The nVent ERICO Cadweld Connection
- nVent ERICO Cadweld exothermic welding system is designed to be easy to use, easily repeatable and customizable for any application.
- From its invention in 1938, nVent ERICO Cadweld is designed to be used without a formal license and minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) to make installer’s lives easier – not more complicated.
How It Works
Continuing the tradition of technical leadership, nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus was developed as a simplified method of performing exothermically welded electrical connections. This trusted system has been updated in recent years to include the nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus cup design for the integrated welding material package which has streamlined the installation process by eliminating ignition materials.
The welding material for nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus is contained within a steel cup. The cup is placed into the mold crucible, and the ignition strip is connected to the control unit. Once activated, the control unit sends an electronic charge that initiates the exothermic reaction. When the reaction is complete, the molten metal is released and flows down the tap hole onto the items to be welded in the weld cavity.
To make the process safer and allow for multiple power source options, nVent ERICO introduced the nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus Impulse Exothermic Welding Control Unit.
nVent ERICO Cadweld 101
nVent ERICO Cadweld System
nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus connections offer all the benefits of conventional nVent ERICO Cadweld connections:
- Current carrying capacity equal to or greater than that of the conductor
- Withstand repeated fault currents without failing during operation
- Permanent, molecular bond that will not loosen or corrode, resulting in a connection with a lifetime equal to that of the installation
- Join copper to copper, copper to galvanized or plain steel, copper to copper clad steel, copper to bronze/brass/stainless steel, steel to steel, etc.
- No external power or heat source required
- Quality Assurance Inspection is easy and visual
- Minimal installation training required
- Exceeds requirements of “IEEE Std. 837-2014 -Std. for Qualifying Permanent Connections Used In Substation Grounding”
How to Install nVent ERICO Cadweld
Please consult the instructions included in all nVent ERICO Cadweld mold packages for proper preparation and use.
STEP 1: Prepare and heat your mold and conductors according to the instructions. Place conductor ends into open mold.
STEP 2: Close handles to lock mold halves together. Drop metal disk into crucible ensuring it is correctly seated, covering tap hole.
STEP 3: Deposit weld metal into crucible. Tap bottom of container to release starting material. Spread a little starting material on top of mold.
STEP 4: Close the cover and ignite with flint gun. Open the mold after 10 seconds, when metal has solidified.
How to Install nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus
Please consult the instructions included in all nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus mold packages for proper preparation and use.
STEP 1: Prepare and heat your mold and conductors. Place conductor ends into open mold.
STEP 3: Press and hold Impulse ignition switch and wait for the ignition. Lights will indicate when reaction will occur.
STEP 2: Insert nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus cup into mold and attach termination clip of nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus Impulse to ignition strip.
STEP 4: Open the mold, remove the expended steel cup and clean the mold – no special disposal required.
Ready to learn more?
Visit our Instructional Videos and Demos section for videos on how to prepare and make a nVent ERICO Cadweld connection and connection time-studies.
Safety Requirements
- Installation instructions are included with every nVent ERICO Cadweld mold. Unless a specific site requires it, no additional licensing is needed. A welding license is not needed to perform an nVent ERICO Cadweld connection.
- Gloves and safety glasses are the only PPE nVent ERICO recommends to safely make most nVent ERICO Cadweld connections.
- Please consult your site requirements for additional PPE procedures.
- nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus Control Unit comes with 6-foot (1.8 meter) or 15-foot (4.6 meter) leads to allow the installer to ignite Cadweld Plus at a distance.
Inspection
Proper inspection of a nVent ERICO Cadweld connection relies on the judgment of the field personnel. Look closely at the size, color, surface finish, and porosity of the connection.
Examples of Acceptable Connections:
With our installation and inspection guide, ensure your nVent ERICO Cadweld connection are made correctly, every time.
- Detailed instruction on how to make nVent ERICO Cadweld connection of all types
- See examples of nVent ERICO Cadweld Quality Standards with photos of accepted or rejected connections
Tips and Tricks
Saving time is everything when you’re on the job. Discover our expert time-saving tricks with Contractor Tips - For the Use of nVent ERICO Cadweld Products.
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