Re: foam

["Jim" <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

J Barnes wrote:
> We now use 3/4 contacts on all windows and doors because of the foam
> problem.  It is much easier to dig the foam out of a 3/4 hole then a 3/8.
>
> James
>

I can understand a larger contact on doors but how do you drill a 3/4
inch hole in the sill of a window and maintain integrity of the weather
strip?

Also, it seems to me that I remember seeing a foam solvent on the shelf
at Home Depot. Not too sure about that because I wasn't looking for it.
But if they have it, you might want to take a look and read the lable
or try some on a sample of wire. If it's got acetone or methal ethal
keytone, it'll melt the wire insulation.

Here's another thought. Presuming you're using jacketed four wire
......

When you install the wire where the foam will be put try this: About
six to eight inches from the end of the wire, start to strip the jacket
off but don't take it all the way off the end of the wire. Make sure
the jacket is loose on the four strands. Leave about an inch of the
four strands showing and put the end of wire through the hole just long
enough so that the four exposed wires are a few inches below the hole
and tie a knot in it. Cut off the excess insulation at the end of the
wire. After they foam, I'd think if you pulled on the insulation, that
you would stand a good chance that the insulation would come off the
four strands from where you'd left the gap.

I really don't know if it would work or not as it was just a thought I
had. You'd have to try it. Seems like it might work though. Likely
you'd still have to dig some of the foam out of the hole but at least
you'd have enough wire to work with.

Here's another thought. Where you start to strip the insulation .....
pull two of the wires back out of the insulation and wrap them back
down the wire from where you stripped it, leaving the remaining two
conductors (now loose) inside the insulation to the end of the wire.
Tie a knot outside the hole. Later when you pull on the insulation, is
will likely break free of the foam and leave the two strands available
and loose in the foam.

Again, you'll have to experiment. I've never tried this.