Heard a comm tech say never use gel filled connectors on dry cable. Makes sense now.

Was swapping stories with this older guy at a supply house in Phoenix. He said gel filled connectors are for underground only. On dry cable they just make a mess. Corrosion later. I used them on a job last month. Three drops already having issues. Guess he was right. Anyone else learn this the hard way?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan_wells6713d ago

Sam nailed it with that green corrosion comment, I've seen the same thing on jobs where guys used gel connectors on dry runs. The gel traps moisture against the copper when there's no water in the cable to push it out, so you're basically sealing in the problem. Stick to gel for underground wet splices only and use heat shrink or dry connectors for anything above ground, saves you reworking drops three months later.

sam5302mo ago

Jumped in headfirst with gel connectors on a dry run a few years back... thought I was saving time. Three months later every single one was turning green inside. It's like using winter tires in summer yeah they work but you're just asking for trouble. That lesson stuck with me more than any manual ever could.

holly_gonzalez612mo ago

@sam530 I switched to heat shrink and never looked back. Works every time for me.