Fire resistant electrical cable splice

1. A fire resistant electrical cable splice, comprising:

at least two electrical cables;

at least one connection, formed by at least one conductor from each of the at least two electrical cables, connected mechanically and electrically;

an insulating polymer that is electrically nonconductive at least at temperatures above 500° F., the insulating polymer substantially applied over the connection, wherein the insulating polymer is a ceramifiable silicone rubber; and

a retaining jacket substantially applied over the insulating polymer that allows the insulating polymer to maintain integrity in an environment of at least 1850° F.

2. The splice of claim 1 , wherein the insulating polymer is at least one of the group comprising a heat shrink tube, a cold shrink tube, and a premolded splice.

3. The splice of claim 1 , wherein the insulating polymer further comprises a ceramifiable polymer that will begin to ceramify at a temperature below 950° F.

4. The splice of claim 1 , wherein the retaining jacket further comprises a glass cloth tape.

5. The splice of claim 4 , wherein the retaining jacket is heat resistant such that integrity of the retaining jacket is maintained at least up to 900° F.

6. The splice of claim 1 , wherein the conductor is electrically conductive and has a melting point above 1850° F.

7. A method of using a fire resistant electrical cable splice, the method comprising the steps of:

preparing a plurality of fire resistant electrical cables for connection, wherein each of the electrical cables comprise:

a conductor;

at least one thermally and electrically insulative jacket applied over the conductor;

mechanically and electrically connecting the conductors of each of the electrical cables, wherein at least a portion of the connection is within an environment;

applying an insulating polymer substantially over the connection;

applying a retaining jacket substantially over the insulating polymer;

conducting a current through the electrical cable for at least one hour while the temperature of the environment is at least 1850° F; and

increasing a temperature of the environment consistently from a temperature approximately below 200° F. to a temperature at least approximately 1700° F. while conducting the current through the electrical cable.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of storing the connection in one of the group consisting of a ceramic block, a standoff, or an insulator.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of wrapping a glass cloth tape substantially over the insulating polymer.

10. A method of splicing two electrical cables together within an environment, the method comprising the steps of:

removing insulation from a first conductor at a first end of a first electrical cable and a second conductor at a second end of a second electrical cable for connection;

mechanically and electrically joining the first conductor and the second conductor to form a connection; and

applying an insulating polymer substantially over the connection, wherein the insulating polymer is a ceramifiable silicone rubber;

applying a glass cloth tape substantially over the insulating polymer;

conducting a current through the first and second electrical cables for at least one hour while the temperature of the environment is at least 1850° F.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising storing the connection in one of the group consisting of a ceramic block, a standoff, or an insulator.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising ceramifying the insulating polymer.