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CableFree® Loosener A Revolutionary Cable Removal Aid

• Loosens stuck cable by softening binding agents
  such as wax, rust, soap, dirt, bitumen.
  
  
• Lubricates to minimize the force required to pull the
  cable out once it has broken free.
  
  
• Leaves empty conduit undamaged and ready for re-use
  after cleaning and drying.
  
  
• Lowers duct reclamation costs by eliminating expensive cut-ins.
  
  
• Limits liability. Meet NEC Code for Removal of Abandoned Cable.
  
  
• Lots of user Testimonials.
  

CableFree® Loosener is designed to loosen and remove cables that are held in conduits by wax, rust, dirt, soap, or other adhesive residues. CableFree® Loosener will dissolve a great variety of binding agents; but because of the many causes of "stuck" cable, 100% success cannot be guaranteed. Nevertheless, CableFree® can be extraordinarliy helpful in meeting the NEC 2002 Code for Removal of Abandoned Cables. The definition of abandoned cable, as found in paragraphs 800.2 and 770.2 of the NEC 2002 Book, states "... Installed communications cable that is not terminated at both ends at a connector or other equipment and not identified "For Future Use" with a tag." Additionally, paragraph 800.52(1) states that "abandoned cables in vertical runs shall not be permitted to remain." Article 770 states the same requirements for optical fiber risers and horizontal cables. These requirements apply to cables in duct, as well as in plenum. All cabling end users should understand the implications of not complying with these new NEC Codes. They are based on safety of the employees and rescue personnel. As the code is enforced across the country, building owners and tenants may face huge costs to remove and dispose of abandoned cables--as well as liability for failure to comply.

CableFree® is an excellent and inexpensive tool to help mitigate these costs. The potential dollar savings from a successful removal of stuck cable(s) is very high. Even a partial success rate often makes the investment of time and effort worthwhile. The end-user must make this determination, however, based on the potential economic advantage of any particular cable removal.

Limitations: The use of CableFree® Loosener is not intended to allow re-use of the cable being removed. The cable(s) being removed may be ruined by the solvent nature of the product and the high pulling force inherent in the process.

Also, the removal of a single cable from a group of cables is usually not possible. All cables in a conduit should be removed in bulk, and new cables installed.

CableFree® Loosener is a white, water-based, general-purpose dissolver/lubricant. It is a thick, pourable liquid for convenient loading into conduit. It dissolves waxes, bitumen, soil deposits, and lifts rust. It also provides a lubricating film to ease cable removal once the cable has broken free.

Additional equipment required depends on the type of job.

1. A fish tape is recommended to spread the CableFree® Loosener throughout the conduit with a sponge or rag. A second fishtape is useful to pull swabs saturated with CableFree® Loosener back and forth thru the conduit. Vertical drops may not require fishing--liquid flow alone may be sufficient.
   
   
2. Hydraulic jacks (a source of constant tension) may be required to break the cable free from the conduit.
   
   
3. Air pressure (compressor, compressed air) may also be useful in blowing the CableFree® Loosener through conduit systems that cannot be fished with a pull tape.
   
   
4. A manual liquid pump is one way to get the Loosener in the conduit. Temporary mastic duct seals can help prevent back-flow while the CableFree® Loosener is being pumped.
   
   
5. For small conduits and short runs, a flexible funnel temporarily sealed into the conduit with duct seal mastic can also help. Athletic or medical "squirt" bottles can also be used to inject Loosener into the conduit.
   
   
6. A cable puller with sufficient power is needed to pull the cable out once it has broken free.
   
   

As a rule of thumb, 1 quart of CableFree® Loosener should be used for every 50 feet of 1" conduit (1 liter per 15m of 2.5cm conduit). For larger conduits, the following equation provides a starting estimate of the amount of Loosener for a particular cable removal:

         Q = .02 x L x D     (Metric Formula: Q = .024 x L x D)

 where:  Q   =   quantity required in quarts (liters for metric)
         L   =   length of the conduit in feet (meters for metric)
         D   =   diameter of the conduit in inches (centimeters for metric)

Preparation

1. All circuits should be de-energized for safe operation. Do not work with liquid chemicals around live circuits. Critical switch gear, etc., should be covered and protected from spillage and drippage.
   
