Method of encapsulation

Claim 1

A method of encapsulating a cable splice between at least two electrical cables, said cable splice comprising at least two joints between insulated electrical conductors, each joint comprising an insulating sleeve which overlies the joint and the insulation of the joined-together conductors, the method comprising the steps of (1) preparing an assembly by the steps of (a) enveloping said cable splice within a closure member which forms an enclosure around the cable splice and which has at least one aperture of closed cross-section through which passes at least one of the cables forming that cable splice; and (b) placing sealing material and a heater within said enclosure, the heater being wound around and through the sealing material and the joints between the insulated conductors; (2) supplying heat to said assembly, at least in part from said heater, to change the viscosity of said sealing material and maintaining the sealing material at an elevated temperature for a sufficient time that if forms a waterproof seal around substantially all the joints; and (3) cooling said assembly; said sealing material (a) having, at a stage before completion of step (2), a viscosity such that it flows between and around and into sealing contact with substantially all of the joints of the cable splice within the enclosure, and (b) being substantially waterproof and having a substantially higher viscosity after step (3).

Claim 2

A method of encapsulating a cable splice between at least two electrical cables, said cable splice comprising at least two joints between insulated electrical conductors, each joint comprising an insulating sleeve which overlies the joint and the insulation of the joined-together conductors, the method comprising the steps of (1) preparing an assembly by the steps of (a) enveloping said cable splice within a closure member which forms an enclosure around the cable splice and which has at least one aperture of closed cross-section through which passes at least one of the cables forming that cable splice; and (b) placing sealing material and a heater within said enclosure, the heater being wound around and through the sealing material and the joints between the insulated conductors; (2) supplying heat to said assembly, at least in part from said heater, to change the viscosity of said sealing material and maintaining the sealing material at an elevated temperature for a sufficient time that if forms a waterproof seal around substantially all the joints; and (3) cooling said assembly; said sealing material (a) having, at a stage before completion of step (2), a viscosity such that it flows between and around and into sealing contact with substantially all of the joints of the cable splice within the enclosure, and (b) being substantially waterproof and having a substantially higher viscosity after step (3).