WARNING: Printed copies of this document MAY NOT BE THE LATEST.

The most up--to--date version is located on the Intranet.

GB061
Underground HV Cable and Accessories—Straight Joints

A. Scope
This standard provides information on buried underground cable HV straight joints and
transition joints in cross linked polyethelene (XLPE) cable or rubber (EPR).

B. Straight Joints
Underground cable joints on a new installation shall only be used where the required
pulling tension for the length of cable to be installed exceeds the permissible pulling
tension for the cable or an extension to existing cable is required.
A straight joint is a joint between two sections of the same cable type. A transition joint is
used between two pieces of different cable type.
Underground HV buried straight joints and transition joints are used for;
• joining on more mains cable beyond the maximum length of cable in a standard
cable drum,
• extending the HV mains when a new stage of an estate requires that the cable be
lengthened,
• extend a cable when the cable has to be extended after the cable has been
installed, such as when a substation or cable head pole is moved and
• splicing in a new section of cable where the original cable has had a section
damaged.
HV straight joints are not supplied with the connector. Usually a mechanical shear head
type of connector is used. Refer DE 705 for shear head type connectors.
These buried joints are usually bedded in sand, however it is also acceptable to use
joints intended for burial in an underground vault.
1. Cold Applied
Cold applied straight joints are the standard for all new installations. Cold applied
has the advantages of ease of application and avoid the need to use a flame.
A typical cold applied straight joint is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 -- Typical HV Cold Applied Straight Joint

For ordering cold applied HV straight joints see standard GB421, HV Straight Joint
Assembly.
2. Heat--Shrink
Straight joints are made from heat--shrink material. Heat--shrink straight joints are
technically acceptable alternate joints.

Distribution 31 Jul 07
GB061
Construction Standard Page 1 of 2
Underground HV Cable
Administrator:
and Accessories
Tech Approval:
—Straight Joints
 WARNING: Printed copies of this document MAY NOT BE THE LATEST. The most up--to--date version is located on the Intranet.

GB061
A typical heat--shrink straight joint is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 -- Typical HV Heat--Shrink Straight Joint

C. Transition Joints
Transition joints are used to convert cables of different sizes or joint polymeric insulated
cables to existing paper insulated cables. Some straight joints may be used as transition
joints with additional connectors and components.
As there is such a large range of existing cables and the relatively low volume, some
transition joints are a special order, ie. dedicated transition joints are not stocked.
Information on common transition joints can be found in the VESI U/G Jointers Manual,
Vol 3, Sect 10.4 and GB 807 and GB815.
Contact the Technical Standards Group if you have a requirement to use a transition
joint.

31 Jul 07
GB061 Distribution
Page 2 of 2 Construction Standard
Underground HV Cable
Administrator:
Tech Approval:
and Accessories
—Straight Joints