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Cable Lubricant Selection Guide

American Polywater offers many lubricants for a variety of applications.

Which is best for you?


J

Polywater® Lubricant J is a clean, slow-drying, water-based, high-performance gel. Lubricant J provides maximum tension reduction in all types of cable pulling. It is especially recommended for long pulls and pulls in a hot environment. Lube J dries to form a thin lubricating film that retains its slip for months after use. J is a specification-grade lubricant that does not promote flame propagation when used with fire-retardant cables and systems. It is harmless to humans, environmentally safe, compatible with all common* cable jacket materials, and can be easily applied as part of the unique Polywater® Lubricant Application System. Patented, UL- and CSA-listed Polywater® J is the premier lubricant in the Polywater® line.

WJ

Polywater® Lubricant WJ (winter grade) is Polywater® J specially formulated for use in temperatures as low as -20°F (-30°C).



PJ

Polywater® Lubricant PJ is a pourable version of the popular Polywater® J. PJ offers the same proven features as Lube J in such key areas as lubricity, cable compatibility, residue fire resistance, and ease of cleanup--yet is easier to apply where pouring is practical.

DB

Dyna-Blue® Heavy Duty Lubricant is a clean, easy-to-apply gel.   Its thick "clingability" allows for easy handling and application.   Dyna-Blue® combines effectiveness with economy.   It is a good lubricant for everyday use in general electrical and telcom applications.   Dyna-Blue® is harmless to humans, environmentally safe, UL-listed, compatible with common* cable jacket materials, and exceptionally easy to work with.

SPY

Polywater® SPY Lube is an innovative and convenient spray or wipe lubricant for all types of electrical wire and cable.   The thin liquid can be applied with a saturated wipe, quart squirt bottle, or other higher-volume sprayers.   It is compatible with all common* cable jackets.


WSPY

Polywater® Lubricant WSPY (winter grade) is Polywater® SPY specially formulated for use in temperatures as low as -20°F (-30°C).


FTTx

Polywater® Lubricant FTTx is a thin liquid for convenient lubrication when pushing or pulling small cables, using a spray or wipe application.   Ideal for fiber drops in the Last Mile environment, and for Category 6 data cables susceptible to the "wet link" insertion loss phenomenon.   It is compatible with all common* cable jackets.


F

Polywater® Lubricant F is a high-performance, pourable liquid recommended for long, difficult, fiber optic cable pulls.   It is slow drying and leaves a lubricating film after its water base evaporates.   F does not stress crack low density polyethylene.   It is compatible with all common* cable jackets.

WF

Polywater® Lubricant WF (winter grade) is Polywater® F specially formulated for use in temperatures as low as -20°F (-30°C).



LZ

Polywater® LZ is a specification-grade gel lubricant formulated specifically for compatibility* and high performance with low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH/LSHF) cables.   Also available in winter-grade version Type WLZ®

CLR

Polywater® CLR is a transparent lubricant for users who prefer a crystal clear gel in electrical and datacom applications.



NL

Network Loop™ Lube is a liquid formulated for the unique requirements of network cabling. It is a silicone-enhanced, high performance lubricant recommended for use with all types of communication cable, including copper, fiber optic, and coaxial.   This clean, slow-drying pulling compound offers excellent friction reduction and universal compatibility on all common* communication cable types, including low density polyethylene.   It coats evenly and clings well to cable.

NN

Polywater® Plus Silicone™ Type NN is a clean, slow-drying, silicone-based lubricant.   Type NN offers superior friction reduction and is ideally suited for use with silicone-lined and prelubricated duct.   Non-stringy Type NN pours and pumps easily, and is compatible with common* cables.   Excellent for pulling through water.   Also available in winter-grade version Type WNN.


NB

Polywater® Plus Silicone™ Type NB has the same characteristics as Type NN, but also contains thousands of small, frictionless rollers.   The rollers have shown additional friction reduction capability in certain long, straight, horizontal pulls of lightweight cable under low sidewall pressure conditions.   Also available in winter-grade version Type WNB.


