Cable Joints & Terminations HV

SEANEX | PFISTERER Connectors Selected For 66kV Wind Turbine Terminations At Seagreen Project

Thorne & Derrick | CONNEX Distributed from Stock | Approved Supplier

SEANEX

66kV Wind Turbine Terminations At Seagreen Project

SSE Renewables and Vestas have selected the offshore-optimised SEANEX inner cone system by PFISTERER to connect more than 100 wind turbines in the Seagreen project in the Western North Sea.

PFISTERER is supplying SEANEX joints as well as preassembled and tested cables with SEANEX connectors for construction. Each of the Vestas turbines will be connected using SEANEX accessories. The cable joints and preassembled cables link the submarine cables to the gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) in the tower of the turbines.

“We are pleased that our SEANEX solution has been selected for this project. This confirms that in SEANEX, we have developed a compact, robust connection system that is perfectly suited to 66kV offshore wind farms,” said Dr Peter Muller, Head of Renewables at PFISTERER.

“The SEANEX Connection System has helped us simplify our fabrication and delivery activities by providing a clear interface point between the inter-array cables and the turbine, accelerating the project execution and saving time and costs while providing a permanently robust and secure connection,” commented James Allan, Lead Engineer – Array Cables of Seagreen/SSE Renewables, summarising the advantages.

“The connection system will provide an easier, quicker, cost efficient and safer approach to connect the wind turbine HV network to the array cable infrastructure in a pluggable variant. SEANEX ensures an end-to-end pretested configuration, allowing the possibility to test the entire array cable infrastructure prior to turbine installation, and will last as long as the turbine.

It will also reduce the time for connecting the individual wind turbine generators (WTGs) to the array network, and still allow a primary gas-insulated switchgear in the transition piece to become redundant since it is directly connected to the WTG HV switchgear. It feels like plugging in your extension cord at home on a bigger scale,” explains Stephan Kremers, Project Manager at Vestas.

As the wind turbines are installed, the pluggable connection between the submarine cable and the tower cable allows the project partners’ individual construction phases to be clearly separated. In addition, the 39cm long SEANEX cast resin joints are designed to be more flexible handling during offshore installation process.

They are solid-insulated and therefore SF6 gas free, resistant to salt water and UV radiation, and submersible. They are suitable for various cable types up to a diameter of 800sqmm.

In the Seagreen project, the XLPE insulated submarine cables are connected to the switchgear via flexible, preassemble and pretested “dropper cables” at sea, when installing the turbine, it is simply a case of plugging the cable into the preassembled joint.

This reduces the offshore installation time. The touch-safe, gas-free and maintenance-free inner cone fitting feature separate mechanical and electrical contacts which are stable in continuous operation under load.

PFISTERER will deliver the SEANEX fittings for the Seagreen project when construction starts.

The Seagreen offshore wind farm is located 27km off the Angus Coast in the Firth of Forth.

It will be developed and operated by Seagreen Wind Energy Limited.

Once constructed, the wind farm will be the largest in Scotland. Phase One will feature 114 MHI Vestas V-164-10 MW turbines and is expected to provide low carbon energy for more than one million homes.

In September 2019, Seagreen secured a 15-year CfD contract awarded by the UK government. SSE Renewables is leading on the development and construction of the first 1,140 MW, supported by Total, and will operate the asset on completion, which is expected in 2022/23.

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 cable 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

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 

MV Connex Products | Ex Stock Thorne & Derrick | Inner Cone Cable Connectors 33kV

SEANEX | PFISTERER Connections for 66kV Inter-Array Cable Connections & Termination

Thorne & Derrick | Approved SEANEX Supplier | UK & Export Sales

SEANEX

66kV Inter-Array Cable Connections & Termination

The SEANEX inner cone solution by PFISTERER distributed by Thorne & Derrick is an offshore variant of the successful Connex HV connection system that is specially adapted for 66kV inter-array cabling.

The new offshore cable accessories by PFISTERER combines all the proven performance features – salt water resistance, solid insulation, pluggable and touch-safe – yet it is much more compact, lighter in weight, and lower in cost.

Moreover, the mechanically robust inner cone technology offers clear advantages in terms of installation, corrosion resistance and reliability in harsh environments.

