Cable Joints & Terminations HV

BundGuards | Substation & Transformer Oil Spills & Leaks Containment

BundGuards | Substation & Transformer Oil Spills & Leaks Containment

BundGuards

Substation & Transformer Oil Spills & Leaks Containment

The Andel BundGuard system was first conceived and developed in 1992 as a direct response to the needs of the UK electricity industry and the serious water-removal problems it faced at sub-station sites across the UK.

Since then many thousands of BundGuard units have been installed nationwide, protecting customer assets, site operators and the environment.

To be compliant with current regulations, all above-ground oil storage tanks that contain more than 200 litres of oil, must have secondary containment or a ‘bund’ to contain oil leaks and spills.

Most bunds are exposed to the elements and consequently are likely to collect and fill with rainwater. As a bund fills with water, the containment capacity is reduced and the risk of oil escaping by overtopping the bund wall in the event of tank failure is greatly increased.

It is therefore essential that robust measures are put in place to extract rainwater from exposed bunds.

Andel BundGuard is a cost-effective, self-contained and easy-to-fit automatic pump and alarm unit that is installed within a bund and works continuously and automatically 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Using advanced circuitry and micro-controller technology, the BundGuard system discriminates between oil and water, keeping oil contained and expelling water from the containment area.

Large oil storage tanks and equipment such as electricity transformers may contain several thousand litres of oil and are also likely to be open to the elements. The bund will gradually collect rainwater and in time, the holding capacity of the bund can be significantly reduced.

As oil floats on water, once the capacity drops below 100% there is a risk of oil overflowing over the bund wall in the event of tank failure.

Thorne & Derrick can supply an extensive range of standard and customised Bundguards for the protection of medium/high voltage substations.

Bundguards

Andel’s BundGuard is a cost-effective, self-contained and easy to fit automatic pump and alarm unit which monitors and works around the clock.

The BundGuard system uses advanced circuitry and micro control technology to keep oil within the container and expel water from the containment area.

The BundGuard has a robust stainless steel pump and sensor unit located within the sump. The control unit activates the pump as required to remove only clean water safe to foul sewer or interceptor depending on the sites circumstances.

Andel’s BundGuard system has a number of failsafe systems in place and a range of visual and relay alarm outputs to ensure safety and allow for communication to remote monitoring systems.

The PPL BundGuard removes the need for regularly emptying the bund by waste contractors thereby reducing costs, the environmental impact and carbon footprint.

Bundguards

Technical Specification

Thorne & Derrick stock and supply the DrainEezy range of transformer bund filters for use with LV MV HV Oil-Filled Transformers providing passive, self-regulating environmental protection and preventing bunds from overflowing during rainfall events; the DrainEezy Bund Filter System is field-ready to fit and retrofittable allowing clean water to drain freely while automatically blocking and retaining insulating oil in the event of a leak or catastrophic transformer failure.

600/1000V | 11kV | 33kV | 66kV Transformer Bund Filters

Thorne & Derrick

T&D are Specialist Distributors to UK Distribution Network Operators (DNO’s), NERS Registered Service Providers, ICP’s and HV Jointing Contractors of an extensive range of LV, MV & HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt – this includes 11kV/33kV/66kV joints, terminations and connectors for both DNO and private network applications.

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 

Specialist Suppliers of High Voltage Electrical Equipment & Cable Accessories

Cable Heaters For Straightening 33kV & High Voltage (HV) Cables

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

Heating High Voltage Cables

Working closely with HV and EHV cable manufacturers Thorne & Derrick have designed and developed a standard range of cable heating jackets for straightening and relaxation of high voltage cables prior to installing MV HV Joints, Terminations & Connectors – T&D supply a complete HV cable straightening set focusing on safe, exact and consistent heating of high voltage cables with adjustable temperatures up to 100°C.

The unique cable straightener solution with extension pieces gives the HV jointer the most flexible cable heating solution to cover several different cable dimensions with fully homogeneous load density for XLPE insulated cables.

