Filled cable is a wire used in telecommunications that is filled with a non-hygroscopic substance to prevent moisture from entering the cable jacket. It is useful for areas subject to high humidity and commonly uses a petroleum-based gelatinous material called “Icky-pic”.
A filled cable is a wire used in telecommunications. It is filled with a substance that is found within the sheath or sheath of the cable itself. The purpose of using filled cable is to prevent moisture from entering the cable jacket, seeping through microscopic rips and cracks and corrupting the wires themselves. You should be sure to remember the difference between a filled cable and a wire rope that has been filled. Metal cables filled with dielectric materials, a material that insulates against an electrical charge, are not technically a filled cable.
Perhaps the best way to visualize filled cables is to imagine a sheath of wires surrounded by a viscous liquid, much like a tube of toothpaste. The material within a filled cable is non-hygroscopic. A hygroscopic substance is a material that can attract and hold water molecules from its surroundings, so a non-hygroscopic material is a substance that refuses to attract or hold water molecules. Essentially, this feature prevents water molecules from penetrating inside the cable, preserving the quality of the internal lines.
Due to its water resistant qualities, filled cable is useful for areas subject to high ambient humidity. These can include outdoor areas, but can also include wet or damp indoor areas such as basements and cellars in areas prone to flooding. Either way, the material encased in the cable will prevent water and moisture from building up inside the cable, ensuring its longevity.
“Icky-pic” is the substance most commonly used in filled cables; it is a petroleum-based gelatinous material. Filled leads using Icky-pic are rated for outdoor use only, as the substance itself is quite highly flammable. Icky-pic is also quite annoying if it comes into contact with skin or clothing; it is capable of staining both and is notoriously difficult to remove, so gloves and caution are advised for anyone attempting to handle split or otherwise damaged solid cable. While these are the major drawbacks of Icky-pic, it has other benefits to balance out its shortcomings. One of them is its flavor; due to the substance it is made from, it has the added ability to prevent animals from attempting to gnaw on the filled cord, as the flavor of the substance tends to deter them.
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