The optimised SEANEX HV cable connector together with the corresponding cast resin joint forms a perfect fitting for connecting and cabling 66kV offshore wind farms.

PFISTERER adapted the system specifically for this application.

Because of the growing number of projects, and particularly with the changeover from 33kV to 66kV in the wind farm networks, we set ourselves the goal of optimising our existing solution for even easier and more flexible wind turbine installation.

The cast resin connection joint in the SEANEX system enables rapid connection of the wind turbine to the wind farm network

The inner cone technology is optimally suited for this application and guarantees reliability and durability well beyond the projected operational life of a wind farm.

In combination with the cast resin joint, the solution is unique,” explains Dr. Peter Müller, Head of Renewables at PFISTERER.

During the development process, HV specialists at PFISTERER always kept the design-to-cost principle in mind. Accordingly, the HV fittings have been strictly optimised for offshore requirements. Thanks to a significantly more compact design, the new cast resin joint measures just 39cm long and weighs 28kg. “Aside from the lower costs, these advantages give our customers greater flexibility for handling and installing the HV fittings,” Müller points out.

Seanex VIDEO

SEANEX Connections for Seagreen 1 Offshore Wind Farm. As the wind turbines are installed, the pluggable connection between the submarine cable and the tower cable allows the project partners’ individual construction phases to be clearly separated. In addition, the 39cm long SEANEX cast resin joints enable more flexible handling during the offshore installation process.

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 cable 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

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 

MV Connex Products | Ex Stock Thorne & Derrick | Inner Cone Cable Connectors 33kV

Thorne & Derrick | Product Training With PFISTERER

9th March 2022 by Natalie Lundie Supply Chain: Marketing Lead | Thorne & Derrick

Thorne & Derrick welcomed Karl McFadden (Commercial Sales Manager at PFISTERER) and Drew Houghton (Commercial Sales at PFISTERER) to our offices for product training including an overview of their market-leading and new generation of SICON shearbolt connectors.

Additional manufacturer updates included an impressive presentation on their major project award at Seagreen with SSE Renewables for the SEANEX range of cable connectors for 66kV inter-array cable termination.

Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm project is located 27km off the coast of Angus in the North Sea and is a joint venture between TotalEnergies (51%) and SSE Renewables (49%). Seagreen will be Scotland’s largest and the world’s deepest offshore wind farm when complete.

The Sales and Marketing Team at Thorne & Derrick benefitted from the slick content, engaging animations and well presented slides that successfully simplified the complex.

We shall now look forward to further strengthening our business relationship in 2022 with ongoing product training, technical support and joint sales-marketing strategies.

Pictured SEANEX is a dry pluggable inner cone connection and termination system designed for renewable energy offshore applications up to 66/72.5kV – based on the PFISTERER CONNEX system the SEANEX components have been further developed for the service and operational requirements in the offshore renewable industry.

SEANEX is certified by DNV GL and compliant with the new offshore standard IEC 63026.

Read Article | SEANEX | PFISTERER Connectors Selected For 66kV Wind Turbine Terminations At Seagreen Project

Connex Stocks

“I genuinely enjoyed today’s presentation – Karl and Drew demonstrated such technical authority, purpose and passion in both representing and presenting the PFISTERER brand and its credentials, that’s infectious. This week we have significantly increased stock holding levels of the CONNEX range of connectors to satisfy customer demand within substation projects for the termination of 33kV cables – our ability to specify CONNEX correctly and deliver from stock overnight has driven sales forward for Thorne & Derrick,” comments Chris Dodds (Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick.

The PFISTERER CONNEX range of high voltage electrical equipment includes: plug-and-sockets, multiple sockets, busbar couplings, surge arresters and voltage testing systems.

INNOVATION AS A BUSINESS DRIVER

PFISTERER meets future challenges with the knowledge that comes from one hundred years of experience. This expertise has developed continuously with advances in technology – and technology has advanced thanks to PFISTERER’s expertise.

Numerous innovations and patents continuously drive our growth with further investment in R&D planned for 2022 and beyond.

The PFISTERER corporate group has been dealing with the interfaces in the flow of electricity ever since it was founded back in 1921. Their success has turned PFISTERER into a globally active company – with a distribution network in 70 countries and 21 locations in Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Middle East.

