ADVANTAGES OF LAMINATED TAPE OVER LEAD Most of the polymers used for cable sheathing are water permeable

with different permeability levels. In case of any damage (usually third party damage) to the cable protective covering (outer sheath), water can penetrate from cable surroundings. In such cases water can penetrate longitudinally inside the cable and can be in direct contact with the insulation screen. In the case of earth fault, water can penetrate both in the conductor and screen carrying all chemicals and contamination into the insulation. Therefore, a metallic sheath has to be applied to prevent water from reaching insulation at conductor and screen levels. Following are the designs which are used to prevent the above: (1) Lead sheath as a radial water barrier: Traditionally, lead has been used as radial water barrier sheath. This technology has been very convenient since lead is soft, easy to process and resistant to corrosion. et lead has the following disadvantages. !igh mass to volume ratio. The lead sheath might constitute "# $ to %# $ of the overall mass of the cable. &hort cutting lengths due to the cables heavy weight. '(tra cost is incurred for additional accessories needed and transportation cost. )ifficulty in laying and handling. *utting and abrasion of the lead sheaths of cables during preparation for soldering as well as soldering operation itself e(poses wor+ers to high ris+ due to airborne lead. ,orms have already been issued in the -nited &tates and 'urope by regulatory agencies to control e(posure of lead and lead based compounds to the environment. .nd usage and e(posure to lead is banned in these countries.

( ) PE la!i"ated al#!i"i#! ta$e as a radial water barrier% This construction comprises a thin metallic layer of aluminium typically /." mm thic+ precoated with heat sensitive polymer0copolymer. )uring cable manufacturing, the foil is wrapped longitudinally over the e(truded bedding. Further when 1' sheath is e(truded over it, the polymer0copolymer fuses with the outer sheath material and provides a good watertight seal. -sually a water swellable tape is provided below 1' laminated aluminium tape to protect it from mechanical stress due to e(pansion of the cable core during load cycling. The above combination has the following advantages. 2ight weight. Increased cutting length, which means less cable accessories 3educed transportation cost 'asier in handling and laying Moisture and chemical resistant: 2aboratories and field studies have demonstrated that bonding strength between the outer sheath and the metal laminate and overlap area can withstand sulphuric

acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, ammonium hydro(ide .&TM oil 4, " 5 6, diesel fuel +erosene, acetone ben7ene, transformer oil. It can withstand very high sidewall pressure up to 6/// +g0m, as the pressure shall be uniformly distributed over all the bent side. . study has proved that the laminate moisture barrier sheath will retain its characteristics at different temperature values between 6/ 8* and 4#/ 8*. .ll varieties of construction using these technologies have passed 9ualification0type test as per ,ational0International standards. This shows that this construction is mechanically e9uivalent to lead sheath.

&'"(l#si'": 3adial water tightness with 1' laminated aluminium tape further bonded to 1' sheath is the preferable choice as it is cost effective. This ma+es the cable lighter in weight and easier to handle and install. This construction has been tested against many national and international standards and was proven to be e9ually effective as lead sheathed cable and at the same time is more environment friendly.