| Publisher | IEEE |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard |
| Scope | Ratings, construction requirements and test requirements for joints used on extruded dielectric and laminated dielectric shielded power cables. |
| Who uses it | Cable accessory manufacturers, utility and industrial engineers, cable jointers, specifiers and testing laboratories. |
| Edition note | Refer to the publisher for the current edition. |
What It Is
IEEE 404 is the IEEE standard for shielded power cable joints, also known as splices, used to connect lengths of extruded dielectric cable (such as XLPE or EPR) or laminated dielectric cable (such as paper-insulated cable). It also addresses transition joints that connect an extruded cable to a laminated cable, a common situation when utilities replace sections of older paper-insulated networks.
The standard defines how joints are rated, what electrical and mechanical requirements they must meet and how those requirements are proven. Design tests, performed on representative samples, evaluate characteristics such as AC and impulse withstand, partial discharge, behavior under cyclic loading and short-circuit performance. Production tests verify manufactured components. A joint that meets the standard is designed to perform as reliably as the cable it connects.
Why It Matters
Joints are among the most common points of failure in underground cable systems. Most failures trace back either to an inadequate design or to errors during installation. IEEE 404 addresses the first by giving specifiers a consistent basis for selecting qualified products, and it supports the second by clarifying the functions that every joint must restore: conductor connection, insulation, stress control, shield continuity and environmental sealing.
For jointers and supervisors, understanding why each layer of a joint exists helps them install it correctly, recognize defective components and appreciate why manufacturer instructions must be followed exactly. Specifiers also use IEEE 404 to compare products from different manufacturers on a like-for-like basis and to confirm that a joint is suitable for the cable type, conductor size, voltage class and service conditions of a particular project.
Key Concepts
- Joint ratings — voltage class, insulation level and current ratings that must match or exceed those of the cable system.
- Design tests — a sequence of tests on representative samples to qualify a joint design before it is offered for service.
- Production tests — tests on manufactured components to verify consistent quality.
- Electrical stress control — the design features that manage the concentrated electric field at the cut end of the cable shield.
- Shield and neutral continuity — restoring the metallic shield or concentric neutral across the joint so fault current and charging current have a path.
- Transition joints — joints that connect extruded and laminated cables, with special requirements for oil or compound containment.
- Environmental sealing — protection against moisture and contamination entering the joint over its service life.
Who Should Know It
- Cable jointers and splicers
- Utility distribution and underground engineers
- Industrial electrical engineers specifying cable systems
- Cable accessory manufacturers and test laboratories
- Field supervisors and quality inspectors
Related Standards
- IEEE 48 — the companion IEEE standard for test procedures and requirements for AC cable terminations.
- IEEE 386 — the IEEE standard for separable insulated connector systems used on distribution cables.
- IEEE 400.2 — field testing used to verify installed joints and cable systems.
- IEC 60502 — the IEC standard whose part 4 covers test requirements for cable accessories up to 30 kV.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 — governs safety for workers performing underground cable work on utility systems.
How ASEEE Uses It
ASEEE cable jointing programs map learning outcomes and assessments to the concepts in IEEE 404, so candidates understand the function of each part of a joint and why correct preparation and installation determine service life. See related ASEEE programs.
ASEEE Programs Referencing This Standard
- 3M HV Cold Shrink Cable Accessories: Train the Trainer
- 3M Medium & High Voltage Cold Shrink Cable Accessories
- EHV 132 kV Cable Jointing and Termination
- HV, MV & LV Cable Jointing, Termination & Splicing
- High Voltage Cable Jointing and Termination
- MV & LV Cable Jointing, Termination & Splicing
- Raychem LV/HV Cable Accessories Installation
Educational summary only. ASEEE is not the publisher of this document and this page does not reproduce or replace it. Always consult the current official edition from IEEE for requirements.