Description
12 kV T-Body Connector - 630 A Screened Separable Tee Connector
The 12 kV T-Body connector is a fully screened, separable tee connector used to terminate medium-voltage polymeric cable (XLPE or EPR) into dead-front apparatus such as transformers, switchgear and ring main units (RMUs). Built around a 630 A Type C interface to CENELEC EN 50180 / EN 50181, it forms a compact T (tee) junction that connects one incoming cable to the apparatus and provides a spare test / link position on the third leg. Every connector is factory-tested to IEC 60502-4 and rated for 12 kV class systems with an AC withstand of 39 kV and a 95 kV impulse level.
Because the connector is separable, the cable termination can be plugged in and unplugged without cutting the cable - a key advantage over taped, heat-shrink or cold-shrink terminations in switching stations and compact substations. The result is a maintenance-friendly, fully shielded interface that keeps the connector screen at earth potential and eliminates exposed live parts.
What a T-Body Connector Does
A T-Body connector converts a screened MV cable end into a male/female plug-in interface. The cable conductor is crimped into a compression lug inside the connector body, the EPDM insulation rebuilds the cable dielectric around the lug, and a semiconducting layer re-establishes a continuous outer screen. The three legs of the T then serve as:
Cable leg - the terminated MV cable enters from below through the molded cable adapter.
Apparatus leg - the dead-front bushing / apparatus interface (Type C, 630 A).
Spare / link leg - a capped position for a second connector, a testing bushing or a link plug.
This three-way geometry is why the product is called a T-body: it provides a tee junction at the apparatus while retaining a fully dead-front, touch-safe exterior.
Key Design Features
Each T-Body kit is engineered as an integrated system of ten precision components:
Compression lug - optional copper, or standard bi-metal compression lug, sized to ensure a cool-running connection with maximum current transfer.
Semiconducting insert - precision molded, peroxide-cured semiconducting insert provides corona-free electrostatic shielding of the compression connector.
Semiconducting shield - precision molded, peroxide-cured semiconducting shield provides continuous ground-shield continuity.
Insulation layer - high-quality peroxide-cured EPDM insulation, mixed and formulated in-house for complete control of rubber characteristics.
Cable adapter - molded cable adapter sized to fit cable insulation diameters from 16.2 mm to 37.3 mm (0.638 in to 1.370 in) and provides stress relief for the terminated cable.
Interface - Type C, 630 A interface as described by CENELEC EN 50180 and EN 50181.
Stud - zinc-plated, threaded steel stud for a secure apparatus connection.
Conductive rubber cap - completes the grounding system.
Insulating plug - molded epoxy insulating plug provides excellent electrical, thermal and mechanical reliability.
Drain wire tab - provides a convenient point to connect the drain wire and so ensure grounding of the connector shield.
The 630 A Type C Interface
The connector uses the CENELEC Type C interface (630 A) defined by EN 50180 and EN 50181. This is the standard interface found on dead-front apparatus bushings (transformers, switchgear, RMUs), which means the T-Body connector mates directly with the apparatus without an adapter - and is interchangeable with connectors from other manufacturers that meet the same interface standard. Always state the interface type when ordering: Type C, 630 A.
parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Voltage class | 12 kV |
| Interface | Type C, 630 A per CENELEC EN 50180 / EN 50181 |
| AC withstand, 5 min (60 Hz, crest) | 39 kV |
| BIL and full-wave crest | 95 kV |
| Partial discharge - minimum extinction voltage | 15 kV |
| Thermal short circuit (conductor, 2 s) | 23 kA / 2 s |
| Dynamic short circuit (conductor, 10 s) | 82 kA / 10 ms |
| Screen leakage current | ≤ 0.5 mA |
| Insulation material | Peroxide-cured EPDM (in-house formulated) |
| Semiconducting components | Peroxide-cured molded semiconducting insert + shield |
Product display
Note: We can provide all of the following accessories.
Kit Contents
The T-Body kit is supplied in a heavy-duty polyethylene bag. Each kit contains:
Standard front T-body
Bi-metal (standard) or copper (optional) compression lug
Stud + hex nut + washer + spring washer
Insulating plug + conductive rubber cap
Cable adapter
Silicone lubricant
Installation instruction sheet
Clean paper / cleaning wipe
Lug material rule: the bi-metal lug is for use on both copper and aluminium conductors; the copper lug is for use on copper conductors only. Specify bi-metal for aluminium or mixed aluminium/copper networks.
