Hi guys, I have 2 lengths of buried conduit containing swa and external waterproof data cable. There are no drain holes in the conduit so it's liable to fill up with water. This shouldn't affect the cable but won't look great. Is it ok to blob some sealant in the ends? Or does it have to be special gel? I don't want to use the runny gel, it'll just flow into the conduit and require buckets of it. Does anyone have any recommendations?Thanks
Does outside buried conduit need sealing or a drain hole?
- Thread starter Pinkspark
- Start date
Wellwisher
Screwfix Select
Why did you use conduit? Not necessary for SWA or water proof data cable?
As you have it use sealant.
As you have it use sealant.
bright_Spark
Screwfix Select
SWA is not good just laid in a trench and backfilled although it is common to do so. by running it through conduit underground keeps it water tight provided both ends of the conduit are sealed. SWA is not actually waterproof as is commonly thought. The weak points of the water proofing is by using normal swa glands, outdoors external glands should be used,
Wellwisher
Screwfix Select
Can you provide a link to this?
bright_Spark
Screwfix Select
OMG do I need to?
Wellwisher
Screwfix Select
The link I wanted was one that said SWA is not suitable for direct burial.
bright_Spark
Screwfix Select
OMG are you actually an electrician?
Bob Rathbone
Screwfix Select
Wow! I spent my apprenticeship burying this stuff in the ground, some sand and a marker tape, now you tell me that SWA is unsuitable for direct burial, someone better talk to the REC's they bury lots of the stuff. Now, let's get this straight, PVC SWA is waterproof to a few metres deep, the sheath is impervious to water and joints made with epoxy resin are also waterproof. You should avoid terminating SWA with glands of any type under water, the exposed armour must be protected from moisture, sometimes with a shroud if the risk is small or if the risk of moisture is high, a gland with an additional rubber packing is used. It is futile to try and seal against moisture ingress in a conduit system, a drain point should be provided at the lowest points of the conduit run.
bright_Spark
Screwfix Select
Correct
bright_Spark
Screwfix Select
No need to tell anyone this, it is common knowledge to those who know. SWA covered in sharp sand is ok in most circumstances but with our weather at the moment, we have gardens flooded all through the winter. Round my end it is like everyones gardens have a moat. SWA is not ok to be laid in a few meters of water, water resistant is the word not waterproof. Your comment of joints made of apoxy resin are waterproof too, may well be the reason I dig them up most days having to re do them, they dont last forever.
The Happy Builder
Screwfix Select
A cable being exposed to moisture and occasionally getting wet is not the same as a cable constantly submerged in water, particularly if it’s in a buried water filled conduit that may have half a metre or more head of water pressure.
The best option is to drain the water.
The best option is to drain the water.
BuildingMad
Screwfix Select
40 years & counting my cables have been 3' down in clay soil.
bright_Spark
Screwfix Select
have you done an ir test on it by any chance or do you mean it is still just working?
The Happy Builder
Screwfix Select
D
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Astramax
Super Member
OMG, you are still actually a Screwfix Select member!
....
...word on the street was you were being upgraded to Super Member. 