HV Spiker Kit - CSTE 30 th April 2014
Safety Working With Cables As a cable jointer, safety is paramount when working daily with live electricity. When working with cables it is essential to know whether a cable is dead or alive. 2 or more buried cables remote from terminations can present a hazard - Which Cable is dead? - How Can I be certain? The identification of a particular cable circuit can be uncertain. This can be the case where a cable diversion is required for new works such as a road or other utilities work. We can offer equipment that allows you to have confidence that the cable you are working on is dead. Spiker Kit CSTE with over 30 yrs service experience. page 2
ESSENTIAL SAFETY RULES. 1. Only a competent engineer can operate this equipment and is required to comply with his or her company Health & Safety regulations. 2. A responsible person must have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the cable to be spiked is dead. 3. HSE Safe Working Practices States Where underground cables cannot be positively identified and proved dead at the point of work, it may be necessary to spike the cable 4. HV circuits/cables can retain stored energy (eg capacitance). Spiking cables limits the risk of possible incorrectly earthed circuits or wrongly identified cables that may be connected to potentially charged stored energy circuits. page 3
ESSENTIAL SAFETY RULES. 5. Connection of the spiker earth point to a good site earth is essential. 6. Always operate the spiker at the full distance that the hydraulic hose allows and at a safe distance from (point 3.) 7. Never attempt to spike a cable of larger diameter than specified. 8. Always ensure that the spiker blade has reached the correct depth by using the indicator situated on the device. 9. It is important to note that on small cables it is possible to spike through the cable and damage to the safety device and spiker could occur, so measuring the depth of the spike is essential. page 4
Spiker Kit - CSTE Spiker Hydraulic Ram Unit Clamp Release Screws A very Robust Storage Case with Humidity Control Spike Depth Indicator Earth cable minimum 6m long Diamond Shaped Chisel Head Insulated Hydraulic Hose 6m long Hydraulic Hand Pump page 5
Spiker Kit CSTE Cables Single and three core mains Cable 11kV 11kV XLPE power cables for power networks, underground, outdoors and in cable ducting. 11kV cables are certified - BS6622 and BS EN/IEC 60228. Sheathed in a durable PVC sheathing. The CSTE spiker must not be used on cables above 11kV as such cables may exceed the mechanical features of the cutting blade. When piercing single core cable the spike and clamp must remain earthed to allow short circuit to earth. Conventional cable spiker guns will spike 3 core polymeric cables, although a jacking attachment is required to facilitate the removal of the spike from the cable. page 6
Spiker Kit - CSTE The Bowthorpe Spiker Kit is a safety device Designed to prove that a cable an engineer is working on is not live. The CSTE Does not require an explosive cartridge Is a robust design. Suitable for up to 102mm overall diameter cable An independent insulated earth supplied 6m x 50 sqmm The CSTE uses a fully insulated hydraulic hose which is 6m long Regular maintenance of the CSTE is required. Sharp spike required No oil leaks page 7
Spiker Kit CSTE - Assembly Fig 1 details the clamping arrangement for the cable Unscrewing the clamp allows the ram and spiker mechanism to be removed. (Fig 2) Ensure the spike is fully retracted prior to clamping into final position. The cable can then be placed in the V shaped tray and the ram and spiker mechanism can be placed around the cable and clamped into position. Fig 1 Fig 2 page 8
Spiker Kit - CSTE Copper Earth point is provided A The standard earth cable is 6M long and must be fitted to A (Longer lengths can be provided on request) The cable must be fitted to a suitable earth point which is checked before use. The selected earth point must be effective. Where no effective earth is available within 6M an extra earth lead of the same cross sectional area and current carrying capability must be added to reach a sound earth point The CSTE has a mechanical dial which indicates the travel of the spiker down into the cable (Fig 4) page 9
Spiker Kit - CSTE Note : If the cable is live a short circuit will occur. Depending on the available short-circuit current damage to the spiker kit will occur. The spiker kit should remain in position until a responsible person has confirmed that the previously live cable is now dead and has been isolated and earthed. Removal of the kit following a short-circuit event should be done with care and all parts inspected for damage. After an event the CSTE will need to be serviced. page 10
CSTE Operating Instructions page 11
EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS