Non-peelable semiconductor tool CWB/18-60-S

Alroc CWB 18-60 Bonded Semiconductor Cable Tool

The Alroc CWB 18-60 is a precision cable preparation tool designed to remove the bonded semiconductor (semicon) screen layer from MV polymeric cable insulation. Powerpoint Engineering supplies the CWB 18-60 to Irish cable jointers, utility cable contractors, and MV cable preparation specialists who need a clean, consistent semicon strip every time, on every joint and termination.

Bonded semicon removal is one of the most demanding cable preparation tasks. The semicon is bonded to the cable insulation; if you cut into the insulation, you compromise the joint or termination; if you leave semicon residue, you compromise the stress-control performance of the accessory you are about to fit. A specialised tool that takes that decision out of the operator's hand is what gets the job right.

What the CWB 18-60 does

• Bonded semicon removal on the cable insulation surface, leaving a clean, smooth interface ready for the cable accessory.
• Chamfer at the end of the strip for stress-control transition between the semicon edge and the insulation.
• Cable diameter range from 18 to 60 mm insulation diameter, covering the typical MV cable sizes used in Irish utility and industrial work.
• Adjustable cutting depth set against the cable's specific construction so the blade only removes the semicon layer and does not cut into the insulation.
• Integrated MVS stop for repeatable strip length and chamfer placement on every cable end.
• Compatible with the wider Penta Alroc tool family, including insulation strippers, screen removers, and cable preparation accessories used on the same job.

Build quality and ease of use

Alroc design their tools for the working jointer, not the catalogue. The CWB 18-60 is precision-engineered around a single job, sized for one-handed adjustment, and tolerant of the realities of site work. Once it is set against a sample of the cable being terminated, the tool produces a consistent strip and chamfer on every cable end, which is what the cable accessory manufacturer's installation instruction actually demands.

Operator training time is short. A jointer with experience on traditional handheld semicon removal methods picks the CWB 18-60 up in minutes, and the consistency the tool delivers reduces rework and joint failure rates compared to manual scoring and peeling.

Specifications: what to confirm before you order

Target users and applications

• Cable jointers terminating MV polymeric cable on utility, industrial, and renewable sites
• Utility and DNO contractors fitting MV joints, terminations, and separable connectors
• Renewable site cable contractors stripping and preparing collector cable on wind, solar, and BESS networks
• Industrial cable preparation teams working in pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and data-centre estates
• Training providers delivering cable preparation and jointing courses

Typical applications include preparing cable ends for MV terminations, joints, separable connectors, and any cable accessory that depends on a clean bonded-semicon strip. The CWB 18-60 fits naturally alongside Klauke crimping tools and the cable preparation kit already in a jointer's tool case.

FAQs

What does "bonded semicon" mean and why is it harder to remove?

On modern MV polymeric cable, the semiconducting screen is chemically bonded to the insulation surface during extrusion. Older cables used a strippable screen that peeled off cleanly; bonded semicon does not. The CWB 18-60 uses a precision blade and adjustable depth to remove only the bonded semicon layer without cutting into the insulation underneath.

Will the CWB 18-60 work on a 95 mm² conductor cable?

The size that matters is the insulation diameter, not the conductor cross-section. The CWB 18-60 covers 18 to 60 mm insulation diameter, which spans most utility and industrial MV cable sizes. Send us your cable specification and we will confirm fit.

Can the tool be re-bladed and serviced locally?

Yes. Powerpoint Engineering's workshop carries genuine Alroc replacement blades and parts and can re-blade and service the CWB 18-60 in-house, so the tool stays sharp and accurate over its working life.

To match the right Alroc CWB 18-60 setup to your MV cable types and accessory installation instructions, request a quote or speak to our team for compatibility advice.