All cable must be installed not exceeding the manufacturers recommended cable pulling tensions – this applies to low, medium and high voltage power cables. Contractors must familiarise themselves with these cable pulling loads before hiring the equipment to ensure that these loads are not exceeded.

For all Cable Pulling applications contractors should use the following cable laying equipment and products:

• Cable winch
• A display of the cable pulling tension on the winch (calibrated)
• A free moving cable pulling swivel link
• Cable rollers located typically every 4 metres and/or where LV-HV cable would come into contact with ground
• Cable socks to ensure excellent grip and support of LV-HV  cables

In addition to cable trench installations, for ducted cable schemes you will also need;

• Bell mouth roller
• Cable lubricants
• Cable drum trailers for each cable drum

For 33kV single core cables it is recommended that the contractor put colour indicators on each cable for identification –  the cable installer must securely anchor the cable drums and the cable winch at either end and ensure that the LV-HV cable does not come into contact that could inflict cable sheath damage.

Cable Socks – high tensile strength galvanised steel cable socks provide support and grip for LV-HV cable pulling into duct or laying into trench.

Cable Pulling Equipment

Cables, Duct, Duct Seals & Cable Tiles Approved Equipment

Joints | Terminations | Glands | Cleats | Cables | Tools | LV MV HV 11kV 33kV

Cable Laying & Pulling Equipment

Thorne & Derrick distribute an extensive range of Cable Laying & Pulling Equipment to enable the safe installation of utility power cables including LV Waveform and MV-HV Power Cables 11kV/33kV – full range of cable spiking tools available to ensure LV-HV power cables are dead prior to jointing or cable termination works.

Cable Rollers | Cable Socks | Duct Rods | Cable Lubricant | Drum Jacks | Duct Seals

➡ Further reading: Cable Pulling Equipment – A Cable Duct Laying Guide From BT Openreach

Cable Pulling Equipment – A Cable Duct Laying Guide From BT Openreach

Thorne & Derrick | Cable Pulling & Laying Equipment Stockists and Suppliers

• by Chris Dodds T&D - estimated reading time 5 minutes

Cable Pulling

The following information produced courtesy of a BT Openreach document provides a quick guide to duct laying and the Cable Pulling Equipment required to install cables into underground cable ducting.

Where the Openreach cable duct crosses a carriageway adjoining kerbs must be temporarily marked to note positions. Openreach duct needs to be laid on an outer edge of the service trench to enable box building. The contractor will need to insert a draw rope through the duct and secure it to the marker posts at both ends of the crossing. The appropriate Plug Duct 4B socket end and 4C Spigot must be fitted.

PVC Cable Duct For Underground Telecom Cables | Openreach

Duct beneath a carriageway crossing must be laid at a depth of 600mm from the cover of the final surface levels. For engineering reasons (National Joint Utilities Group NJUG) it must be separated from other services laid in parallel by 600mm (to permit Openreach to install underground joint boxes without the need for bends). Cable marker no.2 is needed at the site entranceŽ boundary to ensure link up identification for cable contractors.

The latest information on the positioning of utilities, mains and plants can be obtained from the National Joint Utilities Group.

Cable Ducting

• All cable runs must be laid as straight as possible for installation into duct using correct cable pulling equipment
• If required bend the cable ducts or use pre-formed duct bends supplied by Openreach
• There can be no more than one pre-formed 90° cable duct bend in any single run of duct
• Pre-formed 90° cable duct bends cannot installed in any duct linking two joint boxes
• Footpath or service strip ducting must be laid at 350mm depth of cover
• All space alongside the cable duct must be backfilled with granular fill to a minimum thickness specified by Openreach
• For all Single Dwelling Units (SDU) cable duct must be terminated on the external surface of the property
• The duct termination point shall be in a location that will allow unrestricted access for any future maintenance activity
• All cable ducts must be provided with a draw rope after installation, unless it’s agreed locally to substitute the draw rope with a cable
• Please notify the field based coordinator (FBC) when the duct has been laid and is ready for inspection.

Typical issues with carriageway road crossings

• Insufficient depth
• Proximity to other services

Impact of issues

• Renew duct –  this may delay any first occupation date or subsequent occupation dates.

Press Release | Thorne & Derrick Appointed Approved Stockist for UK Leading Cable Pulling Equipment Manufacturer

Avoiding Damage to the Openreach Underground Network

Openreach has an extensive underground network of ducted cables that can be located inside Žor on the perimeter of a site. The network is vulnerable to excavation related damage unless appropriate measures are taken. The precautions for avoiding damage to an underground utility plant are contained within the Hžealth & Safety Guide No. 47: Avoiding Danger From Underground Services (download below).

This document stresses the need for available utility plans on site and the use of safe digging practices.

Third-party damage to the Openreach network can be expensive for that party to repair.

