Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G15/00—Cable fittings
  • H02G15/02—Cable terminations
  • H02G15/06—Cable terminating boxes, frames or other structures
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G7/00—Overhead installations of electric lines or cables
  • H02G7/05—Suspension arrangements or devices for electric cables or lines
  • H02G7/053—Suspension clamps and clips for electric overhead lines not suspended to a supporting wire
  • H02G7/056—Dead-end clamps
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
  • H01B5/00—Non-insulated conductors or conductive bodies characterised by their form
  • H01B5/08—Several wires or the like stranded in the form of a rope
  • H01B5/10—Several wires or the like stranded in the form of a rope stranded around a space, insulating material, or dissimilar conducting material
  • H01B5/102—Several wires or the like stranded in the form of a rope stranded around a space, insulating material, or dissimilar conducting material stranded around a high tensile strength core
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
  • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
  • H01B7/17—Protection against damage caused by external factors, e.g. sheaths or armouring
  • H01B7/18—Protection against damage caused by wear, mechanical force or pressure; Sheaths; Armouring
  • H01B7/20—Metal tubes, e.g. lead sheaths
  • H01B7/207—Metal tubes, e.g. lead sheaths composed of iron or steel
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R11/00—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
  • H01R11/11—End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member
  • H01R11/12—End pieces terminating in an eye, hook, or fork
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R11/00—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
  • H01R11/11—End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member
  • H01R11/12—End pieces terminating in an eye, hook, or fork
  • H01R11/14—End pieces terminating in an eye, hook, or fork the hook being adapted for hanging on overhead or other suspended lines, e.g. hot line clamp

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to the field of termination arrangements, including dead ends and splices, for use with overhead electrical cables having composite strength members.
• a termination arrangement is disclosed.
• the termination arrangement is configured for securing an overhead electrical cable comprising a strength member and an electrical conductor disposed around the strength member.
• the termination arrangement includes: a connector comprising a fastener disposed at a first end of the connector and a connector body extending from the fastener toward an end of the connector that lies opposite the fastener; a longitudinally-extending sheath having a central bore extending therethrough that is configured to receive a strength member within the central bore; and a conductive sleeve configured to be disposed over: (i) an end of the electrical cable, (ii) the sheath, and (iii) at least a portion of the connector body when the termination arrangement is operatively assembled.
• a termination arrangement that is secured to an overhead electrical cable comprising a strength member and an electrical conductor disposed around the strength member.
• the termination arrangement includes: a connector comprising a fastener disposed at a first end of the connector and a connector body extending from the fastener toward an end of the connector that lies opposite the fastener; a longitudinally-extending sheath having a central bore extending therethrough that is operatively disposed over and compressed onto a portion of the strength member to operatively grip the strength member; and a conductive sleeve that is disposed over (i) an end of the electrical cable, (ii) the sheath, and (iii) at least a portion of the connector body.
• the sheath is operatively attached to the connector body by one of (i) being disposed within a chamber in the connector body and having the connector body crimped onto the sheath, or (ii) being disposed within the conductive sleeve and having the conductive sleeve crimped onto the sheath.
• a method for the termination of an overhead electrical cable including a strength member and an electrical conductor disposed around the strength member includes the steps of comprising the steps of: removing the electrical conductor from a termination end of the electrical cable to expose an end portion of the strength member; placing the exposed end portion of the strength member through a central bore disposed within a longitudinally extending sheath; operatively attaching the sheath to a connector, the connector comprising a fastener disposed at a first end of the connector and a connector body extending from the fastener toward an end of the connector that lies opposite the fastener, the attaching comprising one of (i) disposing the sheath within a chamber in the connector body and crimping the connector body onto the steel sheath, or disposing the sheath within a conduit of a conductive sleeve and crimping the conductive sleeve onto the sheath.
• FIGS. 1 A and 1 B illustrate two examples of an overhead electrical cable having a composite strength member according to the prior art.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-section of a termination arrangement for an overhead electrical cable having a composite strength member according to the prior art.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a termination arrangement for an overhead electrical cable having a composite strength member according to the prior art.
• FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of a termination arrangement according to the present disclosure.
• FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate an embodiment of a termination arrangement according to the present disclosure.
• FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate an embodiment of a termination arrangement according to the present disclosure.
• FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a method for measuring the strain placed on a composite strength member during crimping.
• Overhead electrical transmission and distribution lines are constructed by elevating electrical cables (e.g., bare, non-insulated electrical cables) above the terrain using support towers (e.g., pylons).
• the transmission and distribution lines may span many miles, requiring extremely long lengths of electrical cable and many support towers.
• Some of the support towers are referred to as dead-end towers or anchor towers, and are placed at termination points, e.g., power substations or locations where the electrical line is routed underground. Dead-end towers may also be required where the electrical line changes direction (e.g., makes a turn), or at regular intervals in a long, straight line path.
• Another type of termination arrangement is a splice, which is used to make a mechanical and electrical connection between the ends of two adjacent electrical cables in an electrical line.
• Overhead electrical cables have traditionally been constructed using an inner steel strength member surrounded by a plurality of conductive aluminum strands that are helically wrapped around the steel strength member, a configuration referred to as “aluminum conductor steel reinforced” (ACSR).
• ACR aluminum conductor steel reinforced
• Recently, overhead electrical cables having a fiber-reinforced composite strength member have been manufactured and deployed in many electrical lines. As compared to steel, the fiber-reinforced composite materials used for the strength member have a lighter weight, lower thermal expansion and higher specific stiffness. However, fiber-reinforced materials do not reach a yield point where plastic deformation occurs when the materials are stressed.
• Such fiber-reinforced composite strength members may include a single fiber- reinforced composite strength element (e.g., a single rod) as illustrated in FIG. 1A.
• a single fiber- reinforced composite strength element e.g., a single rod
• FIG. 1A An example of such a configuration is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,368,162 by Hiel et al. , which is incorporated herein by reference in it is entirety.
• the composite strength member may be comprised of a plurality of individual fiber-reinforced composite strength elements (e.g., individual rods) that are operatively combined (e.g., twisted or stranded together) to form the strength member, as is illustrated in FIG. 1B.
• multi-element composite strength members include, but are not limited to: the multi-element aluminum matrix composite strength member illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 6,245,425 by McCullough et al.; the multi-element carbon fiber strength member illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 6,015,953 by Tosaka et al.; and the multi-element strength member illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 9,685,257 by Daniel et al.
• Each of these U.S. patents is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• Other configurations for the fiber-reinforced composite strength member may be implemented as is known to those skilled in the art.
• the cable 160A includes an electrical conductor 162A that includes a first conductive layer 164a and a second conductive layer 164b, each comprising a plurality of individual conductive strands that are helically wrapped around a fiber-reinforced composite strength member 166A.
• Such overhead electrical cables may include a single conductive layer, or more than two conductive layers, depending upon the desired use of the overhead electrical cable.
• the conductive strands may be fabricated from conductive metals such as copper or aluminum, and for use in bare overhead electrical cables are typically fabricated from aluminum, e.g., hardened aluminum, annealed aluminum, and/or aluminum alloys. As illustrated in FIG.
• the conductive strands have a substantially trapezoidal cross-section, although other configurations may be employed, such as circular cross-sections.
• the use of polygonal cross-sections such as the trapezoidal cross-section advantageously increases the cross-sectional area of conductive metal for the same effective cable diameter, e.g., as compared to strands having a circular cross- section.
• the overhead electrical cable 160A includes the strength member 166A to support the conductive layers 164a/164b when the overhead electrical cable 160A is strung between the support towers under high mechanical tension.
• the strength member 166A includes a single (e.g., only one) strength element 168A.
• the strength element 168A includes a core 170A of high strength carbon reinforcing fibers in a binding matrix and a galvanic layer 172A, e.g., comprised of glass fibers, to prevent contact between the carbon fibers and the first conductive layer 164A, which may lead to corrosion of the aluminum.
• a galvanic layer 172A e.g., comprised of glass fibers
• FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of an overhead electrical cable 160B that is similar to the electrical cable illustrated in FIG. 1A, wherein the strength member 166B comprises a plurality of individual strength elements (e.g., strength element 168B) that are stranded or twisted together to form the strength member 166B.
• the strength member 166B comprises a plurality of individual strength elements (e.g., strength element 168B) that are stranded or twisted together to form the strength member 166B.
• FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of an overhead electrical cable 160B that is similar to the electrical cable illustrated in FIG. 1A, wherein the strength member 166B comprises a plurality of individual strength elements (e.g., strength element 168B) that are stranded or twisted together to form the strength member 166B.
• FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of an overhead electrical cable 160B that is similar to the electrical cable illustrated in FIG. 1A, wherein the strength member 166B comprises a plurality of individual strength elements (e
• the fiber-reinforced composite material from which the strength elements are constructed may include reinforcing fibers that are operatively disposed in a binding matrix.
• the reinforcing fibers may be substantially continuous reinforcing fibers that extend along the length of the fiber-reinforced composite, and/or may be short reinforcing fibers (e.g., fiber whiskers or chopped fibers) that are dispersed through the binding matrix.
• the reinforcing fibers may be selected from a wide range of materials including, but not limited to, carbon, glass, boron, metal oxides, metal carbides, high-strength polymers such as aramid fibers or fluoropolymer fibers, basalt fibers and the like. Carbon fibers are particularly advantageous in many applications due to their very high tensile strength, and/or due to their relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE).
• CTE coefficient of thermal expansion
• the binding matrix may include, for example, a plastic (e.g., polymer) such as a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoset polymer.
• the binding matrix may include a thermoplastic polymer, including semi-crystalline thermoplastics.
• useful thermoplastics include, but are not limited to, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyoxymethylene (POM, or acetal), polyamide (PA, or nylon), polyethylene (PE), fluoropolymers and thermoplastic polyesters.
• the binding matrix may also include a thermosetting polymer.
• thermosetting polymers include, but are not limited to, benzoxazine, thermosetting polyimides (PI), polyether amide resin (PEAR), phenolic resins, epoxy-based vinyl ester resins, polycyanate resins and cyanate ester resins.
• PI thermosetting polyimides
• PEAR polyether amide resin
• phenolic resins epoxy-based vinyl ester resins
• polycyanate resins polycyanate resins
• cyanate ester resins cyanate ester resins.
• a vinyl ester resin is used in the binding matrix.
• Another embodiment includes the use of an epoxy resin, such as an epoxy resin that is a reaction product of epichlorohydrin and bisphenol A, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA).
• Curing agents for epoxy resins may be selected according to the desired properties of the fiber-reinforced composite strength member and the processing method.
• curing agents may be selected from aliphatic polyamines, polyamides and modified versions of these compounds.
• Anhydrides and isocyanates may also be used as curing agents.
• Other examples of polymeric materials useful for a binding matrix may include addition cured phenolic resins, e.g., bismaleimides (BMI), polyetheramides, various anhydrides, or imides.
• the binding matrix may also be a metallic matrix, such as an aluminum matrix.
• a metallic matrix such as an aluminum matrix.
• An aluminum matrix fiber-reinforced composite is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 6,245,425 by McCullough et al. , noted above.
• the strength member is a single element strength member of substantially circular cross-section that includes an inner core of substantially continuous reinforcing carbon fibers disposed in a polymer matrix.
• the core of carbon fibers is surrounded by a robust insulating layer of glass fibers that are also disposed in a polymer matrix and insulate the carbon fibers from the surrounding conductive aluminum strands. See FIG. 1A.
• the glass fibers also have a higher compressive strain capability than the carbon fibers and provide bendability so that the strength member and the electrical cable can be wrapped upon a spool for storage and transportation.
• FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate two different termination arrangements that are particularly useful for overhead electrical cables having a fiber-reinforced composite strength member.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of a termination arrangement (e.g., a dead-end) for use with a bare overhead electrical cable, i.e., to terminate an electrical cable while maintaining the cable under high tension.
• the termination arrangement 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is similar to that illustrated and described in PCT Publication No. WO 2005/041358 by Bryant and in U.S. Patent No. 8,022,301 by Bryant et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• the termination arrangement 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a gripping element 210 that is secured to a connector 220, which anchors the termination arrangement 200 to a dead-end structure (e.g., to a tower), not illustrated, e.g., with a fastener 226 (e.g., an eyebolt).
• a fastener 226 e.g., an eyebolt
• the termination arrangement 200 is operatively connected to a bare overhead electrical cable 260 that includes an electrical conductor 262 (e.g., comprising conductive strands) that surrounds and is supported by a strength member 266, e.g., a fiber-reinforced composite strength member.
