3M Wraparound Heat Shrink Cable Repair Kits Used For LV HV Mining Cable Sheaths
Published 07 Feb 2019
Heat Shrink Wraparound Cable Sheath Repair & Jacketing Sleeves – 3M HDCW
Uploaded by Chris Dodds – Thorne & Derrick Sales & Marketing Manager
3M HDCW Wraparound Heat Shrink Cable Repair Kits
3M HDCW heat shrink wraparound sleeves provide a practical solution for damaged cable sheaths and jackets. They help restore cable insulation and protect exposed areas from moisture and corrosion.
These sleeves form part of a wider range of cable repair solutions. Other options include heat shrink and 3M Scotch electrical tapes, as well as Cold Shrink products and resin-based repair systems using 3M Scotchcast.
Installers can also use these sleeves with cable joints. In addition, they provide extra corrosion protection for undamaged cables.
Thorne & Derrick supply 3M Heat Shrink Cable Repair Kits to the mining industry. These kits help restore insulation on damaged low and high voltage cable sheaths. Common causes of damage include mechanical stress, third-party accidents and cable corrosion, particularly in damp underground mining environments.
Image: International Banker
3M Wraparound Heat Shrink Cable Repair Sleeves
3M wraparound heat shrink sleeves provide a quick way to repair damaged cable jackets. They also protect cable joints and splices. Furthermore, installers can use them as an additional corrosion protection layer.
The sleeves suit demanding environments, including hazardous areas and underground or surface mining installations.
How 3M HDCW Sleeves Work
3M HDCW sleeves use modified cross-linked polyolefin. The inner surface features a hot-melt adhesive coating.
During installation, heat causes the sleeve to shrink around the cable. At the same time, the adhesive melts and bonds the sleeve to the cable sheath. This creates a secure, watertight seal.
A corrosion-resistant metal clip then closes the sleeve and holds it in position.
The wraparound design also allows installers to repair cable jackets and re-jacket in-line cable splices. As a result, they can carry out repairs without needing access to an open cable end.
Voltage Applications and Installation
3M HDCW wraparound sleeves provide insulation for cables and splices up to 1000 volts. They can also repair cable jackets on cables up to 35kV.
Furthermore, the wraparound design makes installation easier in restricted spaces. Installers can use standard heating equipment, such as a heat shrink torch.
Thorne & Derrick International are the UK’s largest stockist of 3M Electrical Cable Accessories.
Mining Cable Repair Solutions
We supply cable repair kits for BS6708 underground mining cables. These include the following cable types:
- Type 11
- Type 7, Type 7S and Type 7M
- Type 307, Type 307S and Type 307M flexible trailing cables for coalcutters and similar face equipment
- Type 211
- Type 201
- Type 62
- Type 63
- Type 64
- Type 321
- Type 331 flexible trailing cables with galvanised steel wire pliable wire armouring, used as mine extension cables in quarries and coalface lighting
3M HDCW Wraparound Sleeve Features and Benefits
3M HDCW sleeves offer several benefits for cable repair and protection:
- Quick and easy installation.
- A cost-efficient cable repair solution.
- Thick-wall heat shrink material for strength and durability.
- A wraparound design that allows repairs without opening the cable.
- Strong bonding to PE and PVC cable sheaths and jackets.
- Protection against mechanical stress.
- Resistance to harsh and hazardous environments.
- A sealed finish that helps prevent moisture entering damaged cables.
How to Install 3M Wraparound Cable Repair Sleeves
Installers can follow three main steps to fit a 3M HDCW wraparound sleeve:
- Position the sleeve: Place the heat shrink sleeve over the damaged cable section, joint or splice. Then close the metal channel to secure the sleeve.
- Apply heat: Use a suitable heat shrink gas torch to shrink the sleeve around the cable sheath. The heat also melts the adhesive liner.
- Allow the sleeve to cool: Once the sleeve has cooled, the adhesive forms a moisture-resistant and corrosion-resistant seal.
Cable Repair Sleeves – Installation
3M HDCW Heat Shrink Wraparound Repair Sleeve Specifications
The table below shows the available 3M HDCW repair kits, including their lengths, conductor sizes and sleeve dimensions.
