Heat Shrink Anti-Tracking Tubing
EPDM-based heat shrink tubing with tracking and erosion resistance for outdoor medium and high voltage cable terminations. Hydrophobic, UV stable and pollution resistant — qualified per IS 13573 and IEC 60587.
Why Anti-Tracking Tubing is Required
In outdoor high voltage terminations, the exposed cable insulation surface is continuously wetted by rain, dew, condensation and industrial pollution. When this wet contamination bridges the air gap between the conductor and the earthed screen, surface leakage currents develop. These currents dry the contamination unevenly, creating "dry bands" — narrow resistive zones where the voltage drops sharply. If the dry band field exceeds the surface withstand threshold, arcing occurs — and standard polyolefin insulation carbonises under sustained arcing, creating a conducting track that leads to flashover.
Anti-tracking tubing, made from EPDM rubber, does not carbonise under surface arcing — the arcing simply erodes the surface material without forming a conductive path. The hydrophobic surface sheds water rather than allowing a continuous film to form, and the tracking resistance is maintained even after years of outdoor exposure. VIKCHEM's anti-tracking tubing is a standard component in all outdoor MV termination kits and is also available separately for retrofit and repair.
Key Features
- EPDM rubber base — inherently tracking resistant, withstands sustained surface arcing
- Certified per IEC 60587 (tracking and erosion resistance) and IS 13573
- Hydrophobic surface — repels water and maintains dry-band performance in rain
- UV stable — no surface degradation after long-term outdoor exposure
- Volume resistivity >10¹⁴ Ω·cm — excellent electrical insulation
- Ozone and weather resistant — rated for coastal, industrial and desert environments
- 3:1 shrink ratio for secure fit on MV cables with varying jacket diameters
- Available in red/black; voltage rated up to 36kV
Applications
Outdoor MV Terminations
Insulating exposed cable insulation at outdoor switchgear, transformers and RMU terminations.
Coastal & Saline Environments
Tracking-resistant protection for cable terminations near sea, rivers and industrial salt spray.
Industrial Pollution Zones
Suitable for heavily polluted environments — chemical plants, cement factories and mining.
Overhead Line Down-Leads
Protecting the cable section where overhead lines transition to underground cable down the pole.
Outdoor Switchgear Spouts
Anti-tracking protection at the exposed cable insulation entering outdoor switchgear enclosures.
Transformer Yard Terminations
Outdoor termination insulation at HV and LV terminals of distribution and power transformers.
