Frequently Asked Questions: Hardware

H1. What is encapsulant and should I use it?
Encapsulant is used to prevent water penetration into a splice closure. Encapsulant is typically available as a two-part flowable compound that solidifies after mixing, or as a dry pelletized aggregate. It is added to the closure during the sealing procedure. Most modern direct-buried closures are tested for water penetration under a waterhead pressure of 20 feet for seven days. If your application is not subject to a waterhead pressure of 20 ft or greater, or continuously submerged, encapsulation is an option for you, not a requirement.

If you encapsulate, be sure to use a splice closure designed for encapsulation. Splice closures that are designed to accommodate encapsulation will likely have an inner closure within the main closure body. This inner closure is intended to isolate the splice tray area from the encapsulant. This allows the craftperson to re-enter the closure and access the fiber with minimum difficulty.

H2. Can you install a wall-mount patch panel into an equipment rack?
Yes, with the purchase of a universal rack mounting kit (p/n BKT-ALL-R23-xx, where xx is the color). Some patch panels come supplied with movable brackets that allow rack mounting without purchasing the additional kit. Check the installation instructions or contact your Corning Cable Systems Customer Service Representative at 1.800.743.2671 for more information.

H3. What is a NEMA-rated cabinet?
NEMA is the acronym for National Electrical Manufacturers Association. NEMA publishes a standard that provides descriptions for common types of enclosures used in the electrical industry and describes the different levels of protection to the enclosed equipment against specific environmental conditions. NEMA Publication No. 250 categorizes the enclosures used in the passive fiber optics industry. A typical enclosure used outdoors would carry a NEMA Type 3R classification. If this enclosure needed to resist hosedown, it would carry a NEMA Type 4 classification, etc. For copies of this standard, contact:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association
2101 L Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20037

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