Water Resistant, Waterproof or Watertight?

PVC or LSZH materials are both hygroscopic and will absorb water over time. This does not mean that they are totally unsuitable for wet environments, because the use of Radial waterproofing in the form of an aluminium PET screen which is tightly bonded to the inside of the sheathing means that should the sheath allow water to penetrate, either through absorption over time or in the event of damage to the sheath, it acts as a moisture barrier prevents that water getting into the inner workings of the cable. This type of waterproofing is often used for cables installed into cable ducts liable to temporary submersion.

Finally, the cable can be made watertight by the inclusion of water swellable materials in the form of yarns, threads, powders or gels, so that any moisture that does get into the cable is blocked from propagating along the conductors and causing further damage. These waterblocking properties don't just protect in the event of sheath damage or environmental challenges - the point of any joints or terminations will be a potential weakness for water ingress. the addition of waterblocking tapes can prevent capillary action by the conductors, preventing water being sucked through the length of the cable like a straw. 

If you need technical support in specifying cables for applications where water resistance, waterproofing, or water tightness is a requirement, speak to our technical team for more information.