Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_UKPN0009 | |
| Title | Composite Shell Joint Retrofit Trial | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given UK Power Networks |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2015 | |
| End Date | 01 May 2017 | |
| Duration | 20 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £186,000 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , UK Power Networks (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_UKPN0009 |
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| Objectives | This project aims to develop a safe, cost effective alternative to removal and replacement of defective LV branch (T) joints, lowering the unit cost per repair and allowing for more repairs to be carried out under the same budgetary constraints. The proposal aims to innovate an existing jointing technique which involves encapsulation of joints in resin filled plastic shells. Where traditionally this approach is only adopted on new joints, the project proposes to adapt this technique to repair existing, defective joints. The project will be deemed a success if: We can prove retro fitting existing LV branch (T)-Joint and encasing it in resin is a suitable repair option to avoid water ingress into the crutch of a damaged joint (see iv above in method) Field trials of the installed repair do not lead to any faults of the damaged joints A safe, effective, cost efficient repair kit can be developed and implemented across the network on to all future faulty -LV branch (T) Joints. | |
| Abstract | UK Power Networks is 3 years into an industry-leading potential 8 year project to inspect and mitigate all cable pit assets across London Power Networks area. As part of this ongoing work an increasing number of defective joints are being discovered and further afield, this is a global problem. Traditionally, defective low voltage (LV) joints are removed and replaced as live working, requiring excavation work and jointing or as they fault. The reactive approach can lead to Customer Minutes Lost and Customer Interruptions or as the cover can occasionally be ejected potentially causing a safety risk to members of the public. This project aims to develop a safe, cost effective alternative to removal and replacement of defective LV joints, lowering the unit cost per repair and allowing for more repairs to be carried out under the same budgetary constraints. The project aims to innovate an existing jointing technique which involves encapsulation of joints in resin-filled plastic shells. Where traditionally this approach is only adopted on new joints, the project proposes to adapt this technique to repair existing, defective LV branch (T) joints. The proposed methodology to develop an alternative, innovative repair solution is summarised as follows: Research the current market to confirm that no superior, alternative repair solutions exist Design and develop a plastic shell suitable to encompass the majority of defective LV branch (T) joints likely to be encountered on the network Engage a moulding specialist to manufacture a trial run of 100 plastic shells based on the developed design Off-network test of the developed shell and resin. This will involve implementing approx. 20 of the plastic shells to a previously removed T-Joint, pressure and water bath testing the specimen as well as allowing us to cut the shell to examine how the repair would bond in the field On-network test of approximately 80 plastic shells in the field in a range of locations and situations to ensure that they are applicable in practice Monitoring of the installed repairs over a 12 month period concentrating on whether the joints remain in service Review the results of the trial Develop the test specimen into a viable repair product to be rolled out as a reliable, safe and affordable option to repair defective LV branch (T) JointsNote : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 10/07/18 | |
