Cold Shrink

8560 Series Silicone Rubber

3/C Cable Breakout Boots
Data Sheet
1.0 Product Description
3M 8561 through 8565 Silicone Rubber Cold Shrink Cable
Breakout Boots are a series of open-ended molded rubber
sealing assemblies that are factory expanded and mounted
on removable inner supporting plastic cores. They are
supplied for field installation in a pre-stretched condition.
The supporting cores are removed after the seal has been
positioned for installation around the breakout area of a
3/C (three conductor) cable. Core removal allows the
silicone rubber boot to shrink down to a pre-determined
diameter; creating an environmental enclosure for
individual cable phase legs and the overall cable jacket
8560 Series Breakout Boots are designed to protect the
phase leg breakout area of 3/C medium voltage shielded
power cable from exposure to moisture, contamination,
corrosion, ozone, ultra-violet radiation, physical contact
and other hazards associated with 3/C termination
operating environments.
8560 Series Breakout Boots can be used in conjunction
with 3M Silicone Rubber Cold Shrink Termination
Assemblies and RJS Series Phase Rejacketing Sleeves for
3/C shielded power cable terminating applications.

Features and Benefits

Kit Configuration:

Versatile; installs quickly and accommodates a wide

range of cable sizes.
Simple hand application; no need for special
installation tools.
No torches or heat required.
No specific user skills or craftsmanship required.
Excellent resistance to ozone and ultra-violet radiation.
Good solvent resistance; compatible with industryapproved cable cleaners.
Excellent thermal stability.
High dry and wet insulation resistance.
Highly flexible; accommodates all power cable
supplier bend radius recommendations.
Seals tight; retains resiliency and pressure even after
prolonged years of aging and exposure.
Compatible with all 3M Cold Shrink Termination
Products and RJS Series Phase Rejacketing Sleeves.

One each poly-bagged breakout boot assembly with

installation instructions; one poly bag per carton.

2.0 Applications
3M 8560 Series Breakout Boots are used to protect the phase
breakout area of three conductor medium voltage power
cable from moisture & contamination penetration after the
jacket has been removed in preparation for terminating.
8560 Series Breakout Boots accommodate cable sizes
ranging from No. 8 AWG (8 mm2) @ 3.3 kV to 500 KCMil
(240 mm2) @ 36 kV.
Five sizes are available to cover cable metallic shield
diameters ranging from 0.48" (12.1 mm) to 1.94" (49.3
mm) and cable jackets ranging from 1.30" (33.0 mm) to
4.7" (119.4 mm).

8560 Breakout Boot Selection Guide - Based on Diameter Range & Cable Conductor Size
Product
Number

Cable Shield*
Diameter Range

Cable Jacket
Diameter Range

3.3 kV

3.3 kV

5.0 kV

6.6 kV

6.6 kV

8.0 kV

(mm2)

(mm2)

(AWG)

(mm2)

(mm2)

(AWG)

(Finger [A])

(Neck [B])

IEC

JIS

AEIC

IEC

JIS

AEIC

8561

0.480.72"
12.218.3 mm

1.301.94"
33.049.3 mm

1635

822

82

1625

810

64

8562

0.610.95"
15.524.1 mm

1.462.67"
37.167.8 mm

5095

3860

13/0

3570

1438

22/0

8563

0.821.18"
20.830.0 mm

1.923.10"
48.878-7 mm

120185

100150

4/0400

95150

60100

3/0350

8564

1.021.63"
25.941.4 mm

2.524.32"
64.0109.7 mm

240300

200250

500750

185300

150250

400600

8565

1.091.94"
27.749.3 mm

2.604.70"
66.0119.4 mm

300325

8001000

300325

7501000

Cable
Shield

Finger [A]

Finger [A]

Seals over
Cable Shield

[L]
Neck [B]
Jacket

Approximate Installed Length [L]

Neck [B]

85615.00" (127 mm)

85625.00" (127 mm)
85636.00" (152 mm)
85648.25" (210 mm)
85658.25" (210 mm)

