Quality Bulletin
Quality Bulletin Number: 02-13 Issue 2
Memorandum To: All Installation Service Suppliers / Technical
Support Engineers / AMC Representatives / Design and Field
Engineering Representatives / Quality Auditors / Central Office
Operations personnel
Date: May 11, 2004
From: QWEST Installation Quality Assurance
Subject: Repair of failed Aqua-Seal connections in Qwest
central office locations.
Action Required:
NO:
YES:

Description of Bulletin:
The purpose of this Bulletin is to inform all approved installation vendors and central office
operations personnel of the repair process to be followed when failed Aqua-Seal (black
parallel cable connector sealant) is discovered in any Qwest central office location.
Aqua-Seal cable connector sealant was the precursor to the black plastic H-tap cover
assemblies that are used today when “tapping” one power lead conductor size to another. AquaSeal was a Western Electric product used to insulate the bare metal of the H-tap connector
from making contact with a cable rack or other metal surface at ground potential.
Aqua-Seal consisted of a thick, square tar wrap that was secured around the H-tap (or parallel
cable connector as it was referred to then). Eventually the "tar sealant" composition began to
deteriorate over time and the covers would open exposing the metal of the tap (refer to Figures 1
and 2). As these failed Aqua-Seal covers were discovered by Central Office personnel, the
former AT&T Network Systems installers (now Tyco Electronics Power Systems, Inc.) replaced
them without additional charge. Tyco will continue to honor this warranty agreement going
forward under the following conditions:


The Aqua-Seal must be visibly leaking.
The Aqua-Seal must be accessible (it must be on the outside or bottom or top of the cable
bundle in the rack - if it is in the middle, it poses no shorting danger).

Qwest must commit (with a Manager’s signature) to a time to meet the installer to fix the
problem.
The attached form (refer to Figure 3) from Brad Penn, TEPS Power Warranty Manager explains,
in detail how this problem can be reported and repaired.
Note: If Qwest misses the date, Tyco will bill us. If you have any questions please feel free to
call Brad directly at 972-284-2869.
Qwest Installation Quality Assurance
Jeff Bostow
612-798-2460
Figure 1
Failed Aqua-Seal Parallel Cable Connector Cover
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Figure 2
Failed Aqua-Seal -48V Return Bus Bar Cover
Figure 3
Aqua Seal Replacement Agreement
Tyco Electronics Power Systems
Date: __________
Customer: _______________
Customer Contact and Phone: ___________________________________
Office Address: Street, City, State and Zip: ______________________________
Office CLLI Code: __________
Customer Responsibilities:
1. Only connector covers that are visible and accessible for repair will be replaced. Connectors
that are within a cable pile-up will not be disturbed. Consistent with the terms of the GEC
83007 issued November 10, 1989; connectors that are enclosed in cable pile and separated
from all grounded metallic surfaces such as cable racks, hangers, threaded rods, etc. should
not be tampered with. Disturbing a cable pileup could damage the cable insulation or cause
other problems. The Mylar insulation of the pads plus the added insulation of the adjacent
cables insulate connectors within a pileup.
2. Tyco Electronics Power Systems, Inc. will provide material and labor to fix the defective seal
covers if notified prior to June 21, 2004 that a defect exists. After this period, TEPS will
provide replacement seal covers only.
3. Customer to provide the following detailed information required to have repairs performed:
1a - Customer must identify how many aqua-seals are leaking per the above criteria.
2a - Provide floor, aisle, and specific location where the aqua-seals are located including equipment bays, relay rack, cable rack, etc.
3a - Customer to provide power experienced technical observer on site in order to have
Tyco Electronics Installation Services (TEIS) perform the specified work operation.
4a - Should the customer require rescheduling the work operation, notification to - TEIS
must be made no less than 96 hours (four business days), prior to the scheduled work
operation.
5a - Customer to provide a qualified observer as required per the Method of Procedure
(MOP), to be available for the work operation as agreed to between the customer and
TEIS.
Upon receipt of all the completed information, I will schedule Tyco Electronics Installation
Services to contact your representative to coordinate a work schedule to commence the aquaseal repairs. Tyco Electronics Warranty Service Management will provide at no charge to the
customer, the material and labor charges required to correct this situation.
NOTE: If the above requirements are not adhered to by the customer, Tyco Electronics may
invoice the customer for all services to include: all labor hours (including standby time),
transportation, meals and living accommodations that are required.
The customer is required to sign, date and return this document to the Tyco Electronics Power
Warranty Manager below, acknowledging this agreement prior to any work operation.
I, (NAME OF RESPONSIBLE REPRESENTATIVE) on behalf of: (COMPANY NAME) agree to this requirement
to have this work operation performed at the above mentioned location and understand that
Tyco Electronics Power Systems may invoice (COMPANY NAME) procurement organization should
the above requirements not be provided accurately and completely.
If you have any questions and/or concerns call me.
Sincerely,
Brad Penn
Tyco Electronics/Power Systems
Power Warranty Service Manager
Voice 972-284-2869
Fax
972-284-4223
Cell
214-354-0057
Email brad.penn@tycoelectronics.com
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