• the gripping element 210 tightly grips the strength member 266 to secure the overhead electrical cable 260 to the termination arrangement 200.
• the gripping element 210 includes a compression-type fitting, specifically a collet 212 having a lumen 216 (e.g., a bore) that surrounds and grips onto the strength member 266.
• the collet 212 is disposed in a collet housing 214, and as the electrical cable 260 is tensioned (e.g., is pulled onto support towers), friction develops between the strength member 266 and the collet 212 as the collet 212 is pulled further into the collet housing 214.
• the conical (outer) shape of the collet 212 and the mating inner funnel shape of the collet housing 214 increase the compression on the strength member 266, ensuring that the strength member 264 does not slip out of the collet 212 and therefore that the overhead electrical cable 260 is secured to the termination arrangement 200.
• a conductive outer sleeve 240 is disposed over the gripping element 210 that includes a conductive body 244 to facilitate electrical conduction between the electrical conductor 262 and a jumper plate 246.
• An inner sleeve 248 (e.g., a conductive inner sleeve) may be placed between the conductor 262 and the conductive body 244 to facilitate the electrical connection between the conductor 262 and the conductive body 244.
• the inner sleeve 248 and the conductive body 244 may be fabricated from aluminum, for example.
• the jumper plate 246 is attached (e.g., welded) to the conductive body 244 and is configured to attach to a connection plate 276 to facilitate electrical conduction between the electrical conductor 262 and another conductor, e.g., another electrical cable (not illustrated) that is in electrical communication with the connector plate 276.
• the connector 220 includes a fastener 226 and gripping element mating threads 228 disposed at a gripping element end of the connector 220, with a connector body 222 disposed between the fastener 226 and the gripping element mating threads 228.
• the gripping element mating threads 228 are configured to operatively mate with connector mating threads 218 on the collet housing 214 to facilitate movement of the connector 220 toward the collet 212 when the threads 218 and 228 are engaged and the connector 220 is rotated relative to the collet housing 214, pushing the collet 212 into the collet housing 214.
• the fastener 226 is configured to be attached to a dead-end structure, e.g., to a dead-end tower, to secure the termination arrangement 200 and the electrical cable 260, to the dead-end structure.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a termination arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 2 that has been crimped onto an overhead electrical cable.
• the termination arrangement 300 includes a connector having a fastener 326 that extends outwardly from a proximal end of an outer sleeve 340.
• a jumper plate 346 is integrally formed with the conductive body 342 for electrical connection to a connection plate (e.g., see FIG. 2). As illustrated in FIG.
• the outer sleeve 340 is crimped over (e.g., onto) two regions of the underlying structure, namely crimped sleeve region 340b and crimped sleeve region 340a.
• Crimped sleeve region 340b is generally situated over the connector body (e.g., see 222 in FIG. 2)
• the crimped sleeve region 340a is generally situated over a portion of the overhead electrical cable 360, e.g., to enhance the electrical connection to the electrical cable.
• the compressive forces placed onto the outer sleeve 340 during the crimping operation are transferred to the underlying components, i.e. , to the connector body under the crimped region 340b and to the overhead electrical cable 360 under the crimped region 340a.
• the foregoing termination arrangement utilizes a smooth surfaced collet 214 to grip onto the composite strength over a sufficient length such that points of high stress are generally avoided and the composite strength member is unlikely to fracture under the collet.
• the arrangement 400 includes a steel connector 420 having a connector body 422 and a fastener 426 (e.g., an eyebolt).
• the crimping operation typically includes sequentially crimping the connector body with a crimping tool beginning at the proximal end. i.e. , near the fastener 426, and working toward the distal end.
• the crimping tool may apply up to about 100 tons of compressive force to the connector body 422 to secure the connector body to the strength member 466.
• the inner aluminum sleeve 432 is intended to redistribute a portion of this radial crimping force so that the force on the strength member 466 is reduced.
• FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another configuration of a termination arrangement 600 according to the present disclosure.
• the termination arrangement includes a connector 620 having a connector body 622 and a fastener 626.
• the connector body 622 defines a cylindrical space 624 for receiving the strength member 666 therein.
• a steel sheath 610 having one or more slits 614 is placed over the strength member 666 so that it is disposed between the strength member 666 and the connector body 622.
