Stop using mesh connectors on outdoor drops, they always fail

I've been doing cable installs for about 8 years now, mostly in the Portland area. Last month I got called back to a job I did only 6 months prior because the customer lost signal after a storm. I climbed up and found the mesh connector I used was completely corroded inside, even though I wrapped it with tape. These things just don't hold up to rain and temperature swings, plain and simple. I switched to using compression connectors on every outdoor drop back in 2021 and I've had zero callbacks since. Why do guys keep using mesh when they know the signal degrades in a year or less? Has anyone else noticed this pattern with new installers on the crew?

3 comments

3 Comments

felixm2911d ago

Gotta disagree with you a bit here man. Mesh connectors are fine when you prep the cable right and use a good quality one, not the cheap bulk stuff from Amazon. Compression is definitely better for long term reliability no argument there, but saying mesh always fails is a stretch. I've got drops on the coast that have been up for 3 years with mesh and no issues so far, just gotta make sure the jacket's cut clean and the connector's crimped tight. Most of the failures I see are from people rushing the install or using those garbage mesh connectors that come with the cheap kits.

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fisher.thomas11d ago

Yeah, @felixm29, right on. Prep is everything.

val_ramirez10d ago

Yeah, felixm29 makes a good point. I use compression on the main runs but have a few mesh connectors on secondary lines that have been solid for about 2 years now. Just takes a little extra care during the install.