HV Joints & Terminations – Brands & Jointer Training
Published 31 Aug 2018
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uploaded by Chris Dodds - Thorne & Derrick Sales & Marketing Manager
hEAT sHRINK Joints & Terminations
A myth pervades the UK contractor market that HV Cable Jointers MUST be re-trained and MUST be re-certified to install heat shrink cable joints and terminations according to the manufacturer/brand of kit.
Not true.
If a Jointer is conversant and competent to install Brand A of heat shrink product he is therefore conversant and competent to install Brand B, C, D….etc.
Since the development of heat shrink technology in the 1970’s competitor manufacturers have increasingly closed the gap between material quality and product performance.
This has been evidenced by the number of reputable manufacturers now able to provide 11kV and 33kV joints and terminations type tested by 3rd Party according to international recognised standard IEC60502-4.
Kits lists and installation instructions although not identical are very, very similar.
Vital to the life cycle performance and reliability of all HV Joints & Terminations operating at 11kV/33kV is the Jointers skill, experience and competency to execute cable preparation – essentially this involves the skilled use of specialist Jointing Tools to remove the outer cable sheath, semicon screen and insulation.
Typically, 90% of the installation time period for a heat shrink joint/termination is accounted for by the cable preparation process. The other 10% is “shrink-time”.
Let’s not underplay the Jointers need to possess excellent heat shrink techniques to shrink the kit components – this is clearly covered in all manufacturers Jointing Instructions and essentially provides recommendation on how to avoid scorching or over-heating of the tubes to achieve a smooth, wrinkle free installation.
Here, the flame is the name of the game and the torch-work by the Cable Jointer must basically involve heating but not burning the insulation, anti-track and stress control heat shrink tubes.
Trading Up, Down Or Sideways
Thorne & Derrick as a distributor at the sharp-end of the price point are exposed to increasing brand substitution with contractors brand affinity waning against a backdrop of tightening profit squeezes. Frankly, many brands are strong substitutes – heat shrink is heat shrink is heat shrink (up to a point) – and often brand loyalty is firstly commercial, secondly technical and thirdly emotional.
Price by itself should never decide the motive to buy. But generally price is the driver in the context of overall value for money and brand trust.
Last Words
In conclusion, Jointers skills are readily transferable across brands and contractors should not be prevented from attending site and installing HV Joints/Terminations purely on a brand basis – similarly if a commercial gain is to be secured from purchasing Brand A instead of any other Brand then the contractor should not be confronted by a doubt about the ability of their Jointer to correctly install that more cost-efficient value for money brand.
Discuss.
Stockists & Suppliers of MV HV Joints, Terminations & Connectors
Hover over our Interactive Electricity Grid to learn more about our product ranges – T&D are Specialist Distributors to DNO’s, ICP’s and NERS Registered Providers of LV, MV & HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt.
LV 600/1000V ◊ MV 11kV 33kV ◊ HV 66kV 132kV
T&D - CABLES ♦ JOINTS ♦ TERMINATIONS ♦ CONNECTORS ♦ GLANDS ♦ CLEATS ♦ CRIMPS & LUGS ♦ DUCT ♦ SEALS ♦ ARC FLASH PPE
EARTHING ♦ FEEDER PILLARS ♦ JOINTERS TOOLS ♦ CABLE CUTTING & CRIMPING TOOLS ♦ COLD SHRINK ♦ HEAT SHRINK ♦ FUSES
