Hydraulic compression requires equipment to connect high voltage conductors. This can be cumbersome, time consuming and expensive to use. Implosive splicing requires no equipment. It's more versatile, makes a better connection, and is faster and easier to install. This means big savings in construction time and dollar cost.
Implosive fittings consistently outperform conventional compression fittings. Better connection quality, easier installation, and lower total cost are hallmark features of implosive splicing. An implosive splice is compressed completely, producing a splice with a cold welded appearance. Compression is perfectly complete. The compression is so complete that the interfaces between the conductor and the splice, as well as the spaces between the conductor strands, cannot be detected. There is no corrosion within the joint because it is completely sealed. The implosive joint is also corona-free. And did we mention that no equipment is needed to install an implosive splice?
The holding power of a XECONEXTM sleeve is designed to exceed 100% of the UTS of the conductor, and to not exceed a measured maximum of 40-50% of the temperature of the conductor. This eliminates the possibility of hot spots. The completed joint is uniformly smooth, with no sanding or filling required.
Because implosive connectors are so easy to install, the installation process is much quicker to carry out than the conventional hydraulic process. Implosive splices can be installed in multiples, which is particularly useful in the dead-ending of towers, where efficiency gains of over 50% are easily achievable, and in multiple bundle stringing, where stringing through blocks is greatly simplified.
The XECONEX™ connector can be pulled through stringing blocks without damaging the conductor, the sheaves of the stringing blocks, or the connectors themselves. The unique design of the mouth of the implosive sleeve allows the conductor to move freely through stringing blocks, eliminating any possibility of damage caused by the edge of the splice. This enables faster installation and allows an unlimited number of spools to be pulled in a single run. This versatility gives the project manager a great deal of latitude in selecting locations to situate pulling stations and tensioning equipment. The management of environmental concerns is made easier through this versatility, and construction projects can be carried out with less disruption to the environment.
Because implosive connectors need no equipment for installation, they can be installed in any terrain and in almost any weather conditions. Installation is just as easy in the air as on the ground.
The advantages of using implosive splices go far beyond simply quality of the connection. These types of connectors are so much easier to use that project completion times and overall project costs are substantially reduced. Did we mention that no equipment is needed?
XECONEXTM implosive connectors provide a totally compressed, uniformly smooth and straight fitting with no birdcaging of the conductor. The process does not elongate the connector and compression occurs only in the radial direction. This feature is quite an advantage because it allows splices to be installed in close proximity to one another or to other line hardware.
Implosive compression takes splicing to a new high standard of quality and performance. This connecting technology promises to become the way of the future for all joining requirements in construction, maintenance, substation and live-line work.