CRSM - CRSM-CT

CRSM and CRSM-CT

     In the Raychem world, we have two products with very similar names:  CRSM and CRSM-CT.  What's up with that?  What do those letters stand for?  Why not use more dissimilar names because that gets kind of confusing?  I don't know any of those answers -- but I do know what CRSM and CRSM-CT stand for.

     CRSM stands for "Cable Repair Sleeve - metric" -- or alternatively:  "Cable Rejacketing Sleeve - metric".  The "CT" at the end of the CRSM-CT stands for "Cable Tap" splice.  That probably didn't help very much did it?  I think the primary difference between the two products is that the CRSM-CT (which is expected to seal between two cables as seen below) is manufactured with a significantly thicker adhesive layer.  That thicker adhesive is sufficient to fill all cracks and voids and even properly seal the area between two different cables that are running parallel to one another. 

Here you see how the adhesive thickness of the CRSM-CT is able to properly seal around two cables

     Both products utilize the same backing and the same rail and channel closure system.  In both cases, the product is rated for use at 1000 volts when in direct contact with the cable splice / the current.  When used simply as a jacket repair, however, the products are rated to 35kV.  Quite a difference depending on what the application is!  You certainly would NOT under any circumstances use this product to seal a high voltage splice.  That could be deadly.

     CRSM is available for use on cables #8 up through 2000 mcm.  CRSM-CT (on a compression connector) can be used on #8 up through 500 mcm cable.  When installing on a split connector, you (of course) need a sleeve large enough to wrap around two different cables; so in those situations you are looking at installing on connections using # through #2 cable size.