   
2. NOTE: Caution should be exercised when working with these liquid materials. Wear protective goggles and gloves at all times. Consult the material data safety sheets for more complete details.
   
   

Application

1. Fish a tape through the conduit system, if possible. Attach a sponge or a rag to the tape, sized to fit snugly in the conduit. If the conduit cannot be fished, see step #3.
   
   
2. Pour, pump, or squirt the appropriate quantity of CableFree® Loosener into the higher end of the conduit system. Spread the cleaner throughout the conduit by pulling the sponge or rag back and forth with the tape(s).
   
   
3. Another practical way to spread the CableFree® Loosener is to use air pressure to "blow" it through the system. If only small amounts of Loosener can be loaded at one time, alternate air blasts with doses of Loosener. For long segments, the Loosener can be blown in from both ends of the conduit.
   
   
4. The objective is to get the CableFree® Loosener to all points of the conduit so it can dissolve the binding materials. This may take several swab pull-throughs or air blasts, as well as some persistence.
   
   
5. If there are pull-through boxes with access, treat each segment separately, performing the procedure for each segment.
   
   
6. Place the cable puller, if required, at the optimal pulling location. For easier removal, the cable should be pulled out at the lower end of a vertical conduit system. It is also best to have any bends in the system as far away from the puller as possible. Attach a hydraulically crimped pulling eye or other strong fastening method to the cable conductors. Pull on the conductors (metal) to take advantage of their strength.
   
   

Removal

1. Once the CableFree® Loosener has been spread through the system, allow it to sit in the system as long as possible (for at least 2 but preferably 24 hours). The older the system, the longer the time required. For long waiting times or hot conduit systems, the conduit ends should be plugged with a rag to trap vapors inside. After waiting, attempt to free the cables by pulling on them. Twisting the cables in one direction can help break them free. Also, pulling on individual cables and breaking them free one at a time sometimes works.
   
   
2. If the cables fail to move, attach an hydraulic jack or try pulling from the opposite end. Raise and maintain high tension on the cables. Try pulling again after a 20-to-30-minute waiting period under tension. Increase tension and repeat steps, if necessary. Introduce "vibration" by hitting the tight cables with a pipe or bat. Such vibration can help break the cables free.
   
   
3. If the cable is still stuck, cut the conduit at a point where it's accessible and try pulling the cables out from the middle. Repeat the loosening process with additional CableFree® Loosener, if necessary. Keep trying the procedures above until you break the cable free.
   
   

Cleanup

1. Once the cable is removed, pull a water-soaked rag through the conduit, then pull a drying swab back and forth until the conduit is dry. Blow air through the conduit until no CableFree® Loosener odor remains.
   
   

CATALOG NUMBERS
CableFree®	Package Size	Units/CS	Image
CF-35	1-quart bottle (.95 liter)	12
CF-128	1-gallon can (3.78 liters)	4
CF-640	5-gallon pail (18.9 liters)	1	None

Important Notice: The statements and information here are made in good faith based on tests and observations we believe to be reliable. However, the completeness and accuracy of the information is not guaranteed. Before using, the end-user should conduct whatever evaluations are necessary to determine that the product is suitable for the intended use. The user assumes all risks and liability in connection with such use. The statements contained herein are made in lieu of all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, which warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed. American Polywater's only obligation shall be to replace such quantity of the product proven to be defective. Except for the replacement remedy, American Polywater shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage, direct or indirect, arising from the use or the failure to properly use these products, regardless of the legal theory asserted. The foregoing may not be altered except by a written agreement by the officers of American Polywater Corporation.

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