Cold Shrink Cable Accessories: Can They Replace Heat Shrink?
- Power Frequency Withstand Voltage:
- 54 kV, 5 min, No Breakdown
- Partial Discharge Test:
- Partial Discharge Magnitude≤ 10 pC at 20 kV
- Impulse Voltage Test:
- 125 kV, 10 positive and 10 negative impulses, no breakdown
- Constant Voltage Load Cycling Test (in Air):
- 35 kV, conductor temperature 95–100 ℃, total 60 cycles, no breakdown, no flashover
- Thermal Stability Test (185 mm² Conductor):
- 23.4 kA, 2 s, twice, no visible damage
- Dynamic Stability Test:
- 82.6 kA, ≥ 10 ms, no visible damage
- Moisture Test (Indoor):
- 15 kV, 300 h, no breakdown, no flashover
- Salt Spray Test (Outdoor):
- 15 kV, 1000 h, no breakdown, no flashover
Cold Shrink Cable Accessories replace heat shrink and pre-molded types in most 12–36 kV distribution projects. Three checks decide the swap: cable outer diameter, voltage class, and connector interface standard. Installation needs no torch and no hot work permit, and one kit covers a wider conductor range than pre-molded designs. Kits meet IEC 60502-4, HD 629, and IEEE 404. This article covers the mechanism, a comparison, field figures, a selection checklist, and common questions.
Why Compatibility Now Holds
Cold shrink cable accessories are factory-expanded EPDM or silicone rubber on a pull-out core. Removing the core lets elastic memory contract the material onto the cable. No heat source, no exact cross-section matching.
This removes two old limits. Heat shrink demands torch control and steady hands. Pre-molded joints demand one-to-one cable size matching. A cold shrink cable joint covers a broader conductor span per kit. A cold shrink joint also installs faster than a heat shrink joint, saving labor on site.
Cold Shrink vs. Heat Shrink vs. Pre-Molded
| Factor | Cold Shrink | Heat Shrink | Pre-Molded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Pull support core | Apply heat | Slide and position |
| Hot work permit | Not needed | Required | Not needed |
| Cable size coverage | Wide per kit | Moderate | One-to-one match |
| Skill sensitivity | Low | Moderate to high | Moderate |
| Shelf life | 2–3 years | Longer | Longer |
Fewer SKUs stay on site. That matters when one project spans several cable sizes or a repair cannot wait for a permit.
Three Technical Factors Behind Real Compatibility
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Interfacial pressure stays stable after thermal cycling. Heat shrink pressure relaxes over time.
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Silicone rubber conforms to cable bends and surface irregularities, blocking void formation that leads to partial discharge.
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Standards coverage matches. Kits meet IEC 60502-4, HD 629, and IEEE 404 for the same voltage classes.
Field Evidence and Rated Range
A 2009–2012 U.S. medium-voltage study reported 0.067% joint failure and 0.022% termination failure. Later manufacturer service records list rates below 0.0006%. These are separate records, not a contradiction.
Kits for 12/20 kV and 18/20 kV systems accept 35 mm² to 800 mm² copper and aluminum XLPE cables. Operating range spans -40°C to +90°C, with IP68 sealing after correct installation.
Sealing Decommissioned Cable Ends
A cable abandonment kit seals idle or retired cable ends. The elastomeric cap grips the outer sheath and holds a watertight barrier. No heat, no special tools. This has become standard practice for offshore, ship wiring, and armored instrumentation cables up to 5 kV.
Four Checks Before Substituting Cold Shrink
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✅ Cable outer diameter sits inside the kit's stated range.
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✅ Voltage class matches. 12/20 kV and 18/20 kV kits are not interchangeable with 8.7/15 kV units.
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✅ Connector interface standard (IEC 60137 or IEEE 386) matches the bushing.
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✅ Storage time stays within shelf life. Prolonged compression reduces elastic recovery.
Download the selection guide or request a specification sheet before finalizing a bill of materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can cold shrink cable joints replace pre-molded joints at 18/20 kV?
A: Yes, when outer diameter and connector interface match the cable and bushing.
Q: Does a cable abandonment kit need a hot work permit?
A: No. Installation is mechanical and completes without flame or heat.
Q: What is the shelf life of cold shrink cable accessories?
A: Typically two to three years, stored flat and free of permanent deformation.
Q: Are cold shrink terminations rated for outdoor use?
A: Yes, with IP68 sealing once installed to the stated diameter range.
12/20, 18/20 kV Fully Cold Shrink Three-Core Terminal – Installation Outline Drawing
Electrical Performance Tests
| No. | Test Item | Standard Requirements |
| 1 | Power Frequency Withstand Voltage | 54 kV, 5 min, No Breakdown |
| 2 | Partial Discharge Test | Partial Discharge Magnitude≤ 10 pC at 20 kV |
| 3 | Impulse Voltage Test | 125 kV, 10 positive and 10 negative impulses, no breakdown |
| 4 | Constant Voltage Load Cycling Test (in Air) | 35 kV, conductor temperature 95–100 ℃, total 60 cycles, no breakdown, no flashover |
| 5 | Thermal Stability Test (185 mm² Conductor) | 23.4 kA, 2 s, twice, no visible damage |
| 6 | Dynamic Stability Test | 82.6 kA, ≥ 10 ms, no visible damage |
| 7 | Moisture Test (Indoor) | 15 kV, 300 h, no breakdown, no flashover |
| 8 | Salt Spray Test (Outdoor) | 15 kV, 1000 h, no breakdown, no flashover |
Product overview
◆The product is available in single-core, two-core, three-core, four-core, and five-core versions, and has been widely used for low-voltage cable terminations and intermediate connections.
◆Excellent surface hydrophobicity, ensuring the product maintains strong resistance to contamination.
◆Compact size, lightweight, and reliable performance.
◆Application Scope: The product demonstrates excellent cold and heat resistance, making it particularly suitable for high-altitude, cold, humid, salt-spray, and heavily polluted environments.
Installation requires no open flame, making it ideal for flammable and explosive areas such as petroleum, chemical, mining, and tunneling sites.
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| 12/20 kV Single-Core Cold Shrink Indoor Termination – Installation Drawing | 12/20 kV Three-Core Cold Shrink Outdoor Termination – Installation Drawing | 12/20 kV Three-Core Cold Shrink Outdoor Termination – Supporting Drawing | 12/20 kV Three-Core Cold Shrink Intermediate Connection – Supporting Drawing |
Technical Data - Model Selection
| Product Type | Model | Conductor Cross-section(mm²) |
| 12/20 kV Cold Shrink Indoor Termination | GHD-20HNLS-3(1)*35-500 | 35-500 |
| 12/20 kV Cold Shrink Outdoor Termination | GHD-20HWLS-3(1)*35-500 | 35-500 |
| 12/20 kV Cold Shrink Joint | GHD-20JTLS-3(1)*35-500 | 35-500 |
| 18/20 kV Cold Shrink Indoor Terminationl | GHD-24HNLS-3(1)*35-630 | 35-630 |
| 18/20 kV Cold Shrink Outdoor Termination | GHD-24HWLS-3(1)*35-630 | 35-630 |
| 18/20 kV Cold Shrink Joint | GHD-24JTLS-3(1)*35-630 | 35-630 |
