×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

(OP)
Hi,

Does anyone have any experince with this product? We are considering it in one of our 115/230kV switchyards and were looking for any feedback on it. Of particular concern is any long term deterioration of the conductivity across the swaged joints (hot spots, corrosion, bulging, etc.)

Thanks,

Bohdan

RE: DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

We have been using these connectors for the past 14 or so years, and we will never go back. The crews love them, and we were able to let the one guy who could do heliarc welding finally retire. We use it on everything from 12 kV to 230 kV.

The powerheads and dies are a bit pricy, but I have heard the the sales reps will loan or rent you the equipment if you ask.

RE: DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

I have specified these on 100-12.5 kV substations since 2009. I have experienced no problems in installation or operation. I don't trust bolted connections on tubular aluminum bus and weldment connections require a high skill level.

RE: DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

(OP)
Thanks rterickson and jghrist for the info.

Can either of you tell me what geographic areas you are using these connectors in? We are looking at using them in the North East US, with very heavy snow, ice/freezing rain, and temps -40 to 100 F. So these would see extreme cycling each year and I have some concerns about any reduction in conductivity at the swage due to oxidation in the joint or mechanical loosening. Any info on this or any other issue woudl be appreciated.

Thanks

RE: DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

My experience has been in South Carolina. I would ask the manufacturer to show you a completed connection cut apart. It should show a solid mass of aluminum, similar to what you would get with a compression connection on stranded aluminum conductor.

RE: DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

Central (inland) California, barely above sea level. Temps from +20 to 110F, no snow or ice, but occasionally light frost.

I agree with jghrist, examination of a cross-cut joint would help with your comfort level as there is nothing to move when it's all mashed together.

RE: DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

We placed a swaged connection in our corrosion test area located two blocks from the Pacific. A year later it was cut open, and no corrosion was observed within. Proper installation using slip bus supports and expansion fittings should prevent any mechanical loosening due to temperature cycling, but I suspect the connections would hold up regardless.

RE: DMC Power - Swage Substation Bus Connectors Experience

See other thread at http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=388927 regarding interconnecting tubular busses of different size...

Perhaps there is a version of the product described in this thread that might suit the issue described in the other thread? [I'm not at all familiar with DMC products; I merely noted the similarity of the posts].

CR

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." [Proverbs 27:17, NIV]

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources