MacArtney 11 kV wet mate connector
The MacArtney 11 kV wet mate connector system is a fully tested and EN/CEI/IEC 60502-4 compliant connector solution specifically designed to meet the needs of the marine renewables industry. The wet mate connector eliminates the need to bring cables to the surface by wet mating and de-mating cable infrastructure, wave energy converters (WECs), tidal energy converters (TECs) and floating wind turbines.
MacArtney’s wet mate connector shortens the time needed for connection and makes it possible to operate in waters with limited time windows. This is particularly important for renewable energy devices where changing tides or wave action are often associated with marine renewable deployments. The MacArtney 11kV wet mate connector provides safe and reliable connection to the power grid and addresses a number of fundamental challenges in building and maintaining marine renewable installations. Development of the connector was funded by ETI and testing witnessed by DnV (Det Norske Veritas).
Features and benefits
- EN/CEI/IEC 60502-4 compliant
- 11 kV voltage
- 400 amp current (continuous)
- 16 kA current (short circuit test, ITH)
- 32 kA current (peak test, IPEAK)
- 3 single phase connectors
- 8 fibre optic
- 7 electrical / signal
- 100 m depth rating
- 25 year design life
- Size 2.5m x 0.8m x 0.8m (per connector half)
- Weight approx. 990 kg (per connector half)
- Tested at sea October 2011
Applications
- Wave energy converters
- Tidal energy converters
- Floating wind turbines
- Marine renewable cable infrastructure