Can anyone suggest the best place to buy a gel or similar product to fill several outside junction boxes. I have seen a non hard setting product called Wiska Magic Gel available from TLC but it seems expensive when I have several boxes to do. Just thought I might be able to buy a 5 litre can or something like that from a 'chemical' company.
Gel for filling junction boxes outside
- Thread starter Old Stu
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Yep, it is pretty expensive stuff - I'd be interested to know if you can find it cheaper too.
I normally buy this 1L Raytech Gel from Toolstation:
www.toolstation.com
It turns out it's actually more expensive than Wiska from TLC, so I'll have to get it from there unless there's something even cheaper.
I normally buy this 1L Raytech Gel from Toolstation:
Raytech Magic Gel IP68
A low-viscosity, non-toxic potting compound with no shelf life. When cast in suitable casings, this Raytech Magic Gel can offer an IP68 degree of protection.Once poured, Magic Gel gets to work quickly and cross links in less than 10 minutes – without causing any thermal stress to the materials...
www.toolstation.com
It turns out it's actually more expensive than Wiska from TLC, so I'll have to get it from there unless there's something even cheaper.
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I've used this successfully: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BIR391.html
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https://www.biconcomponents.co.uk/SDS_R391-1.pdf - 1.7g/cm³. So 500cm³ would weigh 850g, i.e. 1.7 packets to fill the box. Except, of course, the boxes won't be empty, so maybe 1 pack per box?
Why do you feel that the boxes need filling? I've used it in conduit trouser boxes, which aren't especially watertight, but also don't need much of the stuff.
What's the IP rating of the boxes, and where are they going to be installed? Where will cable entries be positioned, and what glands will be used?
Why do you feel that the boxes need filling? I've used it in conduit trouser boxes, which aren't especially watertight, but also don't need much of the stuff.
What's the IP rating of the boxes, and where are they going to be installed? Where will cable entries be positioned, and what glands will be used?
I would go for the Wiska product if you need to use it at all.
Pointless filling a junction box with cheap stuff if it lets you down later.
You could avoid all this by using a proper junction box.
Go for an IP rating of IP68 at least (immersable) and some IP68 cable glands.
Easy with round cable which it should be if outside, but for information, TLC do cable glands for oval T&E.
MK do a range of weatherproof boxes and for Hytuf or SWA, Pratley do some pukka boxes for burying or above ground.
All available at TLC.
FWIW, using IP68 boxes and Pratley boxes, on circuits with RCDs, outside, never had an earth leakage trip.
As an aside, UK Power Networks always use some resin stuff - looks like mortar - in their buried underground junction boxes, but I suspect that's more for protecting against someone with a JCB digging it up.
Pointless filling a junction box with cheap stuff if it lets you down later.
You could avoid all this by using a proper junction box.
Go for an IP rating of IP68 at least (immersable) and some IP68 cable glands.
Easy with round cable which it should be if outside, but for information, TLC do cable glands for oval T&E.
MK do a range of weatherproof boxes and for Hytuf or SWA, Pratley do some pukka boxes for burying or above ground.
All available at TLC.
FWIW, using IP68 boxes and Pratley boxes, on circuits with RCDs, outside, never had an earth leakage trip.
As an aside, UK Power Networks always use some resin stuff - looks like mortar - in their buried underground junction boxes, but I suspect that's more for protecting against someone with a JCB digging it up.
He who knows
Interested to know if you keep your trousers in conduit boxes?
My trousers aren't particularly watertight either.
Joking of course, but conduit trouser boxes is a new term to me.
Do you mean the round galvanised or plastic boxes that have one inlet on one side and two on the other?
You might stand a chance with a galvanised type with a rubber gasket, but these days, I wouldn't use them outside and at best they are splash proof only, and would certainly cause a few RCD trips
Interested to know if you keep your trousers in conduit boxes?
My trousers aren't particularly watertight either.
Joking of course, but conduit trouser boxes is a new term to me.
Do you mean the round galvanised or plastic boxes that have one inlet on one side and two on the other?
You might stand a chance with a galvanised type with a rubber gasket, but these days, I wouldn't use them outside and at best they are splash proof only, and would certainly cause a few RCD trips
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Yup
Which I did, and sealing washers with the SWA glands. Completely filled with compound. Wrapped with self-amalgamating tape.
They are outside - not buried but on the ground in a gully at the edge of a paved area and covered with pebbles.
No sign of electrical problems so far, which is, IIRC, about 13 years.
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Yes - they all do - on that one it's at the edge
Takes the same 6mm M4 screws that hold the lids on.
Also, as I implied, as well as being able to fit conduit to them, SWA glands will screw in.
Takes the same 6mm M4 screws that hold the lids on.
Also, as I implied, as well as being able to fit conduit to them, SWA glands will screw in.
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Yep, the earthing point was out of shot.
That's the nice thing about M20, you can screw almost anything into it.
You would be surprised just how many things I've used M20 cable glands (IP68) and bit of plastic conduit.
Float switches in tanks, long reach sprayers and so on.
That's the nice thing about M20, you can screw almost anything into it.
You would be surprised just how many things I've used M20 cable glands (IP68) and bit of plastic conduit.
Float switches in tanks, long reach sprayers and so on.