L-C-3 - Textron Aviation OEM Soldering Sleeve Splice 1/4 Inches

L-C-3 – Textron Aviation OEM SolderSleeve® Shield Terminator

Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.

Overview

The L-C-3 is a high-reliability, one-piece shield termination device from Raychem (TE Connectivity), supplied with the full certification and traceability of Textron Aviation as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) component. While often colloquially referred to as a "soldering sleeve splice," its specific engineering function is to terminate the braided shield of a cable to a ground lead, not to splice two wires together. The L-C-3 uses SolderSleeve® technology to create a soldered, strain-relieved, and environmentally protected ground connection, which is critical for protecting sensitive avionics from interference.

As a genuine Textron Aviation part, this SolderSleeve® is the factory-specified component for performing certifiable wiring harness repairs and modifications on Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker aircraft. It ensures that the integrity of the aircraft's complex shielded wiring systems is maintained to the original manufacturing standard.

Key Features

• Textron Aviation OEM Certified: Guarantees the component is a factory-approved, fully traceable part for the Textron Aviation family of aircraft.

• 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 with a single, repeatable application using a calibrated heat source.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: L-C-3

• Component Type: Heat-Shrinkable SolderSleeve® Shield Terminator

• OEM Authority: Textron Aviation

• Underlying 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

As a Textron Aviation OEM part, this shield terminator is the specified component for numerous applications across their product lines.

• Primary Textron Aviation Platforms:

  • Cessna Citation Series Business Jets

  • Beechcraft King Air, Baron, and Bonanza

  • Cessna Caravan and Piston Aircraft

  • Hawker Business Jets

• General Aerospace Usage: As a Raychem product, it is a fundamental component for any certified wiring harness requiring a high-reliability shield termination.

Note: Verification of applicability is the responsibility of the installer. Always consult the current version of the aircraft's Wiring Diagram Manual (WDM) and maintenance manual to confirm part number eligibility.

Applications

• Terminating cable shields for avionics data buses (e.g., ARINC 429) on Textron aircraft.

• 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.

Why Choose this L-C-3?

This component provides the dual assurance of a world-leading electronics manufacturer (Raychem/TE) and the specific endorsement of the airframe OEM (Textron Aviation). A proper shield ground is critical for preventing EMI/RFI from corrupting data in modern glass-cockpit aircraft. Using this OEM part ensures you are installing the exact component specified in the aircraft's wiring diagrams, maintaining the integrity of the complex, interconnected avionic systems.

The reliability of the L-C-3 Shield Terminator in the harsh aerospace environment is a function of its advanced material science. The outer transparent sleeve is typically made from radiation-crosslinked Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), a high-performance fluoropolymer. The radiation crosslinking process creates a thermoset material with a "shape memory," allowing it to shrink powerfully when heated while providing exceptional toughness and resistance to abrasion and cut-through. The thermoplastic sealing rings are often a specially formulated copolymer that melts at a precise temperature, allowing it to flow and create an adhesive, fuel- and fluid-resistant bond to a wide variety of wire insulation materials. This multi-material, co-molded design ensures that the completed termination is not just electrically sound, but also a mechanically robust and hermetically sealed component.

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

The base standard for this part is a proprietary design from Raychem / TE Connectivity. OEM-specific application and installation data is contained within the Textron Aviation maintenance and wiring diagram manuals.

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