L-C-3 - Sumitomo Soldering Sleeve Splice 1/4 Inches

L-C-3 – Raychem (TE) SolderSleeve® Shield Terminator

Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.

Overview

The Raychem (TE Connectivity) L-C-3 is a high-reliability, one-piece device designed to terminate the braided shield of an electrical cable to a ground lead. It is important to note that this is a shield terminator, not a wire-to-wire butt splice. The L-C-3 utilizes advanced SolderSleeve® technology to provide a soldered, strain-relieved, and environmentally protected ground connection in a single, controlled heating operation. This component is essential for protecting sensitive avionics and electronic systems from the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI).

The device consists of a transparent, heat-shrinkable insulation sleeve, an integrated preform of solder and flux, and thermoplastic sealing inserts. When heated, the L-C-3 shrinks to provide mechanical strain relief, the solder melts to form a low-impedance electrical bond between the cable shield and ground wire, and the sealing rings melt to create a barrier against moisture and fluids. This technology provides a vastly superior and more reliable shield termination than conventional mechanical crimping or hand-soldering methods.

Key Features

• SolderSleeve® Shield Termination: An integrated, pre-fluxed solder preform provides a 360-degree, low-impedance connection between the cable shield and ground wire for superior EMI/RFI protection.

• Environmentally Sealed: Thermoplastic sealing rings at the end(s) melt and flow during installation, creating a waterproof, immersion-resistant seal that protects the termination point from corrosion.

• Transparent Inspection Window: The transparent insulation sleeve allows for a complete visual inspection of the solder flow after installation, providing positive verification of a quality connection.

• Integral Strain Relief: The tough, heat-shrunk sleeve encapsulates the termination point, providing excellent strain relief and protecting the delicate shield strands from vibration and mechanical stress.

• One-Step Application: Replaces a complex, multi-step process of stripping, twisting, crimping, and soldering with a single, repeatable application using a calibrated heat source.

• Controlled Engineering: Provides a pre-engineered solution with the precise amount of solder and flux needed for a perfect connection every time.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: L-C-3

• Component Type: Heat-Shrinkable SolderSleeve® Shield Terminator

• OEM Manufacturer: Raychem / TE Connectivity

• Application: Grounding of shielded cable braids.

• Expanded Diameter (Minimum): 0.250 inches (6.4 mm)

• Sleeve Material: Radiation-crosslinked Polymer (e.g., Polyolefin or PVDF)

• Solder Alloy: Per military/aerospace specification with integrated flux.

• Sealing Inserts: Thermoplastic Copolymer

• Maximum Operating Temperature: Typically -55°C to +150°C (must be confirmed by specific datasheet).

Aircraft Compatibility

The L-C-3 is a universal wiring system component used in the manufacturing, repair, and modification of electrical harnesses on virtually all modern certified aircraft, including those from:

• Textron Aviation (Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker)

• Boeing

• Airbus

• Bombardier

• Embraer

• Gulfstream

• And all other major OEMs.

Note: This is a standard wiring component. Applicability is determined by the cable diameter and the requirements of the specific wiring repair or installation as detailed in the aircraft's maintenance and wiring manuals.

Applications

• Terminating cable shields for avionics data buses (e.g., ARINC 429, CAN bus).

• Grounding of coaxial cables for navigation and communication radio antennas.

• Shield terminations for fly-by-wire flight control systems, engine sensors (FADEC), and other noise-sensitive circuits.

• Any application where a shielded cable requires a low-impedance, environmentally protected ground connection.

Why Choose L-C-3?

A proper shield termination is absolutely critical for the function of modern avionics. An improper ground can render a shielded cable useless, leading to data corruption, instrument errors, or communication failure. The L-C-3 SolderSleeve® provides a full 360-degree, low-impedance soldered connection that is far superior to mechanical methods like crimp rings or the twisting of a "pigtail," which can act as an antenna and actually introduce noise. This device ensures the cable shield performs its protective function as designed, safeguarding the integrity of the aircraft's critical electronic systems.

The L-C-3 SolderSleeve® is engineered to solve the problem of high-frequency impedance in shield ground connections. In an aircraft's high-EMI environment, a braided cable shield acts as a Faraday cage, intercepting noise signals which induce a current on the shield. To be effective, this noise current must be shunted to ground through a connection with the lowest possible impedance (Z). A simple twisted "pigtail" ground wire has high self-inductance, which creates a high impedance at high frequencies (ZL​=2πfL), causing it to act as an antenna and re-radiate noise. The L-C-3's design provides a 360-degree, large-surface-area solder joint directly between the shield and the ground lead. This coaxial-like connection geometry minimizes the inductance of the joint, creating an extremely low-impedance path to ground across a wide frequency spectrum and ensuring the effective elimination of coupled noise from the protected signal wires.

Note: This is a flight-critical electrical component. Installation must be performed by a certified A&P or avionics technician trained in aerospace wiring practices. Use of a calibrated, temperature-controlled heat gun with an appropriate reflector is mandatory; use of an open flame or uncontrolled heat source will damage the component and create an unairworthy connection. Proper cable preparation is critical for a reliable termination. The transparent body must be used to visually inspect the solder flow and verify a proper connection has been made.

Documentation

Manufacturer's data sheets and application notes are available on the TE Connectivity website. Installation procedures should be performed in accordance with the aircraft's standard wiring practices manual.

• TE Connectivity Product Page (Reference): Search for SolderSleeve Shield Terminators at https://www.te.com/