3M Cold Shrink Cable Accessories: Medium (MV) and High Voltage (HV)
For over 60 years, professional electrical workers have trusted 3M for innovative solutions that enhance safety and productivity.
That’s why we invented Cold Shrink technology: a revolutionary alternative to traditional heat shrink cable joints and terminations that can be installed fast and easily, without the need for special equipment or permits.
Performance, Installation and Supply you can trust.
3M™ Cold Shrink Medium Voltage Cable Accessories.
With faster, easier installation, and the long-term reliability provided by superior environmental sealing, 3M™ Cold Shrink Medium Voltage Cable Accessories can help you achieve improved efficiency and performance, as well as significant cost savings.
Read on to learn more about the proven benefits of Cold Shrink technology from the people who invented it.
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Easy installation and reliable performance to terminate indoor and outdoor medium voltage cable.
3M™ Cold Shrink QT-II and QT-III Terminations are pre-stretched track-resistant silicone rubber and Hi-K stress control material delivered on a removable core. Removal of the core (unwind) after positioning the termination allows the product to shrink into position, providing a tight seal.
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Various cold shrink silicone splice joint solutions for power cables of rated voltage from 3,6/6(7,2) kV up to 20,8/36(42) kV.
- Electrical field control device and faraday cage preinstalled in the insulation body
- No tools required for the installation
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3M Separable connectors are used to terminate polymeric, single core power cables of rated voltage from 6/10(12), 12/20(24) and 12/30(36)kV.
- EPDM material
- Various sizes from 25 to 630 mm²
- Various outer cone bushings
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Terminations and joints for 69kV (IEEE)/72.5kV(IEC) Applications
3M cold shrink high voltage accessories install quickly and easily, helping to reduce potential craft errors.
Once installed, the cold shrink tube creates a dynamic, compressive environmental seal and electrical interface without sealants or adhesives or torches.
The cool science of cold shrink technology
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Fast and easy one-step installation
- Enables installation in 1/3 of the time or less compared to heat shrink
- No special tools or work permits required
- Easier to install in tight spaces or inclement weather
- Easy to learn and train
Long-term reliability
- Dynamic ‘living seal’ expands and contracts with variations in temperature and load on the cable
- Designed to last the life of the cable while ensuring excellent electrical performance
* Data based upon U.S. failure data of U.S. manufactured 3M Cold Shrink Medium Voltage Cable Accessories between 2009 and 2012.
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Why heat shrink may not be your best choice
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More complex installation
- Performance highly dependent on installer skill
- Requires torch and hot work permit
- Increases required time and potentially costs
- Installation may require shut-down for facilities containing combustible gasses
Reliability concerns
- Non-integrated design does not allow for factory testing for Medium Voltage Splices
- Creates a static seal that does not expand or contract with the cable, potentially leading to the creation of voids between the cable accessory and the cable, which may potentially lead to failure
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Cold Shrink Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a cold shrink tubing?
A cold shrink tube is a polymeric (EPDM or silicone) tube expanded , then held pre-stretched by a core providing the mechanical stabilization. When the core is removed, the tube shrinks at normal temperature. It does not require any heat compared to Heatshrink tube and this is why it is called COLD SHRINK.
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When was the 1st cold shrink tube invented?
In 1971 3M developped the First Cold shrink Pre-Stretched Tube (PST). Since then 3M developped many different power cable accessories from various voltages classes.
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What are the main benefits of cold shrink power cable accessories?
Easiness of installation for reliability of installation
- - no push-on force needed
- - No specific tools required for installation
- - Limit risk of installation mistakes
Larger range taking with one single accessory
- - Large coverage with cold shrink expansion
- - Use of screw connectors with large range taking
Reduced time of installation to save costs
High Voltage Termination Free of maintenance:
- - No risk of leakage versus wet termination
Robust design:
- - Constant inner pressure: “living seal”
Higher interfacial pressure improves electrical performance
Key Resources for Cold Shrink for Medium and High Voltage
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