{"id":20585,"date":"2023-05-26T10:40:38","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T15:40:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/?p=20585"},"modified":"2025-05-14T13:33:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T18:33:12","slug":"cable-compatibility-in-undergrounding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/knowledge-hub\/cable-compatibility-in-undergrounding\/","title":{"rendered":"Cable Compatibility in Undergrounding"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A key to underground installations is cable longevity. Improvements in cable design increase the lifespan of the installation. When cable is pulled into duct, two other important factors affecting cable longevity involve cable lubricants. Lubricants<\/a> reduce friction as the heavy, stiff wires or cables are pulled long distances into buried conduit. Because these cable systems are expensive, and because 90% of cable damage reportedly occurs during installation\u2014typically due to the use of an insufficient quantity or inadequate quality of lubricant\u2014a specialty, high-performance lubricant<\/a> is required.<\/p>\n

\"Polywater<\/p>\n

But in conduit there is a secondary concern. After the cable is successfully pulled, the lubricant or its dried residue remains in contact with the cable sheath for decades. Thus, compatibility between the cable and the lubricant is essential. Incompatible lubricants damage cable jackets and can shorten their life expectancy by years, even decades in extreme cases. This is a fundamentally important consideration in undergrounding, the whole point of which is to ensure system resiliency and longevity. Engineers and designers cannot allow one of the least expensive components in the installation\u2014the lubricant\u2014to threaten the entire economic rationalization of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Content: <\/strong>Coefficient of Friction in Cable Pulling — Part 1<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Wait \u2026 What?<\/h2>\n

Many engineers expect that this is a problem solved long ago. However, neither the cable jacket nor cable lubricant industries are static. Jacket design is ever-evolving, and new lubricant formulations are continually introduced. Cable jackets vary by manufacturer, even within a general category (e.g., polyethylene). Cable lubricant manufacturers have unique, often proprietary formulations based on completely different chemistries. It is the rule rather than the exception that a given lubricant is suitable for one type of cable, but less so for another.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s to be done? Don\u2019t all manufacturers\u2014of cables and lubricants alike\u2014regularly test for compatibility? The truth is, some more than others. In all things, it is buyer beware.<\/p>\n

Due Diligence<\/h2>\n

Preventing a pulling compound from ruining your cable is a two-step process. One: Work with reputable cable and lubricant manufacturers to ensure materials are compatible. Two: Specify a compatible lubricant to prevent the choice from being left up to installers who may have no inkling of the issue.<\/p>\n

How is Compatibility Tested?<\/h2>\n

Various methods have been used to test the compatibility of cable lubricants with jacket materials. Typically, the wire or cable jacket material is aged in the lubricant and the physical properties (tensile and elongation) are compared to a control. For polyethylene cable, a version of the Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) test may be run. For electrical cables, dielectric breakdown or volume resistivity may also be tested after aging.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A Standard is Created<\/h2>\n

In 1996, Polywater\u00ae was instrumental in the development of the IEEE 1210 “Standard Tests for Determining Compatibility of Cable Lubricants with Wire and Cable.” It was created at the request of both cable manufacturers and end-users. At that time, increasing cable performance expectations coupled with the longevity of cable in conduit systems put a spotlight on the important role cable sheaths and coverings play in cable protection.<\/p>\n

Potential interaction of lubricants with cable was a major concern, and for good reason. History showed that:<\/p>\n