Cable straighteners are used to heat voltage class MV HV cables: 33kV 66kV 132kV 275kV

Cable Heaters Specification

The following table provides technical data to cover the performance and application of cable heater blankets for MV HV cables – please note this is for standard cable straightening applications up to 132kV. T&D working with MV HV cable manufacturers and installers can provide customised cable heating solutions for all types of polymeric (XLPE) type cables.

The cable heaters feature an in built overtemperature switch at 110°C.

Cable Heaters Selection

The following table includes the standard Cable Heating Jackets – should you require any specification support or technical advice to select the correct cable straightening jackets please do not hesitate to contact us.

Pfisterer Heaters

Here is shown the Pfisterer range of cable heating blankets used to pre-heat and straighten medium/high voltage XLPE insulated power cables prior to termination with their pluggable CONNEX range of inner cone terminations.

33kV Cable Heating & Straighteners

The following information is published from the Western Power Distribution company directive CA3C/2 Relating to General Requirements for 33kV Cable Jointing and specifically to the sub-section Heat Straightening of 33kV High Voltage Cables.

With dry designs of medium/high voltage polymeric cable after the removal of the oversheath and metallic sheath, the polymeric XLPE cable has a tendency to bend. This can give rise to problems associated with the fitting of the cable terminations or straight joints. Because of this there is a need for a heat treatment process to be applied to each cable core to relieve the mechanical stresses that are locked into the cable insulation.

With the wet designs of polymeric cable the polymeric cable has a tendency to bend, even after being set into their final position. This can give rise to problems associated with the fitting of the cable terminations or straight joints. Because of this there is a need for the heat treatment process to be applied to the core to relieve the mechanical stress that is locked into the cable insulation

Apply the tube, fitted with the heater tape and thermocouple, over the cable end and onto the PVC packing. Ensure that the thermocouple is not directly under the heater tape. Wrap the complete assembly with a thermal blanket.

Heating 33kV Cables Figures 1

Switch on the controller and bring the temperature of the cable up to 90°C, once the cable has reached the required temperature the heating time is determined by the cable size.

Given below: –
4 hours for conductor sizes up to and including 500sqmm
6 hours for conductor cross sections above 630sqmm and up to 1600sqmm

After the requisite time, switch off. Remove the cable heating blanket, heater tube complete with heater tape, thermocouple and PVC packing. Wearing appropriate gloves carefully straighten the cable into the correct position by hand.

Heating 33kV Cables Figures 2

Clamp the cable into position on a V shaped angle irons or channel irons and allow the cable to cool for a minimum of two hours, insuring the angle iron or channel irons stay in the correct position during the cooling process.

132kV

Jointers depend on 132kV cable heating jackets and blankets to straighten EHV power cables prior to installing Pfisterer CONNEX type inner cone cable terminations into high voltage gas insulated switchgear and susbtations.

How Else Can We Help?

➡  Drum Heating & Cable Straightening Jackets For 132kV Extra High Voltage Cable Terminations

Joints, Terminations & Connectors for HV High Voltage Cables

Thorne & Derrick are stockists of market-leading manufacturers of Cold Shrink, cold applied, heat shrink and EPDM type joints, terminations and connectors up to 66kV.

MV HV cable heaters are designed to provide consistent surface heating to the cables of XLPE insulated type – when cables are pulled from the coiled state on a cable drum they have a tendency to naturally attempt to recoil. The heating process provides linearity of 33kV/66kV/132kV cables to enable optimum installation of cable joints, terminations or connectors in Cold Shrink, heat shrink or EPDM type rubber technology.

3M | Nexans Euromold | Pfisterer

ATEX Electric Heaters | Safe Substation Heating for Battery Rooms

Image: SSE | Providing Safe Electrical Heat & Warmth in Hazardous Areas

Electrical Heating

• uploaded by Chris Dodds | Sales & Marketing Manager with Thorne & Derrick International

Electric heaters forming part of the Electric Heater Schedule for the development and construction of Onshore and Offshore Wind Farms are generally located within the battery room section of medium/high voltage substations and manufactured from corrosion resistant materials to resist battery acids – heaters must be suitable for hazardous area locations with potentially explosive atmospheres as defined by the ATEX Directive.

