Jointing & Connecting MV Cables In The Energy Industry

Published 27 Feb 2022

Jointing & Connecting MV Cables In The Renewable Energy Industry

uploaded by Chris Dodds - Thorne & Derrick Sales Marketing Manager

Shearbolt Cable Lugs & Connectors

Jointing & Connecting MV Cables

Nexans manufacture an extensive range of slip-on, cold-shrinkable and heat-shrinkable cable terminations, joints and connectors for 11kV-33kV-66kV power systems – to complement and ensure their reliable performance a complete range of Cable Lugs & Connectors utilising shearbolt technology are available from Nexans.

The GPH range of electrical connectors from Nexans are compatible with their medium voltage ranges of joints (JTS) and terminations (MONO).

GPH medium voltage mechanical cable connectors and cable lugs provide excellent electrical contact and are suitable for aluminium and copper conductor ranges 1.5-1200sqmm up to 52kV (EN 60228 Classes 1 & 2).

M-Series mechanical connectors are assembled with multiple shear-off-head bolts and are therefore a reliable and economical way of connecting identical or different conductor cross-sections and conductor materials – they allow the safe connection of copper and aluminium conductors with cross-sections of #16 AWG up to 2,000 kcmil (up to 1200sqmm).

Cable Lugs

Nexans have launched a new mechanical power connector as part of their range of GPH cable connectors and cable lugs available for medium voltage cables. All connectors are available with either Allen shear bolts or outer hexagon shear bolts.

The new Nexans GPH mechanical connector M-Series is specified for connecting, jointing and branching large conductor cross-sections on medium voltage power cables up to 52kV.

Typical applications for the Nexans GPH Connector are connections of large scale wind farms and offshore wind farms to the MV power grid. The patented Nexans GPH shear-off head bolt clamps the conductor into the connector at the optimum contact force.

Connects, Joints & Terminates all Types of Copper & Aluminium Cables

Installation is simple and quick and the GPH mechanical connectors have been electrically tested according to IEC 61238-1-A.

As with all medium voltage cable lugs from Nexans GPH, the M-Series has been successfully tested according to IEC 61238-1, class A and ANSI 119.4

Nexans support international onshore and offshore renewable energy projects with an extensive range of 52kV medium voltage electrical distribution equipment including cable joints, terminations and Euromold screened separable connectors.

M-Series Mechanical Connectors

Benefits

Allows the safe connection of copper and aluminium conductors of all designs and cross-sections of 1.5sqmm up to 1,200sqmm
Connects all common, compressed and compacted copper and aluminium conductors
Fewer connector types cover the most common cross-sections
Shear bolt connectors compensate conductor tolerances
Provides the highest contact force for a maximum lifetime of the application
Quick and simple installation with standard tools, no crimping tools required
Prevents installation mistakes
Tested acc. to ANSI 119.4, IEC 61238-1 class A
Wide application range
Customised solutions, special types and dedicated designs available on request

Connectors

Mechanical Connectors M-Series

Product Range

The GPH connector body is manufactured from high quality aluminium alloy supplied with brass bolts (tin-plated):

Mechanical Connector Part Number	AL in sqmm			CU in sqmm		Number of bolts	Dimensions mm				Tool/ outer and inner hexagon
Mechanical Connector Part Number	rm(v) round stranded	re round solid	sm sector stranded	rm(v) round stranded	sm sector stranded	Number of bolts	L	d1	D	b	Tool/ outer and inner hexagon
M16-95	16-95	10-95	25-70	16-95	25-70	2	70	12,5	24	32	SW10 & SW6
M25-150	25-150	25-150	35-120	25-120	35-120	2	85	15,5	30	35	SW10 & SW6
M70-240	70-240	70-240	70-240	70-240	70-240	4	120	22¹⁾	35	56	SW13 & SW6
M95-240	95-240	95-240	95-185	95-240	95-185	4	120	20	33	56	SW13 & SW6
M95-300	95-300	95-300	95-240	70-300	70-240	4	142	23¹⁾	36	67	SW13 & SW8
M120-300	120-300	120-300	120-240	120-300	120-240	4	142	25	38	67	SW19 & SW6
M185-400	185-400	185-400	185-300	185-400	185-300	6	170	26	42	82	SW19 & SW6
M300-500	300-500	300-500	300-400	300-500	300-400	6	200	34	52	94	SW19 & SW8
M400-630	400-630	400-630	400-500	400-630	400-500	6	200	34	52	94	SW19 & SW8
M630-1000	630-1000	630-1000		630-1000		8	220	41	65	105	SW19 & SW8
M800	800	800		800		8	220	37	60	105	SW19
M1000	1000	1000				8	220	41	60	105	SW19
M800-1200	800-1200	630-1200		630-1000		8	220	45	72	105	SW22 & SW8

1) Dimension d₂ = 26 mm
2) Centric conductor positioning by centre inserts

The below video shows how GPH range-taking mechanical connectors and bolted cable lugs with shear-off-head bolts connect power cables with copper and aluminium conductors up to 1,200 square millimetres in power transmission and distribution networks.

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 voltage power systems: