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Size matters. Which is why both SolidSeal Duct Plug (SDP) for communications conduits and the new FST "MINI" electrical foam sealant packages were developed for small conduits. But since SDP and FST are now available in both the larger 250ml caulking tube and smaller 50ml mini cartridges, the question is when to recommend one over the other. Start with simple generalizations. Since communications ducts tend to be smaller than electrical conduits, the 50ml cartridge is the most common recommendation for SDP. The opposite is true for FST in electrical conduits where the larger 250ml is more regularly used. But an installer can use either package to seal a large or small duct. So, it's a matter of convenience, economy, and application versatility, especially when high-volume usage comes into play. We already described last week how the damming strip for the 250ml is problematic for damming small ducts. The specialty disks are much better suited for this. Another issue is static mixer size; the smaller the duct ID, the more cumbersome it becomes to inject foam through the outer dam with the larger 250ml nozzle. It requires real finesse in a .75" duct, though it can be done. But why use a sledgehammer to pound in a brad? The 50ml mini cartridges obviously hold less foaming material than the 250ml cartridges. While they can be used to seal larger ducts, more kits are required. Better to select the right tool for the job. Advise customers to plan the purchase of 50ml vs. 250ml (or both!) in advance based on the majority of ducts sizes. Projects with multiple duct sizes likely need both cartridge sizes and tools. But a project with, for example, many 2-inch ducts but only one or two 4-inch ducts may opt to work with just the 50ml cartridge. Learning to recommend the correct package and tool based on the various field circumstances will win many long-term customers. |