Specific applications provide for the safe and reliable air warming and heating of Metering Rooms, Telecomm Rooms, Control Rooms, Pump Rooms, OFTO Stores (Offshore Transmission Owner) and WFO Stores. (Wind Farm Operator).

With typical heating loads of 0.2kW to 0.9kW and electrical supply 230/240V (Single Phase 50 Hz) there is a complete range of ATEX electric heaters are available for all applications.

➡ For further technical specifications, product details and commercial support please refer to EXHEAT FAW heater models.

Should you require assistance with the selection, specification or purchase of Electric Heaters suitable for power generation applications in the renewable industry sector please do not hesitate to contact Thorne & Derrick.

EXHEAT FAW | Heating LV MV HV Substations & Battery Rooms

Experts In Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres with ATEX & IECEx Certification

LEADERS IN ATEX INNOVATION

T&D are your first-choice provider of innovative and competitive solutions to ensure ATEX & IECEx Compliance for Low & High Voltage Hazardous Area Electrical, HVAC & Process Instrumentation Equipment to your UK and international projects.

• Raytec | ATEX Lighting (LED & Emergency Fittings)
• ATX Appleton | Lighting & Flameproof Plugs & Sockets
• Abtech | Junction Boxes & Enclosures (EX Certified)
• Craig & Derricott | Isolators (Switch Disconnectors)
• EXHEAT | Space Heaters & Anti-Condensation Heaters
• Marechal | Plug & Sockets (EX Certified)
• Crowcon | Gas Detectors (Hydrogen & Oxygen)
• Technor | Enclosures & Control Equipment (EX Certified & Flameproof)
• Roxtec | Cable Transits & Sealing Systems
• CMP | Flameproof & Hazardous Area Cable Glands
• Dynaco | ATEX Doors
• Safety Showers & Eyewash Stations
• Spill Bunds & Containment
• ATEX Fans for Portable Ventilation in Hazardous Areas
• Joints & Terminations | 3M Electrical, PFISTERER CONNEX, Nexans Euromold, Prysmian

Hazardous Area Substation Lighting ATEX Certified | Raytec

Nexans Euromold | Where the Difference is Material

• Uploaded by Chris Dodds - Sales & Marketing Manager with Thorne & Derrick International

EPDM

No Time for Downtime | Resilient & Reliable MV CONNECTORS

Grids are under increasing electrical stress today as our planets insatiable hunger for power goes unabated.

The energy transition to a net-zero carbon economy pressures our electricity networks to carry increasing demands, therefore superior materials technology and product performance is essential to the prevention of premature cable system failure.

The need to electrify power from renewable energy harnessed from the Sun and the wind, the hyper-scale drive to datacentre digitisation and the EV boom means cable systems must provide both resilience and reliability – to Electrify the Future both cables and cable accessories must be robust, safe and provide longevity of service.

Cable accessories should not be weak links in the network.

Screened separable connectors manufactured by Nexans Euromold have been designed for at least 40 years of field service when installed correctly and functioning in normal environmental conditions. For 50+ years Euromold has been formulating and moulding rubber compounds – their Connector products manufactured using EPDM rubber are trusted by utilities and asset managers globally.

EUROMOLD is approved and used by medium voltage OEM’s including ABB, Siemens, Schneider, Lucy Electric and Toshiba.

EPDM Connectors demonstrate the highest quality electrical insulation, superior tracking resistance and a proven field performance with an unrivalled service life cycle expectation.

The difference is material. That material difference is EPDM. Trust Euromold.

Customer Service 

Thorne & Derrick, the UK Distributor for Nexans, can support the technical specification of Medium Voltage Cable Accessories to ensure that correct and compliant products are used to connect cable to electrical equipment with Interface A to F bushings up to 72kV.

