Users´ experience of 11 kV distribution cable accessories

This paper is a brief review of two regional electricity companies´ experience of 11 kV jointing systems and accessories introduced during the last 10 years. The two companies, Hydro-Electric and Seeboard, supply customers at the opposite ends of the UK, and a comparison of the statistics gives an indication of the network mix and the type of territories in which they supply. Both companies employ mechanical sheath clamps and heat shrink cable entry seals to terminate PICAS cable. The design of this type of termination has evolved to match the reliability of traditional bitumen-filled terminations. Advantages of these new terminations are discussed together with those of resin-insulated and cold shrink counterparts. Susceptibility to jointer error, especially with paper insulated cables is highlighted