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Do CCS Conductors Really Endure Stress Longer than Copper?

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4 months ago

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BRENTWOOD, Tenn., June 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — For decades, Copperweld Copper-Clad Steel (CCS) conductors have been widely regarded as the paragon of strength and resiliency in the power grid and utility markets. CCS is used in some of the most unforgiving environments and applications — frost-heaving soils in substation ground grids, gale-force winds in pole-top transformer connections, and the unearthly cold and relentless radiation of space.

Copperweld CCS conductors displayed up to 5 times greater flex endurance than the equivalent copper samples.

CCS is trusted because it has proven its reliability and performance for nearly 100 years.

The Challenge
To back up CCS’s century-long reputation for superior strength, Copperweld’s engineering team received several requests from customers to perform lab tests that measure the flex-fatigue endurance of Copperweld CCS products compared to equivalent-ampacity copper conductors. So, they stepped up to the challenge.

Flex Fatigue Testing
In conductor manufacturing, breakload tests are popular for assessing conductor strength. Copperweld performs dozens of breakload batch tests every day to ensure that every foot of our CCS conductors is performing to specification. But while breakload tests are excellent for measuring tensile strength, they only measure mechanical strength across a single, linear event. Real-world abuse involves a wide range of motion and a high level of repetition.

Whether simulating the high-pressure contraction and expansion in buried applications or the repetitive stresses in overhead applications, an accurate way to measure real-world endurance is a flex fatigue test. Flex fatigue testing measures the number of stress cycles (180-degree bends) endured before conductor breakage is observed. A conductor’s breaking point is typically measured when continuity is interrupted. Unfortunately, stranded conductors expose an inherent limitation when simply testing for continuity.

Finding the True Breaking Point
Because a stranded conductor can maintain continuity after one or more strands have broken, a traditional flex-fatigue test that measures continuity disruption is more suited for single-end conductors. This method of testing endurance provides an unfair advantage to stranded conductors like our stranded CCS products. So, we devised a test method to more accurately and fairly measure the comparative flex-fatigue performance of both stranded and solid conductors.

This new test setup utilizes the sound spike created when a single strand of a stranded conductor breaks to identify the cycle at which the conductor is compromised, despite maintaining some conductivity. With this setup, a sound meter and monitoring software are used to cross reference elapsed test time of the sound spike (breaking point) with the number of bend cycles in the flex fatigue test. This provides a reliable method of testing the flex endurance for both conductor construction types. 

‍Our Test
To test the flex endurance of products that traditionally receive significant abuse in the field, we focused the study on our most popular transformer riser cables (Stingray 135 and Stingray 195) and their copper equivalents (6 AWG and 4 AWG). Pole-top transformer riser cables are subjected to a high level of shear force trauma in the form of flexing, bending, jerking, and vibration — making them ideal test subjects for this study.

In each test, five samples of each conductor — CCS and copper — were cut into two-foot sections with 1 inch of insulation removed from both ends to connect to the Flex Fatigue Tester. A Reed R8080 Sound Level Meter was then connected to monitoring software to capture single-end strand breakage. To mimic the extreme stressors that many conductors encounter in the field, we performed a standard 180-degree test consisting of a 90-degree bend to the left and a 90-degree bend to the right constituting a full cycle.

Stingray 135 vs 6 AWG Solid Copper Results
When comparing Copperweld CCS samples (Stingray 135) to solid-copper samples (6 AWG), CCS displayed greater flex endurance than copper. The average full-cycle count for the Stingray 135 samples was 224.8 cycles while the average full-cycle count for the 6 AWG copper samples was 36.2 cycles. This indicates that the CCS sample (Stingray 135) has 5.2 times more flex endurance than copper (6 AWG).

Stingray 195 vs 4 AWG Solid Copper Results
When comparing Copperweld CCS samples (Stingray 195) to solid-copper samples (4 AWG), CCS displayed greater flex endurance than copper. The average full-cycle count for the Stingray 135 samples was 87.6 cycles while the average full-cycle count for the 6 AWG copper samples was 30.6 cycles. This indicates that the CCS sample (Stingray 195) has 1.9 times more flex endurance than copper (4 AWG).

‍Conclusion
Using flex fatigue testing and sonic breakage detection, Copperweld CCS conductors displayed up to 5 times greater flex endurance than the equivalent copper samples.

Whether it’s for overhead tap wire or below-grade grounding for a substation, CCS can be the perfect solution for upgrading system design strength and meeting your electrical performance needs. Contact Copperweld to discuss the right CCS products for your application or to locate a Copperweld manufacturer’s rep in your area.