EPDM Benefits

Ozone & Corona Resistance

The outstanding resistance to corona is due to the ability of the EPDM rubber to withstand ozone and other chemical compounds formed by discharges and its resistance to heat.

Chemical Resistance

Products made from EPDM rubber resist attacks made by many acids, alkalis, detergents, phosphates, esters, ketones, alcohols and glycols. They give particularly outstanding service in the presence of hot water and high pressure steam.

Resistance To The Environment

EPDM rubber has properties comparable with the best speciality elastomers in resistance to weather. Accelerated life and salt spray tests suggest excellent properties which have been field proven by 50+ years experience in widely varied applications across the world.

Resistance To Water

Water has little effect on the properties of EPDM hydrocarbon rubber. Even long immersion in hot water results in minimal loss of tensile strength. Tests also show a very low degree of water absorption. By design, Euromold connectors are protecting live elements of the connection against ingress of dust and water. The protection class per IEC 60529 is IP67.

Resistance To Mechanical Abuse

EPDM rubber has good resistance to compression, cutting, impact, tearing and abrasion over a wide temperature range.

eUROMOLD

• Fully screened, touchproof and safe MV cable connections
• Fully watertight, fully submersible connectors
• Compatible with equipment bushing interfaces A-F
• Designed to terminate MV cables up to 72kV
• ATEX Certification options for potentially explosive atmospheres
• Smart Technology options with integral voltage sensor

EUROMOLD with optional Smart Sensor Technology which integrates voltage measurement and Partial Discharge monitoring and detection functionalities in transformers and switchgear up to 33kV.

More | Facilitating Sensor Installation In MV Power Networks By Nexans

 💡 72.5kV | Nexans Euromold | New Catalogue Download

Nexans Power Cable Accessories

Main UK Stockist & Distributor

Thorne & Derrick distribute the most extensive range of Medium Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors – EPDM, heat shrink and cold applied Slip-on cable accessories enable the jointing, terminating and connection of cables to oil, air or gas insulated switchgear, transformers, motors and overhead lines distributing electricity up to 72kV.

Cold Shrink vs Heat Shrink – The Real Difference

By Rachel Salisbury – Rachel has worked as an Application Engineer for 3M in the Electrical Markets Division for 18 years advising customers and end-users on applications and specifications for 3M’s range of LV MV HV cable accessories for solutions in rail, construction, oil and gas and the renewables markets.

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

What is Cold Shrink?

A question I get asked a lot, is what is cold shrink and how can it benefit me, my cable installers and my project costs?

Is it just a more expensive option with the gimmick of unravelling a core?

The answers are simple; there are multiple benefits for cold shrink, both financial and product benefits, it’s well-researched and a tried and tested solution from 3M for cable installations and a must-have in flammable areas of work including hazardous area locations with potentially explosive atmospheres.

Cold Shrink – What is it?

3M cold shrink is made from either EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer) or silicone rubber, that is expanded onto a spiral core. After the cold shrink tube has been placed over the joint or cable termination end, this inner spiral is pulled out. The insulating tube then contracts to its pre-stretched size and shrinks onto the cable, exerting constant radial pressure for the lifetime of the joint or termination.

Cold Shrink Offers the Maximum Mechanical Protection

Cold shrink products have a 45+ year track record of performing exceptionally well in indoor and outdoor environments, including under harsh conditions.

The silicone material conforms well to cable bends, which ensures long term reliability against moisture ingress, or voids within the installation. It is shows excellent performance in the following environments:

i. Refineries
ii. Coastal environments
iii. Altitude
iv. Dusty environments eg. solar power plants, wind farms
v. Vibrations eg. railroad, subway
vi. Underwater environments
vii. Overhead joint applications

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Trust Cold Shrink

• Low Cable Failure Rates*:
  – 0.067% for Cold Shrink Cable Joints & Cable Splices
  – 0.022% for Cold Shrink Terminations

* Data based upon U.S. failure data of U.S. manufactured 3M Cold Shrink Medium Voltage Cable Accessories between 2009 and 2012.

