FAILURE ANALYSIS AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS TO THE JOINT RESISTANCE OF COMPRESSED CONNECTORS IN ALUMINUM CABLES

Abstract

The conventional method for splicing cable
uses a hydraulic press to form a compression joint that
connects the two ends of a cable is used in many
countries using different types of hydraulic
compression with different type of compressed tools
shape. It is widely used in Egypt due to their simple
construction, low cost and easy made, however, the
reliability of the structure is quite suspected.
Investigation shows that this kind of power connectors
needs special treatment during installation and
frequent replacement. This work is aimed to analyze
the failed compressed connectors being collected from
different cities and sites and compared its joint
resistance with a new one. It was found that all failed
samples have very high connection resistance.
Clearly high temperature has been occurred at each
connector; Surfaces of most samples preserved obvious
melting or welding appearance, some of the sample
were even burnt out. Moreover, a calculation model of
the long time behavior of electrical joints under high
current load is given. And the amount of Energy losses
through the joints is calculated.