• FIG. 6A illustrates the termination arrangement 600 in an uncrimped state, e.g., before the connector body 622 is crimped onto the underlying steel sheath 610 and strength member 666. Before crimping, the connector body has an initial length Is.
• FIG. 6B illustrates the termination arrangement 600 after crimping the connector body 622 onto the underlying components as is described above. The connector body 622 elongates due to the crimping strain to an expanded length h. However, the underlying steel sheath 610 does not elongate to a substantial degree and therefore does not cause the strength member 666 to elongate to a point that would fracture the strength member 666.
• the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B show that an inner aluminum sleeve (e.g., sleeve 532 in FIG. 5A) is not necessary to adequately protect the strength member 666 from the crimping forces and from elongation forces.
• a steel sheath 710 is illustrated, e.g., a sheath that may be utilized in the termination arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.
• the sheath 710 has an outer diameter (do) and a length (h) and includes a bore 712 having an inner diameter (di).
• the inner diameter of the bore 712 is configured (e.g., shaped and sized) to enable a strength member to be inserted into the bore 712, e.g., to be inserted into the bore 712 through a first end 716a of the sheath and out a second end 716b of the sheath.
• the inner diameter should be sufficiently large to enable the strength member to be inserted through the bore 712 (e.g., with only moderate friction against the sidewall of the bore). However, the diameter of the bore 712 should not be so great that the strength member is able to move axially within the bore when the one or more slits are approaching contact, e.g., are closing. In one characterization, bore 712 has a diameter of at least about 2.5 mm. In another characterization, the bore has a diameter of not greater than about 15 mm.
• the outer diameter do of the sheath 710 should be sufficiently large that the sheath may be fit within the cylindrical space defined by the connector body without a significant gap between the sheath and the inner wall of the connector body (FIG. 6A), or within the aluminum sleeve (FIG. 5A). In one characterization, the outer diameter do is at least about 5 mm. In another characterization, the outer diameter do is not greater than about 46 mm.
• the length h of the sheath 710 should be long enough to ensure that a sufficient length of the strength member is disposed within the sheath to form a sufficient grip on the strength member after crimping without having points of high stress concentration.
• the sheath 710 may have a length h of at least about 100 mm. Typically, the length h will not exceed about 300 mm.
• the sheath 710 has an outer diameter do and a length h, and the length is at least 10 times greater than the outer diameter, such as at least about 15 times greater than the outer diameter, such as at least about 20 times greater than the outer diameter.
• the length is not greater than about 50 times the outer diameter, such as not greater than about 40 times the outer diameter.
• smaller diameter strength members e.g., having a diameter of about 3 mm or less, may benefit from the use of a sheath 710 having a length that is near or slightly more than 50 times the outer diameter.
• the sheath 710 also has a wall thickness, e.g., the difference between the outer diameter do and the inner diameter di of the sheath.
• the wall thickness of the sheath 710 should be sufficient to limit axial tension forces.
• the wall thickness of the sheath 710 is at least about 3 mm.
• the wall thickness of the sheath is not greater than about 20 mm. As is noted above, increasing the wall thickness of the sheath may increase the resistance to elongation.
• the sheath 710 includes two longitudinally extending slits (e.g., slit 714a) that are disposed through a first end 716a of the sheath and extend toward a second end 716b of the sheath, e.g., without extending through the second end 716b. These two slits are disposed on opposite sides of the sheath 710, e.g., at a radial angle of about 180°.
• the sheath 710 also includes two slits (e.g., slit 714b) that are disposed through the second end 716b and extend toward the first end 716a of the sheath, e.g., without extending through the first end 716a.
• slit 714b two slits
• These longitudinally extending slits advantageously enable the sheath 710 to accommodate variations in the strength member diameter, and to enable the sheath 710 to resist axial tension forces while providing minimal restriction to closure of the sheath onto the strength member when crimped.
• the sheath may include a single slit, two slits, three slits or more.
• the interior surface of the sheath 710 may be smooth or may have surface features to enhance the grip of the sheath 710 onto the strength member.
• the interior surface may have grit applied to the surface or may be machined to provide surface texture, e.g., small ridges on the surface.
• the sheath may be slightly tapered from one end to the other, e.g., where the outer diameter of the sheath changes along the length of the sheath.
• FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a schematic cross-sectional view of a termination arrangement 800 according to the present disclosure before placement and crimping of an outer sleeve 840.
