Splicing medium voltage cable comes down to one early decision: heat shrink or cold applied. After that you match the splice to your voltage class, cable type, conductor size and insulation diameter. This guide covers the TE Connectivity Raychem in-line splices we stock and what each one is built for.

Heat shrink or cold shrink: which Raychem splice do I need?

TE makes both and says the choice depends on the technical needs of the project.

TE's own bottom line: heat shrink offers a wide range of connections with proven longevity and a lower total cost of ownership, and cold applied is especially good where gas torch use is restricted or space is constricted. Both resist UV, pollution, chemicals, salt fog and tracking, and both can be built to flame retardant requirements.

What is the Raychem CSJA cold shrink joint?

The CSJA is an all-in-one in-line joint for 15 to 35 kV single conductor shielded cable. It splices tape shield, wire shield, LC shield, UniShield, JCN and flat strap cables. The one-piece silicone rubber body has factory-molded stress cones and a Faraday cage, so no void-filling stress relief mastic is needed. A pre-expanded EPDM rejacketing splice and integrated neutral sock are part of the kit, and the shield continuity design can bridge concentric neutrals.

The ergonomic spiral holdout releases with low force, and the splice body is 14 to 19 inches long on the holdout. With a shear-bolt connector it is a crimpless system. Each splice body is factory tested for AC withstand and partial discharge under IEEE 404, and the design meets IEEE 404 for 15 to 35 kV. More in our CSJA write-up.

CSJA 1522-2822 cold shrink splice for single core polymeric insulated (XLPE-EPR) cables up to 35kV

CSJA kits with aluminum mechanical connector

The CSJA-1521M0 is the copper connector version (#2 to 4/0). Kits with an M0 to M3 number use a copper connector and M4 to M10 use aluminum. CSJA joints are also made without a connector (CSJA-1521 through 3525). For external grounding, TE offers the CSJ-EG-1, -2 and -3 kits with 24 in of moisture blocked braid in #8, #6 and #4. Order by insulation OD and jacket OD first, then confirm the connector against the conductor diameter.

What are the Raychem heat shrink splices?

TE's Raychem heat shrink joint line covers in-line splices, transition splices, tap splices and armored cable splices. All of them are installed with a torch, and TE says the HVS 1/C splice is suitable for connections in permanent water such as flooded vaults and manholes.

How TE describes each family

• HVS 1/C: low profile with minimal diameter buildup, qualified to IEEE 404, for copper tape, wire shield, lead sheath and UniShield cables. It shrinks to fit out-of-round and out-of-spec cable. The solderless grounding kit includes a ground clamp, ground braid and shielding mesh. Kits without a connector in the part number do not include one. When the cable is outside the standard range, the HVS-SHIM kits (1 through 6) cover it.
• Transition kits (HVS-T, HVSR-T): built to splice a three-core PILC cable to three one-core polymeric cables.
• HVSY wye tap: internal moisture seals give a redundant seal against water, it accepts a wide range of main and tap cable sizes, and it is qualified to IEEE 404. It uses a branch clip and TE's heavy-duty MBSM wraparound sleeve.
• HVSA-3 armored cable: rebuilds the armor mechanically and seals with a heat shrink wraparound. It complements the standard HVS 3/C splices and meets the same performance criteria as the single conductor kits.

HVS 1/C in-line splice sizes

For single conductor shielded cable. Insulation OD in inches for the wraparound kits, millimeters for the 35 kV kit.

HVS-T and HVSR-T transition splice sizes

For splicing three-core PILC cable to three one-core polymeric cables. Insulation OD and sheath OD in millimeters, from TE's data.

Welcome to TE's Raychem HVS-T heat shrink splice installation video. We will be splicing a 15 KV three conductor paper insulated lead covered cable (PILC) to 3ea 15 KV single conductor extruded dielectric Flat Strap shielded power cable.

HVSY wye tap splice sizes

Insulation OD in millimeters.

HVSA-3 armored cable splice sizes

For three-core armored cable. Insulation OD in millimeters.

Splice extend ground kits

When the shield or ground connection has to be carried past the splice, TE offers HVS-EG kits. We stock the HVS-EG1, HVS-EG2, HVS-EG3 and the EG-3-1, EG-3-2 and EG-3-3 variants.

How do I pick the right splice kit?

1. Confirm the voltage class. 5, 15, 25, 28 or 35 kV, from the cable rating.
2. Identify the cable. Single or three conductor, armored or not, and the shield type: tape, wire, LC, UniShield, JCN or flat strap. PILC to polymeric needs a transition kit. A branch connection needs a wye tap.
3. Measure the insulation OD and conductor size. Pick the kit whose ranges cover both.
4. Choose heat or cold shrink. A restricted torch or tight space points to cold shrink. Out-of-round cable or a long-service-life preference points to heat shrink.
5. Plan the connector. CSJA M-number kits and HVS-S and HVS-C kits come with a connector. Other HVS kits need one ordered separately.
6. Add what the job needs. Cable prep and cleaning, like the MV Cable Clean and Seal Kit, and a ground kit if the shield must be extended.

Frequently asked questions

Is cold shrink better than heat shrink?

Neither wins every job. TE makes both. Cold shrink suits places where torches are restricted and gives a compact one-piece design. Heat shrink has the longer track record and adapts to out-of-round cable.

Do CSJA kits include the connector?

Kits with an M number do. M0 to M3 are copper and M4 to M10 are aluminum.

Do HVS kits include the connector?

Only the HVS-S and HVS-C kits. The standard HVS kits are sold without one.

What standard do these splices meet?

TE lists the CSJA, HVS 1/C, HVSY and HVSA-3 families as qualified to or meeting IEEE 404.

Can I splice paper-insulated lead-covered cable to extruded cable?

Yes, with a transition kit. The HVS-T and HVSR-T kits splice a three-core PILC cable to three one-core polymeric cables.

What if my cable is outside the kit's range?

HVS-SHIM kits extend the range for cable outside the standard diameters. Contact us before ordering.

Where can I buy Raychem splices in New England or New York?

Powertech Associates and Utility Power Supply Company represent TE Connectivity across New England and New York State. Tell us the voltage, cable type and conductor size and we will help you pick the kit. Contact us at info@powertech-upsc.com or (860) 678-8772.