See the full article here.

Copperweld is the world leader in bimetallic wire and cable specializing in power, grounding, and signal conductors for building construction, power grid, utilities, communications, and transportation. For over 100 years, their mission has been to make the most reliable, sustainable, and innovative wire and cable products on the market. Copperweld’s metallurgical expertise and engineered solutions result in bimetallic products that enhance performance, extend service life, conserve copper, improve energy efficiency, and reduce incentives for theft. Their American-made products are manufactured in the heart of the USA, and the culture of excellence and innovation that inspired them over a century ago still drives them today.

CONTACT: Kris Atwood, katwood@copperweld.com

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SOURCE Copperweld

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G42 Collaborates with NVIDIA to Deliver Next-Generation Climate Solutions Using Earth-2

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51 mins ago

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September 20, 2024

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — G42, a leader in AI and cloud computing, today announced that it is partnering with NVIDIA to advance climate technology with a focus on developing AI solutions aimed at dramatically enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasting globally.

The collaboration builds on NVIDIA’s Earth-2, an open platform that accelerates climate and weather predictions with interactive, AI-augmented, high-resolution simulation. G42 and NVIDIA will initially focus on a square-kilometer resolution weather forecasting model that improves the accuracy of meteorological predictions.

Key to this initiative is the establishment of a new operational base and Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for research and development, driving forward both companies’ commitment to environmental sustainability. This facility will also mobilize the creation of tailored climate and weather solutions that leverage over 100 petabytes of geophysical data assets.

Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, said, “This initiative with NVIDIA is a testament to our commitment to applying AI in ways that not only innovate but also solve critical global challenges. Establishing the Earth-2 Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi allows us to leverage our unique capabilities and insights to foster a sustainable future for the world.”

In addition to fostering innovation in climate technology, the initiative will focus on building a robust framework for integrating enhanced weather prediction capabilities with comprehensive data metrics and visualization. This will assist organizations worldwide in achieving their sustainability goals through well-informed, data-driven environmental strategies.

“Our collaboration with G42 marks a pivotal step toward harnessing AI to understand and predict climate phenomena with unprecedented accuracy,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “The Earth-2 Climate Tech Lab will propel environmental solutions using the most advanced accelerated computing and AI technology to benefit millions of people around the world.”

By uniting G42’s AI expertise with NVIDIA’s computational acumen, this partnership aims to deliver transformative climate solutions that combine scientific accuracy with real-world applicability, driving impactful change across industries and ecosystems.

About G42

G42 is a technology holding group, a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities, today.
To know more visit www.g42.ai.

Media contacts
Media and PR Team, G42
media@g42.ai

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/g42-collaborates-with-nvidia-to-deliver-next-generation-climate-solutions-using-earth-2-302253818.html

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Kawasaki and CB&I Sign Strategic Collaborative Agreement for Promoting Commercial-Use Liquefied Hydrogen Supply Chain

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2 hours ago

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September 20, 2024

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HOUSTON, Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Kawasaki) and CB&I, a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott, announced today their signing of a strategic agreement for promoting a commercial-use liquefied hydrogen (LH2) supply chain and realizing a zero-carbon-emission society. The signing ceremony took place at Gastech Exhibition & Conference in Houston on September 18, 2024.

“We are very pleased for this opportunity to build and launch a commercial liquefied hydrogen supply chain in cooperation with CB&I,” said Motohiko Nishimura, President, Energy Solutions & Marine Engineering Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. “By taking advantage of both companies’ strengths and specialized know-how, we aim to cost down hydrogen, strengthen hydrogen supply chain competitiveness, and accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon society.”

Both companies will use their specialized know-how to provide infrastructure that will enable commercial-scale international LH2 supply chains in order to help achieve carbon-neutrality. By leveraging our combined expertise to deliver large-scale LH2 infrastructure solutions, CB&I and Kawasaki are removing barriers, driving down costs and enhancing scalability across the entire supply chain.

“This strategic partnership represents a significant advancement in liquid hydrogen storage capabilities,” said Mark Butts, Senior Vice President of CB&I. “Our technical expertise and extensive experience in liquid hydrogen storage position us at the forefront of the energy transition, delivering reliable storage solutions and executing projects worldwide with proven success.”

Under this agreement, the companies will provide infrastructure to advance the global realization of a sustainable energy economy and meet decarbonization targets. This collaboration will reduce LH2 infrastructure costs and contribute to more widespread use of this clean and efficient energy source.

