During the winter months Liberty often sees claims of cable jackets cracking and splitting. In almost every instance the product exhibits splits and cracks every couple of feet. This is not a defective cable but is an example of incorrect installation procedures.
Plenum compounds are very stiff due to the additions of chemicals to prevent flame spread and smoke generation. Cold temperatures cause this to become very brittle and when the cable is flexed when cold - the jacket shatters and/or cracks.
These cracks can split across as shown on very round cables or longitudinally on twisted cables. Another issue is side impact cracking. A plenum cable that is in shipment or stored at or below freezing can crack when a lateral impact occurs such as reels jostling on a pallet that are not individually padded to protect the cables.
Jan 09 18
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