Tube enclosed pressure gas insulated electrical cable

A tube enclosed pressure gas insulated electrical cable comprising at least one conductor supported within a tubular enclosure by means of insulators, said conductor being sectionalized into lengths, expansion joints provided between the ends of adjacent sections of said conductor to compensate for thermal expansion of the conductor, each said expansion joint including a flexible conductor strap electrically interconnecting the ends of said adjacent conductor sections, and a protective device interposed between the ends of said adjacent sections at said expansion joint for counteracting the inherent weight of the conductor imposed on said expansion joint and limiting the compressive force applied to said flexible conductor strap when said cable is disposed in other than a horizontal attitude, said protective device comprising a buffer rod located laterally of said conductor strap, one end of said rod being secured to one of said adjacent conductor sections and the opposite end portion thereof bearing against a compression spring located in a recess provided in the other conductor section.