Case Study: Solihul 132KV CSE Fault

Solihul Brief

O’Rourke construction Ltd (OCL) where called out by Prysmian to assist with a CSE fault on a pylon. OCL swiftly mobilized to site to prepare an access for Prysmian and the client, Western Power Distribution (WPD) to allow their investigation works to begin. OCL set up heras fencing to segregate the new site from the public. OCL stripped and removed vegetation, installed a stone entrance to site and a haul road for access to the pylon for scaffolders to erect their tower. Also, a compound/welfare area was set up.

Solution

Investigation works determined that a new over lay was required and was a major priority to be back up and running ASAP. With the possibility of this happening and before the investigation works were concluded OCL’s team prepared for this scenario in advance. So, when the ‘Go-Ahead’ came we already had extra plant & equipment ready to be delivered to site. Site fence extension, extra vegetation clearance, haul road extension, lay down areas, fast track and cable drum positioning, winch positioning, new cable trench excavation and Joint bay was thought of and designed to provide a quick turnaround for the new over lay to be switched in.

Result

The old oil filled cables and CSE’s were removed from the tower. The new Joint bay and cable trench was excavated and the new CSE’s & XLPE cables where installed. CBS was used to reinstate around the new cables. The excavations where reinstated and the embankment that the pylon sits on was formed back to its original. The extended haul road was removed and capped over the Joint bay and cable trench to provide extra protection than just the original ash excavated. The original access road that we installed has been left for future. OCL reinstated remaining areas, installed concrete protection blocks around the cattle guards (as the cable comes out of the ground, up the tower, both sides), erected stock fencing along the canal to prevent members of the public entering this area. The new cables were ‘switched in’ and very successful project was delivered to our client, something OCL are very proud of.