Anti-Tracking Tubing
Heat shrinkable anti-tracking tubing designed for high-performance electrical insulation in outdoor, polluted, and high-stress environments where resistance to surface tracking, erosion, and weathering is critical.
Engineered for Outdoor and High-Stress Insulation Demands
Anti-tracking tubing is formulated specifically for medium- and high-voltage insulation applications where standard polyolefin tubing is insufficient. In outdoor and polluted environments, moisture and contamination on cable insulation surfaces can form conductive paths — leading to surface tracking, erosion, and eventual insulation failure. Anti-tracking tubing resists this degradation mechanism through a specialised compound that suppresses carbonised tracking paths and withstands erosion under sustained leakage current.
Suitable for MV cable core reconstruction, sheath repair, termination insulation, and outdoor installations subject to coastal, industrial, or high-pollution exposure.
- Material Crosslinked Polyolefin (AT grade)
- Shrink ratio 3:1 minimum
- Tracking resistance Yes — IEC 60587
- UV / weather resistance Yes
- Flame retardant Yes — IEC 60332-1
- Halogen-free Yes
- Operating temperature –55°C to +110°C
Why Anti-Tracking Tubing Is Specified
Purpose-formulated for environments where conventional tubing fails under sustained electrical stress, pollution, and weathering.
High-Voltage Insulation Performance
Formulated for MV and HV insulation applications where dielectric performance must be maintained under sustained electrical stress, elevated leakage current, and contaminated surface conditions.
Anti-Tracking and Erosion Resistance
The AT compound suppresses the formation of carbonised conductive tracks on the tubing surface — preventing progressive erosion and insulation failure in polluted or moisture-exposed installations.
UV and Weather Durability
UV-stabilised compound maintains mechanical and electrical properties after prolonged outdoor exposure — suitable for above-ground cable runs, overhead structures, and exposed substation installations.
Wide Accommodation with 3:1 Shrink Ratio
The 3:1 shrink ratio allows a single tubing size to cover a broad range of cable and insulation diameters — simplifying procurement and reducing the number of stocked sizes required per project.
Flame-Retardant, Halogen-Free Construction
Compliant with IEC 60332-1 for flame retardance and formulated without halogens — meeting safety and environmental requirements for enclosed and confined installation environments.
Reliable Field Installation
Applied using a standard hot air gun or controlled-flame torch — no specialist tooling required. Consistent recovery is achievable by trained technicians in field or workshop conditions.
Material & Performance Data
Reference data for engineering and procurement. Contact our technical team for full test reports or project-specific qualification data.
| Base material | Irradiation-crosslinked polyolefin — anti-tracking grade |
|---|---|
| Standard colour | Black |
| Shrink ratio | 3:1 minimum (recovered wall : supplied diameter) |
| Tracking resistance | Yes — tested to IEC 60587 (electrical tracking and erosion) |
| UV / weather resistance | Yes — UV-stabilised, suitable for prolonged outdoor exposure |
| Flame retardant | Yes — compliant with IEC 60332-1 |
| Halogen-free | Yes |
| Operating temperature | –55°C to +110°C (continuous service) |
| Installation method | Hot air gun or controlled-flame torch — standard heat shrink application |
| Chemical resistance | Resistant to oils, fuels, mild acids, and alkalis in recovered state |
| Shelf life | 10 years from manufacture date when stored per IEC 60684 storage guidelines |
| Applicable standards | IEC 60684 (heat-shrinkable tubing), IEC 60587 (tracking resistance), IEC 60332-1 (flame retardance) |
Where Anti-Tracking Tubing Is Used
Specified wherever surface tracking, pollution, and environmental degradation are design risks in medium- and high-voltage installations.
MV/HV Cable Terminations
Applied over the insulation screen cutback and cable insulation at medium- and high-voltage terminations to maintain dielectric integrity and prevent surface tracking at the insulation interface.
Pollution-Prone Substations
Used in coastal, industrial, and heavily contaminated substation environments where conventional tubing is susceptible to leakage current, tracking, and progressive insulation degradation.
Cable Core Reconstruction
Applied over stripped MV cable cores during jointing and termination to re-establish the insulation layer with anti-tracking performance equivalent to the original cable design.
Sheath Repair
Used to repair and reinstate damaged cable sheaths on MV outdoor cables — restoring mechanical protection, weather resistance, and tracking resistance without cable replacement.
Renewable Energy Systems
Specified on solar and wind energy cable systems where outdoor UV exposure, temperature cycling, and elevated leakage current demand long-term insulation stability in unshielded environments.