PR

Polywater® Lubricant PR is a liquid lubricant with excellent friction reduction. It can be poured or pumped into duct for easy application. Type PR has high shear resistance and works well on HDPE. It is slow drying, retaining its lubricity for months after use.


WX

Polywater® Lubricant WX is temperature stable wax-based pulling lubricant that does not liquefy and drop off cables after high temperature exposure.   Polywater® WX Wax Lube is clean and slow drying.   It leaves less residue in the conduit to block future cable pulls or removal.

P

Prelube® 2000 Cable Blowing Lubricant is a high-performance, pourable liquid recommended for long, difficult, cable blowing.   It is slow drying and leaves a lubricating film after its water base evaporates.   It does not stress crack low density polyethylene.   It is compatible with common* cable jackets.


PM

Prelube® 5000 Micro-Cable Blowing Lubricant is a high-performance, thin liquid recommended for long, difficult, microcable blowing.   It is slow drying and leaves a lubricating film after its water base evaporates.   It does not stress crack low density polyethylene.   It is compatible with common* cable jackets.


A

Polywater® Lubricant A is a clean, clear, water-based, general purpose liquid lubricant recommended for short-run horizontal cable pulling.   Environmentally safe and non-toxic. NOTE: For especially long, hot, or difficult pulls, liquid Polywater® F or PJ is recommended.


G

Polywater® Lubricant G is a clean, clear, water-based, general purpose gel lubricant recommended for all types of short-run cable pulling, including verticals. Environmentally safe and non-toxic. NOTE: For especially long, hot, or difficult pulls, gel-type Polywater® J is recommended.


Polywater® Lubricant Characteristics Chart

Lube Color Liquid
or Gel
% Solids Lowest Temp Usable Relative Drying Time Relative
String- iness
Product Base Non- Staining Universally Cable Compatible* Temper- ature Stable Combustible Dried Residue Relative Cling- ability
J White Gel 3.5 -
5.5%
20°F Slow High Complex Polymer/ Water Yes Yes Yes None High
WJ White Gel 3.5 -
5.5%
-20°F Slow High Complex Polymer/ Water Yes Yes Yes None High
PJ White Liquid 1.7 -
2.3%
20°F Slow High Complex Polymer/ Water Yes Yes Yes None Medium
DB Blue Thick
Gel
2.5 -
3.5%
20°F Moderate Low Polymer/ Glycol/ Water Yes Yes Yes Minimal High
SPY Opaque
Yellow
Thin Liquid 3.0 -
4.0%
32°F Fast** Low Complex Polymer/ Silicone Yes Yes Yes None High
WSPY Opaque
Yellow
Thin Liquid 3.0 -
4.0%
-20°F Moderate** Low Complex Polymer/ Silicone Yes Yes Yes None High
FTTx Opaque
White
Thin Liquid 3.0 -
4.0%
32°F Fast** Low Polymer/ Silicone Yes Yes Yes Minimal High
F Orange Liquid 3.0 -
4.0%
20°F Slow High Complex Polymer/ Water Yes Yes Yes None High
WF Orange Liquid 3.0 -
4.0%
-20°F Slow High Complex Polymer/ Water Yes Yes Yes None High
LZ Opaque
White
Gel 3.0 -
4.0%
20°F Moderate High Complex Polymer/
Water
Yes Yes Yes None High
CLR Clear Thick
Gel
3.0% 20°F Moderate Moderate Complex Polymer
Gel
Yes Yes Yes Minimal High
NL White Liquid 2.0% 20°F Moderate Moderate Silicone Enhanced Liquid Yes Yes Yes Minimal Moderate
NN White Liquid 3.0 -
5.0%
20°F Slow Low Polymer/ Silicone Yes Yes Yes Minimal Moderate
NB White Liquid 5.0 -
7.0%
20°F Slow Low Polymer/ Silicone w/Rollers Yes Yes Yes Minimal Moderate
PR White Liquid 1.5 -
2.5%
20°F Slow High Complex Polymer/Silicone Yes Yes Yes Minimal Moderate
WX Yellow Gel 4.5 -
6.5%
20°F Slow Low Complex Wax Base Yes Yes Yes Minimal High
P White Liquid 6.0% N/A Slow Low Polymer/
Silicone
Yes Yes Yes Minimal N/A
PM White Liquid 15 -
20%
N/A Slow Low Polymer/
Silicone
Yes Yes Yes Minimal N/A
A Clear Liquid 0.3 -
0.7%
20°F Fast High Simple Polymer/ Water Yes Yes Yes Minimal Low
G Clear Gel 0.5 -
1.5%
20°F Fast Moderate Simple Polymer/ Water Yes Yes Yes Minimal Low

