Cat5 Pigtale issue

[Mickpat]

I had 5 arches built using LED modules and 3 of the 5 failed. I checked the cat5 connection and they were black.  I cleaned one of them and it worked again, but curious what would cause this?  Water?  Moisture?

[rrowan]

I would say its two different metals reacting to each other.  But that is just my guess

Rick R.

[JonB256]

If there was power on the CAT5, and trace moisture, it was probably electrolysis. You might want to spray some WD40 on the connectors. Also, they probably weren't gold plated, or very thinly plated.

[jnealand]

I wonder if you are getting some kind of arcing in there along with a little moisture.  Chuck the female socket and see if the wires are all straight and not mashed down.

[sielbear]

I had one of my 4 arches do the exact same thing. I replaced the pigtail and made sure it was sheltered, but it did make me very nervous as I don't know how well my roofline connectors are protected.

[caretaker]

You can buy No-Alox You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login which is a paste to prevent oxidizing of metal more specifically it is used when connecting aluminum to copper. Put some on your CAT5 connector and plug it in and wipe the excess off and it should do a good job of protecting the connection.

[RJ]

CorrosionX is also good.

RJ

[Mickpat]

I added No-Alox to the cat5 connectors for the flex strips.  All but one cat5 looked okay.  These are fairly covered and not exposed to direct rain like the arches were.  I really hope the no-alox prevents this.  At some point I will try and get the arches working again.

[dmoore]

I'm going to do some extended CAT5 connector corrosion testing next year.  I've ordered a bunch of different types of coatings and dielectric greases. 

[JoeFromOzarks]

Here's our fix!     (The 4-Wire connector to the SSC.  Works under water!!)

joe

[chrisatpsu]

or, wrap the whole thing in a plastic bag, and zip tie (for now)?

[caretaker]

I added No-Alox to the cat5 connectors for the flex strips.  All but one cat5 looked okay.  These are fairly covered and not exposed to direct rain like the arches were.  I really hope the no-alox prevents this.  At some point I will try and get the arches working again.

Let everyone know if this works for you.

[RJ]

Here's our fix!     (The 4-Wire connector to the SSC.  Works under water!!)

joe

Are you going back to twisted pair after the connection?

RJ

[Mickpat]

I added No-Alox to the cat5 connectors for the flex strips.  All but one cat5 looked okay.  These are fairly covered and not exposed to direct rain like the arches were.  I really hope the no-alox prevents this.  At some point I will try and get the arches working again.

Let everyone know if this works for you.

I haven't had any isses with the 11 flex strips on the roof unlike 3 of my 5 arches that failed the first day outside in the rain on the ground.  The flex strips are on the roof and against the outside wall.