Splicing medium voltage cable in a vault or manhole means working in tight space, often with water around. The Richards Manufacturing SSC Series Cold Shrink Splice is built for that job. It combines the integral jacket seals and range-taking design of cold shrink with the push-on style positioning of a molded splice, and it can be ordered with a capacitive test point. This guide covers how it works, how to size it, and how to read the part number.

What Is the Richards SSC Series?

The SSC is a cold shrink splicing system for medium voltage power cable through 35 kV. Richards describes it as a hybrid design, taking the best features of cold shrink and push-on technology. It is molded entirely from Richards' cold shrink EPDM and is fully qualified to IEEE Std 404.

Richards says three separate components have been combined into a single design. The splice is range-taking and has an integral jacket seal, so it comes as a complete solution in one package.

Key Features of the SSC Series

• Connectors: Richards' shear bolts are engineered to break below the surface of the connector regardless of cable cross section. That removes the need to file down sharp edges, which can introduce contamination. The connector and the splice are tested together as one system, so there is no guessing about connector and housing compatibility.
• EPDM construction: The splice is molded from 100% EPDM, produced in-house. The bonded semi-conductive jacket gives mechanical impact and tear resistance. The splice body is fully shielded and passes industry qualification testing without a mesh or sock.
• Integral jacket seals: The seals deploy over supplied sealing mastic to seal the metallic shield and outer jacket, forming a barrier against water ingress.
• Centering groove: A common concern with a cold shrink splice is whether it is properly seated. The groove lets the splice reach a positive stop at the center of the connector, and the splice stays centered while you prep the cable and remove the cores.
• Capacitive test point: The center of the splice is unexpanded, which allows an optional capacitive test point. Richards states the SSC is the only cold shrink splicing solution on the market with this feature.
• Easy-to-remove core: Richards designed a compact core that ejects easily instead of a spiral or grease-based holdout. Once ejected, the core separates into halves that can be recycled.
• Neutral options: A bare neutral jumper or a covered neutral jumper carries the neutral connection across the splice.
• Made in the USA: Richards controls material development, product and mold design, and production.

SSC Series Ratings

Richards lists the IEEE 404 industry minimum requirements below. Richards says many of its products exceed them. IEEE requires partial discharge plus a choice of AC or impulse withstand, and Richards runs all three.

Continuous current is cable rated. Short-time current is a maximum of 40 kA for 10 cycles per IEEE Std 404. The SSC was designed and tested per IEEE 404 for extruded and laminated dielectric shielded cable joints and IEEE 592 for semiconducting shields.

SSC Series Sizing Options

SSC splices come in sizes O, P and Q, picked by cable insulation level and conductor size. Sizing is based on AEIC/ICEA dimensional ranges, and the true range on a particular cable construction may vary. For non-standard cables, or cables just outside the minimum or maximum, contact the factory.

Richards adds these cautions: the low end of the range may not fit some compact or compressed cables (1/0 AWG compact at 175 mil, #2 AWG compact at 220 mil, 350 kcmil compact at 175 mil and 500 kcmil compact at 260 mil), so check the minimum insulation diameter. The upper end may not fit some cable sizes with folded back concentric neutral wires, so check fit with a sample before ordering.

Range-Taking Shear Bolt Connectors

Range-taking shear bolt connectors come in two codes, R1 and R2, and are available in aluminum only (Al/Cu rated). The total range of the SSC is the overlap of the connector range and the splice housing range above.

How Do You Read an SSC Series Part Number?

SSC catalog numbers are built from these fields, in order:

Richards' sample number is 62SSCTPR1JA: a 15/25 kV SSC kit with a size P splice and test point, a range-taking aluminum shear bolt connector (R1), and a covered neutral jumper (JA). The standard covered neutral jumper cross section is #2 copper for size O, 1/0 copper for size P and 2/0 copper for size Q. Contact the factory for other jumper sizes.

Size-Specific Connector Codes

If you want a connector sized to your conductor instead of a range-taking one, pick a code for each side of the splice from the table below and write it as the side A code, then H, then the side B code. Aluminum size-specific connectors are available only at or above 350 kcmil. Use the strand/compressed column for standard stranded or compressed conductor and the compact/solid column for compact or solid conductor.

For copper P9CU series lugs on some sizes, Richards says to use code 21 instead. For 550, 650, 750 and 1100 kcmil, confirm the code with Richards or with us before you order. Tell us your cable and we will build the full part number.

Which Neutral Jumper Do You Need?

• Bare neutral jumper (BNJ): Folded-back cable neutral wires or straps are connected across the splice.
• Covered neutral jumper (CNJ): A neutral connection across the splice using Richards' covered jumper, with an integral constant force spring and a pull loop that make installation easier. Order the JA version for full covering, or the JB version if you need an exposed tinned copper center for a tap connection.

SSC, JSCS or CSH: Which Richards Cold Shrink Product Do You Need?

All three are range-taking cold shrink EPDM products from Richards. They do different jobs.

See our guides to the Richards JSCS Series and the Richards CSH Series.

How Do You Install an SSC Splice?

The SSC follows the usual cold shrink order: prep both cables, install the connector, park the splice, remove the cores, set the jacket seals and restore the neutral. Dimensions depend on the cable and the kit, so always follow the instruction sheet packed with the splice or available from Richards.

Richards SSC Series cold shrink splice installation demonstration.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Richards SSC Series?

It is a cold shrink splice for medium voltage power cable through 35 kV. Richards designs it as a hybrid of cold shrink and push-on technologies, with integral jacket seals and range-taking capability.

What does the SSC combine?

Richards says three separate components are combined into a single design, and the splice includes an integral jacket seal.

What voltage classes does it cover?

15/25 kV and 35 kV, selected in the part number by 2 or 3.

What sizes does it come in?

Sizes O, P and Q, chosen by insulation level and conductor size from the sizing table above.

Does it have a test point?

An optional capacitive test point is available. The center of the splice is unexpanded to make room for it.

How does the splice stay centered?

It has a centering groove. As it is pushed from the parked position to the center of the connector, it reaches a positive stop when correctly seated.

What are the neutral options?

A bare neutral jumper or a covered neutral jumper. The covered jumper comes as JA (fully covered) or JB (exposed tinned copper center for a tap).

What standards does it meet?

Richards says the SSC is fully qualified to IEEE Std 404 and designed per IEEE 592 for semiconducting shields.

Can I get the SSC through you?

Yes. Contact Powertech Associates with your cable size and insulation level and we will help you pick the size, connector and neutral jumper.

Where to buy the Richards SSC

Powertech Associates and Utility Power Supply Company represent Richards Manufacturing across New England and New York State. Contact Powertech Associates at info@powertech-upsc.com or (860) 678-8772 for help matching the SSC to your cable. For product details, see the Richards SSC Series Cold Shrink Splice.

Last updated: November 2026.