• the termination arrangement 800 includes a longitudinally-extending steel sheath 810 having a central sheath bore extending therethrough, e.g., from one end of the sheath 816a through the opposite end 816b of the sheath. In this manner, an end portion of the strength member 864 is disposed within the sheath 810.
• a connector 820 (e.g., a steel connector) includes a fastener 826 disposed at a first end of the connector 820 and a connector body 822 that extends from the fastener 826 toward a second end of the connector 820.
• the second end of the connector includes an axial bore 824 that is configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to receive and end of the strength member 864.
• the electrical cable 860 is stripped of a portion of the electrical conductor 862 to expose the underlying strength member 864.
• the exposed strength member is then inserted into the sheath 810, which is placed within the axial bore 824 of the connector 820. As illustrated in FIG.
• a portion 828 of the connector body 822 e.g., the portion including the axial bore 824, is crimped (e.g., compressed, swaged) onto the sheath 810, which compresses onto the strength member 864 to secure the connector 820 to the strength member 864.
• the outer sleeve 840 can then be placed over the termination arrangement 800 illustrated in FIG. 8B. Once the outer sleeve 840 is in place over the termination arrangement 800, the sleeve 840 may be crimped onto the sub- assembly and the electrical cable 860 as shown in FIG. 8D. The outer sleeve 840 is crimped at two locations, namely a first portion 840a over the electrical cable and a second portion 840b over the connector body 822.
• the overhead electrical cable 860 may be configured for the transmission and/or distribution of electricity when placed on support towers (e.g., pylons).
• the conductor 862 comprises one or more layers of aluminum strands wrapped (e.g., helically wrapped) around the strength member 864.
• the strength member 864 includes longitudinally-extending reinforcing fibers (e.g., high strength carbon fibers) in a binding matrix (e.g., in an epoxy resin or thermoplastic matrix).
• FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate an alternative embodiment of a termination arrangement according to the present disclosure. Specifically, FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a perspective view and a cross-sectional view respectively of the termination arrangement 900 before crimping, and FIGS. 9C and 9D illustrate a cross-sectional view and a perspective view respectively of the termination arrangement 900 after crimping.
• the termination arrangement 900 includes a longitudinally-extending steel sheath 910 having a central sheath bore 912 extending therethrough, e.g., from one end 916a (e.g., a distal end) of the sheath through the opposite end 916b (e.g., a proximal end) of the sheath and at least one or more slits. In this manner, a portion 964b of the strength member 964 is disposed within the sheath 910.
• the outer sleeve 940 is crimped along substantially its entire length (e.g., at least about 80% or 90% of its length), such that the outer sleeve 940 is crimped onto the connector body 922 and is crimped onto a portion of the overhead electrical cable 960 in addition to being crimped onto the sheath 910.
• two overhead electrical cables including fiber-reinforced composite strength members having a diameter of 7.11 mm are tested during compression swaging (e.g., crimping) of dead-end termination assemblies onto the strength members.
• One of the termination arrangements is according to the prior art (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 4A - 4B), and a second termination arrangement includes a steel sheath (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 6A - 6B)
• the optical fiber includes six Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG), each about 7 mm in length and evenly spaced about 18 mm apart, resulting in a center to center spacing of about 25 mm.
• FBG Fiber Bragg Gratings
• the eyebolt of a dead-end is compression swaged (crimped) onto the composite strength members including the FBGs following the same procedure and using the same equipment that is used in a field attachment.
• the strain measured by the FBG’s is monitored continuously during the crimping procedure.
• the numbering sequence of the FBG’s was such that FBG #6, which is closest to the eyebolt, is the first to experience crimping forces followed by FBG #5 down to FBG #1 .
• the typical pattern is that FBG #6 does not experience significant levels of axial strain with the subsequent FBG’s building up higher levels of axial strain.
• Modeling of the arrangements indicates that as the radial compaction occurs a substantial amount of plastic deformation also occurs. If this axial deformation is not relieved by slippage of the crimping metal over the composite strength member, the strains may be large enough to exceed the 1.9% maximum elongation of the composite strength member.

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• Insulated Conductors (AREA)
• Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
• Cable Accessories (AREA)
• Non-Insulated Conductors (AREA)
• Suspension Of Electric Lines Or Cables (AREA)

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• 2021
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