Cable Management
Cast resin joints In contrast, cast resin joints require a little more skill to install and time for the resin to cure (usually about 50 minutes) before the cable can be buried or concealed. However, they are probably a little more versatile than gel joints. Resin joints can be used with both armoured and non-armoured cables, with a wider range of voltages, and provide a very robust join once the resin has cured. They are more appropriate for cables with larger cross sections, and better able to cope with heavy-duty conditions and harsh environments, than gel joints. While installing cast resin joints does take some skill, wholesalers can help installers choose joints which have been carefully designed to make installation slightly simpler. For example, with HellermannTyton’s patented mixing system, all an installer has to do is place the joint within the moulding shell, then mix the two-part resin in the transparent pouch supplied. When the resin changes colour, the installer
knows it is ready to use, and they just attach the supplied leak-proof nozzle to the pouch and pour the resin into the shell. It is easy for the installer to see when the shell has been completely filled. The resin takes around 50 minutes to cure, at which point the joint is fully encapsulated, making this a convenient solution to offer. It is important to suggest cast resin for projects which require a highly durable and maintenance-free solution, since it can be used for various cable and jointing configurations, including straight through, parallel and ‘Y’ branch joints.
Why choose one over the other? It is important to stock both gel and cast resin jointing kits – these contain everything the electrician needs to connect the cables and insulate the joint, so both are user-friendly, ‘out of the box’ solutions. There is a great deal of overlap in their applications; both are ideal for low-voltage settings, for example, and both are easy to use – although cast resin takes a little more skill, innovative packaging has simplified the process considerably. A further similarity is that both solutions can be used inside and outdoors, and underground. However, where conditions are likely to be hostile, for example under water or in installation ducts, the more robust and durable cast resin may be the best choice. Indeed, it could be argued that cast resin is generally a little more versatile, in that it can be used in a wider range of settings, but this has to be weighed against the sheer speed and convenience of gel joint installation, and the gel kits’ indefinite shelf life. Wherever it is known that access to the joint will be needed in the future, for example for testing purposes, in settings such as homes and offices, the gel option is the best to recommend.
www.hellermanntyton.co.uk www.ewnews.co.uk
ReliCon Relifix straight through Gel Joint.
ReliCon I line straight through Cast Resin Joint.
ReliCon T line Tee Branch Cast Resin Joint.
It is important to stock both gel and cast
resin jointing kits – these contain everything the electrician needs to connect the cables and insulate the joint, so both are user-friendly, ‘out of the box’ solutions.
June 2017 electrical wholesaler | 35
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