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Anonymous Poster #1

Cable Splicing

05/05/2014 1:17 PM

From electrical and physical point of view, can we splice and extend existing U/G, 11 KV, 3C, Cu conductors, 300 Sq mm with new piece of cable having same size but with Alunimun conductors. Are thy matching with each other, bearing in mind Ampacity vge drop, etc are OK ?

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#1

Re: Cable splicing

05/05/2014 3:32 PM

Cable splicing is possible using bimetal cable slices (or similar), but not ideal and not for all situations. 11kV 300mm2 is a rather serious distribution power cable (I am assuming for connecting the power grid to a large industrial site).

What do your local electrical standards say regarding your particular application and the use of cable splices?

I am assuming this cable is run underground rather than overhead. Can you provide more information.

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#2

Re: Cable Splicing

05/05/2014 4:59 PM

You can splice in a bit of wet string so long as the protection is set for the lowest rated cable.

I must admit I've always had the opposite problem.
Our private network had several old feeders using Cu 19/.044 PILC DTA cable (about 22mm²), the smallest cable we carried on stock was Al 70mm² PILC SWA. There is an art to splicing a new section in but it can be done. So long as the cable jointer knows what he is doing.

So yes, you can use Al to splice a Cu cable. Bi-metal mechanical joints are available. But keep in mind the slight de-rating.

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#3

Re: Cable Splicing

05/05/2014 9:00 PM

Physically you can do it but electrically there's a world of difference between the ampacity of 300 Sq mm copper and the same size aluminum conductor since the conductivity of EC aluminum is 56% that of the same grade copper.

300 Sq mm is 604 mcm, for the same insulation and ambient conditions copper's ampacity is 355A, aluminum 285, as the temperature rises the disparity increases. For equivalent ampacity the cross sectional area of an aluminum conductor needs to be increased by 50%; i.e., you need a 900 mcm aluminum conductor to carry the same 355A as a 600 mcm copper conductor, all other things being equal.

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#4

Re: Cable Splicing

05/05/2014 10:09 PM

In addition to the foregoing, you may need to recompute the voltage drop.

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#5

Re: Cable Splicing

05/05/2014 11:13 PM

"can we splice and extend existing U/G, 11 KV, 3C, Cu conductors, 300 Sq mm with new piece of cable having same size but with Alunimun conductors." NO!

" Are thy matching with each other" NO!

"Ampacity vge drop, etc are OK ?" NO!

Consult: NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® or applicable electrical codes.

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#6
In reply to #5

Re: Cable Splicing

05/07/2014 2:51 AM

Have a look at the scope of NEPA 70E

This is more apt Network Design Manual

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Cable Splicing

05/07/2014 9:11 AM

Good point, but we don't know where the unknown poster is located.

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