West Penn Wire Blog

In outdoor installations, in most cases, outdoor cables are needed to maintain the performance of the cables standards. But other types of cables can be added to mix such as security or access control. When those are added, what are the specific guideline that would need to be followed? When should outdoor or indoor cables be installed?

At West Penn Wire we often get questions from our customers and end users about some of our most popular products. When it comes to Aquaseal, one of the most prevalent questions is about the differences between direct burial and in-conduit and how these cable will be applied to their particular installation. This article will discuss the differences between the two, so you may understand the best cable for your upcoming project.

With the communication industry consistently  growing, it is best to be prepared for any environmental factors. From direct sunlight factors to wet locations, a reliable connection cannot afford to be overlooked.

For those locations; the industry’s original water resistant, water blocking low-voltage cable- Aquaseal cable, has become the recognized name for indoor/outdoor applications.

What is considered a Wet Location?

Wet locations occur in areas where direct burial in the ground, in conduit that is located below grade or any time the cable is passing through the concrete slab. These are areas where water, humidity or liquid saturation is possible- regions that are regularly exposed to the elements.

So how does it work?

Aquaseal low-voltage cable consists of a 2-ply tape on the inner shielded pairs which is virtually impenetrable. As well as a .025 inch sunlight resistant and moisture resistant jacket. Aquaseal contains this material, so when the water penetrates the cable, the 2-ply tape expands to protect the cables and connections.

In some situations, where moisture or direct sunlight may be an issue, you need more than a standard Low Voltage Cable. Those situations are tailor made for West Penn Wire's line of Aquaseal cables. Aquaseal has a strong history of use for applications where you need to run cable from one building to another either via direct burial or in-condiut and with Aquaseal there is no need to transition once you go back inside as they are suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications. As with all of the quality cables from West Penn Wire; the Aquaseal line maintains the full host of applicable UL ratings.