Cable Ranges (Insulation Diameter)
| Cable range code | Inches | Millimetres |
|---|---|---|
| A | 0.637–0.697 | 16.2–17.7 |
| B | 0.692–0.752 | 17.6–19.1 |
| C | 0.756–0.815 | 19.2–20.7 |
| D | 0.819–0.878 | 20.8–22.3 |
| E | 0.874–0.933 | 22.2–23.7 |
| F | 0.937–0.996 | 23.8–25.3 |
| G | 0.992–1.051 | 25.2–26.7 |
| H | 1.086–1.146 | 27.6–29.1 |
| K | 1.173–1.272 | 29.8–32.3 |
| L | 1.307–1.366 | 33.2–34.7 |
| M | 1.409–1.469 |
35.8–37.3 |
Conductor Code Table
| Code | Conductor size (mm²) | Code | Conductor size (mm²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 25 | 07 | 150 |
| 02 | 35 | 08 | 185 |
| 03 | 50 | 09 | 240 |
| 04 | 70 | 10 | 300 |
| 05 | 95 | 11 | 400 |
| 06 | 120 | 12 | 500 |
Conductor range covered by the T-Body kit: 25–500 mm².
Applications
The 12 kV T-Body connector is designed for indoor and outdoor use in 12 kV distribution systems, terminating polymeric cable into dead-front apparatus.
Transformers Plug the T-Body connector directly onto the dead-front bushing of a distribution transformer to make a compact, touch-safe cable entry, with a spare leg available for a second circuit or a testing point.
Switchgear and Ring Main Units (RMUs) Use the 630 A Type C interface to connect XLPE/EPR cable into switchgear panels and RMUs. The separable design allows circuits to be isolated and re-configured without re-terminating the cable.
Cable Types Suitable for all polymeric cable types, including XLPE and EPR insulation, with either copper or bi-metal (copper/aluminium) conductors.
Why Choose This T-Body Connector
Standard interface, true interoperability - 630 A Type C interface to CENELEC EN 50180 / EN 50181 mates with standard dead-front apparatus bushings.
IEC 60502-4 tested - 39 kV AC withstand, 95 kV BIL, 15 kV partial-discharge extinction, ≤ 0.5 mA screen leakage.
Fully screened, dead-front exterior - no exposed live parts; the semiconducting shield maintains continuous ground continuity.
High-current, cool-running connection - precision-sized compression lug for maximum current transfer.
Wide conductor and cable range - 25–500 mm² conductors and 16.2–37.3 mm insulation diameters covered by one product family.
Complete, ready-to-install kit - lug, hardware, insulating plug, conductive cap, cable adapter, silicone lubricant and instructions in one bag.
Maintenance-friendly - separable, re-enterable connection; drain wire tab simplifies shield grounding
Installation Notes
Confirm cable insulation diameter against the cable range table and select the matching range code before ordering.
Strip the cable to the dimensions given in the installation instruction sheet; do not damage the semiconducting layer.
Crimp the conductor into the correct compression lug (bi-metal for Al/Cu; copper for Cu only).
Apply the supplied silicone lubricant to the cable adapter and interface to ease assembly.
Fit the cable adapter, insert the T-body, and torque the stud / hex nut per the instruction sheet.
Fit the insulating plug and conductive rubber cap, and connect the drain wire to the tab to complete shield grounding.
FAQ
Q. What is a T-body connector? A T-body connector is a fully screened, separable tee connector that terminates a medium-voltage polymeric cable into dead-front apparatus (transformer, switchgear or RMU). It provides a three-way tee junction - cable, apparatus and a spare/link leg - with a touch-safe, dead-front exterior.
Q. What interface does this connector use? It uses the CENELEC Type C, 630 A interface as described by EN 50180 and EN 50181, so it mates directly with standard Type C dead-front apparatus bushings.
Q. Can it be used with aluminium conductors? Yes - specify the standard bi-metal compression lug, which suits both copper and aluminium conductors. The copper lug is for copper conductors only.
Q. What cable sizes does it cover? Cable insulation diameters from 16.2 mm to 37.3 mm (0.638 in–1.370 in) and conductor sizes from 25 mm² to 500 mm².
Q. What standard is it tested to? Production tests are conducted to IEC 60502-4, with an AC withstand of 39 kV (5 min, 60 Hz crest), a BIL of 95 kV and a partial-discharge minimum extinction voltage of 15 kV.
Q. Is it suitable for indoor and outdoor use? Yes. The T-Body connector is designed for both indoor and outdoor 12 kV applications.
Q. How do I build the order code? Use EN 12-630 DFT [cable range][conductor code][C], e.g. EN-12-630DFTG08C. Add C at the end only if a plated copper connector is required.
Hot Tags: t-body connector 12kv, China t-body connector 12kv suppliers, transformer aerospace accessories, transformer bridges, transformer power transmission, transformer radio frequency accessories, transformer shafts, transformer storage