ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Self-Amalgamating Tapes?

Guys,
With my recent work with jointing Underground cables, I have found that the S-A tape is less than what it used to be, adhesion-wise.
I'm not willing to name brands here, but one of the more prevalent brands do thier manufacturing in Brazil.
We have 1/2", 1" and 1 1/2" tapes here for HV work.
But the quality is just not the same.
What do you guys think?.
Maybe it is just me!.

I myself can't really comment on what s/a tape used to be but as an airfield electrician i carry out jointing underground also, with kits that previously incorperated uninsulated barrel crimps a patch of s/a and an outer heat shrink to through joint the 6mm2 double insulated cables used on airfields through out the country.In the last 3 years for some reason have done away with the s/a patch and included a small inner heat shrink!!!!
i don't know why this is but personaly i would prefare the patch, inner and outer heat shrink