Putty used to seal electrical service meter boxes, etc.

[mkir...@rochester.rr.com]

What is the technical term for the putty that electricians use to seal
around service cables where they enter meter boxes, or pass through
walls?

[jamesgangnc]

I've not seen putty used in that situation.

[Bill]

<mkir...@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message

For service cables, I use a weather head, bend the wires down prior to
entering the weather head (drip line), and don't use anything to seal
the holes.

For wires entering through the wall of a building, I route the wire
down, then back up (drip line), then use regular caulk.

[Mr.E]

Dust Seal or Duct Seal Compound is the trade designation of the
material.
--
Mr.E

[Stormin Mormon]

I've seen "Diversigum" used. At least, when I did HVAC
installs, that's what we used. The boss used to call it
"thumb gum".

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

<mkir...@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message
news:902fc704-2bf7-4af8...@u2g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...

[HeyBub]

Great Stuff seems to work.

[Stormin Mormon]

Sunlight UV makes it brittle after a few years. But, it does
provide some sealing.

Now, for the OP question. What is that putty?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"HeyBub" <hey...@NOSPAMgmail.com> wrote in message
news:1uCdnaotJ_sxbgvT...@earthlink.com...

[John Grabowski]

> What is the technical term for the putty that electricians use to seal
> around service cables where they enter meter boxes, or pass through
> walls?

*Duct Seal

[TimR]

It's Duct Seal, or as manufacturers call it, thumbgrade.

We use it only to seal conduits going into hazardous areas. It will
prevent a dust explosion from propagating through conduit, at least in
theory.

They sell it in all the big box home improvement stores, BUT the
actual purchasers are a very specialized group.

The only people who buy much duct seal are airgun shooters. Duct Seal
makes an ideal pellet trap, just fill a flat box with it. It absorbs
a pellet silently and traps all lead dust. Every once in a while (few
thousand rounds) you dig out the pellets and smooth out the duct seal
again.

Long ago I talked with an old timer at Johns-Mansville or whatever
they were at the time who used to make the stuff. It's basically
calcium oxide and grease, made in a big pug mixer in batches of about
1000 pounds at a time. Of course he wouldn't tell me the real
recipe.

[George]

And who said you never give helpful answers?

Likely you have never even tried it because great stuff isn't UV
resistant so it quickly turns yellow and gets brittle. Other than that
it looks great on those infomercials.

On the other hand the stuff (duct seal) electricians use is easily
applied with your fingers without any mess and stays pliable for a long
time.

[EXT]

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:j76ppk$s95$1...@dont-email.me...

> I've seen "Diversigum" used. At least, when I did HVAC
> installs, that's what we used. The boss used to call it
> "thumb gum".

When I used to work in my fathers auto-body repair shop in the 1950s, a
lifetime ago, we used a similar sealant to plug holes where wires and pipes
went through the body. In those days it was called "dum-dum", it sounds
similar.

[HeyBub]

George wrote:
> On 10/13/2011 10:20 AM, HeyBub wrote:
>> mkir...@rochester.rr.com wrote:
>>> What is the technical term for the putty that electricians use to
>>> seal around service cables where they enter meter boxes, or pass
>>> through walls?
>>
>> Great Stuff seems to work.
>>
>>
>
> And who said you never give helpful answers?
>
> Likely you have never even tried it because great stuff isn't UV
> resistant so it quickly turns yellow and gets brittle. Other than that
> it looks great on those infomercials.
>

I have tried it. Six years ago to fill the voids around a new circuit
breaker box. It's still there.

In the event it does turn brittle decades from now, who cares? Bricks are
brittle. As long as bricks, or Great Stuff, are not under shear stress,
brittleness is irrelevant.

[aemeijers]

On 10/13/2011 10:27 AM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
> Sunlight UV makes it brittle after a few years. But, it does
> provide some sealing.
>
> Now, for the OP question. What is that putty?
>

At work, the red stuff they use going through walls is described as fire
stop. Never stuck my fingers in it, since it is up so high, but I always
assumed it dried hard, like drywall mud.

Or am I talking about something different?

--
aem sends...

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

On Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:08:36 -0700 (PDT), mkir...@rochester.rr.com
wrote:

>What is the technical term for the putty that electricians use to seal
>around service cables where they enter meter boxes, or pass through
>walls?

