Cable jointing is an indispensable exercise for electrical engineers. High expectations are placed on this skill because a cable joint protects cables against dust, moisture ingress, and penetration impact of foreign objects. A range of cable jointing systems and termination kits is available to facilitate engineers to distribute and supply electricity securely at medium/high voltages in transformer terminals, switchgear, air-insulated cable boxes, poles, etc. The emergence of heat shrink technology and time-tested beneficial results strengthen the confidence of end users to use this technology for better security measures to protect their electrical installations. The increasing use of heat-shrink cable joints, heat shrink cable sleeves, and other accessories is the result of expanding range of the product line in each category.

Emergence of Heat Shrink Cable Joints as the Robust Insulation Measure

Cable joints play a key role in the performance of electrical installations and electronic systems. These are used to connect power cables ensuring the continuity of electric current. Different types of heat shrink cable joints are used in industrial and large commercial electrical installations; the selection depends upon the intended application and on-site condition. Similarly, heat shrinkable terminations are made available by the leading manufacturers of heat shrink electrical insulation accessories to facilitate engineers for terminating the power cables securely. Heat shrink accessories shrink to their original size when exposed to heat with an electric or gas heat gun; the phenomenon simplifies the power cable insulation task for engineers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h41GJ_jH20

Types of Heat Shrink Cable Joints for Diverse Needs

• GXLT/GPLT Cable Joints: Suitable for 1, 2, 3, 3 & 4 Core PVC / XLPE/ PILC cables upto3.3kv
• GXS/1236kv Cable Joints: Suitable for 3 Core XLPE/PVC insulated cables for upto 36kv with black Streess Control Sleeve
• GXSS 1236 Cable Joints: Suitable for single core XLPE/EPR/PVC insulated cables for upto 36kv
• GPS/1112 Cable Joints: Suitable for 11kv 3 core PILC cables upto 16 to 630 sq.mm. cable size
• GPS/2436 Cable Joints: Suitable for upto 33kv 3 core screened PILC cables (24 kv & 36 kv Series) upto 25 to 500 sq.mm. cable size
• GTJ/1112kv Cable Joints: Suitable for 3 Core XLPE/PILC Cables upto 12kV upto 3×16-35 to 3×630 sq.mm. cable size
• GTJ/2436 kv Cable Joints: Suitable for 3 Core XLPE/PILC Cables upto 36Kv upto 25 to 3×63 500 sq.mm. cable size

Heat shrink power cable joints are made available in a kit form that contains all the installation aids and accessories required to complete a perfect heat shrink joint.

Selection of Proper Power Cable Joints

Switching to any other methodology from a traditional methodology is done with expectations of getting better results; the same is the case when people start using heat shrink cable joints leaving the conventional practice of using PVC tape. The performance of cable joints depends upon the selection of the right cable joints based on-

• Cable type (structure, material, insulation)
• Cable size (thickness)
• Cable conductors
• Power rating (voltage)
• Required strength and mechanical protection
• On site environmental conditions

The leading cable joint manufacturers and suppliers offer a broad spectrum of heat shrinkable joint products for secure splicing of extruded dielectric shielded power cables in straight and transition styles.

Pro-tip

Heat shrink cable joints need less space and add less weight to cable installations if compared to traditional resin cable joints.

The global demand for heat shrink accessories is increasing fast because these are being trusted by more electrical engineers and industrial consultants for offering a convenient and dependable way to protect different elements of an electrical power system in harsh environments. Heat shrink power cable accessories drive-in reliable sensing solutions and highly engineered connectivity to implement security advancements in transportation, construction, shipping, oil & gas processing, manufacturing, healthcare, consumer products, energy generation, and other industries.

Heat Shrink Power Cable Accessories- A Dependable Electrical Insulation Solution

Power cable heat shrink accessories are being used widely to facilitate joints and terminations as well as to fulfilling the special requirement in electrical installations such as sealing of cable end through end cap, breakouts for cores separation, bus bar taping, bus bar sleeving, rain sheds to increase creepage distance, medium wall tubing for cable joint insulation, right angle and straight boot to insulate switchgear and transformer terminals, cable repair sleeves to ensure wrapping of the repaired cable properly, etc. A wide range of heat shrink power cable accessories and cable sleeves is available today; the selection of the best heat shrink power cable accessories or heat shrink sleeves depends upon site conditions, voltage applications, cable types, operating parameters, etc.

When  You Need Heat Shrink Accessories The Most

The heat shrink power cable accessories effectively meet the special insulation requirements like-

• Heavy polluted areas
• High UV environment
• Salt fog environment
• Oil barrier property
• Flame retardant property
• Fire resistance
• System integrity enhancement
• Functionality during the loss of coolant accident (LOCA) condition
• Gamma radiation resistance

Heat Shrink Products Are Made Of Polyolefin Material

The key benefit of heat shrink products is because of the crosslinking effect of polyolefin material. The polyolefin material performs not only one-way conventional multi-shape memory effects but it is good to have two-way reversible shape memory effect (RSME) also. The shape memory effect is a process when a material regains its original size and shape when heated at a certain temperature for a certain period. The robust quality standards considered by the major players are IEC 60684-3-247 standard, IP 68 (Ingress Protection), RoHS Compliance, CE Certificate Class 3, ERDA Test Certificate for Bus bar tube, MSEDCL Approval upto 11 kV, etc.

The Most Used Power Cable Accessories Categories

The leading manufacturers and suppliers are continuously extending their product lines in different categories to offer their clients an application-fit insulation solution. The top power cable accessories manufacturers offer a range of heat shrink application-ready products in the following categories-

• Heat Shrinkable Joints & Terminations
• Insulation Enhancement Product
• Screened Separable Connectors
• Heat Shrinkable Moulded Shapes
• Heat Shrink Tubes / Heat Shrink Sleeves
• Switchgear Insulation Products
• Cable Sealing & Repair Products
• Overhead Line Cover (Insulcover)
• Overhead Line Tube (Insulcover)
• Pipeline / Corrosion / Cathodic Protection Products
• Pole Protection Products

Plenty Of Choices To Buy Heat Shrink Tubes & Cable Accessories 

The top manufacturers of heat shrink products allow their customers to have custom-to-application heat shrink sleeves and other accessories. You can explore the categories based on preferred material quality and color. The commonly available colors for the distinction of cables are blue, brown, yellow, green, orange, red, white, etc. You can opt for with adhesive and without adhesive accessories as per requirements. The material quality choices that you have include crosslinked polyolefin, crosslinked co-extruded adhesive-lined polyolefin, crosslinked adhesive-lined polyolefin, modified polyolefin, and others.

Pro-Tip

Heat shrink power cable accessories are being used successfully for more than 50 years to better secure low, medium, and high voltage electrical installations in harsh environments. The verified significant reduction in breakdowns, accidents, and maintenance costs is driving industries to embracing heat shrink technology with a valid justification.