Turnkey contract · Engineering, fabrication, installation and commissioning
Cable baskets for HVDC cable at Nexans in Halden
When Nexans expanded its Halden plant for HVDC cable production, Mekanisk Service Halden delivered 21 rotating cable baskets and 16 loading arms as a turnkey contract. We were responsible from the first drawing until fully tested, CE-marked systems were handed over to Nexans.
What we delivered
- Engineering: design of pedestals, hubs, steel structures, walls and loading arms, and bearing specification together with SKF.
- Fabrication and procurement: steel structures, machining and surface treatment, with test assembly (FAT) in our own workshop.
- Installation: foundations, anchor bolts and grouting, with alignment verified by laser tracker.
- Commissioning and handover: electrical and automation work with Goodtech, SAT, CE marking, training and takeover.
The installation comprises nine 550 tonne cable baskets in the sheathing hall, eight 400 tonne baskets in the degassing hall and four 600 tonne baskets for conductor.
SKF bearings in every cable basket
Each cable basket rotates on an SKF slewing bearing with a hardened external gear and a diameter of 3.5 metres. The bearings weigh 2.2 tonnes each. We used one bearing design in two variants: the baskets in the degassing hall were given heat resistant seals and spacers, as the hall runs at around 70 °C with peaks of up to 80 °C.
The bearings were mounted on the steel pedestals in our workshop with controlled bolt tightening, and the pedestals were shipped to site fully assembled. This shortened installation time and reduced risk on site.
Measured and documented
After installation we measured the ovality of all 21 bearings with a laser tracker. The average was 0.18 mm and the highest value 0.42 mm, against a tolerance of 0.80 mm. The measurements are part of the complete project documentation, which Nexans received as an MRB (Manufacturing Record Book). Read more about measurement and inspection and our cooperation with SKF.
Project facts
| Client | Nexans, Halden |
| Contract | Turnkey, CE-marked systems |
| Documentation | Complete MRB (Manufacturing Record Book) |
| Scope | 21 cable baskets and 16 loading arms |
| Load per cable basket | 400, 550 and 600 tonnes |
| Bearings | 21 SKF slewing bearings, Ø3.5 m |
| Partner | Goodtech (electrical and automation) |
Project photos
See also: Wind turbines in cooperation with SKF · All references
Do you have a similar project?
We are happy to discuss engineering, fabrication, installation or service. Send your enquiry to post@mekservice.no or call +47 69 19 48 80.