BPTM Busbar Insulation

BPTM Tubing

BPTM 15/6-A/U (50 ft roll)

    Raychem / TE Connectivity's medium wall, heat shrinkable BPTM tubing provides insulation enhancement and protection against flash over and accidentally induced discharge. 

     Particularly useful in confined spaces, BPTM tubing can be used on both circular and rectangular copper or aluminum busbars. On application of heat, the BPTM tubing shrinks snugly over the busbar profile ensuring that the required minimum wall thickness is obtained.  Raychem BPTM tubing can be installed easily during large scale production using an oven or in the field using a gas torch or hot air.  Raychem BPTM tubing is manufactured from a non-halogen based polymer which has excellent performance in high voltage environments and greatly reduces the noxious and corrosive effects in fire situations. 

    The use of TE's Raychem BPTM tubing allows equipment designers the freedom to reduce air spacing between busbars, such as in the manufacture of switchgear cabinets where space is at a premium.  Raychem BPTM tubing provides flashover protection up to 25kV. 

 Key Features:

• Exceptional insulation and long term reliability even at high continuous operating temperatures.
• Extremely durable, resists damage from solvents, ultraviolet light, weathering, mechanical impact and general wear and tear.
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
• Excellent anti-tracking properties.
• Can be stored indefinitely at temperatures up to 50C without loss of performance.

BPTM is available in the following sizes:

• BPTM 15/6
• BPTM 30/12
• BPTM 50/20
• BPTM 75/30
• BPTM 100/40
• BPTM 120/50
• BPTM 175/70
• BPTM 205/110
• BPTM 235/130

Heat Shrink Tubing (Medium Wall)

MWTM Heat Shrink Tubing

MWTM Medium Wall Shrink Tubing

     Raychem invented many different varieties of heat shrinkable tubing made specifically for many different applications.  As an example, we have our WCSM - rated to 1000 volts.  But what about cases where 1000 volt resistance isn't needed?  Is there a more cost effective option?  Of course there is: MWTM rated to 600 volts. 

     The radiation cross linked PE backing is just a little thinner than the WCSM.  Thinner backing means less electrical resistivity.  Pretty simple. 

     The sealant coated MWTM (you know it is sealant coated when it has a -S in the nomenclature) is for use on insulation and jacket repair up to 600 volts or for general sealing and rejacketing of polymeric or elastomeric insulated cables up to 35kV.  MWTM has a 3:1 shrink ratio and an unlimited shelf life when stored under normal conditions.

     See the different sizes available above.  The first letters are of course the material type (MWTM).  The first number is the supplied ID of the shrink tubing.  The second number (after the /) is the size which the shrink sleeve tube will recover to.  The third number (1200) is the length of the tube as supplied (they can be cut down simply and easily). 

     So, the MWTM 85/25-1200-S is a tube rated to 600 volts, supplied with an ID of 85mm which will shrink down to a 25mm substrate - it is supplied in a 1200mm long tube (48") and is coated on the inside with a sealant adhesive. 

FCSM - Flame Retardant Heavy Wall Tubing

FCSM - for 1/C Low Voltage Power Cable (2000 Volts)

     Some applications require a flame retardant material in order to meet specifications for a project.  In those cases, FCSM can be the perfect option with it's tough, crosslinked polyolefin construction that provides mechanical strength and cut through resistance, equal to or surpassing the properties of low voltage cable jackets. 

     FCSM's 3 to 1 shrink ratio and unlimited shelf life when stored properly make it simple and easy to have on hand for emergency repairs and quick use.  FCSM can be used as jacket repair on cables up to 35kV.  It is available in both internally coated with a sealant (-S) and uncoated (/U) varieties. 

     The first chart lists all FCSM that are internally coated sizes.  Simply look for your cable sizes and your connector sizes and you will quickly zero in on the size you need.  The plant does require that standard box quantities are met which means you may have to purchase more tubes than you need at any given moment. 

     The bottom chart shows sizes for uncoated FCSM tubes (no sealant inside).  For questions and comments about FCSM, please contact us today:  steve@jsicoatings.com
    

Indian and Chinese Heat Shrink Tubing

Heat Shrink Tubing from India or China

    Had another report this morning from a customer who took the chance and purchased some heat shrink tubing from China or India.  It did not work out.  Here is their list of pros and cons they came up with after the fact:

 

Pro:

Low Cost

 

Con:

Didn't shrink right

Sometimes wouldn't shrink all the way down to the cable

Inconsistent wall thickness had them concerned about voltage ratings (since wall thickness directly determines voltage rating)

Adhesive didn't flow right

Adhesive didn't properly bond to cable

Lead time was long

Transit time was long

Credit terms were unavailable

 

     I understand that WCSM is a high quality product.  High quality products generally require a somewhat premium price.  But let's face it, the adage "you get what you pay for" is very often true.  WCSM is manufactured right here in the United States of America.  It is manufactured by American workers.  It is manufactured using the same high quality components that it has always used.  WCSM has been consistently made (other than some minor sizing changes) for decades now!

 

     When you buy foreign made shrink tubing, you are gambling on a novice heat shrink manufacturer.  This other company is often chemically cross linking their product rather than spending the money to use radiation to crosslink the PE (radiation crosslinking is more expensive, more reliable and more consistent). 

 

     Those of you in the electrical world - I don't know the answer, but you probably do.  What is the cost when a seal fails?  What is the cost when water is able to get to a connection and short out the cable?  What is the cost in down time, in a lost anode bed, in a lost anode, in some kind of electrical blow out?  I bet it is costly both in terms of dollars and in terms of reputation - "Company X used some kind of cheap Indian heat shrink and as a result our system is currently all screwed up."  That sort of a situation is going to COST you a lot more than you will ever save by purchasing some cheap, poorly made shrink tubing. 

 

     That is the way I see it anyway.  It just isn't worth the risk.