"Chris" wrote in
message ...
Jim Alexander wrote:
"Peter" wrote in message
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"Jim Alexander" wrote in message
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"Peter" wrote in message
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I have a drainage pump in a manhole which connects to armoured cable
in a box at the top (inside) the manhole.
All is well until the pump breaks down, water level rises and the box
does not keep the water out.
Local electric store says they have nothing to help so I wondered
.....
can I literally fill the box with silicon to solve the problem.
At the outset the connection should have been made above ground ( a
wall about 8 feet away) but alas, there is now not sufficient cable to
play with meaning the connection has to remain inside the manhole.
Any help appreciated.
looking at the price of pumps, the cost of wp boxes and the
inconvenience of having perhaps a compound filled box in the manhole,
maybe a new pump is the best option. How have you solved the
breakdowns you report?

Jim A
I recently pulled out the pump (after a breakdown) and put a socket on
the wire to test it. It failed. On a whim I cut the wire shorter and
found that it worked fine. Then used it to lower the water level until I
could reconnet it back in the manhole.
Since water had not only entered the box and tripped the electrics but
also (apparently) seeped into some few feet of the pump cable, I am
quite keen for a waterproof solution.
I need to connect armoured cable to normal 3 core (somewhat thinner)
cable.
Would silicon work?



This sort of thing...

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SWJK1.html

overkill perhaps and really designed for SWA both sides but definately
waterproof.

Jim A

This is what I would look to use (or something like it). In my experience
silicon sealant / self amalgamating tape will not work when you are
dealing with submersion. As you have found, water will quite happily wick
up a length of cable.

Chris

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Cut along the dotted line to reply

Many thanks to all

Peter