| Quantity: | |
|---|---|
4E
Medium voltage cold shrink cable accessories are pre-expanded components manufactured from high-grade silicone rubber or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). They are specifically designed for fast, safe, and reliable installation on medium voltage power cables (typically ranging from 6kV to 35kV, and up to 42kV in some applications).
Unlike traditional heat shrink cable accessories, cold shrink products do not require open flames, hot air guns, or special heating tools. This makes installation safer, cleaner, and more efficient, especially in confined spaces, hazardous environments, or remote field locations.
Cold shrink technology is widely used for:
Cable terminations (indoor and outdoor)
Straight-through joints
Transition joints (e.g., XLPE to PILC)
Plug-in separable connectors
Cable lugs and adapters
Repair and branch joints
The flexible cold shrink structure allows the material to conform tightly to cable surfaces, helping to provide:
Dependable insulation performance
Superior sealing reliability
Long-term service stability
Partial discharge control
These accessories are ideal for utility power distribution, industrial electrical systems, and renewable energy cable networks including solar farms, wind power plants, and energy storage systems.
Cold shrink cable accessories are designed and tested to meet the performance requirements of major international standards for electrical performance, mechanical durability, and environmental resistance. Key standards include:
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| IEC 60502 | Power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for rated voltages from 1 kV up to 30 kV |
| IEEE 404 | Standard for cable joints and terminations for extruded and laminated dielectric cables |
| BS EN 50393 | Test methods and requirements for accessories for distribution cables |
| ASTM D2671 | Standard test methods for heat-shrinkable tubing (applicable to cold shrink materials) |
These certifications ensure that the accessories meet global safety, reliability, and performance benchmarks for medium voltage cable systems.
The main body of each cold shrink accessory is manufactured from high-grade silicone rubber or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). These materials offer:
Excellent UV resistance – suitable for outdoor overhead installations
Ozone resistance – prevents cracking and aging in polluted environments
Moisture resistance – ideal for underground and direct burial applications
Chemical resistance – withstands industrial pollutants, oils, and acids
Wide temperature tolerance – performs reliably from –40°C to +90°C
This material selection helps support stable performance in:
Outdoor substations
Underground cable trenches
Industrial plants (petrochemical, mining, steel)
Coastal and high-humidity regions
Each cold shrink component is pre-stretched over a removable plastic support core (typically a spiral-cut tube). During installation:
The accessory is positioned over the prepared cable.
The support core is pulled and removed.
The accessory shrinks uniformly onto the cable surface without external heating.
This process creates a tight, controlled fit with:
Consistent radial pressure
No voids or air gaps
Reduced installation errors
Minimal dependence on operator skill
The internal structure of cold shrink cable accessories can include multiple integrated functional layers:
| Layer | Function |
|---|---|
| Stress control layer | Manages electrical field distribution at cable screen cut points |
| Insulation barrier | Restores dielectric strength of the cable insulation system |
| Waterproof sealing element | Prevents moisture ingress at cable ends and joint interfaces |
| Semi-conductive layer | Provides electrical continuity for cable shielding |
| Outer protective layer | Resists mechanical abrasion, UV, and environmental stress |
These integrated layers help to improve:
Electrical field distribution
Sealing performance
Long-term operating reliability
No torch, no hot air gun, no open flame required.
Improves installation safety in hazardous areas (e.g., oil refineries, chemical plants, underground tunnels).
Reduces fire risk and site safety requirements.
Suitable for efficient field installation and rapid maintenance.
Average installation time: 15–30 minutes per termination (depending on cable size).
Ideal for emergency repairs and outage restoration.
Cold shrink material adapts well to irregular cable surfaces.
Helps to reduce sealing voids and prevent moisture ingress.
Maintains sealing pressure over decades of thermal cycling.
Supports stable electrical operation in medium voltage cable systems (6kV to 35kV).
Partial discharge free when properly installed (PD level < 5pC at 2U₀).
Compatible with XLPE, EPR, and paper-insulated (PILC) cable systems.
Resists UV radiation, ozone exposure, humidity, and chemical contaminants.
Suitable for:
Outdoor overhead installations
Underground direct burial
Submarine cable transitions
Coastal and desert environments
Designed for long-term operation with low maintenance requirements.
Typical service life: 30+ years under normal operating conditions.
No periodic retorquing or retightening required.
Compatible with:
XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) insulated cables
EPR (ethylene propylene rubber) insulated cables
PILC (paper-insulated, lead-covered) cables (with transition joints)
Accommodates copper and aluminum conductors.
Available for single-core and three-core cable configurations.
Primary and secondary distribution networks (6kV, 10kV, 20kV, 33kV, 35kV)
Substation cable terminations
Underground feeder joints
Cable repairs and network extensions
Mining operations (surface and underground)
Oil and gas refineries
Chemical processing plants
Steel mills and heavy manufacturing
Data centers and industrial parks
Solar farms: cable terminations and joints for DC and AC side connections
Wind power plants: onshore and offshore wind farm cable connections
Energy storage systems: battery storage cable interconnections
Airport power distribution
Railway electrification (traction power cables)
Tunnel lighting and ventilation systems
Port and harbor electrical networks
| Feature | Cold Shrink | Heat Shrink |
|---|---|---|
| Installation tools | No heat required | Torch or hot air gun needed |
| Installation time | Faster (15–30 min) | Slower (30–60 min) |
| Skill dependency | Low | High |
| Fire risk | None | Present |
| Field consistency | High (pre-engineered fit) | Dependent on heating technique |
| Material | Silicone rubber / EPDM | Polyolefin / PVC |
| Shrink mechanism | Mechanical (core removal) | Thermal (heat application) |
| Product Type | Voltage Range | Cable Types | Core Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor termination | 6kV – 35kV | XLPE, EPR, PILC | 1-core, 3-core |
| Outdoor termination | 6kV – 35kV | XLPE, EPR, PILC | 1-core, 3-core |
| Straight joint | 6kV – 35kV | XLPE, EPR, PILC | 1-core, 3-core |
| Transition joint | 6kV – 35kV | XLPE to PILC | 1-core, 3-core |
| Plug-in connector | 6kV – 35kV | XLPE | 1-core |
| Repair joint | 6kV – 35kV | XLPE, EPR | 1-core, 3-core |
Packaging: Each cold shrink accessory is supplied in a sealed plastic bag with a removable support core, complete with installation instructions.
Kit contents: Includes stress control tubes, insulation tubes, sealing mastics, cleaning wipes, abrasive pads, and earth braids (depending on product type).
Standard packing: Individual carton boxes for small quantities; wooden pallets for bulk orders.
Shipping: Worldwide delivery by sea, air, or land freight.
