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Silicone vs Soap: Choosing the Right Lubricant for Cable Installation

Written by Joe Sylvia | Sep 5, 2024 11:15:00 AM

Lubricant is crucial for underground cable installations. The right lubricant reduces friction and protects both cables and workers during installation. Conventional cable lubricants use a soap-based chemistry to reduce friction. However, as soap dries out it becomes sticky and can increase the pulling friction.

There is a new alternative silicone-based option hitting the market that boasts impressive performance characteristics. NEPTCO, the only makers of MULETAPE, has launched MULEGLIDE, a powerful new silicone lubricant to make cable installation jobs faster, smoother, and easier than ever. 

 

MULEGLIDE Silicone Cable Lubricant

MULEGLIDE™ is an all-new, long-lasting silicone lubricant for swift and safe underground cable installation, outperforming traditional soap-based lubricants. Its non-drying formula applies easily, with reduced pulling tension, permanent lubrication, and wipes off for easy clean up. For installation and especially removal, cables with silicone lubricant are pulled safer, faster, and with less force than those using soap-based products. Worker safety and efficiency have never been smoother than MULEGLIDE!

The Benefits of MULEGLIDE Silicone Lubricants:

  • Reduced pulling tension
  • Faster pulls, lower friction
  • Non-drying, non-tacky formula
  • Easy to apply and clean up
  • Smooth, consistent finish with a non-stringing formula
  • Permanent Lubricity

 

Comparing Silicone vs Conventional Soap-Based Lubricants

When you’re on the job site, nothing is more important than efficiency and safety. The qualities of the lubricant used directly impact these key concerns. A high quality improves application spread and reduces friction, allowing for faster cable pulls with less start-up energy. This efficiency translates to reduced labor time and effort.

Safety is paramount on job sites, and lubricants that decrease the risk of cable snapping and worker injuries are highly valued. This is important for installation and especially critical for removal. High-performing lubricants do not dry out over time, ensuring easier future work. This significantly reduces complications and costs in the long run.

 

Main Features and Benefits of MULEGLIDE and Soap-Based Cable Lubricants

When comparing MULEGLIDE and soap-based lubricants for cable installations, several key differences become apparent. Silicone lubricants have the lowest start-up friction on the market, gliding cables faster and easier than soap-based lubricants. This reduced friction translates to decreased strain on the cable, minimizing the risk of snapping and potential worker injuries.

Soap-based lubricants often have a goopy or stringy consistency, while silicone lubricants provide a smooth texture that is more pleasant to handle. The smoothness of silicone enables it to spread evenly over the cable, offering complete and total coverage.

Soap-based lubricants do typically win out on price. This makes them an attractive choice when comparing them to silicone lubricants. It’s important to remember that saving on material costs likely adds to job hassle.

Silicone lubricants do not dry out the same way soap-based does. Soap-based lubricants leave a residual tackiness which leads to noticeable challenges when removing cables at a later date. Silicone lubricants, however, maintain their properties permanently. Whether you’re working the cable in the moment or in the future, silicone lubricants will significantly speed up jobs.

 

Get Started with MULEGLIDE

The choice of lubricant for underground cable installations significantly impacts the efficiency and safety of the process. Silicone lubricants, such as MULEGLIDE, offer numerous advantages over traditional soap-based lubricants. Cable installation professionals can ensure smoother operations, protect their equipment, and enhance worker safety by selecting a high-quality silicone lubricant.

You can get started with MULEGLIDE today. Leave a comment or visit www.muleglide.com for more information.