Heat Shrink Wraparound Repair Sleeves
| 3M Cable Repair Kit Part Number | Length Inches (Metres) | Primary Insulation 600/1000V Conductor Size AWG/MCM | Jacket Repair Use Range max./min inches (mm) | Sleeve Dimensions | |
| Expanded Diameter inches (mm) | Recovered Diameter inches (mm) | ||||
| HDCW 35/10-250 HDCW 35/10-1200 |
9.8 (250) 47.2 (1200) |
#8-2/0 #8-2/0 |
1.38-0.39 (35-10) 1.38-0.39 (35-10) |
1.97 (50) 1.97 (50) |
0.32 (8) 0.32 (8) |
| HDCW 55/10-500 HDCW 35/10-1200 |
19.7 (500) 47.2 (1200) |
3/0-400 3/0-400 |
2.17-0.59 (55-15) 2.17-0.59 (55-15) |
2.95 (75) 2.95 (75) |
0.51 (13) 0.51 (13) |
| HDCW 80/25-750 HDCW 80/25-1200 |
29.5 (750) 47.2 (1200) |
500-1000 500-1000 |
3.15-0.98 (80-25) 3.15-0.98 (80-25) |
3.94 (100) 3.94 (100) |
0.91 (25) 0.91 (25) |
| HDCW 110/30-1000 HDCW 110/30-1200 |
39.4 (1000) 47.2 (1200) |
1000-2000 1000-2000 |
4.33-1.18 (110-30) 4.33-1.18 (110-30) |
5.20 (132) 5.20 (132) |
0.98 (25) 0.98 (25) |
| HDCW 140/40-1000 HDCW 140/40-1200 |
39.4 (1000) 47.2 (1200) |
N/A N/A |
5.51-1.57 (140-40) 5.51-1.57 (140-40) |
5.71 (145) 5.71 (145) |
1.26 (32) 1.26 (32) |
3M HDCW Series Dimensions
| 3M HDCW Cable Repair Kit Part Number | H/mm | F/mm | T/mm |
| HDCW 35/10 | 155 | 18 | 0.9 |
| HDCW 55/15 | 175 | 18 | 0.9 |
| HDCW 80/25 | 260 | 30 | 0.9 |
| HDCW 110/30 | 355 | 30 | 0.9 |
| HDCW 140/40 | 455 | 30 | 0.9 |
Cold Shrink Cable Repair
Some hazardous area locations do not permit hot-working because flammable gases may be present. In these situations, Cold Shrink tubes may provide an alternative for cable repair.
However, installers must have access to the open end of the cable circuit. Cold Shrink tubes are not suitable for repairing cables mid-circuit or mid-span unless the cable can be isolated, uncoupled and disconnected from the mains power supply.
For flexible cable repairs, we can also supply 3M Scotchcast resin-based solutions. These products are specified for marine and offshore applications. They offer resistance to seawater, submersion and exposure.
Read more: Repairing Damaged Cables, Cable Sheath & Jackets
3M HDCW – Heat Shrink Wraparound Cable Sheath Repair & Jacketing Sleeves
3M Cable Accessories and Technical Support
Need help selecting or specifying cable accessories? Contact Thorne & Derrick for customer service and technical support across LV, MV and HV applications.
Our team can help you explore the following products and solutions:
3M Cold Shrink
LV Cable Joints – Low Voltage Cables
Thorne & Derrick stock and distribute a wide range of low voltage cable joints. Our range includes Cold Shrink, Heat Shrink and resin cast technologies.
We supply multicore and multi-pair cable joints for power, control and instrumentation cables. These products support applications at 600V, 1000V and 3.3kV, with options for immediate backfill and energisation where suitable.
Explore our LV cable accessories:
Cable Breakouts |
Cable Caps |
Cable Lugs |
Cable Cleats |
Cable Trough |
Cable Duct |
Feeder Pillars
For 11kV, 33kV and 66kV networks, explore our MV and HV cable joints and terminations.
Pfisterer | Nexans Euromold | Prysmian | Cable Joints & Terminations MV HV
Cold Shrink by 3M | Joints | Abandonment | Terminations | Low Voltage LV Cables
