Birds, squirrels and other animals cause outages when they bridge energized parts. TE Connectivity's Raychem wildlife and asset protection range covers several places they reach. This guide shows which Raychem product covers which part of the equipment, how the products compare, and where to find the detailed guide for each one.
| What you are protecting | Product | Form | Voltage, as listed by TE | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busbars (tubing, new work or where tubing can slide on) | BBIT | Heavy-wall heat shrink tubing | Specified applications up to 36 kV | BBIT vs BPTM guide |
| Busbars (tubing, medium wall) | BPTM | Medium-wall heat shrink tubing | Specified applications up to 25 kV | BBIT vs BPTM guide |
| Busbars (retrofit, complex shapes) | HVBT | Heat shrink, adhesive-coated tape | At least 17.5 kV AC withstand with one layer, 36 kV with two layers | HVBT guide |
| Busbars (retrofit, complex shapes) | MVFT | Self-amalgamating silicone fusion tape | At least 15 kV AC withstand with one layer, 35 kV with two layers | See below |
| Substation leads and jumpers | MVCC | Split silicone conductor cover | Up to 25 kV phase-to-ground | See below |
| Breaker, transformer and pole-top transformer bushings | BCAC-IC | Double-hinged insulating cover | Bushings rated 15 kV to 36 kV | See below |
| Substation bus insulators | BISG-24 | Grill-style animal guard | No voltage rating stated on the sheet | See below |
BBIT is heavy-wall heat shrink tubing and BPTM is medium-wall. Both insulate copper and aluminum busbars, and TE lists BBIT for specified applications up to 36 kV and BPTM for specified applications up to 25 kV. Our BBIT vs BPTM guide has the sizing tables, the differences and the installation video.
HVBT is a heat shrink, adhesive-coated tape for insulating busbars. TE describes it as a retrofit solution, particularly where existing equipment cannot be dismantled, and it can go over a wide variety of shapes, including complex connections. A single layer, two-thirds overlapped, gives AC voltage withstand of at least 17.5 kV, and a second layer raises it to 36 kV. See the HVBT guide for the sizing tables and installation video.
The Raychem Medium Voltage Fusion Tape (MVFT) is a self-amalgamating tape that provides insulation enhancement and protection against accidentally induced discharge. It combines the properties of a silicone polymer with a wraparound format. TE aims it at wildlife and asset protection, particularly retrofit insulation of busbars where equipment cannot be dismantled.
From TE's MVFT cut sheet (EPP-2644-7/18). The linked part number goes to our online store.
| Part Number | Length | Width | Color | Standard Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVFT-G-2-12(B4) | 11 m (12 yd) | 50 mm (2 in) | Gray | 4 rolls |
| MVFT-50-6400 | 6.4 m (7 yd) | 50 mm (2 in) | Red | 1 roll |
| Property | Method | Result |
|---|---|---|
| AC dry withstand, 1 minute | 15 kV with one layer, 35 kV with two layers | |
| Dielectric strength (3.4 mm thickness) | ASTM D149 | Greater than 120 kV/cm (300 V/mil) |
| Tensile strength (accelerated ageing, 168 hrs at 150 C) | ASTM D412 | Greater than 1,000 psi (6.8 MPa) |
| Ultimate elongation (accelerated ageing, 168 hrs at 150 C) | ASTM D412 | Greater than 450% |
| Low temperature flexibility, 4 hrs at -40 C | ASTM D2671 | No cracking |
TE also lists loading cycling for 30 days at 130 degrees C with no deformation or splitting, and installation at 0 degrees C without difficulty. TE publishes an MVFT qualification report (EDR-5465) and installation instructions (PII 55874).
The Raychem MVCC is a split, wrap-around silicone cover for substation leads and jumpers. TE designed the covers to protect energized conductors from flashovers due to contact from birds and animals.
From TE's MVCC cut sheet (EPP-2605-7/18). Part numbers with a G are grey, and the others are red. Supplied length is in feet. Linked part numbers go to our online store.
| Part Number | Use Range, mm (in) | Color | Supplied Length (ft) | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVCC-10/.40 (S30) | Up to 11 (0.45) | Red | 50 | 2 pieces |
| MVCC-G-10/.40 (S30) | Up to 11 (0.45) | Grey | 50 | 2 pieces |
| MVCC-19/.75 (S15) | 11 (0.45) to 19 (0.75) | Red | 25 | 2 pieces |
| MVCC-G-19/.75 (S15) | 11 (0.45) to 19 (0.75) | Grey | 25 | 2 pieces |
| MVCC-25/1.0 (S7) | 19 (0.75) to 28 (1.125) | Red | 25 | 1 piece |
| MVCC-G-25/1.0 (S7) | 19 (0.75) to 28 (1.125) | Grey | 25 | 1 piece |
| MVCC-45/1.75 x 4 (S7) | 28 (1.125) to 44 (1.75) | Red | 4 | 6 pieces |
| MVCC-G-45/1.75 x 4 (S7) | 28 (1.125) to 44 (1.75) | Grey | 4 | 6 pieces |
| Property | Method | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric strength (1.91 mm thickness) | ASTM D149 | Greater than 120 kV/cm (300 V/mil) |
| Volume resistivity | ASTM D257 | 1 x 10^13 Ohm cm min. |
| Tracking and erosion resistance | ASTM D2303 | No tracking or erosion to top surface or flame failure |
| Ultimate elongation (accelerated ageing, 168 hrs at 150 C) | ASTM D412 | 90% min. |
TE also lists loading cycling for 30 days at 130 degrees C with no deformation or splitting. TE publishes an MVCC material test report (EDR-5498), a product test report (EDR-5461) and installation instructions (PII 55790).