Ducseal is one brand - often called DUMDUM. It if fireproof. I think
the original stuff had asbestos in it - not sur what is in it now.

[Red]

On Oct 13, 9:11 pm, cl...@snyder.on.ca wrote:
> On Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:08:36 -0700 (PDT), mkirs...@rochester.rr.com

> wrote:
>
> >What is the technical term for the putty that electricians use to seal
> >around service cables where they enter meter boxes, or pass through
> >walls?
>
>   Ducseal is one brand - often called DUMDUM. It if fireproof. I think
> the original stuff had asbestos in it - not sur what is in it now.

Very fireproof. We used it around cadweld mold holes to contain the
liquid copper when connecting copper cables to ground rods.

[George]

Absolutely relevant for the application. There is a really valid reason
why certain methods become standard methods.

[HeyBub]

Oh, I mostly agree with conventional wisdom. So what is the "standard"
method in the instant case?

[deadgoose]

There is also some stuff called "Coax Seal," available as strips in
small quantities used by ham radio operators to seal coaxial fittings
out-of-doors. It is really sticky and never seems to harden. You need
something like lacquer thinner to get it off! Any good ham radio
supply house, or by mail order. Good for small jobs.

/paul W3FIS

[George]

You mean you don't bother reading replies to questions that have useful
answers? I believe there are at least three posts in this thread that
list the time tested and proven product that is ubiquitously used by
electricians.

Just wanted to follow up on one of your other great suggestions. We are
having a blast using that idea of yours to build shelf hangers out of
light gauge wire. Unsuspecting people set a heavy object on the shelf
and next thing they are on the floor under a pile of stuff. It is
hilarious...

[bud--]

On 10/13/2011 11:27 AM, TimR wrote:
> On Oct 13, 12:16 pm, "John Grabowski"<jgrabo...@optonline.net> wrote:
>>> What is the technical term for the putty that electricians use to seal
>>> around service cables where they enter meter boxes, or pass through
>>> walls?
>>
>> *Duct Seal
>
> It's Duct Seal, or as manufacturers call it, thumbgrade.

I have never heard it called anything but "duct seal", but lots of
products have different names in different areas. The last box I bought
was labeled "Duct Seal" (Panduit).

Where a conduit or sleeve goes between areas of different temperature
where "condensation is known to be a problem" an _"approved material"_
is required to seal around the wires or cables (300.7-A). The seal
prevents warm moist air from circulating to the cold area. Around here,
inside the service conduit into a building is always sealed. There are
other places where it is appropriate.

"Fire stop" is to maintain the fire rating of a wall or floor, but
should work.

>
> We use it only to seal conduits going into hazardous areas. It will
> prevent a dust explosion from propagating through conduit, at least in
> theory.

Can't imagine protection to a hazardous area wouldn't require a seal-off
fitting with appropriate seal material. Can't imagine duct seal being
used as a hazardous seal.

--
bud--

[HeyBub]

Oh I read the replies. It's just that I figured they were, to you, as
cockamamie as mine. That's why I asked for your recommendation. I take it
from your lack of reply that you don't actually have an idea other than
disparaging those of others.

>
> Just wanted to follow up on one of your other great suggestions. We
> are having a blast using that idea of yours to build shelf hangers
> out of light gauge wire. Unsuspecting people set a heavy object on
> the shelf and next thing they are on the floor under a pile of stuff.
> It is hilarious...

Only if you take pleasure in the misfortunes of others, which, when I think
on it...

[George]

You mean this reply I made in this thread:

"On the other hand the stuff (duct seal) electricians use is easily
applied with your fingers without any mess and stays pliable for a long
time."

Or where I noted in my reply to you that at least 3 others noted the
same product:

"I believe there are at least three posts in this
thread that list the time tested and proven product that is
ubiquitously used by electricians."




>
>>

[brucey...@gmail.com]

Whatever happened to the old term "monkey s__t" ?

[Stormin Mormon]

On 4/6/2016 5:50 PM, brucey...@gmail.com wrote:
> Whatever happened to the old term "monkey s__t" ?
>

Got replaced by thumb gum?

--
.
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
. www.lds.org
.
.

[Uncle Monster]

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 4:50:48 PM UTC-5, brucey...@gmail.com wrote:
> Whatever happened to the old term "monkey s__t" ?

