Specialist Insights: from practical challenges to reliable cable splicing solutions

The requirements for cable connections are changing rapidly. Power grids are being placed under increasing load, projects need to be delivered faster, and the conditions in which solutions must perform are becoming more demanding. According to Frank van Lent, this is exactly where the questions arise that determine the reliability of a solution.

Frank has been working at Lovink Enertech since 2019 and is active within R&D as a project manager for large development projects. In his role, he is involved in both the technical development of products and the organisation of the development process itself. One central question drives his work: what challenges do customers face in practice, and how can these be translated into workable solutions?

As he explains: “It all starts with understanding the customer’s challenge. Where are their problems, and how can we develop a solution that fits their needs?”

Development does not start with the solution

Within product development, Frank emphasises that it is not about immediately creating a solution, but about clearly defining the problem.

“In many cases, customers already have an idea in mind,” he explains, “but this is often based on what they already know. If you really want to innovate, you need to go beyond that.”

This also means that the initiative for development arises from a combination of market insights, customer feedback and experiences from projects.

According to Frank, close collaboration with customers plays an essential role in this process: solutions are not only developed but also validated in practice. “We continuously verify whether what we develop truly matches what the customer needs and expects.”

Increasing pressure on grids requires different solutions

One of the key developments Frank observes is the growing demand for electricity. Power grids need to be expanded and reinforced, often under significant time and capacity constraints.

“The energy transition requires much more grid capacity,” he explains. “At the same time, grid operators are dealing with personnel shortages and rigid processes, which makes it difficult to scale up quickly.”

This pressure is directly reflected in product development. Solutions must not only perform technically but must also be faster and easier to install.

“A key focus for us is reducing the number of installation steps and minimising the risk of errors. The simpler the installation process, the more reliable the end result.”

Different applications require different choices

Not every application requires the same properties. Frank sees clear differences between, for example, grid operators and renewable energy projects.

For grid operators, the focus is often on:

long-term reliability
robustness
applicability in limited space

“In urban environments, for example, space plays a much bigger role,” he explains. In renewable energy projects, the focus shifts more towards capacity and performance.

This means that product development always involves tailored decision-making, depending on the application and the environment in which a solution needs to function.

Why cable splices are more than a detail

In practice, Frank sees that cable splices are often underestimated, even though they play a critical role in the performance of the network.

One of the main differences compared to traditional solutions lies in the installation process. For example, when using shrink-based techniques: “Shrinking is a real skill. In the field, errors are still made quite frequently.”

This is where Lovink solutions offer a clear advantage. They are designed in such a way that errors are either less likely to occur or become visible at an early stage. “Up until quite late in the installation process, you can still see whether everything has been done correctly. That gives control and reduces the chance of mistakes.”

Development of the LoviX® product range

The development of the LoviX® product range marks an important step for Lovink. According to Frank, the LoviX® line continues to expand as an addition to the existing LoviSil solutions.

Within this range, the introduction of the LoviX® R70 is a key development, with availability planned in the near future. This extension is not purely driven by technical considerations but is primarily the result of changing demands from the market.

Frank explains: “When we started with the LoviX® line, the focus was on smaller cable cross-sections, because we expected the highest demand there. But the market has changed. Cable sizes are increasing, and so are the requirements.”

Where cable sizes around 500 kcmil used to be standard, 1250 or even 1500 kcmil are now increasingly common. This development requires solutions that can handle higher capacities, without compromising reliability or practical applicability.

Practical example: requirements from a grid operator

During the development process, it became clear that a large grid operator was dealing with high screen currents, caused by cables being installed in parallel instead of triangular configurations. This creates different requirements for the connection.

Frank explains how practical insights directly influence the design: “By working closely with customers during development, we can take these requirements into account from the start. That ensures the solution not only works technically but also fits real-world application.”

By incorporating this information at an early stage, these requirements were directly integrated into the design of the LoviX® R70. As a result, the solution is also suitable for situations involving high screen currents and parallel cable layouts.

Testing and validation as the basis for trust

Testing is a fundamental part of product development. According to Frank, this is not only about verifying functionality, but also about building confidence for customers.

Cable splices undergo a standard type test consisting of multiple phases:

initial electrical testing
accelerated ageing
repeated testing after loading

During these tests, the product is exposed to extreme conditions to simulate both mechanical and electrical ageing. Only when a solution continues to perform after these stages can it be considered reliable.

What development ultimately delivers

For Frank, the value of development lies not only in the final product, but also in the process behind it. “What I’m most curious about is whether customers will see the same advantages that we see.”

The real confirmation only comes in practice, once a solution is applied in actual projects. At the same time, he looks back with pride on the development of the LoviX® line. “This is a new product range for a growing market segment, making it an important step for Lovink.”