Don, I have to partially disagree with you. A hand taped termination or splice properly done by an experienced splicer will outlast a kit. That being said the quality of workmanship is the determining factor weather or not it will last and since it is not done much anymore there are less and less people that can properly do it. In my splicing class we spent weeks and weeks hand taping slices and cutting them open to see if we left any flaws. The kits are a lot less prone to workmanship problems. Still, the cable prep is the key. Especially at higher voltages. 5KV is pretty forgiving. If a the cable is not prepared right it will fail in time. One particular high voltage contractor in my area cuts off a lot of kits and hand tapes the termination. They do it after partial discharge testing uncovers the flaws. They will guarantee their terminations and splices for the life of the cable if they are hand taped. With a kit they will only give you the warranty the kit manufacturer gives.
mdshunk, dead break and load break elbows are not used in motor terms. It is not practical. 3m, Elastimold and Raychem do however make some pretty cool term kits. Actual lead wiping of cable with the solder pots and all is a rare occurrence these days. They make lead to solid dielectric kits now so you can take off with EPR or XLP. The old lead cable will last forever as long quogueelectric, cable manufacturers usually do not give you splicing and termination instructions. Kerite is the only one I have found that does and they are only hand taping instruction's. The suppliers of the particular termination or splice you are using are normaly what is used.
as it is undisturbed.
