Connecting cables to outdoor devices without pigtails

V

Virga

Pulling my weight
Feb 13, 2023
196
141
USA
Prior to mounting my first cam, I came upon this post and follow the official @TonyR method of proper watertight connections between pigtails and ethernet cable.
Offical TonyR method for watertight installation
So far so good.
Now I have a large outdoor weathertight enclosure that contains a couple of switches, and other devices.
When connecting to a device vs. a pig tail, whether in an enclosure or directly exposed to the elements, what would be ways to transfer good practices above to these situations:

1. Outdoor or burial grade cables that connect to the switches in the weathertight enclosure

2. Individual cables will run from one of the switches in the weathertight enclosure to cams.
What would be the best way to handle the exit of the cables from the enclosure? Individual cable glands at the bottom of the enclosure?

3. A gate control that is a bit like an iPad mounted on a pedestal, has an ethernet port on the back,
There is a grommet on the back of the mounting frame through which the ethernet cable goes.

Overall. my concern is about dielectric grease leaching into devices, such as switches and controls.
 
Virga said:
When connecting to a device vs. a pig tail, whether in an enclosure or directly exposed to the elements, what would be ways to transfer good practices above to these situations:

1. Outdoor or burial grade cables that connect to the switches in the weathertight enclosure
Click to expand...
I'd enter from bottom of enclosure, gland if feasible, otherwise a tight grommet with silicone caulk. Strain-relief /heavy zip-tie to protect that seal if cable accidentally hooked/tugged.

Virga said:
2. Individual cables will run from one of the switches in the weathertight enclosure to cams.
What would be the best way to handle the exit of the cables from the enclosure? Individual cable glands at the bottom of the enclosure?
Click to expand...
I'd exit from bottom of enclosure, gland if feasible, otherwise a tight grommet with silicone caulk. Strain-relief/heavy zip-tie to protect that seal if cable accidentally hooked/tugged.
Virga said:
3. A gate control that is a bit like an iPad mounted on a pedestal, has an ethernet port on the back,
There is a grommet on the back of the mounting frame through which the ethernet cable goes.
Click to expand...
Drip loop before entering, seal grommet with silicone caulk (outdoor-rated, non-gassing)

Virga said:
Overall. my concern is about dielectric grease leaching into devices, such as switches and controls.
Click to expand...
I've have not had that happen to date, not saying it would not and not saying it would be an issue if it did. The grease I use has seen some high temps and it stayed put. That said, I'm sure I put more than enough on both the male and female Ethernet plugs/jacks so you could mitigate the possibility of leaching by wiping off all but what remains on the contacts....just enough to coat and protect them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: looney2ns and Virga
@TonyR what is your view on currently-unused/future-use ports in switches outdoors but in a "weathertight" enclosure?
Perhaps a dab of dielectric grease and put in an RJ-45 connector/clip, with or without wire?
 
Last edited:
Virga said:
@TonyR what is your view on currently-unused/future-use ports in switches outdoors but in a "weathertight" enclosure?
Perhaps a dab of dielectric grease and put in an RJ-45 connector/clip, with or without wire?
Click to expand...
Yes, just crimp male RJ-45 with short piece of CAT cable in it so the contacts will retract down (away from the clear plastic) but not all the way as they would with NO wire, that way the grease will more likely stay on the contacts and engage contact surfaces of both connectors. NOT crimping at all the contacts will be too tall and won't fit into the female. Just a dab on the male/female and work it in/out a couple of times, then leave it in should be good. You could also shrink down a piece of shrink tubing on the open end of the male RJ-45 and crimp it with needle-nosed pliers while hot, hold it until cool and it'll stay closed. That's what I've done a few times with apparent good success. :cool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: looney2ns and Virga
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom