Application Note 8 - CATV Applications

Application Note 8 - CATV Applications

What is Stabilant 22?


What are its uses in CATV equipment?
Stabilant 22 can be used wherever electrical contacts are used, whether this is in connectors, or in switches. In cable equipment its most frequent use is in the co-axial connections on the Main Line/Distribution amplifiers such as the Lindsey Equipment - Models 10-40 and 961 or on the case joints in the Jerrold units. By eliminating the effects of corroded connections, it restores service in much less time than conventional methods. In many cases it eliminates the need to replace line amplifiers having badly corroded connectors. On case joints it eliminates the need for the cleaning and metal scraping of the joint as well as the need for the over-tightening that often strips the case screws. Because Stabilant 22's use in a contact enhances the performance of that contact beyond that of an equivalent new contact, the performance improvements are often dramatic. We have been told that it makes the quality of the signal at the end of a long series of amplifiers more nearly equal that of the beginning of the chain!

In head-end equipment the improvement often obtained in color accuracy and signal to noise ratio even with brand new equipment, is sufficient justification for the material's use!

The Stabilant's performance in subscriber taps and in splices is one of improving the reliability of the connections, thus eliminating many costly service calls and improving customer satisfaction.

Stabilant 22 is also a preferred contact treatment in TV Security systems. Many installations are not easy to service, and because of the nature of the use of the system many customers are extremely critical of any erratic operation of these systems. We have been told that there is often a marked improvement in the quality of the picture and that details are much easier to see!

Why should we use Stabilant over less expensive alternatives?

In other words, why do a job more than once?

In what forms is Stabilant available?
What is the difference in use of these materials?
Is it available in a spray can?
Is Stabilant 22 just another contact cleaner?
How does Stabilant 22 work?
What is the 15 ml service kit?
Why would anyone want to buy large quantities of the concentrate?


How can I be sure that Stabilant works?
Will it work on UHF equipment?
Stabilant 22 is being used at satellite communication frequencies on waveguide flanges up to 5 gHz and co-ax connectors as well, so yes, it will operate on UHF equipment and at UHF frequencies.
Can I use Stabilant 22 on connectors and switches in other equipment?
Of course. As we indicated, many end-users start out by trying it out on erratic test equipment. Audio/RF Function and Signal generators, distortion, spectrum. and waveform analyzers, reflectance equipment, Oscilloscopes, Vector Scopes; all types of test gear can be made more reliable using the material. One note of caution though; because Stabilant 22/22A/22E switches to the conductive state under applied electric field gradients (in the open) of from 9,000 to 13,000 volts per inch, don't use it on high voltage connectors. As a rule-of-thumb, it can be used on circuits of under 100 volts with impunity. Where higher voltages are involved it may be necessary to calculate the electric field gradient across the insulating surface to determine if the material can be used. If however, the material can be applied ONLY to the contacts, and no excess is used, it can be used at much higher voltages.

When used on socketed IC's, photo-couplers/isolators, rotary, push button (such as the ITT Schadow # FE switch), or slide switches, or even on BNC connectors, the net effect is usually to make the proper operation of the equipment less erratic, and in the case of IEEE-488 bus-controlled equipment, to cut down on the potential for system lock-ups. The effect of Stabilant 22 in Computers is to reduce the number of times the system locks-up or crashes, sometimes it even eliminates non-software crashes completely. On equipment using internal microprocessor control, Stabilant 22/22A/22E has an obvious use on socketed IC's, card-edge connectors, and both parallel (Centronics Standard) and Serial (RS-232C etc.) Ports.

Is Stabilant hazardous to use?
What is the best way to apply Stabilant to a contact?
Does the action of Stabilant deteriorate with age?

Revision 4


NATO Supply Code 38948