Electrical connector including cold shrink core and thermoplastic elastomer material and associated methods

An electrical connector comprising:

• a connector body having a passageway therethrough, the passageway having first and second ends and a medial portion with at least one bend therein between the first and second ends, the first end of the passageway having an enlarged diameter to receive an electrical bushing insert therein, said connector body comprising
• a first layer adjacent the bend and spaced inwardly from the first and second ends of the passageway,
• a second layer surrounding said first layer and comprising an insulative thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, and
• a third layer surrounding said second layer and comprising a semiconductive TPE material,
• a cold shrink core positioned within the second end of the passageway.

A method for making an electrical connector body having a passageway therethrough, the method comprising:

• providing a first layer to define at least a medial portion of the passageway;
• overmolding a second layer surrounding the first layer and comprising an insulative thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material having a relatively high resistivity;
• overmolding a third layer surrounding the second layer and comprising a material having a relatively low resistivity;
• and
• positioning a cold shrink core within at least a portion of the passageway to make the electrical connector body.