Compression Fittings Not Securing Onto Webpro Cable

[*Dan*]

I’m trying to get compression fittings to securely attach to my Webpro WF100 cable. I’m currently using the compression fittings that were supplied with the compression tool itself and having a practice.


I’m hoping it’s the compression fittings that are not gripping correctly but maybe I’m doing it wrong. Have followed a few guides on how to cut the cable correctly but when I eventually get around to compressing the connector onto the cable, it isn’t completely secure as I can pull the cable away (with some force) from the connector.


Here are some pics and the final pic is after I have pulled the cable off - it looks like they are gripping onto the cable but not by much. Are there different sizes of fixings for certain cables or maybe they are cheap and don’t grip as well?

 

[Lucid]

There's possibly 4 causes

1) the plug is the wrong size for the cable - Solve this by checking the spec. Webro WF100 is a 6.8mm diameter cable.

2) there's some problem with the cable prep

3) the cable isn't pushed home in to the plug fully before compression

4) the tool isn't set correctly so it's not fully compressing the plug


It may just be the impression from the pictures, but I'd say cable prep is the first thing to have a look at.

There are two things here. The first is the braid. It should be folded back neatly over the outer black sheath and the braid ends shouldn't be so long that they're left sticking out of the back end of the plug. If you're just stuffing it in the plug as it appears in your prep picture then you'll have issues getting a good secure fit, and you'll probably have a short too.

Next, it's the amount of dielectric (the white) left showing. Again, it may just be the picture creating the wrong impression, but it looks like there's a bit too much and it isn't cut off cleanly.

From the look of the twist on the cable jacket it appears like you've had to use some force to insert the cable in to the plug. This comes back to cable prep. The picture where you're holding the plug shows you there's a metal ring inside the plug. This is designed to fit the dielectric diameter and slip in between it and the braid shield when the cable is inserted. If the braid isn't folded back neat then it'll get in the way and the plug will then be much harder to fit.

Next, the dielectric. If there's too much length remaining then the outer sheath won't reach far enough inside the plug. That means when the plug is closed that the securing force has nothing to grip on to. That's why you can pull the plug off. You probably need about 3-4mm at most.

Finally, the plug itself needs to be fully compressed. Once again it's difficult to be sure from the picture, and the design of the plug leaves some room for doubt because they use and all-chrome compression plunger, but it does look like there's still some more travel left before the plug is fully closed.

Please remember, these are only the impressions 3rd party viewers get from your pictures. You may well be doing something further in each case, so don't have a cow or anything. This isn't criticism, its just observation based on what we can see.

Perhaps try some of the plugs you've been able to pull off, then have a look at the tool to see if it can close up the plug any further.


Properly fitted compression F connectors are very secure, but with enough force that still can be pulled off the cable end. How much force is "enough" varies depending on the plug design. They'll generally withstand at least 50kg of pull force. That's more than enough load capacity to keep the plug securely attached to the cable, but if you're determined you could still rip the two apart.

 

[*Dan*]

I was a little bit lazy with my cable prep for that one in the pictures as I had tried a few times and lost patience!


I have attached a picture of better cable prep below. I have tried again following your advise but it still seems to be loose. I have to pull and twist quite hard for it to come off but I can see the cable sliding off inside when I do this. I very much doubt it’s anywhere near 50kgs of force from myself as well!


The tool seems to be compressing it correctly and I over compressed a few of them earlier on to the point where I couldn’t turn the connecting nut on the end so I think the tool I’m using is doing the job correctly. Maybe the pictures look like I’m not compressing enough but just tried again and have compressed to the point where the nut is tricky to rotate and it still wants to slide off. I’m thinking maybe the connectors are the wrong size- any particular ones you can recommend for the Webpro Cable?

 

[Lucid]

I buy these from my aerial wholesaler and I only ever use Webro WF100 or very occasionally Labgear PF100/Triax TX100 on my own installs. I've never had one fail yet in the 7 or 8 years I've been using them.

BTW, it's Webro (web-ro) and not Webpro for the cable name

 

[*Dan*]

I buy these from my aerial wholesaler and I only ever use Webro WF100 or very occasionally Labgear PF100/Triax TX100 on my own installs. I've never had one fail yet in the 7 or 8 years I've been using them.

BTW, it's Webro (web-ro) and not Webpro for the cable name

Have tried with the plugs you recommended and cut off about 1/4 inch copper and left 1/4 inch of dielectric as in pictures attached. It has worked a treat with solid connections on both ends. Thanks the help - looks like the original plugs were not fitting onto my WEBRO cable . Glad I have done it now and don’t think I’ll bother with screw on connectors again.

Will these connectors work ok on the twin shotgun cable as well as I’m not sure if the Diameter of the WF100 cable is different on this to the single version?

Need to find a decent wall plate now as I have terrestrial TV going down the webro single cable and sky Q/freesat through the shotgun cable. Basically need a triple F PLATE for sky Q (two connections) and the freeview.

Looking into getting CCTV soon ish so wonder if it’s worth future proofing the room with some cat 6 cable (assuming that is what is used for CCTV?).

 

[Lucid]

Glad you're sorted

WF100 twin is simply two WF100 stuck together. Just the same size as single WF100, no different, so absolutely should work.

Webro WF65 Cu is the thinner version. Those plugs won't fit. WF65 is the same size as Sky use for twin coax in most installs of Sky HD. Each coax is about 4-4.5mm diameter. I think just about every SkyHD/SkyQ install I've come across has used the WF65-sized screw-on connectors. I use crimp-on ones for the outdoor connection to the LNB and screw-on for the indoor connection.

Be careful choosing a wall plate that breaks the connection part way if you're planning on running Q in the future. Sky's installers have been really fussy about that.

CCTV - it despends on what you're after and what your budget is. Most of the camera and recorder gear uses coax (more WF100) and that'll support the cheapo 720p cams but also a couple of versions of the HD cams too.

Cat cable is for IP cams. More costly but potentially better res too (due to cost) and individually addressable. That means you can select each camera directly via a web browser rather than looking at the recorder's web page.