Weather Proof / Water Proof Audio Cable

[smash]

Hey Guys,

I'm need to run a Timecode Signal (which is an Analogue audio signal over XLR) between two buildings about 50m apart.

The cable will be running through conduit, but it is still likely it will be exposed to moisture at some stage or another, for example if the cable pits flood.

Can anyone recommend a specific brand / model of cabling that will do the job - or is our normal belden mic cable up to the task?

Thanks,

Simon.

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Simon "Smash" Ashby

[jkhuri44]

you could get length of pvc piping to feed the cable through? and then use normal cable? Could be wrong....

[smash]

The cable is going through PVC pipe, but the pipe comes into access pits, and the pits aren't weather tight.

If we get really heavy rain. like yesterday, the pits actually end up with a fair bit of water in the bottom, which the cables end up sitting in until it evaporates.

S.


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Simon "Smash" Ashby

[jkhuri44]

ah ok, fair...bummer.

[Wiz]

What about running with normal three core flex,or is it called TPS?......... the same stuff that 240 would run along in it anyways...hmmm on second thoughts, that might contravene a regulation...but worth checking out...

[Drumstruck]

.... you could fill the PVC pipe with silastic (after you have the cables in there......)

.... or shrinktube the whole cable array before it goes in the PVC ....

[The Tasmanian]

I was thinking that there may be some sort of silicon waterproof spray to coat the cable in.
Also - can it be run in its own small conduit with both ends out of the water & Plugging the ends with lots of silicon?
Even wrapping the cable in a heavy duty cling wrap?
Interesting dilemma - but many live rigs have their cables immersed in water for outside festivals.
You must be able to purchase waterproof cable though - try Sound On Stage in Sydney - they would have an answer to this.

[jkhuri44]

http://www.filmtools.com/rescuetape1.html

[The Tasmanian]

Great work Inspector Jamil - I might make a fishing hat out of that stuff!

[jkhuri44]

bahahaha. Google + Lunchtime = profit.

[Kurt]

I can't see how it could be a problem unless the rubber sheath has splits or holes in it. Rubber is waterproof...

[smash]

Thanks for the posts guys - I was just curious because for our comms cabling we had to buy "jelly filled" cable,
It wasn't really expensive, we just needed to grab the right spec.

Same thing with our video cable, we needed to buy "Jelly Filled" cable.

I wasn't sure if there was such thing as "jelly filled" audio cable.

Thanks all !

Smash.


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Simon "Smash" Ashby

[rob]

yeah, gel filled or "flooded" cable is the norm for wet environments. This is what telstra uses for all telephone cable in underground ducts or overhead on poles. I have had for the last 12 years about 20kms installed underground at Albert Park in melbourne, most of the ducts have water in them all year round plus the ground water there is highly corrosive. ( side hint for those in melbourne .... do not touch the soil at Albert park below about the top 10 centimetres, it will sting the f@#$ and your skin will hurt for days ....)
back to the cable .... the trouble is that I don't know off hand of any brand of flooded shielded cable. The telstra type stuff is just twisted pairs, no shield. Still over that distance and for a fully balanced line you don't really need a shield. Thus the simple twisted pair is fine. Plus it is dirt cheap. Hell, out of the few kms of cable we roll out around the track for the V8 race in Adelaide each year we throw most of it away afterwards as it isn't worth paying someone to roll it up to be used again.