nVent ERICO Cadweld vs. Burndy HYGROUND®: Which is Best for Your Project?

When you have a project that requires grounded connections, will you use Burndy HYGROUND® compressions or nVent ERICO Cadweld exothermic welds? Both connections are high-quality and long-lasting, so how do you select the best option for your location?

In this article, we’ll compare nVent ERICO Cadweld and Burndy HYGROUND® compressions to determine which is the most suitable option for different projects and locations.

 

What is a nVent ERICO Cadweld?

nVent ERICO Cadweld is the brand name for an exothermic weld, which means that it uses molten metal to permanently join conductors. To complete an exothermic weld, an installer will pour thermite powder (aluminum and iron oxide) into a graphite mold, then ignite the powder. The metal can heat up to temperatures in excess of 2500°F. Once the metal has cooled and the installer has removed the mold, the connectors are exothermically welded together.

Exothermic welds have been an industry standard since the late 19th century because they create low-impedance, durable connections that last decades. They resist soil corrosion, so they work well in projects with buried connections. nVent ERICO Cadwelds also resist galvanized corrosion, which is preferential corrosion that occurs when two dissimilar metals are welded together.

 
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What is Burndy HYGROUND® Compression?

Burndy HYGROUND® is a grounding method that uses compression rather than welding to create a connection. It creates an irreversible, durable, reliable grounded connection. It’s suitable for a wide range of projects in nearly any setting. Since the HYGROUND® components are all made from copper, they are not susceptible to galvanized corrosion, and they are suitable for underground applications.

Burndy compression technology has been in use for nearly 100 years. Over that time, it has been studied for reliability, lifespan, and quality. Compared to nVent ERICO Cadwelds, Burndy HYGROUND® connections compare favorably and easily pass industry testing standards.

 

 
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Face-off: nVent ERICO Cadweld vs. Burndy Compressions

Both nVent ERICO Cadwelds and Burndy HYGROUND® resist corrosion and are durable enough to last for decades. Each provides the same or greater current capacity than the conductor. Both perform very comparably after a successful installation. So, is there a reason to choose one over another?

Often, engineer preference dictates which connection the installer will use. However, there are specific circumstances in which one is more suitable than the other. If, for example, the grounding system will support a very large current, then an exothermic weld may be the better choice.

 

WHEN TIMELINE AND BUDGET MATTER

In many cases, a HYGROUND® compression connection will be more time and cost-efficient than a nVent ERICO Cadweld. Completing a HYGROUND® connection is significantly quicker than creating an exothermic weld. According to Burndy, an installer can complete a HYGROUND® crimp in about three minutes. Over the course of a project, that could add up to significant labor savings.

To successfully and safely complete an exothermic weld, the environmental conditions must be ideal. There can be no moisture and no wind, and the weld location cannot be near anything that is combustible or flammable. In many cases, weather can delay an installer’s ability to complete an exothermic weld. The cost of delays can add up quickly. On the other hand, an installer can complete a HYGROUND® crimp in any condition, no matter how wet, windy, or flammable the surrounding area.

 
Cadweld vs. Burndy HYGROUND
 


If the conditions aren’t suitable for an exothermic weld, then a HYGROUND® compression is a great alternative.

 

INSTALLATION QUALITY AND INSPECTIONS

Burndy compression connections are easier to inspect than exothermic welds. A completed nVent ERICO Cadweld can only be inspected with an x-ray, and the quality of a weld can vary from one installer to another. However, when a HYGROUND® installer makes a crimp connection, the die number automatically embosses on the connector. An inspector can easily verify that the connection is successful and that the installer used the correct connector, tool, and installation die.

 

DISSIMILAR METALS

All Burndy components are copper, so they aren’t susceptible to galvanic corrosion. However, nVent ERICO Cadwelds may be a better choice for projects that require connecting two different types of metal. If you already have components in place for a grid, for example, that are not copper, then a HYGROUND® compression may not make sense for the project.

 
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Grounding Connections with Wetherbee

High-quality, durable connections are essential to the safety of your employees and facility. Choosing the right connection for your location helps avoid liability issues, plus it reduces the time and money that you have to spend on maintenance. If you’re not sure which type of connection is best for your location, get in touch with Oklahoma’s grounded connection experts. We can discuss your options and then move forward to create expert connections that will last for decades.

Vivek Dixit