Online Poll - Is It The End Of True Cable Jointing?

By Chris Dodds on 30th September, 2015

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Online Poll - Is It The End Of True Cable Jointing?

T&D present an Online Poll from Chris Barker, EHV Jointer and Owner of CB Jointing Ltd.

Chris is highly respected by peers throughout the UK and international EHV power industry and strongly believes high quality cable jointing requires a diverse range of accreditations and skills.

Social channels are lamenting the demise of the "cable jointer" as we once knew it - an ever growing number of distinctions are being drawn between the high skilled cable jointer and the "cable terminator guy".

The True Jointer holds the expertise to work across an extensive range of cables, types and voltages irrespective of manufacturer and the 2 day wonder "cable terminator guy" has usually familiarised himself in an afternoon at a manufacturers course on a specific kit and a specific cable.

So today, Chris asks - Is True Cable Jointing A Dying Art?

 

Is It The End?

Cable jointing over the years has changed dramatically, some might say for the better while others will disagree.

I completely disagree.

The flood gates are wide open to an influx of apparent Jointers and I use that term loosely. While granted there may be a few who are very competent with what they do.

When I started in the cable jointing industry it was with Pirelli Construction, a big company with excellent training facilities to encourage the young, skilled and gifted trainees. BICC and a few more would train apprentices for 3 years to turn them into world class jointers.

This doesn’t exist anymore and it is such a shame.

Today, any butcher, baker or candlestick maker can attend so called "familiarisation" courses (duration 1 day only) and be handed a Certificate. This Certificate is then passed-off as evidence of cable jointing authorisation to recruitment agencies and clients are being misled into believing that the people they recruit are True Jointers.    

Historically, True Jointers would learn : 

  • Plumbing and wiping
  • Chamfering skills on fluid filled Cables
  • What each component of a kit is used for - function, application and installation technique
  • Glassing the screen to achieve the perfect finish
  • Setting up cables for jointing
  • Setting up a cable joint bay

How many "jointers" now would you see setting up a cable joint bay correctly as an important part of jointing?

Fail to prepare and prepare to fail.

Jointing is becoming a rush culture -  it’s more about who can do it the quickest and cheapest. Less about experience and knowledge and having the skills and competence to carry out the job 110%.

15 years ago we didn’t have as many accessory manufacturers as we do in today's crowded market.

In my opinion, before training is given on a specific product, proof of experience and references should be required to actually gain access to a course.

It seems now you can pay a company money and a day later you have a piece of paper to say you can joint.

I wouldn’t employ somebody on the strength of a piece of paper.

Thankfully there are still a number of highly skilled and trained cable jointers around who know each other and their abilities and strengths.

Chris Dodds via LinkedIn has managed to pull together some good guys in the industry who can share their work and there have been some amazing discussions and pictures posted.

 

Beauty. Mirror, Mirror On The Wall... reflect on the quality of this perfected wipe.

Image : Jimmy Nicklin

Cable Jointing Wipe

Beast. A cut out "wipe."

Image : Andrew Brezovsky

Cable jointing cut

Who would ever think this was acceptable in any form? Maybe it was the “that will do" attitude.

How many cable jointers can produce a wipe like Jimmy Nicklin?

I imagine most would be like the one that was cut out.

Companies need to get the right guys for the job and then you could be safe in the knowledge it was done right first time.

Good Cable Jointing Is A Dying Art - do you agree?

 

 

Images & Cable Jointing By : Chris Barker

Cable Jointing

 

 

 

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Category:  HV Cable Jointing & Terminating

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