Abstract: The micro-losses and micro-cracks in the use of cable insulation and sheath materials will reduce the electrical and mechanical properties of the materials and shorten theirs service life. Self-healing materials are smart materials that can self-repair micro-damages and micro-cracks in the materials. Self-healing materials are broadly divided into intrinsic and extrinsic systems in terms of the healing mechanism. This article introduced the selfhealing mechanism of intrinsic and extrinsic systems of the self-healing materials, as well as the research status of common self-healing materials for cable insulation and sheaths in recent years, and finally elaborated the future development goals and direction of self-healing materials for cable insulation and sheaths (29 references cited).