Underground Cable Protection | Covers & Tiles | MV HV
uploaded by Chris Dodds - Thorne & Derrick Sales & Marketing Manager
ENA-TS 12-23
UK DNO’s and electricity utilities have generally adopted Energy Network Association Technical Specification ENA-TS 12-23 to document their technical requirements for cable protection tiles and cable covers used to protect MV HV cables operating at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
Centriforce Tapetile and Stokbord underground cable protection tiles and covers are the market leading, heavy duty utility protection system for protecting underground cable and pipes – this includes low voltage, medium voltage and high voltage power networks working at 11kV and 33kV.
Thorne & Derrick stock and supply the most extensive range of Centriforce Cable Protection products from stock for delivery throughout the UK to most UK DNO specifications and printing preferences in both Tapetile and Stokbord ranges – typically the print legend includes the name of the DNO.
Tapetile cable protection tiles and Stokbord cable covers provide clear visual warning of underground utility services – the cable protection products are made up of a printed warning laminated to the surface of the base material. The products are designed to comply with Energy Network Association Technical Specification (ENA-TS) 12-23, Issue 3 2013.
âž¡ Watch the following Video to understand the installation procedure for Stokbord cable protection covers:
Cable Covers & Cable Tiles ENA-TS 12-23 | Stokbord & Tapetile
Tapetile Cable Protection Tape
The Tapetile protection tape product is intended primarily to, during excavation work, give a clear visual warning to persons carrying out excavations and other utilities of the presence of underground cables, cable joints or cable ducts.
The Tapetile is manufactured from reconstituted low or medium density polyethylene or a similar material, which is rot-proof and resistant to a wide variety of virgin and tipped soil conditions – the print legend includes a yellow background and black lettering on a red/brown base. Due to the variation in excavated cable trenches the Tile Tape product is available in a range of widths: 150mm, 200mm, 250mm and 600mm.
Stokbord Cable Protection Covers
The Stokbord protection tile product is intended primarily primarily to, during excavation work, give a clear visual warning to persons carrying out excavations and other utilities of the presence of underground cables, cable joints or cable ducts.
Stokbord complies with the impact resistance test requirements to Class 2 as defined in Section 12.2 of ENA-TS 12-23 – to allow interconnection of the cable covers: located 25mm from each end of the cover along its centre line, each cover features a pre-drilled 12mm hole. A suitable peg or cable tie is provided to enable covers to be connected together.
| Property | Specification | Test Method / Compliance | |
| Protection Tape | |||
| Length | 40m (±1m) | Tape measure | |
| Width | 200mm (±2mm)* | Tape measure | |
| Thickness | 2.5mm (±0.3mm) | Digital calliper | |
| Min.tensile strength | 10MN/m² | BS EN ISO 527 : 1996 | |
| Elongation at break | >300% | BS EN ISO 527 : 1996 | |
| Density | 910 to 990 kg/m³ | BS EN ISO 1183 : 2004 | |
| Melt flow index | 0.3 to 0.4 g / 10 min (2.16 kg) | BS EN ISO 1133 : 2005 | |
| Colours | Base material | Black/Grey laminated with red/brown film, or Red/Brown.The Red/Brown shall be within the range given by BS5252:1976 Group D, Code 04D43 to 06D42 | |
| Text tape | Yellow, within the range given by BS 5252:1976 Group E, Code 10E53 to 10E56 | ||
| Printed text | Black, within the range given by BS 5252:1976 Group E, Code 00E53 | ||
| Text layout | Figure 1 (below or as agreed) | ||
*Typical. Custom sizes available on request
| Northern Powergrid | Centriforce | Tapetile | 150×2.5mmx40m |  |
| Northern Powergrid | Centriforce | Tapetile | 150×2.5mmx40m + 200×2.5mmx40m + 250×2.5mmx30m | |
| Northern Powergrid | Centriforce | Stokbord | 1000x244x12mm | |
| Scottish Power | Centriforce | Tapetile | 200×2.5mmx40m |  |
| Scottish Power | Centriforce | Stokbord | 1000x244x12mm + 1000x300x12mm | |
| UK Power Networks | Centriforce | Tapetile | 200×2.5mmx40m |  |
| UK Power Networks | Centriforce | Stokbord | 1000x244x9mm | |
| Western Power Distribution (WPD) | Centriforce | Stokbord | 1000x450x12mm |  |
| Western Power Distribution (WPD) | Centriforce | Stokbord | 1000x244x12mm | |
| Electricity North West Ltd (ENWL)Â | Centriforce | Stokbord | 1000x300x12mm |  |
| Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) | Centriforce | Stokbord | 1000x244x12mm + 1000x290x12mm |  |
| GTC | Centriforce | Tapetile | 200×2.5mmx40m |  |
| GTC | Centriforce | Tapetile | 200×2.5mmx40m | |
| National Grid | Centriforce | Tapetile | 200×2.5mmx40m |  |
| National Grid | Centriforce | Stokbord | 1000x300x14mm | |
| National Grid | Centriforce | Stokbord | 1000x450x14mm | |
Stokbord and Tapetile heavy duty plastic underground cable covers have virtually replaced concrete cable covers, tiles and plates for several reasons.
âž¡ Here Stokbord covers are shown providing protection to 132kV high voltage power cables in an underground cable trench.
Image: Prysmian
Two construction companies have been fined £90,000 after workers were seriously burned, and one scarred for life, after they cut into a live 11kV electrical cable.
LVÂ ♦ MVÂ ♦ HV
T&D distribute the most extensive range of LV, MV & HV Cable Jointing, Terminating, Pulling & Installation Equipment – we service UK and international clients working on underground cables, overhead lines, substations and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV transmission and distribution voltages.
LV – Low Voltage Cable Joints, Glands, Cleats, Lugs & Accessories (1000 Volts)
MV HV – Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors (11kV 33kV EHV)
Cable Laying – Underground Cable Covers, Ducting, Seals & Cable Pulling Equipment
T&D, CATU Electrical Safety & Arc Flash Protection Specialists for SAP’s, Linesmen, Jointers & Electrical Engineers – Largest UK Stockist
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.
Published 15 Oct 2025
Testimonial Organiser | EA Technology Event | Industrial Forum 2025 Title | Keeping Electrical Switchgear Safe Date | 14th October Location | Chester Racecourse By | Chris Dodds (Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick | Co-Exhibitor with...
Published 18 Sep 2025
Thorne & Derrick International, the UK’s leading Specialist Distributor of LV HV Cable Accessories, Tooling & Hazardous Area Electrical Equipment, are celebrating 40 years of supplying products and solutions that ensure the safety and reliability of industrial heating, lighting...
