What is this growth inside the connector box?

sososierra

Hi all,

For some reason the lights in the back garden started tripping the whole house so checked to see what the problem was and this was inside the connector boxes. They were sealed off since installed 2 years so I have no idea how this thing got inside.

It wrapped itself around the connector blocks. Any ideas what it is?

The Continental Op

LOL, looks to me like Denso tape. A traditional sticks to everything tape that is used more often on exterior and buried plumbing fittings to reduce corrosion. I assume its to help make the joints waterproof.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Denso-Tape-50mm-Rolls-DENTAPE50MM/dp/B001OXDD6K

smuggler.ie

it was/is used to seal joints on esb ducting. Supposedly waterproof

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120399675#Comment_120399675

Great on the outside but I'd question its value on the inside unless the seals on those "hansel" boxes were blown.

I've seen older electrical junction boxes filled with putty. The only advantage of doing it I can think of is that it fills up the space in the junction box and helps prevent condensation on the electrical fittings.

mickdw

It's denso tape and I can guarantee that the connectors it's covering will be in new condition if you remove the tape. It's great stuff.

smuggler.ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120399693#Comment_120399693

agree, not the best solution for this instance, some other products available

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKDeeQJfT6g

JL spark

Lovely termination of the swa

sososierra

ok thanks guys.

the whole system still trips the fuse when I turn the lights on and I can't seem to find the problem. I replaced one of the boxes that got wet and the others are the ones in the photos, they seem ok.

The lights are all ok, so not sure what causes it to trip. Any usual suspects I should look for?

Thanks

The Continental Op

Why not open up the first box with power off. Disconnect it so all you have is the main feed cable, tape up the ends of the feed cable then put the lights on. If they still trip then the issue is between the switch and the first box possibly with the cable itself because nothing else is connected. If it works connect up section at a time until switching on trips to gain a better idea of where the problem is.

kirk.

Those type boxes always seemed to let water in if left on the ground like that

sososierra

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120407478#Comment_120407478

Ok, will start doing that. Thanks

kirk.

I'd probably start halfway if doing trial and error