Utility and Industrial Networks
Applied across utility distribution infrastructure and industrial electrical installations where outdoor cable runs require sustained insulation performance in challenging service environments.
How to Select the Right Anti-Tracking Tubing
Six criteria determine the correct size and specification. Work through each before ordering to ensure the tubing performs correctly in the intended service environment.
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01
Voltage Class
Confirm the system voltage and the voltage class of the cable accessory being installed. Anti-tracking tubing is specified for MV and HV applications — ensure the selected product is rated for the operating voltage of the installation.
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02
Cable Size and Insulation Type
Measure the outer diameter of the cable insulation at the point of application. For terminations, this is typically the stripped insulation diameter. Confirm the cable insulation material to ensure chemical compatibility with the tubing compound in recovered contact.
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03
Required Tubing Length
Determine the length of tubing required based on the coverage area specified in the accessory installation instruction or engineering drawing. Allow for the shrinkage in length that occurs during heat application — typically 5–10% axial shrinkage depending on tubing size and recovery method.
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04
Indoor or Outdoor Exposure
Anti-tracking tubing is designed for outdoor and high-stress environments. Confirm whether the installation is fully outdoor, partially sheltered, or indoor with elevated pollution — this affects the tracking resistance class required and any additional environmental sealing specification.
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05
Pollution Severity and Service Environment
Assess the pollution severity at the installation site — coastal salt, industrial particulate, chemical vapour, and heavy rain exposure each affect the rate of leakage current and tracking risk. Higher pollution environments may require a tracking resistance class above the minimum — confirm with our technical team for site-specific guidance.
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06
Quantity and Project Location
Confirm total quantities by tubing size, along with the project location and required delivery schedule. Western Cablex can support project-specific supply, phased delivery, and technical documentation for utility and EPC procurement requirements.
If the application involves non-standard cable dimensions, elevated voltage, or severe pollution conditions, contact our technical team before finalising the specification.
Common Technical Questions
Surface tracking is the progressive formation of conductive carbonised paths along the surface of an insulating material, caused by sustained leakage current in the presence of moisture and contamination. Once a tracking path forms, it lowers surface resistance, increases leakage current, and accelerates further erosion — ultimately resulting in flashover or insulation failure. In outdoor and polluted environments, standard polyolefin tubing is susceptible to this degradation mechanism. Anti-tracking tubing is specifically compounded to suppress carbonised track formation and resist erosion under these conditions.
The key difference is in the base compound formulation. Standard heat shrink tubing uses a general-purpose crosslinked polyolefin that provides good insulation, mechanical protection, and UV resistance — but will carbonise and erode under sustained leakage current in polluted environments. Anti-tracking tubing uses a modified compound that suppresses this carbonisation mechanism, maintaining surface resistance and insulation integrity under conditions that would degrade standard products. The installation method and dimensional characteristics are otherwise similar.
Yes. While anti-tracking tubing is primarily specified for outdoor and polluted environments, it is equally suitable for indoor high-voltage installations where pollution, condensation, or elevated leakage current is a risk — such as indoor switchgear, enclosed substations in industrial facilities, or high-humidity plant rooms. Specifying anti-tracking tubing in these environments provides additional long-term margin against insulation degradation at no significant installation complexity cost.
A hot air gun is the recommended installation tool, providing controlled and uniform heat distribution. A propane or butane torch with a spreading nozzle may also be used with care. Begin heat application at the centre of the tubing length and work progressively toward each end — this prevents air entrapment and ensures even recovery without wrinkling. Avoid concentrating heat at a single point, which can cause uneven recovery or material damage. Recovery is complete when the tubing surface is smooth and wrinkle-free.
Yes. Anti-tracking tubing is widely used for MV cable core reconstruction during jointing and termination — applied over the stripped and prepared cable insulation to reinstate the insulation layer with anti-tracking performance. For this application, correct sizing is essential: the recovered tubing must conform tightly to the cable insulation surface without voids or lifted edges. Contact our technical team for sizing guidance specific to the cable size and voltage class of the installation.
Anti-tracking tubing is specified by its supplied (pre-shrink) inner diameter. The recovered inner diameter is the supplied diameter divided by the shrink ratio — for a 3:1 product, a 60mm supplied size recovers to approximately 20mm. Select the size whose recovered diameter is equal to or slightly smaller than the cable insulation outer diameter to ensure a tight, void-free fit. Western Cablex anti-tracking tubing is available across a size range covering MV cable core and sheath dimensions. Contact our technical team for the current size schedule and project availability.
Need Help Selecting the Right Anti-Tracking Tubing?
Speak with our technical team for sizing, application guidance, and product recommendations.