PSA: Stop using gel splice connectors on direct burial drops, they fail in 6 months flat

Ive been seeing a ton of installers in my area using those gel-filled splice connectors for underground runs. Every single one Ive pulled up from last spring has water in it already, like 8 out of 10 failed. The gel hardens up after a season of freeze-thaw cycles and leaves gaps. Why are people still pushing these over a proper epoxy or heat shrink setup? Is it just a cost thing because those gel ones are maybe $2 cheaper per splice. Has anyone else seen this trend blowing up on jobsites lately?

2 comments

2 Comments

william_taylor18d ago

Are these guys actually reading the install specs or just grabbing whatever's cheapest at the supply house? I've seen the same thing with gel connectors on well pump lines, and the issue is always the same - people skip the shrink tube step or don't clean the jacket properly before shoving it in there. It's not just the connector itself failing, it's the whole install job being rushed.

olivers2818d agoMost Upvoted

Read an article saying most failures happen before the wire even hits the connector.