The new Raychem One Piece Joint brings an integrated joint body and visual shrink indicators to the next generation of cable jointing. Here is a first look from a recent visit to TE Connectivity’s factory in Ottobrunn, Germany.
“During my visit to TE Connectivity’s factory in Ottobrunn, I was privileged to see the first production run of the new Raychem One Piece Joint. I am very excited to bring this revolutionary product to the Australian Market.”
The factory presentation focused on a practical goal: simplify joint assembly while giving installers clearer feedback during shrinking. The photographs below show the sample seen during the visit, while the recreated diagrams explain the architecture and assembly comparison presented by TE.
Raychem One Piece Joint at a glance
- Manufacturer: TE Connectivity, under the Raychem brand.
- Name used in the presentation: One Piece Joint, abbreviated to OPJ.
- Version shown: torch-installed, with an integrated joint body.
- Features presented: integrated material layers, stress control and Faraday cage functions, plus thermochromic shrink indicators.
- Australian enquiries: contact Engineering Supplies to discuss confirmed product variants, application requirements and availability.
Enquire about the Raychem One Piece Joint | Call 08 9258 8444
What changes with the one-piece design?
The Raychem One Piece Joint combines several functions within one joint body. TE’s presentation describes a combination of outer thermoplastic and inner elastomeric materials, intended to provide enhanced recovery force against the cable.
The presentation also identifies integrated stress control and Faraday cage functions. Bringing these functions together is central to the new architecture and the simplified assembly comparison shown during the visit.
For background, TE’s established Raychem heat-shrink joint range uses pre-engineered tubing systems and elastomeric sleeves. The OPJ details in this article come from the factory presentation.
Four labelled layers inside the joint body
The photographed cross-section identifies four material layers, listed from the outside towards the sleeve bore:
| Layer | Material | Description or function shown |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Outer | Conductive thermoplastic | Conductive outer layer |
| 2 | Insulating thermoplastic | Electrical isolation |
| 3 | Insulating rubber | Elastic recovery for shrinking |
| 4 — Inner | Semi-conductive rubber | Stress control |
Six illustrated assembly stages compared with three
TE’s presentation compares the current MXSU product with the torch-installed One Piece Joint. It shows six joint assembly stages for MXSU and three for OPJ.
The changes shown are specific:
- The separate claypack stage is eliminated.
- A stress-grading patch remains in the illustrated sequence.
- The two stress-control tube shrink operations and the joint-body shrink operation are combined into one integrated-body shrink operation.
- A separate rejacketing sleeve remains.
This comparison shows how assembly is consolidated. It does not establish a percentage reduction in total installation time. The supplied product instructions remain the reference for the complete installation.
Thermochromic bands give visual shrink feedback
The green bands are visible on the sample photographed during the visit. TE describes these thermochromic shrink indicators as turning black when sufficient heat has been applied, giving the installer a visual cue during shrinking.
The presentation positions this feedback as a way to support consistent shrink results, including in poor lighting. The bands indicate the heating response of the sleeve; the full installation and inspection requirements still apply.
Discuss Raychem cable jointing with Engineering Supplies
For Australian projects, the next step is to match the confirmed product specification to your cable and installation requirements. Send our team your cable construction, voltage class, conductor size, insulation dimensions and project timing so we can discuss suitable Raychem solutions and check the OPJ release information with TE Connectivity.
Explore our Raychem cable accessories range or contact our Welshpool team for technical enquiries and quotations.
Ask about the Raychem One Piece Joint
Discuss product suitability, confirmed specifications, Australian availability and training options with Engineering Supplies.
Send a Raychem jointing enquiry
Call: 08 9258 8444
Email: sales@engsup.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Does “one piece” mean the entire joint kit is a single component?
The name describes the integrated joint body. TE’s illustrated comparison still includes a stress-grading patch and a separate rejacketing sleeve.
Does the sample marking ERFC 59/18 identify a complete orderable joint kit?
The photographed sample is marked Raychem ERFC 59/18. The marking alone does not confirm the complete kit order code, voltage rating or cable range. Engineering Supplies can help check the final manufacturer selection information.
Is the new Raychem One Piece Joint available in Australia?
Contact Engineering Supplies for confirmed Australian product variants, release information, pricing and lead times. This article presents a first look from the factory visit.
Sources and images: Technical overview based on the TE Connectivity presentation shown during Jeremy Telfer’s Ottobrunn visit. Factory-visit photographs: Jeremy Telfer. Recreated schematics: Engineering Supplies. General background: TE’s Ottobrunn training centre, the established MXSU joint family and Raychem heat-shrink technology.