About CB&I
CB&I is the world’s leading designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks, and terminals. With more than 60,000 structures completed throughout its 130-year history, CB&I has the global expertise and strategically located operations to provide its customers world-class storage solutions for even the most complex energy infrastructure projects. CB&I is a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott. To learn more, visit www.cbi.com.

About McDermott
McDermott is a premier, fully-integrated provider of engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. Our customers trust our technology-driven approach engineered to responsibly harness and transform global energy resources into the products the world needs. From concept to commissioning, McDermott’s innovative expertise and capabilities advance the next generation of global energy infrastructure—empowering a brighter, more sustainable future for us all. Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott’s locally-focused and globally-integrated resources include more than 30,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. To learn more, visit www.mcdermott.com.

About Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. is general engineering manufacturer with over 125 years of experience manufacturing products spanning land, sea and air. Kawasaki established the Kawasaki Group’s new vision statement, “Group Vision 2030: Trustworthy Solutions for the Future,” and is focusing on three fields, “A Safe and Secure Remotely-Connected Society,” “Near-Future Mobility,” and “Energy and Environmental Solutions” in order to provide solutions for social issues. For “Energy and Environmental Solutions” in particular, by securing the technology necessary for the entire supply chain (for production, transportation, storage and utilization) ahead of the rest of the world, Kawasaki aims to bring about a society that utilizes hydrogen, the ultimate clean energy that emits no carbon dioxide when used. To learn more, visit https://global.kawasaki.com/en.

Forward-Looking Statements
McDermott cautions that statements in this communication which are forward-looking, and provide other than historical information, involve risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about the expected benefits from the collaboration agreement discussed in this press release.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, among others: adverse changes in the markets in which we operate or credit or capital markets; our inability to successfully execute on contracts in backlog; changes in project design or schedules; the availability of qualified personnel; changes in the terms, scope or timing of contracts, contract cancellations, change orders and other modifications and actions by our customers and other business counterparties; changes in industry norms; actions by lenders, other creditors, customers and other business counterparties of McDermott and adverse outcomes in legal or other dispute resolution proceedings. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. This communication reflects the views of McDermott’s management as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, McDermott undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

For media inquiries, please use the contact information below:

Reba Reid
Global Media Relations
+1 281 588 5636
RReid@McDermott.com

Kristi Krupala-Grove
CB&I Media Relations
+1 346 313 9636
KKrupala2@mcdermott.com

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SOURCE McDermott International, Ltd

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Halal Route Application – Eat, Travel around Thailand, Safe and Sound Halal Style

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2 hours ago

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September 20, 2024

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BANGKOK, Thailand, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Halal Science Center, Chulalongkorn University has developed Halal Route, an application that lists restaurants, lodging, mosques, prayer directions, and tourist attractions in Thailand under Islamic tourism principles. It hopes to help Muslim tourists travel in Thailand with peace of mind, and supports tourism industry operators to grow and welcome a growing number of Muslim tourists.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts that in 2024 there will be around 168 million Islamic tourists worldwide.  According to the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI 2024), Thailand is the 32nd most popular destination for Muslim tourists.  However, the major problem Muslim tourists encounter in Thailand is finding Halal-accredited restaurants, hotels, accommodations, or tourist attractions with service areas (such as prayer rooms) that are compliant with the Islamic way.

“Halal Route” is a travel aggregator app that collects searchable information on Halal restaurants, mosques, prayer locations, times, and directions for prayers (the qibla), tourist attractions, Muslim villages or communities, hotels, accommodations, etc.  This app is linked to Google Maps for navigation with precision. It also supports 3 languages, Thai, English, and Arabic, so that Muslim tourists can live and travel more comfortably and with peace of mind,” said Mr.Erfun Weahama, Science Service Officer, Halal Route App development team.

Dr. Anat Denyingyot, Assistant Director of the Halal Science Center, emphasized that the Halal Route application has the most reliable and comprehensive information on halal tourism in Thailand today. “All restaurants and locations have had on-site visits and are audited according to standards approved by a trusted authority or organization, such as certifications from religious organizations or halal food-related entities, as well as management systems to guarantee and be responsible for halal conditions (the HAL-Q system),” Dr. Anat assured.

Currently, the application has more than 1,100 restaurants in its database, and new locations and services are being updated, covering more than 40 provinces from north to south of Thailand that are popular among tourists.

“Halal Route is not only for navigation, but a platform that connects Muslim communities from around the world who have the opportunity to visit Thailand,” Associate Professor Dr.Winai Dahlan, Director of the Halal Science Center concluded.

The Halal Route application is free to download on both iOS and Android systems.

Read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/185916/  

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SOURCE Chulalongkorn University

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