TE Connectivity's Raychem Tool Free Terminations are cold applied elastomeric terminations for medium voltage cable. They come on a pre-lubricated, crush resistant holdout, so there is no torch and no special tooling. TE sells two separate lines with separate data sheets: the TFT-E for 15, 25 and 35 kV, and the TFT-R for 5/8, 15, 25 and 35 kV. They look alike on a price list but the part numbers and some size ranges are different, so this guide covers both.
From TE's TFT-E data sheet (E110), TFT-E drawing (MV_CA_TFT-E_AMS) and TFT-R data sheet (1308238). Cable ranges follow TE's July 2025 Power Transmission and Distribution catalog.
| TFT-E | TFT-R | |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage classes | 15, 25, 35 kV. TE's drawing also lists unshedded 5/8/15 kV -G kits. | 5/8, 15, 25, 35 kV |
| Cable | Single core polymeric cable | Single conductor shielded and non-shielded extruded dielectric cable |
| Largest conductor listed | 1250 kcmil | 1250 kcmil |
| Housing | Elastomeric housing with integral sheds | Elastomeric tubing, with -G indoor and -SG outdoor shielded kits |
| Stress control | Metal oxide matrix | Metal oxide matrix |
| Holdout | Pre-lubricated, crush resistant | Pre-lubricated, crush resistant |
| Repositioning | TE says the termination can be repositioned after installation | Not listed |
| ShearBolt kits | Aluminum ShearBolt kits for 35 kV | Not listed |
| Standard | Meets or exceeds IEEE-48-1996 Class 1 | Not listed on the sheet |
| Packaging | 3 terminations per box | 3 terminations per box |
| Test reports | EDR-5302 (15 kV), EDR-5303 (25 kV), EDR-5299 (35 kV) | The same three, plus EDR-5306 (indoor, non-shedded) and EDR-5527 (TFT-P) |
TE lists these features for the line: maintenance free, long life even in highly contaminated areas, outstanding UV stability, a crush resistant core that prevents collapsing from rough handling, moisture and contamination sealing, easier installation in confined spaces, and fewer kits to cover a wide range of cable sizes (TFT-R).
TE says the TFT-E meets or exceeds IEEE-48-1996 Class 1 termination requirements, including these values. The sheet prints the DEV column as shown.
| Insulation class | 6 h AC | DEV | BIL | DC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 kV | 35 kV | 13 kV | 110 kV | 75 kV |
| 25 kV | 55 kV | 21.5 kV | 150 kV | 105 kV |
| 35 kV | 75 kV | 30 kV | 200 kV | 140 kV |
The E in TFT-151E is the product line. The ending after it tells you which cable the kit is built for. This comes from TE's TFT-E drawing (MV_CA_TFT-E_AMS, 2021), which sorts every kit by cable type.
| Ending | Example | Cable it is for | Ground connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | TFT-152E | CN and JCN cable (concentric neutral). TE's 15 kV install sheet (PII-55057) also lists flat strap neutral cable. | No ground braid or clamp listed |
| -SG | TFT-152E-SG | Tape shielded cable. TE's 15 kV and 25 kV SG install sheets (PII-55067 and PII-55072) also list wire shield, UniShield and lead sheath cable. | Solder-blocked ground braid and solderless ground clamp |
| -SLC | TFT-152E-SLC | Longitudinally corrugated (LC) shielded cable | Solder-blocked ground braid and solderless ground clamp |
| -G | TFT-152E-G | Tape shielded cable, 5/8/15 kV, no sheds | Not stated on the drawing |
The drawing lists the -G kits only at 5/8/15 kV, in sizes 151 to 153, and only for tape shielded cable. At 15, 25 and 35 kV the E, -SG and -SLC versions come in every size shown below. TE's catalog describes LC as a longitudinally corrugated shield. If you are not sure your cable is an LC type, confirm with us before ordering.
The drawing gives the number of sheds (skirts) and the installed length L for each voltage class. TE notes that installed length can vary with the cable dimensions and the connector type.
| Voltage class | Sizes | Sheds | Installed length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8/15 kV, -G only | 151 to 153 | 0 | 10.5 in. |
| 15 kV | 151 to 154 | 3 | 11.5 in. |
| 25 kV | 251 to 254 | 5 | 15 in. |
| 35 kV | 352 to 354 | 8 | 25 in. |
Sizes on the drawing are based on typical dimensions of 100% insulated cable and commonly used AEIC connectors. TE lists the nominal 100% insulation thickness as 175 mils at 15 kV, 260 mils at 25 kV and 345 mils at 35 kV. For cable made to other specifications, confirm the selection against your cable dimensions. The standard kits do not contain connectors, so order compression or solder connectors separately.
