Novel gel protects joints and enclosure contents

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 29, 2007

A novel Gel-System is set to revolutionise the way that manufacturers and installers of electrical components achieve the highest protection within electrical enclosures.

For over 70 years, GH Lucas has built a solid reputation as one of the UK's the leading suppliers of cable glands.

Now the company has introduced a novel Gel-System that is set to revolutionise the way that manufacturers and installers of electrical components achieve the highest protection within electrical enclosures - up to and beyond IP68 rating.

Developed in Italy and already widely used throughout Europe, this unique Gel-System consists of an incredibly fast crosslinking bicomponent formula that is presented in two options: either as a two-part bicomponent; correctly proportioned into pouches separated by a divider; or in a two bottle pack, together with a measuring vessel and mixing spoon to offer the user a no-waste, quick, clean and efficient method of mixing and pouring.

Within 10 minutes of pouring, the mixture will be completely crosslinked and ready for use.

As well as offering an ideal solution for filling enclosures and boxes, the totally nontoxic Gel-System is also considered ideal for application in trunking and pipes, and offers electrical engineers and cable jointers a completely "re-enterable" option - even after long working periods - compared with current sealing methods.

The unique crosslinked material is characterised by strong binding forces that do not flow on exposure to heat, as the links between the molecular chains hold the chains together.

Beyond a certain temperature, called the crystalline melting temperature, the crystals disappear and the material becomes soft and malleable.

Two other distinct advantage these new innovative products claim over current resin systems are due to the material's softness, which allows the filled components to withstand external shocks without breaking or cracking.

This makes it ideal for extreme installations, even deep underwater, and the ability of the gel to crosslink in temperatures as low as -20C completely outperforms resin mixes.

To accompany the Gel-System, GH Lucas has also introduced a rapid cable jointing system that represents a whole new step change from current cable jointing methods.

Called the Rapid System this innovative range of products has been purposely designed for the straight connection of LV cables including SWA types, both armoured and unarmoured.

Consisting of a crosslinked polymer gel, preset inside a robustly built insulating plastic shell, readily equipped with core spacers, the installer simply opens the shell, presses the preconnected cable into place and clips the shell shut.

This system is suitable for the rapid jointing of single core cables of up to 400mm2 or multicore cables up to 4 x 95mm2.

As it is manufactured entirely from self-extinguishing components, the joint is totally flame retardant, has high dielectric characteristics and is stable with respect to temperature variations With many advantages over traditional resin-filled joints, the Rapid System is the ideal replacement for existing straight-through two-component jointing systems for installations up to 0.6/1kV extruded copper armoured cables.

With approvals CEI20-33 e, CEI20-63, HD623, ANSI C119 and class 2 in accordance with CEI64-8, the Rapid System also offers IP68 in accordance with IEC529.

Being chemically inert and therefore totally safe, both these nontoxic systems boast an "unlimited" shelf-life.