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3M Cold Shrink Tubes For Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) Cable Repair

Published 01 Feb 2019

3M Cold Shrink Tubes - EPDM Rubber

3M Cold Shrink Tubes – EPDM Rubber

Uploaded by Chris Dodds – Thorne & Derrick Sales & Marketing Manager

Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) Cable Repairs

Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs) lift oil from production wells. Their power cables must therefore deliver a reliable electricity supply and operate safely throughout their service life. This is particularly important in demanding offshore and downhole environments.

The ESP cable transfers power and sensor signals between the surface and the downhole equipment. It must withstand mechanical abrasion, corrosion, high temperatures and pressure. Installers also need different cable cross-sections and configurations to make the best use of space in the wellbore and simplify installation and retrieval.

Schlumberger RedaMAX 400 is a high-voltage cable designed specifically for electrical submersible pump systems. The cable is available in different constructions and can also support onshore and offshore gassy wells and other high-temperature applications in the oil and gas industry.

RedaMAX 400 ESP cables offer several benefits, including lower lifecycle costs, long insulation life and extended ESP system life. Their EPDM insulation and jacket compounds, galvanised steel armour and lead barrier help protect the cable in demanding operating conditions. The cable has a stated temperature rating of up to 232°C.

The ESP cable range includes both round and flat profiles. In this article, we look at the use of cold shrink tubes for ESP cable repair applications, including the 3M EPDM Connector Insulators 8420 Series.

Cable joints and cable accessories

RedaMAX 400 ESP Cable Specifications

Schlumberger RedaMAX cables are available in several constructions. The RedaMAX 400 options listed below include flat and round cable profiles.

  • 4kV flat cable – lead barrier, galvanised steel armour and EPDM cable jacket.
  • 4kV round cable – lead barrier, galvanised steel armour and EPDM cable jacket.
  • 5kV flat cable – lead barrier, galvanised steel armour and EPDM cable jacket.
  • 5kV round cable – lead barrier, galvanised steel armour and EPDM cable jacket.
  • 8kV round cable – lead barrier, galvanised steel armour and EPDM cable jacket.

Cable nomenclature guide: See the cable construction information below.

Cold shrink tubes for cable repair

Cold Shrink Cable Repair Tubes

Power Cable Portfolio for REDA ESP Systems

The REDA ESP cable portfolio includes several cable families. Each family supports different operating conditions and cable constructions.

Cable Family Cable Application Cable Construction
REDA MAX 250 Low temperature, low gas PPEO, PP, PTB, POTB
REDA MAX 400 High temperature, moderate gas EE, ETBE
REDA Lead High temperature, gassy, corrosive ELBE, ELB, EHLTB
REDA Lead 8kV Deep water, subsea, high temperature, high horsepower ELBE, ELB, EHLTB, SESLTBE

3M EPDM Rubber Cold Shrink Tubes

When repairing Schlumberger RedaMAX ESP power cables, installers can use 3M EPDM Connector Insulators 8420 Series Cold Shrink Tubes.

These insulating tubes form part of the wider 3M cold shrink tube range, distributed by Thorne & Derrick.

Cold shrink technology offers several advantages for cable repair work:

  • Simple installation: Installers do not need specialist heating tools or heat shrink torches. This can make cold shrink suitable for applications where an open flame is undesirable.
  • Versatile cable compatibility: Cold shrink products can accommodate a range of LV and HV cable applications, depending on the product specification.
  • Secure fit: The tube provides good thermal stability and a tight fit around the cable sheath.
  • Resistance to harsh conditions: The material resists fungus, acids and alkalis, making it suitable for demanding onshore and offshore environments.
  • Electrical performance: The tubes offer wet electrical properties for offshore applications.

When fitted around an electrical connector and the cable, a 3M EPDM cold shrink tube helps reinstate the cable sheath and provide insulation and protection.

3M Connector Insulators 8420 Series – Cold Shrink Applications

3M 8420 Series EPDM cold shrink tubes

Insulation of inline conductor transition connectors

The 3M 8420 Series uses EPDM rubber insulation that contains no chlorides. Six diameter sizes cover a range of 1,000V cable applications.

Installers can also use these tubes for applications beyond ESP cables. Examples include:

  • Dig-in repairs and cable sheath repairs.
  • Insulation of secondary cable splices.
  • Primary electrical insulation for solid dielectric rubber and plastic insulated wire and cable splices rated up to 1,000V.

3M Cold Shrink EPDM Tubes – 8420 Series Selection Table

Use the selection table below to compare the available 3M 8420 Series cold shrink tube part numbers, conductor sizes and dimensions.

3M Cold Shrink Tube Part No. Conductor Sizes AWG & Kcmil Min. Diameter (mm) Max. Diameter (mm) Length (mm)
8423-6 6 – 4 7.8 14.3 152
8425-7 2 – 1/0 9.9 17.8 178
8425-8 2 – 1/0 10.2 20.8 203
8426-11 2/0 – 250 13.0 25.4 279
8426-9 2/0 – 250 13.0 25.4 229
8427-12 250 – 400 17.5 33.0 305
8427-16 250 – 400 17.5 33.0 406
8427-6 +++ 17.5 33.0 152
8428-12 450 – 800 24.0 49.3 305
8428-18 450 – 800 24.0 49.3 457
8428-24 450 – 800 24.0 49.3 609
8428-6 +++ 24.0 49.3 152
8429-12 900 – 1000 32.2 67.8 305
8429-18 900 – 1000 32.2 67.8 457
8429-6 +++ 32.2 67.8 229
8429-9 +++ 32.2 67.8 152
8430-18 1250 – 2000 42.6 93.7 457
8430-9 +++ 42.6 93.7 229
8430-18 1250 – 2000 42.6 93.7 457
8430-24 1250 – 2000 42.6 93.7 610

+++ Primary cold shrink applications: Sealing cable lugs and terminal barrels, conduit couplings, and conduit-to-cable breakouts.

LV Cable Joints – Low Voltage Cables

Thorne & Derrick stock and distribute a range of LV cable joints. Available technologies include cold shrink, heat shrink and resin cast.

These cable joints support multicore and multi-pair power, control and instrumentation cables. Selected products allow immediate backfilling and energisation, subject to the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the relevant application requirements.

Explore the complete range of 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.

Cable joints and terminations from Pfisterer, Nexans Euromold and Prysmian


Pfisterer | Nexans Euromold | Prysmian | Cable Joints & Terminations MV HV

3M cold shrink cable joints, abandonment products and terminations


Cold Shrink by 3M | 3M Joints | Abandonment | Terminations | Low Voltage LV Cables

Further Reading