Sizes follow TE's July 2025 catalog. The no-ending kit for the 35 kV 352 covers a narrower range than the -SG and -SLC kits, so it gets its own row. Sizes are based on 100 and 133% concentric stranded cable dimensions. Insulation OD is in millimeters, with inches in parentheses.
| Voltage | Kit | Conductor (AWG/kcmil) | Insulation OD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 kV | TFT-151E / SG / SLC | #2 to 250 | 16 to 28 (0.64 to 1.09 in.) |
| 15 kV | TFT-152E / SG / SLC | 4/0 to 500 | 22 to 37 (0.85 to 1.45 in.) |
| 15 kV | TFT-153E / SG / SLC | 500 to 750 | 27 to 43 (1.06 to 1.70 in.) |
| 15 kV | TFT-154E / SG / SLC | 1000 to 1250 | 38 to 56 (1.49 to 2.20 in.) |
| 25 kV | TFT-251E / SG / SLC | #1 to 2/0 | 16 to 28 (0.64 to 1.09 in.) |
| 25 kV | TFT-252E / SG / SLC | #2 to 350 | 22 to 37 (0.85 to 1.45 in.) |
| 25 kV | TFT-253E / SG / SLC | 250 to 750 | 27 to 43 (1.06 to 1.70 in.) |
| 25 kV | TFT-254E / SG / SLC | 750 to 1250 | 38 to 56 (1.49 to 2.20 in.) |
| 35 kV | TFT-352E | 1/0 to 4/0 | 22 to 33 (0.85 to 1.31 in.) |
| 35 kV | TFT-352E-SG / SLC | 1/0 to 250 | 22 to 37 (0.85 to 1.45 in.) |
| 35 kV | TFT-353E / SG / SLC | 4/0 to 350 | 27 to 43 (1.06 to 1.70 in.) |
| 35 kV | TFT-354E / SG / SLC | 500 to 1250 | 38 to 56 (1.49 to 2.20 in.) |
TE lists three 35 kV TFT-E kits that include an aluminum ShearBolt connector.
| Kit | Conductor (AWG/kcmil) | Insulation OD | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFT-353E-T5 | 1/0 to 350 | 26 to 38 mm (1.05 to 1.48 in.) | ASBT-2-350 |
| TFT-354E-T8 | 350 to 750 | 35 to 46 mm (1.36 to 1.82 in.) | ASBT-350-750 |
| TFT-354E-T9 | 600 to 1000 | 40 to 56 mm (1.57 to 2.20 in.) | ASBT-600-1000 |
The TFT-R covers the 5/8 kV class and non-shielded cable, which the TFT-E sheet does not. Insulation OD is in millimeters, with inches in parentheses.
| Type | Kit | Conductor (AWG/kcmil) | Insulation OD |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFT-P-R, shielded, indoor, push on | TFT-P-80R | #6 to #2 | 10 to 16 (0.39 to 0.61 in.) |
| TFT-R, 5 kV, non-shielded, indoor and outdoor | TFT-50R | #2 to 3/0 | 13 to 20 (0.53 to 0.80 in.) |
| TFT-R, 5 kV, non-shielded, indoor and outdoor | TFT-51R | 1/0 to 250 | 16 to 28 (0.64 to 1.09 in.) |
| TFT-R, 5 kV, non-shielded, indoor and outdoor | TFT-52R | 250 to 500 | 22 to 37 (0.85 to 1.45 in.) |
| TFT-R, 5 kV, non-shielded, indoor and outdoor | TFT-53R | 350 to 750 | 27 to 43 (1.06 to 1.70 in.) |
TE also lists shielded 5 and 8 kV kits, the TFT-R-G series, without sheds. They use the same part numbers as the 15 kV kits but with different conductor ranges:
| Kit | 5 kV conductor (AWG/kcmil) | 8 kV conductor (AWG/kcmil) | Insulation OD |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFT-150R-G | #2 to 3/0 | #2 to 3/0 | 13 to 20 (0.53 to 0.80 in.) |
| TFT-151R-G | 2/0 to 250 | 1/0 to 250 | 16 to 28 (0.64 to 1.09 in.) |
| TFT-152R-G | 350 to 500 | 250 to 500 | 22 to 37 (0.85 to 1.45 in.) |
| TFT-153R-G | 500 to 750 | 500 to 750 | 27 to 43 (1.06 to 1.70 in.) |
| Type | Kit | Conductor (AWG/kcmil) | Insulation OD |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFT-R-G, shielded, indoor | TFT-150R-G | #2 to 3/0 | 13 to 20 (0.53 to 0.80 in.) |
| TFT-R-G / TFT-R-SG, shielded, indoor / outdoor | TFT-151R-G / TFT-151R-SG | #2 to 250 | 16 to 28 (0.64 to 1.09 in.) |
| TFT-R-G / TFT-R-SG, shielded, indoor / outdoor | TFT-152R-G / TFT-152R-SG | 4/0 to 500 | 22 to 37 (0.85 to 1.45 in.) |
| TFT-R-G / TFT-R-SG, shielded, indoor / outdoor | TFT-153R-G / TFT-153R-SG | 500 to 750 | 27 to 43 (1.06 to 1.70 in.) |
| TFT-R-SG, shielded, outdoor | TFT-154R-SG | 1000 to 1250 | 38 to 56 (1.49 to 2.20 in.) |
| Voltage | Kit | Conductor (AWG/kcmil) | Insulation OD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 kV | TFT-251R-SG | #1 to 3/0 | 16 to 28 (0.64 to 1.09 in.) |
| 25 kV | TFT-252R-SG | 2/0 to 500 | 22 to 37 (0.85 to 1.45 in.) |
| 25 kV | TFT-253R-SG | 250 to 750 | 27 to 43 (1.06 to 1.70 in.) |
| 25 kV | TFT-254R-SG | 750 to 1250 | 38 to 56 (1.49 to 2.20 in.) |
| 35 kV | TFT-352R-SG | 1/0 to 250 | 22 to 37 (0.85 to 1.45 in.) |
| 35 kV | TFT-353R-SG | 4/0 to 500 | 27 to 43 (1.06 to 1.70 in.) |
| 35 kV | TFT-354R-SG | 500 to 1250 | 38 to 56 (1.49 to 2.20 in.) |
Compared with the TFT-R -SG kits, the TFT-E -SG and -SLC kits match at 15 kV and differ in three places at 25 and 35 kV. The no-ending TFT-E 352 kit at 35 kV covers a narrower range than either, as the sizing table above shows.