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What’s the difference between the seal created with Cold Shrink and Heat Shrink?

Initially heat shrink may provide a good environmental seal obtained with the application of adhesive and mastics by the cable jointer included in the MV termination or cable joint.

However, over time the cable can expand and contract due to temperature changes. During a rise in temperature, a heat shrink material may be able to expand at the same time.

But, if the cable contracts due to temperature decreases, either because it returns to its initial temperature or it drops below its initial temperature, a rigid heat shrink material may not shrink with the cable, therefore leaving a void between the cable and the cable accessory.

This void can allow moisture and contamination from dust, chemicals, etc. to get into the cable accessory, which may accelerate the likelihood of failure. Long term expansion and contraction of the cable could create cracks and splits in a rigid heat shrink installation.

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I have issues with tracking on terminations – how can Cold Shrink help?

Tracking is defined as a process that produces localised irreversible deterioration on the surface of an insulator, resulting in the loss of the insulating function by the formation of a conductive path on the surface of the insulator.

The cause of tracking is when voltage, moisture and contamination exist together, and it will eventually lead to an electrical failure because it erodes enough of the material so that there is a continuous conductive path from high voltage to ground. When there is a continuous conductive path, there is a short from the high voltage to ground.

Silicone is an excellent track resistant material and is hydrophobic, repelling water and making the insulator self-cleaning which results in a dryer surface and lower leakage currents. 3M outdoor cable terminations include rain sheds which disrupt any wet leakage paths that occur in industrial environments and also allows the creepage distance of the termination to be much shorter.

Wind Farm | 3M Cold Shrink Joints On High Voltage XLPE 34.5kV Cables. Image J Neimeyer.

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How is Ultraviolet (UV) Resistance relevant to Cold Shrink Technology vs Heat Shrink Technology?

UV can damage the material of the termination, which creates cracks where contamination and moisture can be trapped and increase the likelihood of tracking.

All 3M terminations are produced from high performance Silicone, which is designed to be inherently UV resistant.

EPDM and Ethylene-vinyl Acetate (EVA) need additives to make them UV resistant, which over time can dissipate and reduce the UV resistance of the material.

Thorne & Derrick | Stockists & Suppliers of 3M Electrical Products

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Time is money

what’s the installation time difference between Heat Shrink and Cold Shrink?

The time difference is significant with Heat Shrink taking double the time to install than Cold Shrink.

Other factors to be taken into consideration are delays in days to obtain hot permits, training and the costs of risks, for example: liability of fire, explosion, shutdowns and the associated insurance to cover these.

Multiply up the installations per annum this could provide a real cost saving for companies.

In summary, you get what you pay for, a premium product yet when looking at the total cost of ownership, this product comes out on top. Cold Shrink – yes, it’s the Real Difference.

Further Reading

• DC Solar Cable Joints – General Cable Harmohny All Ground XZ1 (S)
• Offshore Cable Joints
• 3M Scotch Tapes – PVC Vinyl Electrical Tapes
• ATEX Cable Joints – Jointing Cables In Hazardous Areas Zone 1 & Zone 2

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Thorne & Derrick

Specialist Electrical Distributor

Established since 1985, T&D International based in the UK distribute the most extensive range of LV, MV & HV Cable Jointing, Terminating, Pulling & Installation Equipment – contact us today for a competitive quotation.

Key Products : MV Joints & Terminations, Access Chambers, Cable Cleats, Duct Seals, Cable Transits, Jointing Tools, Feeder Pillars, Cable Duct, Earthing & Lightning Protection, Electrical Safety, Cable Glands, Arc Flash Clothing Protection & Fusegear.

Distributors for : 3M, Pfisterer CONNEX, Nexans Euromold, Elastimold, Catu, Roxtec, Emtelle, Centriforce, Lucy Zodion, Alroc, Cembre, Prysmian, Ellis Patents, ABB & Furse.

Scotchcast Cable Joints