CABLE SPLICE PROTECTION

Abstract: A method of sealing a cable splice between at least two cables, which comprises: (i) positioning around at least two cables individually a cable protection means; (ii) positioning around at least two cables together an adhesive cable wrap; (iii) positioning around the cable splice a dimensionally-recoverable sleeve; (iv) causing recovery of the sleeve.

Description: J Cable Splice Protection The present invention relates to environmental protection of cable splices, particularly telecommunication splices, espe¬ cially where several drop cables are spliced to a distribu¬ tion cable. The invention makes use of a device known by the Raychem Trade Mark SCOP and disclosed in EP0040101 (Raychem) the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This device is however now used in a different way from that previously proposed. Thus the invention provides a method of sealing a cable splice between at least two cables, which comprises:- (i) positioning around at least two cables individually a cable protection means; (ii) positioning around at least two cables together an adhesive cable wrap; (iii) positioning around the cable splice a dimensionally- recoverable sleeve; (iv) causing recovery of the sleeve. The invention also provides a method of sealing a cable splice between at least three cables, which may incorporate the above method and which comprises:- (i) separating at least three cables into two groups namely (a) one which has at least two cables, and (b) one which has at least one cable; (ii) installing individually around each of the at least two cables of group (a) a cable protection means; (iii) installing around the splice a dimensionally- recoverable sleeve; (iv) forming at least two heat-shrinkable termincal con¬ duits in the sleeve by positioning a clip having at least two elongate legs at an end portion of the sleeve, groups (a) and (b) being in respective con¬ duits; and (v) causing recovering of the sleeve. Reference may be made to the branching techniques disclosed in GB1604985 and GB1594818, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The invention is further illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a domed splice case 1 surrounding a butt splice or a loop in a telecommunications cable 2. A splice 3 is made to the cable 2, where drop wires 4 to subscribers are attached. Cable protection devices are used as shown at 4 and adhesive cable wraps are used as shown at 5. The various cables are separated into three groups, namely the incoming distribution cable 2, the outgoing distribution cable 2 and the plurality of subscriber drops 4. Branch-off clips or other branch-off or sealing means may be used at the base 6 of the case l at positions between the three groups of cables. Branch-off clips may be used as disclosed in GB 1604981, particularly if at least the base of the case 1 is heat-shrinkable. Figure 2 shows in cross-section a shrinkable sleeve shrunk around one large cable 8 and a group of smaller cables 9 with a three-legged branch-off clip separating them. The smaller cables are wrapped with an adhesive wrap and/or cable protection means comprising an adhesive plus aluminium or other heat- conductive or support layer. In figure 3 a cable wrap 11 passes between some cables 13 as shown at 12. A cable protection means 14 as disclosed in EP0040101 (Raychem) is disclosed in figure 4. The means 14 is preferably 75-130 mm long, preferably 60-100 mm wide and preferably 100-300 especially about 200 microns thick. It comprises an aluminium or, other heat-conducting material coated with from 1000-2000 g/m 2 of sealing material, preferably a hot-melt adhe¬ sive. The adhesive, shown stippled, can be seen through the rectangular apertures 15, in the metal foil. The apertures may increase flexibility, aiding wrapping of the means 14 around a small cable. Also, or alternatively, the apertures may. aid adhesive flow. The means 14 may also be provided with a pressure- sensitive adhesive or other means to hold it at least temporarily in place around a cable until an external heat-shrinkable sleeve is installed. The pressure- sensitive adhesive may be provided on a side of alumi¬ nium foil opposite to that of a hot-melt adhesive coating, and/or it may be provided on the hot-melt coating.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A method of sealing a cable splice between at least two cables, which comprises:- (i) positioning around at least two cables individually a cable protection means; (ii) positioning around at least two cables together an adhesive cable wrap; (iii) positioning around the cable splice a dimensionally- recoverable sleeve; (iv) causing recovery of the sleeve. 2. A method of sealing a cable splice between at least three cables, which comprises:- (i) separating at least three cables into two groups namely (a) one which has at least two cables, and (b) one which has at least one cable; (ii) installing individually around each of the at least two cables of group (a) a cable protection means; (iii) installing around the splice a dimensionally- recoverable sleeve; (iv) forming at least two heat-shrinkable terminal conduits in the sleeve by positioning a clip having at least two elongate legs at an end portion of the sleeve, groups (a) and (b) being in respective conduits; and (v) causing recovery of the sleeve. 3. A method according to Claims 1 or 2, in which the splice is a butt splice and the sleeve is closed at one end. 4. A method according to any preceding claim, in which the method is a method of repair of an existing splice, the method additionally comprising removing an existing splice case. 5. A method according to any preceding claim, in which the cable protection means comprises a strip that is wrapped around a cable. 6. A method according to Claim 5, in which the cable pro¬ tection strip comprises a strip of metal coated on one or both sides with a heat-activatable adhesive. 7. A method according to Claim 6, in which the metal is coated on both sides, the coating on an outwardly facing side, when installed, being thicker than a coating on an inwardly facing side. 8. A method according to any preceding claim, in which the adhesive cable wrap comprises a strip of heat- activatable adhesive and a strip of metal, the two strips being positioned substantially side-by-side. 9. A method according to any preceding claim in which the splice is a splice between a first looped cable and at least two cables joined to the loop of the looped cable, the cable protection means being positioned individually around each of said two cables joined, in which the method includes the steps of positioning a clip between said two cables joined and one leg of the loop, and between the two legs of the loop. 10. A method according to any preceding claim in which 2 - 10 drop cables are sealed to a looped distribution cable. 11. A method according to any preceding claim, in which the cable protection means comprises a strip having aper¬ tures therein. * * * * * *

Inventors: NIJS MARC, VAN NOTEN LODEWIJK CORDULA MIC, VITS PAUL, NIJS, MARC, VAN NOTEN, LODEWIJK, CORDULA, MICHAEL, VITS, PAUL
Applicants: RAYCHEM LTD, RAYCHEM SA NV, N.V. RAYCHEM S.A., RAYCHEM LIMITED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: H02G15
IPC codes: H02G15