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You are here:Home » News » News » How Do Cold Shrink Joints Work?
How Do Cold Shrink Joints Work?
Views: 99 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-05 Origin: Site
In modern power systems, artificial intelligence shrinks joints at low temperatures-without the use of fire-and are redefining cable connection technology. Borrowing from the aspect of physical elastic memory, this new technology offers a much safer and more dependable solution regarding the connection of cables on all levels of voltages being used. It finds great applications in power grid construction, industrial equipment, and new energy projects..
I. Working Principle: The Wisdom of Elastic Memory
Cold shrink joints lies in the use of elastic memory materials. These joints are made of high-performance silicone rubber or EPDM and are pre-expanded at the factory and secured with support tape.
1. Principles of Materials Science
The polymer material used has a unique "elastic memory" property. It is expanded to 2-3 times its original diameter through a precision process in the factory and maintained in an expanded state by a corrosion-resistant plastic support belt.
2. Elastic Memory Effect
The material can maintain a stable pre-expanded state after expansion and accurately return to its original size after the support is released. This characteristic ensures the sealing reliability of the joint.
3. Material Properties
Silicone rubber and EPDM materials have excellent weather resistance, chemical corrosion resistance and electrical insulation properties, ensuring the long-term stability of the joint in various environments.
4. Sealing Performance
During the retraction process, the continuous radial pressure generated inside the joint can reach 0.35-0.7MPa, ensuring a complete seal at the interface.
5. Adaptive Sealing
Even if there are slight irregularities on the cable surface, the elastic material adapts to fill the gaps and forms a perfect barrier against moisture and dust.
6. Long-term Pressure Maintenance
The material has excellent stress relaxation properties and can maintain stable radial pressure for a long time, ensuring the durability of the sealing effect.
High voltage cold shrink joints adopt multi-layer composite structure and are designed for high voltage environment.
2. Structural Design
It consists of three layers: conductive shielding layer, main insulation layer and outer sheath, and each layer has specific functional requirements.
3. Performance Requirements
It can withstand voltages above 35kV and has passed the rigorous tests specified in IEC 60502-4 to ensure safe operation in high-voltage environments.
4. Low-Pressure Connector Characteristics
Low voltage cold shrink joints focus on economy and ease of installation.
5. Simplified Design
Adopting a single-layer or double-layer simplified structure can reduce manufacturing costs while ensuring performance.
6. Scope of Application
It is suitable for various scenarios below 1kV, maintains IP68-level protection performance, and is performance-verified according to the IEC 60502-1 standard.
3. Technical Advantages and Characteristics
cold shrink joints are significant and are becoming the new industry standard.
1. Improved Security Performance
It completely eliminates the risk of open flame operation during the installation process and is particularly suitable for flammable and explosive places such as petrochemicals and mines.
2. Explosion-Proof Characteristics
No open flame is required for installation, which completely eliminates the risk of explosion and provides safety protection for operations in hazardous locations.
3. Thermal Damage Protection
No high-temperature heating is required, which avoids damage to the cable insulation layer due to overheating and ensures connection reliability.
4. Excellent Environmental Adaptability
From the extreme cold of the polar regions to the high temperatures of the desert (-50℃ to 150℃), it can maintain stable performance.
5. Temperature Adaptability
The wide temperature range design ensures excellent sealing and insulation performance in extreme temperature environments.
6. Weather Resistance Performance
Weather resistance has passed the ISO 4892 standard test and can resist environmental erosion such as ultraviolet rays, ozone, and acid rain.
IV. Future Development Trends
With the advancement of new material technology, cold shrink joints are evolving towards intelligence.
1. Application of New Materials Technology
Nano-filled silicone rubber materials further enhance joint performance.
2. Performance Improvement
The thermal conductivity is increased to 0.8W/ m·K , the tear strength is increased by 50%, and the service life is extended to 30 years.
3. Environmental Characteristics
The application of new environmentally friendly materials makes the products comply with environmental protection standards such as RoHS and REACH.
Conclusion
Material innovation and great design has changed the face of power connections with cold shrink joints. Its peculiar principle of operation does not ensure good connections alone but offers a strong guarantee towards the safe running of power systems. As technology keeps improving, this method of connection shall be very necessary in building an intelligent grid and renewable energy industry. Cold shrink joints are, therefore, the choice of today when choosing a future-oriented connection solution that will continue to drive power connection itself towards safer and smarter as well as environmentally friendly developments.
NKS Power adheres to the concept of environmental friendliness and smart connection, and is willing to work with you to create green and sustainable development, leading smart technology power industry.
