For aluminum or aluminum alloy conductors, this splice consists of an aluminum alloy sleeve with the implosive charge pre-mounted. For ACSR Conductors, an additional steel sleeve with an aluminum alloy filler tube or steel insert is added. The filler tube, which is required on most standard connectors, fills the free space between the outside diameter of the steel sleeve and the diameter of the conductor, providing a smooth and uniform compression of the sleeve. These joints are designed to be installed at the tensioner and pulled through stringing blocks. Special application charts for each conductor show the relationship between the pulling tension, weight and span and the allowable line angle through which the joints may be pulled. This makes sleeving an integral part of overall pulling operation, and greatly simplifies stringing.
Full tension sleeves can be fabricated with a NEMA pad (T-Tap) welded at 90 deg to the sleeve. Their principal application is in substations when a tap into a transformer is required, simultaneously making a splice of the main line. This T-Tap can also be welded at 0 deg to the sleeve.
Dead-End Joints for aluminum or aluminum alloy conductors consist of an aluminum alloy sleeve with the implosive charge pre-mounted and a round or oval end connector (eyebolt). For ACSR conductors an additional steel sleeve with an aluminum alloy filler tube is added. A 15 deg NEMA pad is welded to the main sleeve. The eyebolt is attached to the aluminum alloy sleeve and can be freely turned to the desired position relative to the pad prior to initiation.
Jumper Terminals consist of an aluminum sleeve with the implosive charge pre-mounted and a 15 deg NEMA pad at one end. Jumper terminals may be installed at 0 deg or 30 deg take-off angles when matched to a dead-end joint with a 15 deg NEMA pad.
Repair Sleeves consist of two aluminum alloy half sleeves that slide together and an implosive charge pre-mounted on a flexible plastic sleeve wrapped around the Repair Sleeve when installed. Repair Sleeves are used to repair minor damage to the outer strands of a conductor, such as damage caused by wear of spacer dampers or during construction or by vandalism such as by errant rifle shots. The maximum length of a Repair Sleeve is ~450 mm (18 in).
Repair Sleeves can be prepared with a NEMA pad (T-Tap) welded at 90 deg to the sleeve. Their main application is in substations when required to tap into a transformer without cutting the main line. A T-Tap can also be welded at 0 deg to the sleeve.
Repair Joints consist of an aluminum alloy sleeve with the implosive charge pre-mounted. The Repair Joint is designed to replace an existing sleeve that has been deemed defective or hot. It can replace a section of damaged conductor where the damage includes the steel core. The Repair Joint is similar to an elongated FTJ or DE and has the same characteristics. The Repair Joint can be fabricated to any length requirement and usually includes the length of the existing sleeve plus any birdcaging or worn conductor close to the sleeve that is to be replaced. The Repair Joint is used as an alternative to the traditional practice of using two sleeves and 50 ft of new conductor.