Sealing Compound

[Riggy]

What does everyone use, still the old brown BICC compound or is there a modern equivalent?

 

[batty]

silicone is an insulator so can be used. Decorators caulk is not as I found out on a job the other day after decorator shorted out socket circuit.

Batty

 

[Lurch]

What does everyone use, still the old brown BICC compound or is there a modern equivalent?

I've got a few boxes of it in the garage. Not seen any in use anywhere since ripping out some chicken sheds years ago, bar the odd galv box with no glands.

Silicone is the new sealing compound I think, be surprised if most sparks these days have ever heard of sealing compound, let alone use it.

 

[batty]

I've got a few boxes of it in the garage. Not seen any in use anywhere since ripping out some chicken sheds years ago, bar the odd galv box with no glands.Silicone is the new sealing compound I think, be surprised if most sparks these days have ever heard of sealing compound, let alone use it.

I use r391 but mainly silicone these days.

 

[Riggy]

Silicone is the new sealing compound I think

Silicone has something in it (Acetic Acid I think) that attacks copper.

 

[Andy™]

got loads of silicone, nothing else though!

 

[Riggy]

I use r391 but mainly silicone these days.

R391? - is that the brown BICC stuff?

 

[batty]

R391? - is that the brown BICC stuff?

Thats it.

 

[Lurch]

I use r391 but mainly silicone these days.

Think that's what I've got. Intrigued now as to what I have got, I know it's in a drawer of 'useful stuff', like imperial pyro tools.

 

[Evans Electric]

Think that's what I've got. Intrigued now as to what I have got, I know it's in a drawer of 'useful stuff', like imperial pyro tools.

Imperial pyro tools , blimey !! You won't have used them by the time you retire,Lurkio . I have a couple of brand new 25mm pyro crimping tools, can't see me using them now.

Deke

 

[professional]

What does everyone use, still the old brown BICC compound or is there a modern equivalent?

I do NOT use silicone anywhere near a PVC insulated cable - it affects the electrical/mechanical properties.

R391 compound is far superior for electrical purposes - silicon is for "bodge artists" and plumbers. X(

The fact that so few sparks seem to have even HEARD of R391 is a sad indicator of the state of the trade.......................... :|

 

[bengie]

i virtually never use silicone as i hate the stuff, messy and smelly but i am interested in how it affects PVC outter sheathings, would you care to elaborate on that professional?

 

[Lurch]

Surely as it's use is widespread amongst electicians up and down the land the inspectorates would pick up on this, and it would be common knowledge by now via the grapevine that silicone is not be used anywhere near cables, or PVC. In fact, just about the only time you see silicone used it's in contact with PVC, round waste pipes, baths, PVC doors and windows, cables etc...

 

[professional]

Surely as it's use is widespread amongst electicians up and down the land the inspectorates would pick up on this, and it would be common knowledge by now via the grapevine that silicone is not be used anywhere near cables, or PVC. In fact, just about the only time you see silicone used it's in contact with PVC, round waste pipes, baths, PVC doors and windows, cables etc...

The effect on PLASTICISED PVC is the real issue here! The majority of PVC is used as building plastic which does not require continued flexibility and hence has far, far less plasticiser than the insulation on domestic cables. The long term effects of silicone on cable insulation is unknown (or not admitted to if it is).

What I fail to understand is how, on the one hand, we are supposed to calculate the CCC of a cable to the second decimal place yet happily subject that same cable to unknown influences because it is a cheaper alternative than more expensive, existing, tried and tested sealants............

I think I may have found the answer. :coat

 

[safedepth]

As a new, (though far from young) addition to the civilian trade could someone please elaborate on R391. In the service may years ago we would use "black mans ****" as a sealing compound in compression joints. As was the way with many useful items the name was lost in history and the nick name was the norm. Grade A rags were actually Grade B's and Pusser's Black Maskers was really duct tape and not masking tape at all. And in fact often yellow and not black.

R391 though, what's that all about?

 

[loonytoon]

We call it "Dog Sh*t", and yes we still use it.

 

[Andy™]

We call it "Dog Sh*t", and yes we still use it.

at least you can easily find some. you will never have to go further than 20mtr in any direction and there will be some just lying there on the path, ready for you to take

 

[tom1]

[quote name='Andy

 

[safedepth]

It's never white anymore though is it? Not like in my youth.

 

[kme]

This is the stuff guys:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BIR391.html

And heres the tech data:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/Pirelli/R391.pdf

HTH

KME