We trace our roots back to 1903 — a time when very few homes or businesses even had electricity — with the founding of the Electric Railway Improvement Company (ERICO). The company in 1939 patented its Cadweld exothermically welded connection, an invention that paved the way for rail car companies to make repairs to rail tracks without large welding equipment. More than 100 million nVent ERICO Cadweld connections are now installed in a broad array of applications around the globe.
Invention
1903
The Electric Railway Improvement Company (ERICO) was formed to manufacture power bonds, signal bonds and related welding equipment.
1938
Dr. Charles A. Cadwell of the Electric Railway Improvement Company invents the Cadweld process – a copper-based, exothermic process for welding copper conductors to steel rails.
See our Articles of Incorporation
See the original Cadweld patent
Application
1949
Cadweld process is introduced for Cathodic Protection applications, specifically formulated to provide minimum heat effect on steel, which is especially important on thin-wall, high-stress pipes.
1951
Adapted the Cadweld process for use in grounding connections adapting the time savings from rail applications for streamlining commercial installations
1959
nVent ERICO Cadweld One Shot developed – a disposable mold for one time use in connecting a copper conductor to conductor and conductor to a ground rod
1988
nVent ERICO Cadweld Exolon introduced for low emission welding connections for sensitive indoor applications with electronic ignition and ceramic filters
Advancement
2003
nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus introduced as first exothermic welding system with self-contained welding material with electronic ignition
2014
nVent ERICO Cadweld is first connection type to pass IEEE 837-2014 requirements for substation grounding – the most rigorous grounding connection qualification testing
See our IEEE Certification
Innovation
2020
Next generation nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus products, including the nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus Impulse Exothermic Welding Control Unit, improve on system safety and ease-of-use.
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