Seals over
Cable Jacket

Product
Number

Cable Shield*
Diameter Range

Cable Jacket
Diameter Range

10 kV

15 kV

20 kV

25 kV

30 kV

35 kV

(mm2)

(AWG)

(mm2)

(AWG)

(mm2)

(AWG)

(Finger [A])

(Neck [B])

IEC

AEIC

IEC

AEIC

IEC

AEIC

8561

0.480.72"
12.218.3 mm

1.301.94"
33.049.3 mm

8562

0.610.95"
15.524.1 mm

1.462.67"
37.167.8 mm

1050

21

8563

0.821.18"
20.830.0 mm

1.923.10"
48.878.7 mm

70150

1/04/0

2570

21/0

8564

1.021.63"
25.941.4 mm

2.524.32"
64.0109.7 mm

185300

250450

95185

2/0250

3570

1/03/0

8565

1.091.94"
27.749.3 mm

2.604.70"
66.0119.4 mm

500750

240300

300500

95240

4/0500

IEC=International Electrotechnical Commission JIS=Japanese Industrial Standard AEIC=Association of Edison Illuminating Companies

*When applicable, shield diameter ranges must be adjusted to account for ground strap thickness.

3.0 Typical Physical and Electrical PropertiesSilicone Rubber Breakout Boot

Breakout Boot Assembly

Property

Typical Value

Reference

Physical
Color
Tear Resistance (Die B)
Ultimate Tensile Strength
Modulus @ 100% Stretch
Ultimate Elongation
Permanent Set (22 hrs @
100o C & 100% Stretch)
Temperature Rating

Dark Gray
149 psi (1.03 Mpa)
1370 psi (09.5 Mpa)
125 psi (0.86 Mpa)
780%
8%

N/A
ASTM D-624 B
ASTM D-412
ASTM D-412
ASTM D-412
3M Test Method

180o C (Class H)

ASTM D-2000

36 kV

N/A

587 V/mil (23 kV/mm)

6+ Hours

3M Test Method
ASTM D-2303/
IEC 587

Electrical
Max. Voltage Class Rating
(Termination Based)
Dielectric Strength @ 0.065"
Track Resistance

3.1 Ratings
8560 Series Cable Breakout Boots can can be used on
cables with a continuous operating temperature of 90C
and an emergency overload temperature of 130C.
When used in combination with 3M Cold Shrink
Terminations, 8560 Series Breakout Boots meet, or
exceed, the current rating of the cable on which they have
been applied.
According to IEEE Standard 48-1996 definition, a 3/C
Class I Termination designation is achieved by combining
three easy-to-use accessories: (a) 3M Cold Shrink
Breakout Boot, (b) RJS Rejacketing Sleeves and (c) Cold
Shrink Silicone Rubber Termination Assemblies.
3.2 Material Characteristics
Hydrophobicity
When airborne contaminants are deposited on a
termination surface destructive leakage currents can
initiate when the surface becomes wet. Fog and drizzle
are normally considered to be worse than rain as these
two forms of precipitation can combine with accumulated
surface contaminants to reduce surface resistivity and
promote leakage current formation. Rain tends to wash
the pollutants off the termination surface.
Silicone 8560 Series Breakout Boots are hydrophobic;
tending to reject moisture accumulation and thereby,
reducing the probability for discharge-initiated material
erosion and tracking.
Severe environmental conditions that are sustained for long
time periods can cause any polymeric surface to lose its
hydrophobicity. EPDM polymers and others tend to lose
their hydrophobic nature over time. Porcelain surfaces
become increasingly hydrophilic with time which can result
in premature failure or flashover. Silicone surfaces can
regenerate their hydrophobic nature. This unique ability is
a major factor for ensuring a long service life.