| Kit | TFT-E (-SG / -SLC) | TFT-R (-SG) |
|---|---|---|
| 251 (25 kV) | #1 to 2/0 conductor | #1 to 3/0 conductor |
| 252 (25 kV) | #2 to 350 conductor | 2/0 to 500 conductor |
| 353 (35 kV) | 4/0 to 350 conductor | 4/0 to 500 conductor |
| Item | What TE lists |
|---|---|
| BRKT series | Stainless steel cable mounting brackets, in four sizes for cable diameters from 0.80 to 2.40 in. |
| MOD-3-TFT series | Three conductor modification kits that rejacket the phase conductors and provide breakout seals |
| Lugs and pin terminals | Available. TE's TFT-R sheet names a complete line of Utilux copper compression terminals. |
| Step | What to decide |
|---|---|
| 1 | Voltage class. For 5/8 kV, the TFT-R sheet lists the full range. The TFT-E drawing also shows unshedded 5/8/15 kV -G kits for tape shielded cable. |
| 2 | Shielded or non-shielded cable. Non-shielded kits are on the TFT-R sheet. |
| 3 | Insulation OD. Measure the cable and pick the kit whose range covers it, then check the conductor. |
| 4 | Cable type. On the TFT-E, no ending is for CN and JCN cable, -SG is for tape shielded cable (TE's 15 and 25 kV SG install sheets also list wire shield, UniShield and lead sheath cable) and -SLC is for longitudinally corrugated (LC) shielded cable. On the TFT-R, -G is indoor and -SG is outdoor, so the endings do not mean the same thing on the two lines. |
| 5 | Connector. At 35 kV, the TFT-E has kits that include an aluminum ShearBolt connector. Otherwise order your lug or pin separately. |
The TFT-E and TFT-R are cold applied, so they need no torch. For a cold shrink silicone alternative see the CST guide, and for heat shrink see the HVT and HVT-Z guide.
Tool Free Termination. TE sells the TFT-E and TFT-R as separate lines.
The TFT-E covers 15, 25 and 35 kV single core polymeric cable, with integral sheds and 35 kV ShearBolt kits. The TFT-R covers 5/8, 15, 25 and 35 kV, including non-shielded cable. Their part numbers differ, and the conductor ranges differ on the 251 and 252 kits at 25 kV and the 353 kit at 35 kV.
No. TE describes the TFT as a cold applied system on a pre-lubricated, crush resistant holdout.
TE lists repositioning after installation as a TFT-E feature.
Up to 1250 kcmil on both lines.
Three terminations per box on both lines.
Yes, with the TFT-R. TE's 5 kV non-shielded kits run from TFT-50R to TFT-53R.
The E is the product line. With no ending after it, the kit is for CN and JCN cable, and TE's 15 kV sheet adds flat strap neutral. The -SG kit is for tape shielded cable. TE's 15 kV and 25 kV SG install sheets (PII-55067 and PII-55072) also list wire shield, UniShield and lead sheath cable for them. The -SLC kit is for longitudinally corrugated (LC) shielded cable. TE says both the -SG and -SLC kits contain a solder-blocked ground braid and a solderless ground clamp. The -G kits are the unshedded 5/8/15 kV versions for tape shielded cable.
TE says the TFT-E meets or exceeds IEEE-48-1996 Class 1 termination requirements. The TFT-R sheet does not state a standard.
To order a TFT-E or TFT-R kit, contact Powertech Associates at info@powertech-upsc.com or (860) 678-8772 with the voltage class, cable size and whether the cable is shielded. We can also cross-reference other manufacturers' part numbers.
