Exothermic welding, often called Cadwelding or FurseWeld (from W.J. Furse – a leading earthing equipment supplier) is a cost efficient method of making large or small numbers of high quality electrical connections. It is a simple, self-contained system that uses the high temperature reaction of powdered copper oxide and aluminium, within a mould, to form permanent electrical connections.
Typical applications include:
- Earthing for power plants and sub-stations
- Telecommunications
- Transmission and power distribution lines
- Cathodic protection
- Rail connections
Exothermic System:
- requires no external power or heat source
- creates high quality electrical connections
- is completely portable
- is cost effective
- can be used for over 45 standard connection configurations
Exothermic welding connections have several advantages:
- tolerant to repeated fault currents
- highly conductive
- do not loosen
- excellent corrosion resistance
Most exothermic welded connections have at least twice the cross-sectional area of the conductors being joined, and an equivalent or greater current carrying capacity.
Corrosion resistance is exceptional because of the very high copper content (>90%) of the alloy.