CABLE TERMINATIONS | MEDIUM & HIGH VOLTAGE POWER CABLES

Electrical Reliability • Stress Control • Moisture Sealing • Track Resistance

Cable terminations are used to connect medium and high voltage power cables into switchgear, transformers, substations and RMUs. In MV/HV systems, the termination must do more than simply complete the electrical connection — it must provide effective stress control, restore insulation performance, and deliver reliable sealing against moisture, contamination and environmental exposure.

Thorne & Derrick supply cable terminations for indoor and outdoor MV/HV applications, including heat shrink and cold shrink systems for operating voltages typically 6.6kV, 11kV, 20kV and 33/36kV. Termination kits are selected to suit cable type, conductor size, screen arrangement, installation environment and the equipment interface.

Suitable cable constructions typically include single-core and 3-core polymeric insulated cables such as XLPE and EPR, as well as selected paper insulated cable types including PILC and PICAS, with copper tape or copper wire screens.

This page highlights Nexans cable terminations, including the Nexans MONO heat shrink range, which is widely used for 11kV to 33kV networks up to 42kV. These terminations feature integrated stress control and anti-tracking insulation, helping support reliable long-term performance in demanding utility, industrial and infrastructure environments.

What are Cable Terminations?

Cable terminations are designed to safely prepare and connect power cables into equipment such as switchgear, transformers, RMUs and substations. In medium and high voltage networks, the termination must manage the electric field at the cable end, restore insulation performance, and provide dependable sealing against moisture, contamination and environmental exposure.

Correct selection and installation of MV/HV cable terminations helps reduce the risk of tracking, partial discharge, insulation breakdown and unplanned outages. Selection depends on factors such as system voltage, cable construction, screen type, conductor size, installation environment and the equipment interface.

Key Parts of an MV Cable Termination

• Stress control component (controls electric field at the cable end and screen cutback)
• Insulation build-up / insulating tube (restores insulation and creepage performance)
• Anti-tracking outer protection (helps resist surface tracking/erosion in polluted or wet conditions)
• Sealing system (mastics/adhesives to prevent moisture ingress and contamination)
• Screen earthing / bonding parts (for copper tape or copper wire screens, depending on cable design)
• Mechanical connection (lugs and hardware for the conductor termination)
• Interface accessories (e.g. bushing boots for cable boxes, glands for armoured cables, earth kits)

Quick Selection Checklist (What We Need to Confirm Your Kit)

• System voltage (Um): 11kV / 24kV / 33kV (or other) and maximum system voltage requirement
• Application: indoor vs outdoor, and the equipment you’re terminating into (switchgear/transformer/RMU/cable box)
• Cable construction: single-core or 3-core, insulation type (XLPE/EPR or PILC/PICAS)
• Screen type: copper wire screen (CWS) or copper tape screen (CTS); armour type if applicable (SWA/AWA)
• Conductor size: cross-sectional area (mm²) and conductor material if relevant
• Key diameters: diameter over insulation and/or over screen (helps ensure the correct kit size range)
• Earthing/bonding requirement: single-point, solid bonding, or special DNO/project requirements (where applicable)

Cable Terminations for Critical Power Applications

Cable terminations are used across critical power infrastructure to connect medium voltage cables into switchgear, transformers, substations, RMUs and packaged electrical systems. Typical applications include data centres, utility networks, industrial power distribution and major infrastructure projects, where reliable insulation performance, repeatable installation quality and long-term service life are essential.

In data centre power distribution, cable terminations play an important role in maintaining uptime and reducing the risk of partial discharge, tracking and moisture-related failures. Nexans MONO heat shrink cable terminations are widely used for 6/10kV, 12/20kV and 18/30kV connection of N2XS(F)2Y medium voltage cables, supporting reliable connections into switchgear and transformer interfaces in critical infrastructure environments.

Featured Range | Nexans MONO Heat Shrink Cable Terminations

One Piece Terminations

Nexans MONO is a range of heat shrink cable terminations for medium voltage power cables, featuring integrated stress control and an anti-tracking insulating tube. Designed for demanding indoor and outdoor environments, the system offers strong resistance to humidity, UV exposure, temperature extremes and heavily polluted conditions.

MONO cable terminations are suitable for indoor and outdoor applications up to a maximum system voltage of 42kV. The one-piece design helps support faster, more consistent installation while reducing component handling on site. Terminations are Type Tested to DIN VDE 0278-629-1 (HD629.1 S2) for test voltages from 3.6/6 (7.2kV) up to 20.8/36 (42kV).

11kV Triplex Terminations & BS7880

The MONO Triplex version is widely used for UK DNO cable connections and is designed to support BS7880 applications. It features a custom Triplex gland with integral sealing breakout and brass mechanical lugs for bonding and termination of copper wire screen cables.

Cable Termination Installation Instructions & Downloads

Installation Instructions:
11kV CTS
11kV CWS
33kV CTS
33kV CWS

Selection Table | Nexans MONO MV Cable Terminations

Use the table below to select by voltage (Um) and conductor size. For copper tape vs copper wire screen variants and 3-core applications, contact us with your cable construction details.

