Cablegard – cold applied anticorrosive grease for overhead conductors.

The answer to an expensive problem!

•  Inhibits corrosion •  Extends conductor life  •  Reduces costs  •  Cold applied

Clean, Quick, Simple

  • Clean, easy application
  • No need to heat, pumps cold
  • Stays in place, will not melt or drain away

High Performance

  • Unique patented formulation
  • Protects aluminium, zinc and steel individually and in mutual contact
  • Reliable, long-term protection

Versatile

  • Stays in place up to 200C
  • Remains flexible to -40C
  • Fills the conductor completely

Economical

  • Cold applied – no heating costs
  • Improved safety – no handling hot grease
  • Considerably extends life of conductors

The Problem

Most overhead power cables/conductors consist of aluminium strands, sometimes reinforced by central strands of galvanised steel (ACSRs).

Although aluminium is generally considered to be fairly corrosion resistant, it is prone to crevice corrosion.  A stranded conductor inevitably presents many crevices, as each strand is in contact with its neighbours.  Importantly, the zinc of the galvanised reinforcing strands of ACSRs is also prone to crevice corrosion.

The most corrosive atmospheres are generally encountered in salt-laden coastal regions and in industrial areas with their atmospheric pollutants such as sulphur dioxide.  Given that much of the world’s population and its accompanying industry is concentrated in coastal regions both salt and acid pollutants are frequently found together.  Clearly the life of a conductor is determined by the degree to which it can withstand this corrosive cocktail.

The traditional method of combatting corrosion has involved the application of a molten grease during the manufacture of the conductor.  This entails maintaining a large, thermally insulated reservoir of permanently molten grease and pumping it at the point(s) of application.  The process is somewhat hit-or-miss and generally fails to completely fill the crevices between the conductor strands. In fact, specifications call for only a 65% minimum of the theoretical fill – leaving as much as 35% of the length of the conductor unprotected.  A chain is only as strong as its weakest link!

At least as important as filling the conductor is that the grease should be an effective corrosion protective for aluminium, zinc and steel, both individually and also in mutual contact to prevent galvanic corrosion.  In tests – and in practice – most widely used hot applied greases fail to come up to the highest standards in this respect.

The Solution

Cablegard is the easily applied anticorrosive that reaches where others cannot and performs where  others fail.  It extends conductor life which equates to major cost savings.

Unique Patented Formulation

Cablegard consists of a synergistic blend of corrosion inhibitors, penetrating aids, metal deactivators and age resistors in a highly refined, gelled mineral oil.  It protects all major metals and alloys and is especially effective on steel, aluminium, zinc and copper.

Cold applied

Cablegard is applied during manufacture of the conductor at room temperature – straight from the drum as received.  No need for melting, storing pumping and application of a molten grease with strict temperature controls and viscosity issues.  Cold application makes for a much cleaner operation.

Stays in place

Cablegard is fluid at room temperature during pumping and application but immediately gels and stiffens to a grease-like consistency to remain firmly in place even at extreme temperatures.

Fills the conductor completely

Unlike hot applied greases, Cablegard’s unique viscosity and flow characteristics enable the entire conductor to be 100% filled to ensure complete protection, eliminating the threat of crevice corrosion.

Will not melt or drain away

Cablegard’s unique gelling, or thickening, system imparts excellent high temperature properties to the product.  It will not melt, even at temperatures as high as 200C.  In short, it stays where it is put, regardless of the highest temperatures likely to be encountered.

Here to help…

We formulated Cablegard in response to a specific requirement.  It’s a uniquely effective product with not a single instance of failure reported in nearly 30 years.

If you have a particular corrosion issue and don’t see the perfect product to address it, we have decades of experience in bespoke corrosion preventatives and will work with you to produce an effective solution that is perfect for you.

Call Vapor-Tek now on 01204 521795