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Work continued in 2014 to optimise 220kV
AC three-core cables. A prototype with
1600mm² aluminium conductors was made,
to achieve IEC prequalification for the Arco
Felice and Pikkala plants, and a prototype
with 1200mm² copper conductors, for
qualification testing as part of the ‘50 Hertz’
project, one of the largest ever performed in
terms of volume and value in the submarine
cable production.
In the EHV underground cables, development
was completed in 2014 of the prototype
400kV cable with a Milliken 3500mm² copper
conductor, the largest ever developed by the
Group. In addition, the Gron plant in France
produced prototype Milliken aluminium
conductors measuring 4000mm², while the
Delft plant in the Netherlands produced
similar prototypes, which will be used for the
380kV Randstaadt connection.
In the P-Laser technology, the 150 kV class
passed its qualification test, conducted on
a system complete with accessories and
completed with a series of additional high-
temperature. Qualification testing also
started for a P-Laser HVDC 320kV cable and
related accessories. The P-Laser system is
particularly suitable for high voltage direct
current (HVDC) applications because of the
greater chemical stability.
In the optical cables field, a record density
product containing 4.2 fibres per mm² in
a 1728 fibre 23mm diameter cable, made
using fibres measuring 200 micrometres in
diameter, was added to the
Flextube®
family
of cables. The products are an excellent
solution for use in conduits congested with
other cables. Dry/dry technology was also
developed for
Flextube®
cables in order to
reduce cable installation time.
Submarine record performance Extra High Voltage progress
Test passed for P-Laser technology Flextube family enlarged
State-of-the-art technologies