RayGel Plus Joint

Question. What is RayGel Plus?

Answer. RayGel Plus joints are designed to protect, insulate, and seal joint connections of 0.6/1 kV or less. RayGel Plus enclosures are made of halogen-free polypropylene and filled with PowerGel. They are for underground, direct buried, or overhead applications (see also brochure EPP-1917 – RayGel Plus Joints).

Question. What can RayGel Plus joints do for me?

Answer. Provide an easy-to-install cold-applied LV inline & branch joint for cross sections up to 50 mm² on single-core polymeric cables and up to 16 mm² on multi-core polymeric cables with circular aluminum or copper conductors, stranded or solid.

Question. Which connectors can be used?

Answer. RayGel Plus 0 and 1 joints can be used with all types that dimensionally fit into the enclosure, such as terminal strips push-wire connectors, mechanical blocks, and C-crimp connectors. RayGel Plus 2 and 3 have universal connector blocks designed to snap into the bottom side of the enclosure. A supplementary tool helps to insert the sliding nuts and hold them in place until the connection is finalized. These connectors have full branching capabilities without cutting the main cables.

Question. What types of cables can be used? 

Answer. RayGel Plus joints are designed for single and multi-core non-armored cables with circular copper or aluminum conductors, both stranded and solid. All joints were tested with cables having PVC insulation.

Question. What is PowerGel sealant?

Answer. TE Connectivity’s PowerGel sealant is used in many other products to provide sealing and insulation for underground, direct-buried, submersed, and overhead applications. Gel combines the advantages of both, solid and liquid insulating materials. It has a shape memory like a soft rubber, but can easily conform to intricate shapes and “wet” the surface like a liquid to provide a seal. PowerGel was developed for power cables and to withstand temperatures of -40°C to over 90°C.

Question. Are RayGel Plus joints UV-resistant and halogen-free?

Answer. Yes, the enclosure and PowerGel are UV-resistant and halogen-free.

Question. Will the PowerGel harden or change after installation?

Answer. No. The PowerGel sealant will maintain its physical characteristics. It will not harden or become brittle.

Question. Will the materials hold up in harsh environments?

Answer. Yes, RayGel Plus enclosures and PowerGel sealant are designed to withstand the harsh environments of industrial plants or other high-corrosion areas. The enclosures are mechanically robust.

Question. Is RayGel Plus flame retardant?

Answer. The cover and gel are not flame retardant. However, both materials are considered to be self-extinguishing.

Question. Sometimes I see a few bubbles in the gel. Is this a problem?

Answer. No. Sometimes during the manufacturing process, a few air bubbles are trapped in the gel. These bubbles will not cause any performance issues.

Question. Is there a shelf life and how long will it last after installation? (Lifetime of product).

Answer. RayGel Plus joints do not have a shelf life. They are designed for a >30-year lifetime. The design goal was to be as good as or even better than the cable itself.

Question. Is RayGel Plus re-usable? Can you remove the enclosure and/or connector and re-install them?

Answer. No, the kit is not considered to be reusable. The gel may be left on the connector or changed in a way that will prevent a good seal. But it is considered as re-enterable. The enclosure and the PowerGel can be removed from the joint easily.

Question. Which Safety Data Sheets are available?

Answer. No MSDS sheet is required or available for the RayGel Plus joints. PowerGel is supplied in a cured form. Therefore, the joint is considered an “article” which does not require an MSDS. Silicone gel is considered a non-hazardous mixture. Silicone gel is not considered to be a skin irritant and is not considered to be toxic by skin absorption.