Waterproofing Your Electrical Cables

Did you know that electrical wirings are everywhere? From the wirings inside your office, in your home, and even in your MP3 player or other gadgets. Most times, you can see them because they’re heavily protected and covered. Electrical wiring can be found everywhere in our daily lives, and almost every one of those wirings is entirely safe. Unfortunately, problems can occur if your wiring gets wet. It can result in corroded wires, or even worse, electrocute you or anybody else if you touch it. You might have already had your fair share of experience touching exposed electrical wires. It was not a feeling you would want to feel again anytime.

The wiring situation can inevitably get much worse if a flood or a burst water pipe occurs. In this case, it’s best to immediately turn off the electricity and call for a professional electrician. Water can get everywhere in just very little time. Moreover, water can also start a fire. The presence of moisture can rapidly increase the electrical current in the circuit, making the electricity spread throughout the wires and everything else the electrical current touches.

It would be best if you didn’t have to wait for your electrical wirings and cables to drown in water. If you want to avoid these kinds of problems from happening as early as possible, here are the three best steps in waterproofing your electrical wires and cables.

1st Step: Liquid Electrical Tape

If you’re not up to the times with the latest handyman tools, equipment, and items, you might not have known that you have another product to choose from providing the electrical wires and cables some protection. We are here to introduce you to the liquid electrical tape! It’s the same as your standard electrical tape but in liquid form. This product is usually known to last longer than the usual electrical tape since you need to wrap it around the cables or wires properly. But with the liquid electrical tape, it quickly covers the exposed wires, preventing even the tiniest bit of water from seeping through.

For the application process, you have to ensure that you correctly mix the product before using the supplied brush to apply it to the exposed joint. Applying a minimum of two coats is recommended. In applying the coats, wait for 10 minutes before you apply the second coat. Afterward, allow for at least 4 hours to dry. This process is also applicable to soldered joints, male and female spade connectors, and butt connectors, regardless of whether they are connected or fit onto a stationary connection, or screwed on links.

2nd Step: Self-Fusing Silicone Tape

Now that you know about the liquid electrical tape, let’s go back to where everybody knows. The self-amalgamating, or better known as self-fusing silicone tape, is used widely by handymen and in some construction areas. You can see them use it as a tape to wrap around electrical joints, pipes, hoses, and cables. You’ll be glad to know the self-fusing silicone tape is a durable, seamless, and most importantly, waterproof and electrically insulating layer.

You can do this by holding the opposite end of the wire stationary, either fastened to something or with an assistant's help to make the application procedure much more manageable. Use a razor to cut off a length of tape that you need and then apply ⅔ overlap in wrapping the tape around the exposed conductor. The electrical tape will also stretch up to 3 times its length, and a more significant stretch will result in a more excellent bond.

3rd Step: Adhesive Lined Heat Shrink Tube

The heat-shrink tubing, or known as a heat-shrink in short, is a plastic that shrinks and is mostly applied to insulate wires, resistance, provide abrasion, and also environmental protection for stable and stranded connections, wire conductors, terminals, and joints in electrical work.

First, pick an appropriate diameter sized shrink tube for the exposed conductor. In cutting a reasonable length, be sure that it overlaps onto the existing insulation. You can use a heat gun to warm the heat shrink, and this will make it shrink around the connection and soften up the adhesive. Allow it to cool once you are satisfied. The only downside to this is that this product is only limited to either soldered connections between the two ends of wire or butt connectors.

Access Doors

Maybe you have a ton of wiring already waterproofed, but it is still acceptable to want to add another layer of protection. This time, it’s not something that you put on the wire itself. One of the best ways to ensure that your electrical cables are safe from water or other elements is to install an access door where you can hide your lines and plumbing. Aside from protecting the wires from water and other outside factors, access doors are also a great way to access the cables in repair and maintenance times.

The access doors are essential, especially for commercial buildings, because they grant easy access to workers and maintenance personnel to ensure the building’s different systems function correctly. As long as the contractors choose the right type of access door for the right purpose, it can help the facility become more efficient in maintenance.

Conclusion

Are you a contractor that requires high-quality access doors and panels? You don’t have to search for other suppliers that can sell you these because Best Access Doors is here to provide them for you! We offer a wide range of access doors and panels to meet your specific needs, including the BA-PFI-HS High-Security Fire-Rated Insulated Access Panel with Flange. This access panel is designed to provide maximum security and fire protection while also offering insulation for your electrical cables. It is the perfect solution for applications where high security and fire resistance are required.

For more information on our access doors and panels, including the BA-PFI-HS, please visit our product page. We are dedicated to providing high-quality products and excellent customer service. Let us help you find the perfect access solution for your needs.