SEANEX by PFISTERER | High Voltage Connections For Inter Array Cables 66kV

PFISTERER – DISTRIBUTORS, STOCKISTS & SUPPLIERS

Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and fast delivery from stock for the complete range of PFISTERER CONNEX MV HV inner cone cable plugs and connection terminations.

Thorne & Derrick supply from stock MV HV cable plugs and terminations manufactured by PFISTERER MV-CONNEX that are suitable for medium voltage levels and applications up to 33kV where MV cables must be reliably connected, terminated and distributed within the electricity supply industry.

Network Rail Full Acceptance for Nexans Tee Connectors & Bushings for 25kV Power Transformers

PR by Chris Dodds Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick | 08.03.2022

Following extensive and successful field trial testing the Nexans Euromold range of Connectors & Bushings have now received Full Acceptance by Network Rail with Official PADS Approval – specifically this includes Nexans Tee Connector model QM909TB Interface F and associated equipment bushing QM909AR.

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 Tee Connectors and Bushings to ground mounted oil filled transformers up to 52kV – this covers:

Nexans Euromold Tee Connector Model QM909TB | Interface F Nexans Part Number 7009193 | PADS Catalogue No 0086/099432

Nexans Euromold 52kV 1250A Bushing | Interface F including 6 hole KBCDS-400 Clamping Kit & Sealing Gasket | PADS Catalogue No 0086/099430

➡ See Certificate of Acceptance PA05/05422 | Network Rail Certification

Thorne & Derrick are currently supplying this range of transformer terminations 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 Interface F Cable Accessories including Tee Connectors, Slip-on Terminations, Joints & Bushings refer to the download.

Further Reading

• 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

25kV Switchgear Terminations

Nexans AFN36-6 42kV single core cable terminations are Network Rail PADS Approved for indoor 25kV air insulated switchgear applications.

The cold-applied Slip-on rail cable termination is approved for use with Siemens ASG25 – 25kV air insulated switchgear for AC traction power supply systems.

Nexans 42kV Order Code AFN36-6

Network Rail 054/214930

Network Rail Certificate of Acceptance PADS PA05/06215

AFN36 cable terminations are used to connect medium voltage feeder cables to supply three-phase AC electrical power to traction substations on electrified lines.

Contact Thorne & Derrick for further information, competitive quotations or assistance with the selection and specification of Medium Voltage Rail Cable Accessories.

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.

Thorne & Derrick

Nexans Main UK Stockist & Distributor

Contact us for Competitive Prices & Fast Delivery from Stocks for Heat Shrink, Cold Shrink & EPDM Rubber Connectors, Joints & Terminations up to 66kV.

Go to our Price List and contact us with your enquiries.

Heat Shrink Cable Accessories for 11kV Triplex Cables

Thorne & Derrick International are specialist distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Accessories, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and EHV.

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

Euromold MV HV | Cable Terminations, Connectors, Elbows & Joints

Transformers | Is It Time To Upgrade?

Transformer Replacement Projects Were A Great Success For Smith Brothers In 2021

• Special thanks to Ben Whitaker Business Development & Sales Manager at Smith Brothers 
  for the kind permission to republish

Transformers

Alongside some of the large connections we talk about often, our services and infrastructure division are always working away in the background – to ensure our customers remain online 24-7-365.

And, as technology progresses, transformers have become more efficient in performing their duty of increasing or decreasing voltage for electrical distribution. With that in mind, our Business Development & Sales Manager, Ben Whitaker, takes a look at why replacing your transformer with a modern alternative could result in a ‘greener’ site whilst reducing energy bills.

Transformer replacement projects were a resounding success for Smith Brothers in 2021, and saw us complete 19 in total as organisations continued to strive to reduce carbon emissions and operate their sites more efficiently.

Yet, rather than simply ‘fixing a problem’, investment in new technology which can help to counter rising energy tariffs across the UK has been a firm topic of conversation for our team. It’s nothing new, though. In fact, a study in 2018 suggested that lost energy in transformers contribute to 25% of the UK’s wasted energy.