Now it's "LGBT Poop" in order to include ALL the monkeys. I always called it by what was on the label,"Duct Seal". ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Seal Monster

[gfre...@aol.com]

On Wed, 6 Apr 2016 14:50:41 -0700 (PDT), brucey...@gmail.com
wrote:

>Whatever happened to the old term "monkey s__t" ?

The same thing that happened to "ni**er rig" and "pollack threads", we
evolved.

[Stormin Mormon]

Anyone old enough to remember Jerry
built?

In any case, that's good enough for
government work.

[Uncle Monster]

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 7:53:35 PM UTC-5, Stormin Mormon wrote:
> On 4/6/2016 7:49 PM, gfre...@aol.com wrote:
> > On Wed, 6 Apr 2016 14:50:41 -0700 (PDT), brucey...@gmail.com
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Whatever happened to the old term "monkey s__t" ?
> >
> > The same thing that happened to "ni**er rig" and "pollack threads", we
> > evolved.
> >
> Anyone old enough to remember Jerry
> built?
>
> In any case, that's good enough for
> government work.
> --
> .

I always called it,"Jerry Rigged". ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Rigged Monster

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

Around here there's a lot of "Jerry built" stuff - half the
population is German ancestry.

"Jerry rigged" is used for poorly done - also referred to, for some
reason, as "jury rigged"

[rbowman]

On 04/06/2016 07:01 PM, Uncle Monster wrote:
> I always called it,"Jerry Rigged". ^_^

Jury rigged is more accurate.

[EXT]

"Uncle Monster" <uncl...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:51294831-d87a-46da...@googlegroups.com...

In the 1950s auto repair industry it was known as "dum-dum".

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

Still is.

[John G]

On Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 8:08:36 AM UTC-4, mkir...@rochester.rr.com wrote:
> What is the technical term for the putty that electricians use to seal
> around service cables where they enter meter boxes, or pass through
> walls?

Duct seal


John Grabowski
www.MrElectrician.TV

[ellwoodsafety...@gmail.com]

On Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 8:08:36 AM UTC-4, mkir...@rochester.rr.com wrote:

Helpful thread. Thanks all! Never knew the official name of this very useful stuff!

[Taxed and Spent]

On 9/14/2016 1:19 PM, ellwoodsafety...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 8:08:36 AM UTC-4, mkir...@rochester.rr.com wrote:
> Helpful thread. Thanks all! Never knew the official name of this very useful stuff!
>

hmm. I still don't.

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

DuctSeal

[rbowman]

Monkey shit.

[Uncle Monster]

A lot of people call it elephant dung. I just call it by the name on the wrapper,"Duct Seal". Wouldn't it be fun to buy a lot of it, put a new wrapper on it that actually read,"Monkey Shit"? I could be a popular gag gift for contractors and mechanics. \(◦'⌣'◦)/

[8~{} Uncle Monkey Monster

[gart...@gmail.com]

On Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 8:08:36 AM UTC-4, mkir...@rochester.rr.com wrote:

> What is the technical term for the putty that electricians use to seal
> around service cables where they enter meter boxes, or pass through
> walls?

I was always told 30 + years ago it was called Monkey shit.

[gfre...@aol.com]

The counter guy probably knows that term but the real name is duct
seal.

[Lou Rothballer]

Isn't that racist?

[Uncle Monster]

Not if it came out of a White monkey. ヽ(ヅ)ノ

[8~{} Uncle Ape Monster

[Rosyann]

replying to mkirsch1, Rosyann wrote:
My uncle Ezra, an electrician all his adult life, used a grey putty for every
little hole with wire coming through on every 2x4 he drilled in my parents
1967 rancher. There are NO centipedes, spiders or any other bug coming up from
the basement because he did this that way. I own the house now and I am
grateful for his attentiveness to this detail! My indoor cats patrol the
basement on occasion, and believe me , they find all types of insects that
would like to live upstairs with us. RIP Uncle Ezra.

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/putty-used-to-seal-electrical-service-meter-boxes-etc-666123-.htm

[krislu...@gmail.com]

On Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 5:08:36 AM UTC-7, mkir...@rochester.rr.com wrote:
> What is the technical term for the putty that electricians use to seal
> around service cables where they enter meter boxes, or pass through
> walls?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-1-lb-Plug-Duct-Seal-Compound-DS-110/100212441

[philo]

LOL


Posted nine years ago

[rbowman]

Monkey shit doesn't have a shelf life...