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 +====== CADWELD ======
 + 
 +===== One Shot ====
 +
 +{{ erico_cadweld_one_shot.jpg|}}The CADWELD® ONE SHOT produces a permanent exothermic connection to a ground rod that will not loosen, corrode or increase in resistance for the life of the installation. A convenient, single-use ceramic mold eliminates the need for a mold and handle clamps and/or frames. Ideal for both threaded and plain copper-bonded ground rods.
 +Features
 +
 +    * Easy to use, single-use ceramic mold eliminates need for mold and frame, handle clamp
 +    * Produces permanent connection that will not loosen or corrode
 +    * NEC® compliant, cULus® Listed
 +    * Rural Utilities Service (RUS) accepted 
 +
 +Applications
 +
 +The CADWELD ONE SHOT is ideal for making permanent reliable connections to ground rods for electrical transmission and distribution, telecommunications and cable television applications. 
 +  * http://www.erico.com/products/E1145WB06.asp
 +  * {{:datasheets:erico_cadweld_one_shot.pdf|}}
 +
 +== PRO == 
 +  * Ideal for field use where reusable molds and tools would be cost-prohibitive
 +  * 
 +
 +== CON ==
 +  * Probably not approved for air transport
 +
 +== COST == 
 +  * Approximately $10 per shot
 + 
 +
 +
 +===== One Shot Plus ===
 +
 +{{ cadweldplusweldmetal.jpg|}}The convenient single-use package makes the connection to the ground rod without a mold or starting material.  Thanks to the electronic CADWELD PLUS Control Unit, welds can now be completed up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) away, increasing flexibility in hard-to-reach areas. The new refractory ceramic body utilized with the CADWELD PLUS ONE SHOT system is more durable than conventional ceramic and resists breaking. 
 +
 +**Features**
 +
 +  * Easy-to-use electronic ignition.  No starting material.
 +  * Durable disposable ceramic body eliminates the graphite mold and frame.
 +  * Produces a permanent connection that will not loosen or corrode.
 +  * NEC® compliant.
 +  * cULus® Listed.
 +
 +**Applications**
 +
 +{{ cadweldplus_cutaway.jpg|}}The CADWELD PLUS ONE SHOT is ideal for making permanent reliable connections to ground rods for electrical transmission and distribution, telecommunications and cable television applications.  
 +  * http://www.erico.com/products/plusoneshot.asp
 +  * {{:datasheets:erico_cadweld_plus.pdf|}}
 +  * Demo Video: http://www.erico.com/public/library/fep/AV0002.mov
 +
 +== PRO == 
 +  * Ideal for field use where reusable molds and tools would be cost-prohibitive
 +  * Easy to handle, store and transport – by air, land or sea in unlimited quantities [Cadweld Plus PDF, p.3]
 +
 +== CON ==
 +  * Requires expensive electrical igniter ({{:pp:grounding_systems:erico_cadweld_plus_control_unit.pdf|Control Unit}}, $135)
 +  * Specific model required for each size wire of connection
 +    * Could use "CADWELD Wrap Sleeve B140A" to adapt smaller wire sizes to a larger wire size mold ({{:datasheets:erico_cadweld_facility_electrical_protection.pdf|CADWELD Catalog}}, p105) 
 +    *  Adapter sleeves also available, as well as mold sealer for packing molds (also p105)
 +
 +
 +== COST == 
 +  * $10 (one connection) to $15 (four connections to ground rod)
 +
 +
 +
 +===== GN Connection Kit =====
 +
 +{{ erico_cadweld_gn.png|}}Ideal for making ground rod connections for the telecommunications, electric distribution or cable television markets.
 +
 +  * Works on ground rods where the head has been "mushroomed"
 +  * Drive rod to installed depth even after the connection has been made
 +
 +The GN Connection Kit can be specified for connecting #6 or #4 solid copper ground wire to 1/2", 5/8", or 3/4" ground rods.  http://www.erico.com/products/GNkits.asp
 +
 +== PRO ==
 +Wire connects to side of ground rod in same direction as ground rod.
 +  * Works on mushroomed ground rod heads
 +  * Can drive ground rod after making the connection
 +  * Multiple connections can be made to a single ground rod
 +  * Better for lightning as there is no 90-degree angle at connection
 +
 +== CON == 
 +  * Requires reusable mold (~$90) & clamp (~$40)
 +  * Large expense for one-time use 
 +
 +== COST == 
 +  * $2/shot
 +
 +
 +===== Telecom Lugs ====
 +
 +Ideal for connecting ground wires to lugs for termination on a ground bus. 
 +
 +  * One CADWELD mold for 7 lug sizes minimizes inventory of molds
 +  * Multiple molds are replaced with ONE versatile mold that utilizes inexpensive conductor sleeves
 +  * No multiple tools or dies required as with crimped connections 
 +  * http://www.erico.com/products/TelecomLugs.asp
 +  * {{:datasheets:erico_cadweld_telecom_lugs.pdf|}}
 +
 +== PRO == 
 +  * Adaptable for multiple sizes of wire (#6, #5, #4, #3, #2)
 +  * Suggests possibility of using this technique for One-Shot molds
 +
 +== CON == 
 +  * Requires expensive mold
 +  * Only connects to specified lugs, not ground rods
 +
 +== COST == 
 +  * Sleeves -- 
 +
 +
 +===== Selection Calculator ===
 +  * http://www.erico.com/static.asp?id=34
 +
 +
 +===== Safety === 
 +  * http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=112161
 +<code>
 +moisture is a huge safety hazard when doing any type of exothermic welding.
 +
 +if there is any moisture in the blocks, or in the strands of wire (think 500 mcm
 +buried in dirt), and you fire the shot, 1/2 second later, there will be a burping
 +sound like an old coffeemaker, and a **fountain** of molten metal will come
 +out the top of the block, about three feet up in the air. it's about 3,000
 +degrees, and will burn thru anything.
 +
 +any material you are wearing is going to be more material they have to pick
 +out at the burn center. first and foremost, do not be in the path of weld
 +material. do not depend on any safety equipment to protect you from weld
 +material. it's thermite, for all practical purposes, and will smoke thru cast iron,
 +copper, or my tennis shoes before you can say "oops".
 +</code>
 +  
 +  * Use the remote electric control unit/igniter
 + 
 +
 +===== Tips === 
 + 
 +  * http://www.k2ut.org/cadweld.html
 +
 +I screwed up a few molds, and had a pretty poor success rate at first. I kept bugging 
 +the folks at R. F. Connection until they got me in touch with the experts at Erico. 
 +Erico has a few products that I would highly recommend to anyone considering this product:
 +
 +  * How to CADWELD, An Easy Connection to Make (videotape)
 +  * CADWELD ONE-SHOT Connections (videotape)
 +  * Booklet: Installers and Inspectors Guide for CADweld Electrical Connections{{:datasheets:erico_cadweld_installers_inspectors_guide.pdf|PDF}}
 +  * Booklet: Contractor Tips for the Use of CADweld Products {{:datasheets:erico_cadweld_manual.pdf|PDF}}
 +
 +I had fouled up a number of one-shots before getting this material, then had a 100% success 
 +rate after looking at the data. 
  
cadweld.txt · Last modified: 2018/05/28 22:29 by 127.0.0.1