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Addressing the challenges of power cabling By Allan Russell, Technical Services Manager, 3M Installers and contractors face a wide array of challenges that can make installation of power cabling systems problematic, costly and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are ways to address these issues, helping to reduce potential problems at a later date, such as failed joints leading to power outages. Whether involving low, medium or even high voltages, the challenges facing installers and contractors in the electrical market are fairly universal. Challenges include: Different types of cable - in the past century or so, a variety of different cables have been installed, meaning that contractors and installers have to deal with different types, some that they do not recognise and are not aware of until they start the work. Specifications from commercial customers may vary widely - some customers accept British Standards such as BS7888, while others may require adherence to Cenelec Standards. Some organisations may even have their own internal standards. Customers may also have very exact requirements – relating to cable joints, joints and installation techniques. Again, this places the onus on the contractor and its installers to have very varied skills and experience. The growing trend towards smaller core sizes means that kit selections are changing all the time. The trend away from resins – due to increasing environmental pressure. Cable abandonment – the need to decommission obsolete cables is increasing, but it can be a complex process. How can these challenges be solved: Training - while utilities and some of the larger contractors have the means to initiate formal training programmes, the vast majority do not have this advantage. Yet as the market becomes increasingly complex, regular re-training is needed more than ever before, in order to prevent poor installation techniques that can lead to power outages at a later date. 3M runs its own training courses for installers. Using new techniques – the right products can make installation more straightforward. In medium voltage environments, 3M Cold Shrink joints and terminations – which are used to ‘shrink’ joint splice bodies and terminations on to the cable in a water and air-tight fit – have become the preferred method for creating cable joints and terminations. No resins are used and Cold Shrink can also be used for cable abandonment. The installer is presented with a one piece accessory, comprising everything required to carry out the joint or termination. As a result, joints and terminations are installed more consistently and accurately, leading to fewer failures and power outages in the future. Clearly, while cable and jointing creates a range of issues for installers, contractors and utilities to overcome, there are ways in which these can be surmounted, using the right knowledge and products.