Cable Termination Accessories

Cable terminations can be combined with bushing boots and accessories to suit air insulated cable box and switchgear arrangements. For Nexans MONO applications, ancillaries include SWA/AWA glands, solderless earth kits and cable lugs.

For air insulated cable box applications, MONO can be combined with bushing boots and accessories to suit most busbar/switchgear arrangements. Ancillaries include

Cable Glands | Screen Earth Kits | Cable Lugs (Crimp Shearbolt) | Bushing Boots

♦ Solderless Earth Kit For Copper Tape Screened Cables

Nexans Order Code	6.6kV	11kV/12kV	17kV/24kV	33kV/36kV	Diameter Over Copper Tape Screen
SE1	16-50sqmm	16-50sqmm	–	–	12-18mm
SE2	70-150sqmm	70-150sqmm	25-70sqmm	25-35sqmm	19-24mm
SE3	185-300sqmm	185-240sqmm	95-150sqmm	50-70sqmm	25-30mm
SE4	400-630sqmm	300-630sqmm	185-500sqmm	95-300sqmm	31-44mm
SE5	800-1000sqmm	800-1000sqmm	630-1000sqmm	400-1000sqmm	41-65

♦ Cable Gland For SWA Steel Wire Armoured Cables

Nexans Order Code	Cable Cross Section & Conductor Size 3 Core Cables
HSGK1	11kV 3 Core Cable Gland – under armour diameter up to 63mm (16-95sqmm)
HSGK2	11kV 3 Core Cable Gland – under armour diameter up to 94mm (95sqmm-400sqmm)

♦ Bushing Boots For Switchgear/Transformer Cable Termination Box Insulation

Cable Terminations FAQ (MV/HV 11kV–33kV)

1) What are cable terminations used for?

Cable terminations safely connect a power cable into electrical equipment (switchgear, transformers, RMUs and substations). In MV/HV systems they also provide stress control, insulation restoration and sealing to reduce the risk of tracking, moisture ingress and insulation failure.

2) Heat shrink vs cold shrink cable terminations — what’s the difference?

Heat shrink terminations are installed using controlled heat to recover components onto the cable. Cold shrink terminations typically use pre-expanded components that recover without heat. Selection depends on site preferences, access, tooling, environment and project specification.

3) What is stress control and why does it matter for MV cable terminations?

Stress control manages the electric field at the end of the cable where the screen is cut back. Correct stress control helps reduce partial discharge risk and supports long-term insulation integrity, especially in MV/HV networks.

4) Indoor vs outdoor cable terminations — what changes?

Outdoor terminations are selected for exposure to UV, moisture and pollution and typically provide enhanced sealing and surface performance. Indoor terminations are used inside equipment enclosures or protected installations such as cable boxes within substations or plant rooms.

5) What information do you need to select the correct termination kit?

We normally need the system voltage (Um), core count (single/3-core), insulation type (XLPE/EPR or paper), conductor size, screen type (copper wire or tape), and key diameters (over insulation/screen). Also confirm the interface (switchgear/transformer cable box) and indoor/outdoor environment.

6) Does copper tape screen vs copper wire screen affect the termination?

Yes — screen construction can affect the earthing/bonding method and the specific termination kit variant. Always confirm whether the cable is copper tape screened (CTS) or copper wire screened (CWS) when selecting MV cable terminations.

Medium Voltage Technical & Training Support

Working with Nexans UK Jointer Training Centre, Thorne & Derrick can provide standard and tailored Competency Courses — covering cable construction, cable preparation, plus installation of heat shrink/cold shrink, push on terminations, Euromold separable connectors and joints.

→ Watch Video | Nexans MONO MV Cable Terminations

Related Products: JTS | Cable Joints

Improved Reliability & Advanced Safety at Reduced Cost

Nexans JTS is a new generation of MV Cable Joints for jointing of 11kV/24kV and medium/high voltage power cables up to 33kV/42kV — suitable for single or 3 core polymeric (XLPE/EPR) armoured or unarmoured cables with copper wire screen, copper or aluminium tape screen.

• Triplex Layer Tube — quick installation with reduced components and heat shrinking reducing scope for jointer error
• Compact — short and slim design provides space-saving installation
• Reliable — heavy wall heat tubing for excellent mechanical strength, sealing and impact resistance
• Mechanical Shearbolt Connectors — fast and efficient electrical connection without crimping tools

→ Download:
Nexans JTS | MV HV Joints | Heat Shrink Catalogue

→ Watch Video | Nexans JTS MV Cable Joints

Nexans JTS | Heat shrink cable joints — Triple Layer Tube (Stress Control | Insulation | Conductive)

The Nexans JTS cable jointing system provides a cost-competitive option to power contractors. Manufactured by Nexans and tested in accordance to CENELEC HD629.1.

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