What’s more, the European Union estimates that 2.9% of all electricity generated across the continent gets wasted in lost energy in transformers, this combined figure equates to 93.4TWh – enough to power Denmark for three years.

Over the past 12 months, Smith Brothers has contributed to the energy sector in the UK significantly through the construction and delivery of renewable energy projects – but also by replacing aged and inefficient transformers.

Transformer Regulation No. 548/2014

During their operation, transformers will lose heat, but legislation imposes in the EU the maximum level of losses for transformers placed on the market or put into service after 1st July 2015. And, while most pre-2014 transformers are manufactured to an undetermined efficiency level, we refer to these as ‘standard loss transformers’.

As of 2014, the minimum requirement for installed transformer assets adhered to Tier 1 level of efficiency. Further regulations were imposed in June 2021, introducing Tier 2, which determines an improved efficiency for newly manufactured transformers.

Tier 2 transformers have been readily available via manufacturers for some time – and have been included in any Smith Brothers tender proposals as a matter of default since 2018. Further energy savings can be achieved through the provision of a Wilson e3 amorphous core transformers, which is also something which we’re proud to be able to supply and install.

No Load Losses

No Load Losses arise within the magnetic core of a transformer and happen as a result of the energy consumed in hysteresis and eddy currents within the material as it is taken through its alternating cycles of magnetisation, in the UK 50 times per second i.e. 50Hz.

There are two ways of reducing no load losses in a transformer:

1) Reduce flux density by increasing the cross-sectional area of the magnetic core. 2) By using higher grades of core steel to reduce the watts/kg for a particular flux density.

The ‘no load losses’ of a transformer is a constant loss of energy and does not vary with increase/ decrease of load.

Load Losses

Load losses arise primarily because of the resistance of the transformer windings, that is the losses produced by the flow of current within the windings. Increasing the copper or aluminium cross-sectional area within a transformer winding has the effect of reducing the current density of the winding – this has the effect of reducing the losses. The load loss of a transformer varies to the square of the load.

Generally speaking – the larger kVA rating and the higher % load of this kVA rating, the more savings can be made by minimalising load/ no load losses.

Detailed below, is a comparison of the no load losses and full load losses of a 1000kVA ‘Standard Loss’ transformer, manufactured in 2013, prior to Tier 1’s introduction and a modern, 1000kVA Tier 2 transformer. We have also included the data for a Wilson e3 amorphous core transformer for comparative purposes. The monetary savings shown are subject to the transformer being run at 80% load 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at an energy tariff average of 12p per KWH.

How do I work out how much energy is being lost from my transformers?

Due to fluctuating loads pulled from individual transformers on operational sites, it’s important to find the right partner to carry out load monitoring and power quality surveyance in order to accurately determine the specific lost energy of sites’ existing transformers.

A good supplier should consider these specific elements:

• 7-day detailed power and power quality logging at nominated LV incomers. Current, voltage, kW, kVA, power factor, harmonics (I& V), flicker, frequency, harmonic loss factor and unbalance
• Load analysis and dentification of voltage dependent equipment
• Determination of PFC requirement and specification
• Detailed analysis of all logging data including harmonic analysis against ENA G5/4-1 at each LV supply (400V)
• Determine true loading of transformers using harmonic derating
• Calculation of existing transformer losses and energy savings associated with selected replacement/s
• Compilation of the technical report including savings & outline recommendations, where applicable

Smith Brothers Ltd is a large, turnkey electrical contractor with over 20 years’ experience. Since their inception in 1999, they have worked on a vast portfolio of projects throughout the UK and overseas, both as an ICP and EPC contractor on schemes up to 132kV.

Offering a range of services and can cater for everything from the delivery of a turnkey project – including design, the supply and commissioning of equipment and cabling installations from LV up to 132,000 volts (220,000V in ROI).

With over 10 years’ experience in the power industry — Ben has specialised in many power distribution projects, as well as maintenance and HV/EHV connections throughout his career. He is responsible for new sales and quotation conversion.

For further information, or an initial discussion regarding replacement transformer options, contact business development and sales manager, Ben Whitaker on: 07387 108 377 or email [email protected].

Stockists | 11kV 33kV 66kV Joints Terminations Connectors – 3M Pfisterer Nexans

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

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