Topband: Snap and seal connectors

[Tom W8JI]

>
>  Questions about so called "water proof" connectors came up etc.  As a 
> result, I will include a few things which should be good practice because 
> I discovered, for example, that everyone does not tape their connectors 
> when they are out in the weather.   Also, just because a dealer says a 
> connector is "water proof"  that may not mean water will not find its way 
> in!
>

I never tape mine, and we never taped hundreds of thousands in the CATV/MATV 
industry.

http://www.scte.org/documents/pdf/standards/ANSISCTE602004IPSTP013.pdf

http://www.tnb.com/pubint/docs/snapnseal.pdf

As a standard practice, and from field experience, we flooded the center of 
the connector with clear silicon dielectric compound. A suitable material is 
readily available at almost any auto parts store as "Dielectric Tune Up 
Grease" in a silver squeeze tube.

The only places we externally sealed connectors were in underground 
applications or in pedestal boxes that flooded. In those cases we either 
used Teflon paste flooded rubber connector boots, or for permanent splices, 
flooded heat shrink. Those connectors were all O-ringed.

Nearly all connector water issues are improper installation. I've seen 
expensive "professionals" actually leave O-rings out of outdoor connectors!!

73 Tom