• Direct cost – the cost of repair
• Operational cost – delays associated with repair
• Social cost – loss of service to emergency services/Žcentres or the vulnerable in society

💡  TIP: Use Openreach “€Click ­Before You Dig” service – a proven record of minimising the potential for damage and cost.

If you locate damage on site you should contact your FBC immediately.

If outside the perimeter of your site and has the potential to be a danger to the general public please contact Openreach by calling 0800 023 2023, Option 1, Option 1.

Duct Seals – contact us for duct sealing solutions and products to protect and provide sealing against water (flood prevention) to copper and fibre ducted cables.

Cable Pulling Equipment

Thorne & Derrick distribute an extensive range of Cable Pulling & Laying Equipment to enable the safe installation of fibre and copper cables within the telecommunications industry. Safely installed cables reduces operational and maintenance requirements to the network and reduced service interruption to telecom cables, wires, ducts, cabinets and exchanges – products include cable spiking tools, conduit rods, cable lubricant, cable socks and rollers.

Cable Rollers | Cable Socks | Duct Rods | Cable Lubricant | Drum Jacks | Duct Seals

➡ Further reading: Cable Pulling Equipment – A Cable Laying, Duct & Installation Guide From SSE

Fire Resistant Blanket – Protecting LV MV HV Cables & Joints Against Fire

Fire Resistant Blanket – Nexans NX-FIRE

• by Chris Dodds T&D - estimated reading time 2 minutes 

Nexans

Nexans Fire Resistant Cable Blanket is a cable joint protection cover with belts designed to be used with LV, MV or HV joints and cables in applications where low smoke emission and resistance to fire is needed. The Nexans Fire Protection Kit is designed for easy installation due to the belt design, open shape and “wrap-around” installation application.

The fire resistant cable blanket is designed with different layers of material to withstand high temperatures and is suitable to protect low, medium and high voltage cables from the destructive effects of fire. No specialist tools are required to install the fire blanket – simply manually lift, tighten and fasten the lightweight blanket onto the cables.

All materials included in the Nexans Fire Protection Kit are classified as low smoke emission and halogen free.

Protecting LV MV HV Cables & Cable Joints Against Fire

Nexans NX Fire blanket has been approved by ENEL and is available in different sizes and lengths upon request to suit cable outside diameters 20-300mm.

Nexans NX Fire – Technical Data

*Special version for transition cable joints. Available upon request

Fire Resistant Blanket – Application

1. Position the fire resistant blanket at the centre of the cable joint or cable	2. Wrap the fire resistant cover around the cable joint or cable	3. Tighten the belts to ensure that the fire protection blanket is held firmly in place onto the LV-MV-HV cable

Onshore or Offshore

Used to protect both onshore and offshore cables, including offshore cable joints where marine and offshore cables and joints in fixed installations for power circuits, emergency lighting systems and fire alarm systems must provide continued service in fire conditions.

The product is cold-applied without need to resort to “hot-work” permit applications to carry out cable repair, jointing or protection in potentially explosive atmospheres or hazardous area locations.

Underground Or Overground

Suitable to provide fire protection to fire hazard safety cables in the rail industry – including sub-surface, tunnels or station level including power cables for low voltage lighting, fire detection, emergency, signalling and auxiliary circuits.

International Standards

The fire resistant blanket has been tested according to the following international standards:

• IEC 60332-3-22 cat. A (fire propagation test)
• IEC 60331-11 & 21 (fire resistance test)
• BS 6387 cat. C (fire resistance test)
• IEC 61034-1&2 (low smoke emission)
• BS EN50268-2:2000 / BS 6853:1999 Annex B.2 (Low Smoke and Toxic emissions)

NEXANS CABLES & ACCESSORIES

To support the installation of MV-HV cables, T&D distribute the Nexans Power Cable Accessory range – this includes heat shrink terminations and cold shrink cable joints and the Euromold range of screened separable connectors extensively installed to terminate MV-HV power cables.

• 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

MV-HV Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors suitable for connecting, repairing and extending 11kV and 33kV high voltage power cable circuits.

THORNE & DERRICK are national distributors LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation, Earthing & Lightning Protection & Electrical Equipment – we service UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

3M Scotchcast Cable Joints | Ellis Patents Cable Cleats | CMP Cable Glands

Since 1985, T&D have established an international reputation based on SERVICE | INTEGRITY | TRUST.

Contact us for 3M Electrical, ABB, Alroc, AN Wallis, CATU Electrical, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, CSD, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Euromold, Filoform , Furse, Lucy Electric & Zodion, Nexans, Pfisterer, Polypipe, Prysmian, Roxtec, Sicame, WT Henley.

Invitation

Thorne & Derrick invite you to join LinkedIn’s largest LV-HV Electrical Discussion Group : Low & High Voltage Power, Cabling, Jointing & Electricals. Discussion subjects include cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV. Network, engage and promote your profile, company or products with over 10,000 influencers.