**Lubricant designed to perform even when dry.

Polywater® Lubricant Applications Chart

Lube Application
J Specification grade. Use for any communications, electrical, CATV, or control cable pull. Especially effective on long, difficult, multi-bend pulls of heavy cable in hot environments. The only proven-safe choice for fire-retardant* cables.
WJ Winter grade. Same as "J" but for cold weather. Both "J" and "WJ" may be pumped, hand-applied, or used in the Front End Pack™ bag system.
PJ Same as "J" but for horizontal pulls. Pours and pumps more readily, allowing easier dispersion throughout conduit systems.
DB Formulated for easy hand application. For short- to medium-length pulls of electrical, CATV, data, and communication cable. Ideal for vertical pulls of inside wire.
SPY Innovative new high-performance, very thin, sprayable formula designed for electrical wire and cable. Spray onto cable or into conduit with choice of three applicators, or apply with available saturated wipes.
WSPY Winter grade. Same as "SPY" but for cold weather. Both "SPY" and "WSPY" are for spray or wipe application and employ the latest thin-film lubrication technology.
FTTx High-performance formula designed for "Last Mile" fiber drops. Apply by quart spray or saturated wipe for convenient pulling or pushing of small cables. The saturated wipes are ideal for preventing insertion loss in Cat 6 data cables (also known as "attenuation loss").
F High-performance, pourable formula designed for fiber optic cable, but suitable for all communication, data, CATV, and electrical types. Pour or use with the LP-D5 Automatic Drill Pump.
WF Winter grade pourable lubricant for optical cables. Same as "F" but specially formulated for use in cold weather temperatures as low as -20°.
LZ Specification-grade lubricant compatible with low-smoke zero-halogen and low-smoke halogen-free (LSZH/LSHF) cables.   Research has shown that most commercially available lubricants are incompatible with LSZH cables.
CLR Transparent lubricant for users who prefer a crystal clear gel in electrical and datacom applications.
NL Formulated for the unique requirements of network cabling. A silicone enhanced liquid for use with all types of communication cable, including copper, fiber optic, and coaxial (including low density polyethylene).
NN Contains silicone. Use for the longest, toughest, horizontal pulls of any cable. Suitable for silicone-lined and prelubricated duct. Best choice for water-filled conduits.
NB Same as "NN" but contains tiny plastic ball bearings. Use for very long, straight pulls of lightweight cable, such as fiber optic cable.
PR Formulated for easy pouring or pumping application. Suitable for underground installations and effective in multi-bend, high-sidewall pulls. Excellent choice for HDPE conduit.
WX A significant improvement over old-style wax lubes that separate with heat and age. Its high cling factor and water resistance make it an excellent choice for pulling cable through water-filled conduits.
P Specially formulated to prelubricate conduit before blowing (air-floating), pushing, or pulling cables. Suitable for use with both high air speed (open) and piston (push/pull) type blowing machines.
PM A very thin, highly concentrated cable blowing lubricant specially formulated to aide the installation of microcables into microtubes.
A For short, straight, horizontal pulls of any cable type in mild temperatures. Pours and pumps easily. For more difficult pulls, use "F" or "PJ."
G Use for short, straight pulls of underground cable or inside wire. Pump, hand apply, or use with the Front End Pack™ bag system. For more difficult pulls, use "J" or "NN."

*Contact American Polywater for specific recommendations on LSZH/LSHF or CSPE cable jacket types.

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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