Ozone, Heat and UV Resistance

One of the most outstanding physical characteristics of
silicone rubber is its retention of desirable properties over
a very wide temperature range.
While there are applications that take advantage of these
temperature extremes, a more attractive feature might be
that of its extremely long life expectancy at moderate
operating temperatures.
The silicone polymer molecular backbone, silicon-oxygen
linkage, provides the same strong -Si-O-Si- type bond
occurring in quartz, sand and glass. This accounts for the
outstanding temperature properties of silicones and their
resistance to oxidation by ozone, corona and weathering.
Polymer chains from organic rubber materials often have
double carbon bond molecular backbones which are
quickly cleaved by ozone, light, heat or other influences
found in the operating environment.
Water Seal
To determine material water sealing capability, samples of
8560 breakout boots were installed on non-shielded 3/C
cable and submersed for a two week period.
Resistance recorded between cable armor and surrounding
water ranged from 0.8 x 109 ohms to 2.0 x 109 ohms at
1000 volts at the end of the two week period.

4.0 Specifications
4.1 Product
The 3M 8560 Series Cable Breakout Boot is one
component of a 3/C cable termination and as such, must
conform to all internationally recognized termination
performance standards; specifically to VDE 0278, Cenelec
HD629.1 S1, and the Class I designation of IEEE Standard
48-1996. Cable Breakout Boots shall be made of trackresistant silicone rubber, dark gray in color and shall be
supplied in the form of a one-piece assembly for hand
application. Installation shall require no flame, heat source
or specialized tools.

4.2 Engineering/Architectural
Seal and protect the cable phase (core) breakout area of
all 3/C, 3.3 kV through 36 kV Class, cable in accordance
with the instructions provided in 3M 8560 Series
Silicone Rubber Breakout Boot Product Kits.

5.0 Installation Technique

Detailed instructions are included in each kit to provide
installer with all information required to properly install the
appropriately sized 3M 8560 Series Breakout Boot Product.
A brief summary of the installation steps for 3/C power
cable is outlined below.

6.0 Maintenance
Hypotting
Termination designs incorporating 8560 Series Silicone
Rubber Breakout Boots can be field tested by using
normal cable testing procedures (reference: ANSI/IEEE
Standard 400 Guide for Making High-Direct-Voltage
Tests on Power Cable Systems in the Field).

Surface Cleaning
8560 Series Breakout Boot Products are not harmed by
field surface cleaning. Established techniques for cleaning
insulators and terminations, such as high pressure water or
pulverized corn cobs, are acceptable. It should be noted
however, that only extreme areas of environmental
contamination should require this kind of attention.

7.0 Shelf Life

While 8560 Series Breakout Boot Products are not expected
to deteriorate during extended storage periods, a three year
shelf life limit is suggested. Maximum recommended
storage temperature is 110 F (43 C). 8560 Products are
not affected by freezing. Standard stock rotation practice
is recommended.

8.0 Availability
Breakout boot products are package and supplied in the
following kit configuration:
One each poly-bagged assembly with installation
instructions; one poly bag per carton.
8560 Series Breakout Boot Products can be purchased
through your local authorized 3M electrical distributor.

Breakout Boot Installation

A. Slide cable breakout boot assembly onto cable from the
neck end. Guide individual cable phase legs through the
assembly finger cores.
B. Remove boot assembly Neck Core [B] by pulling, while
unwinding, the loose pull tab [E] in a counter clock-wise
direction around cable.
C. Remove each finger core [A] using the same technique
(Reference Step B.)
The cable breakout area is now protected from environmental
contamination and moisture.

[A] Finger Core

(Typical)
Finger

Neck
[B] Neck Core
[E] Pull Tab

3M and Cold Shrink are trademarks of 3M.

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but the accuracy or completeness thereof is not guaranteed. Before utilizing the product, the user should determine the suitability of the
product for its intended use. The user assumes all risks and liability whatsoever in connection with such use.
Any statements or recommendations of the Seller which are not contained in the Sellers current publications shall have no force or effect
unless contained in an agreement signed by an authorized office of the Seller. The statements contained herein are made in lieu of all
warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose
which warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed.
SELLER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO THE USER OR ANY OTHER PERSON UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY, FOR ANY INJURY OR FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SUSTAINED OR INCURRED BY REASON OF THE USE OF ANY OF THE SELLERS PRODUCTS.

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