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Grounding

The Furseweld Process

The Furseweld Exothermic Welding process is a simple,self-contained method of forming high quality electrical connections. The compact process requires no external power or heat source, making it completely portable.Connections are made inside a semi-permanent graphitemold using the high temperature reaction of powderedcopper oxide and aluminium. Exothermic Welding Equipment is used by some of the world’smost demanding customers. By adding Furseweld to the Thomas & Betts product offering, T&B is now the only manufacturer that can offer exothermic welding, as well as compression and bolted connectors for grounding applications. This is how it works: The Mold (1) features a Crucible (2), a Tap Hole (3) and a Weld Cavity (4). The Conductors (5) and (6) to be joined,are located in the Weld Cavity as shown, and the Mold is closed. A steel Retaining Disc (7) is located in the bottomof the crucible, to retain the Weld Powder (8) and Starting Powder (9) which are poured in on top. Ignited with a spark gun, the starting powder sets off anexothermic reaction in the weld powder, reducing it tomolten copper alloy. This instantaneously melts the retaining disc, and flows down the tap hole, to the weldcavity, where it partially melts the conductors, beforecooling to leave a fusion weld of great mechanical and electrical integrity.
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How to use this catalog

Refer to the pictorial index at the beginning of each catalog section to determine the type of connection that you wish to make. Turn to the relevant page, and study the table. There is an illustration for each connection type, and each table providesthe following information:•The Weld Powder size required - Unless otherwise stated,one weld powder is required for each connection made.•The Mold required - The mold part number definesprecisely what the mold can do, and indicates its cost. For example: •The Handle Clamp required - Handle clamps relate directlyto mold price keys. For example, handle clamp HCPK4 is for use with price key 4 molds.•Mold Price Key - This relates to the size of graphite blockused to manufacture the mold, and determines its price. The simplest and smallest molds have the lowest price key numbers.•Sleeves required - Stranded conductors of #6 AWG or lessrequire sleeves, which prevent burning of the strands, and improve the mechanical strength of the connection.•Packing - Molds for connecting stranded conductors toreinforcing bar (CRE type) require sealing with packing.•Mold Sealing Compound - Required when makingconnections to steel surfaces and pipes. Requirement is indicated by a statement at the foot of the table.

Furseweld® Exothermic Grounding - 19554 G

® Furseweld

CC2 - 4 - 250K4/0

A‘Tee’connectionPrice Key 4For a 250K strand for stranded/solidrun with a 4/0circular conductor.strand tap. 9 1 2 8 7 3 4 5 6

G2

©2002 Thomas & Betts Corporation. Specifications are subject to change without notice. www.tnb.com