The Raychem BCAC-IC insulating cover is designed to prevent animal caused outages on breaker, transformer and pole-top transformer bushings rated 15 kV to 36 kV.
From TE's BCAC-IC data sheet (EPP-2675-DDS-11/18). Dimensions are in inches, with millimeters in parentheses. Part numbers with a G are gray, and the others are red. Every size is packed 6 to a box. Linked part numbers go to our online store.
| Part Number | Insulator Core Range | Insulator Shed Range | Cover Height | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCAC-IC-5D/6 (B6) | 1.5-3.5 (38-89) | 2.5-5.0 (63-127) | 6 (152) | Red |
| BCAC-G-IC-5D/6 (B6) | 1.5-3.5 (38-89) | 2.5-5.0 (63-127) | 6 (152) | Gray |
| BCAC-IC-7D/12 (B6) | 3.0-4.87 (76-124) | 3.75-7.00 (96-178) | 12 (305) | Red |
| BCAC-G-IC-7D/12 (B6) | 3.0-4.87 (76-124) | 3.75-7.00 (96-178) | 12 (305) | Gray |
| BCAC-IC-8D/18 (B6) | 3.5-6.25 (90-160) | 4.00-8.00 (100-200) | 18 (455) | Red |
| BCAC-G-IC-8D/18 (B6) | 3.5-6.25 (90-160) | 4.00-8.00 (100-200) | 18 (455) | Gray |
| BCAC-IC-10.5D/20 (B6) | 3.5-8.5 (90-215) | 6-10.5 (150-267) | 20 (508) | Red |
| BCAC-G-IC-10.5D/20 (B6) | 3.5-8.5 (90-215) | 6-10.5 (150-267) | 20 (508) | Gray |
TE lists a minimum tensile strength of 17 MPa (2450 psi), a minimum ultimate elongation of 25%, and no tracking erosion to the top surface or flame failure in step voltage tracking and erosion testing. TE publishes an electrical evaluation (EDR-5514), a material test report (UVR 8209) and installation instructions (EPP-322-10/18) for all BCAC-IC sizes.
The Raychem BISG-24 is an improved isolation guard that prevents animal caused outages in electrical substation equipment. Its grill design keeps switch blades and components visible, and it can be trimmed along the grill ribs for tight phase-to-phase insulator applications.
From TE's BISG-24 cut sheet (EPP-2678-DDS-11/18). The overall diameter can be trimmed to 17 in (432 mm). The linked part number goes to our online store.
| Part Number | Insulator Core Diameter | Overall Diameter | Color | Standard Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BISG-24-01 (B10) | 2.5-5.0 in (62-125 mm) | 24 in (600 mm) | Red | 10 |
| BISG-G-24-01 (B10) | 2.5-5.0 in (62-125 mm) | 24 in (600 mm) | Gray | 10 |
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Power arc (14.4 kV RMS) | No evidence of burns or flames |
| Test current (10 kA RMS, 10 cycles) | No dislodging of guard from insulator |
| Wind tunnel (70 MPH, 10 min) | No dislodging of guard from insulator |
TE publishes a mechanical and electrical evaluation (EDR-5517) and installation instructions (EPP-3146-6/18) for the BISG-24-01. The sheet does not state a voltage rating for the product itself.
Check each data sheet for the voltage rating that applies to your equipment. TE lists the ratings differently for each product.
It is TE Connectivity's line of tubes, tapes, sheets, pre-formed covers and barriers designed to protect equipment against outages from birds, animals and weather.
BBIT and BPTM are heat shrink tubing, heavy-wall and medium-wall. HVBT is a heat shrink, adhesive-coated tape. See the comparison table in our HVBT guide.
Both are wraparound tapes for retrofit busbar insulation. HVBT is a heat shrink, adhesive-coated tape rated at least 17.5 kV with one layer and 36 kV with two. MVFT is a self-amalgamating silicone tape rated at least 15 kV with one layer and 35 kV with two.
It protects energized substation leads and jumpers from flashovers due to contact from birds and animals.
TE lists the MVCC as suitable for up to 25 kV phase-to-ground.
The four MVCC sizes cover conductors up to 44 mm (1.75 in), as shown in the selection table above.
No. TE describes the MVCC as a split, wrap-around cover with tool-free installation. Follow installation instructions PII 55790.
No. It fuses to itself and other insulating materials, but does not adhere to metal or porcelain, so it can be removed for maintenance.
It covers breaker, transformer and pole-top transformer bushings rated 15 kV to 36 kV to prevent animal caused outages. The double-hinged cover snaps into place, and conductors can exit from the top or side without trimming.
Yes. TE says oil fill levels on transformer bushings can be inspected visually.
TE says one person can install it on energized equipment. The wedge-driven design is made for hot-stick installation on vertical and horizontal insulators.
All three are heat shrink products, so you need a propane torch with the right hose and regulator for the job. Our Raychem torches and accessories guide compares the three Raychem torch kits and the hoses and regulators that go with them.
Powertech Associates and Utility Power Supply Company represent TE Connectivity across New England and New York State. Browse our TE Wildlife Asset Protection category, or contact Powertech Associates at info@powertech-upsc.com or (860) 678-8772 and we will help you pick the right product.
Last updated: November 2026.
