sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Avaya - Lucent Telephones & Systems corrosion in RJ-11 jacks

My desk extension no sooner started working again with the new Partner Plus 206 module, that it became noisy, really noisy. I traced the problem to the line to the module. Traced it back to my wall jack next to my desk. Started unscrewing the plate and noticed the screws were rusted! What the ?? So I pulled the jack plate off (punch down connector block from T&B I think it is) and looked at it closely. Gold plating on the pins in the jack are corroded and the RJ-11 plug is also corroded. These are gold plated - what is causing this? I also noted the sheetrock moisture barrier inside the wall (this is an outside wall) was wet to the touch from moisture condensation (I'm in New Hampshire and it's muggy summer here).

You guys seen this before? I have seen some equipment that we make (we make fiberoptic eq) that's at DisneyWorld FL come back with the same crude on the RJ-45 jacks (and they are AMP brand jacks and we didn't scrimp on cost).

Do you guys see this often? What's the cure (other than replacing the jack/plug)? Any kind of effective anti-corrosion spray that works? Years ago (we are talking vacuum tube years now) we used GC contact cleaner on control pots. Anything like that ok to use on telco jacks?

:scratch:

Bob

Corrosion is a common problem in any wet or damp enviroment. I know the Verizon guy's use some kind of jelly type stuff in jacks, like in kitchens and basements but I don't know what it is.

Yeah, see it all the time. Jacks in sun porches, basements, on damp concrete walls to name but a few. Suttle does make a surface jack with some ickey in it that Verizon uses. I have been squirting silicon grease in a few that customers always complain about. Silicon grease is the stuff long used for electrical waterproofing and a heat sink compound. You will find it in automotive connectors. We always use it in the rubber spark plug boots we slide over the "F" connectors in outdoor CATV and sat installations (not convinced that the Snap-n-Seal connectors are any better). GC probably has it but we get it from a CATV equipment distributor.

-Hal

That is definitly the way to go, using Suttle's
"Corro-shield" jacks. The best ones are the ones that don't have screws, just raw-ended wires and Scotchlok connectors so there's not much left to corrode. We use them a lot and if you need a small quantity of them, we can sell you some. They look and install exactly like regular jacks and aren't expensive at all.

I think the bigger part of your problem is the cause for the moisture in the wall. If you have air conditioning and run it a lot, it could be causing the muggy conditions to result in the moisture problem you have. You really should investigate that further.

did you feel /look in the wall cavity ?

Ive seen wall /window leaks cause this where the insaltion in the wall is damp .

I agree with both Ed and Skip. Seen this problem several times, I've even seen condensate running down the wall from the jack plate on an outside wall in an air conditioned space. Reason was there was little or no insulation behind the plate in the wall cavity. Didn't help either that the register was in the floor right below.

-Hal

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

I'll try the silcone grease as I have that handy. I've kept the wall plate off to watch for any leaks but of course, as soon as I did that the weather improved (here in NH) considerably). Have to remember this next time we need rain (put the plate back on).

BobL