The recommended maximum fill ratio for MaxCell solutions is 45%. Testing and experience show exceeding this threshold can significantly increase cable pulling tensions, which may lead to installation challenges or damage.

Always check local codes and regulations, as they may specify different allowable fill ratios based on application.

The maximum pulling distance for MaxCell solutions depends on several factors, including:

• Type of duct structure
• Number of horizontal or vertical transitions
• Presence of existing cables or innerduct
• Number and severity of sweeps or bends

Installers have successfully pulled MaxCell up to 8,200 ft. in a single run.

Yes. When installing cables in a 3-cell MaxCell configuration, it is recommended to start with the middle cell. This approach:

• Facilitates easier access to the outer cells for future cable additions
• Helps maintain optimal cable alignment and spacing
• Reduces the risk of cable damage during installation

To prevent cable tangling during installation in occupied conduit, use a proven technique:
Rod the conduit using a Paddle attachment that glides along the existing cable. This helps guide the MaxCell fabric around incumbent cables smoothly and minimizes snags or twists.

Not significantly. While the weight of existing cables in the top cells can slightly increase pulling tension, field experience shows this impact is minor—typically less than 50 lbs.

Key Factors Affecting Pulling Tension:

• Conduit condition
• Pull length
• Total bend radius
• Number of sweeps or bends in the outer duct

These structural elements have a greater influence on overall pulling tension than cable weight alone.

Yes. MaxCell is engineered for flexibility—cables can be installed, removed, and reinstalled at any time without needing to remove the MaxCell fabric.

This makes MaxCell ideal for:

• Network upgrades
• Cable replacements
• Maintenance in active conduit systems

Its design supports easy access and re-entry, helping reduce labor costs and downtime.

MaxCell Solutions are pre-lubricated, so additional lubricant is not required for placing the fabric itself in the conduit. However, when installing cables within MaxCell solutions, applying extra lubricant is strongly recommended.

Why Use Additional Lubricant on Cables?
Extensive testing shows that using lubricant during cable installation can reduce pulling tensions by 15–20%, improving efficiency and minimizing strain on the cable and conduit.

Yes. MaxCell solutions are incrementally marked every 5 ft. to assist with accurate placement and tracking during installation.

Pulling Tape Markings:
The pulling tapes inside MaxCell solutions are marked every one (1) foot, providing precise measurement for cable positioning and conduit management.

These markings help:

• Monitor installation progress
• Plan cable spacing
• Improve accuracy in complex conduit runs

No—when installed correctly, MaxCell solutions will not twist or spiral if proper equipment and techniques are used during installation.

Key Installation Tip:
Always use a swivel connector between the pull rope and the MaxCell® Edge pack(s). This allows the fabric to rotate freely and prevents spiraling during the pull.

Following best practices ensures:

• Smooth installation
• Reduced cable stress
• Proper alignment within the conduit

Yes—both methods are supported. MaxCell Solutions are designed for flexible installation in Outside Plant (OSP) environments.

Best Practice:

• No lube needed for MaxCell placement
• Apply lube to cables for smoother pulls, especially in longer or more complex runs
• You can install MaxCell solutions directly from one maintenance hole to another, or
• Pull through multiple maintenance holes in a single run to save time and reduce labor

Yes. MaxCell solutions are designed for incremental installation, allowing you to:

• Install one pack now
• Add another pack later as network needs grow

Yes. MaxCell solutions can be installed over existing innerduct within an outer duct, provided there is sufficient space available in the conduit structure.

MaxCell solutions are designed for flexible deployment and can adapt to various conduit configurations, including:

• Over innerduct
• Around existing cables
• Through complex duct pathways

Contaminants such as mud, silt, and water inside the conduit can increase cable pulling tensions, similar to what occurs with rigid innerduct systems.

Key Considerations:

• Clean conduit = lower pulling tension
• Contaminants can reduce efficiency and increase strain
• Pre-cleaning improves long-term cable performance

Splicing MaxCell solutions is not generally recommended. While there are methods to repair damaged MaxCell innerduct, the preferred method is to place a handhole at the damaged location.

Why Avoid Splicing?

• Splicing can compromise the integrity and performance of the MaxCell innerduct
• A handhole provides better access for future maintenance and cable management

Short Answer: No.

Repair vs. Splice: MaxCell can be repaired in the field if damaged, but there is no simple solution for splicing.

Repair Kit Limitation: The plastic repair kit only joins sections at the seam; it does not create a continuous fabric connection suitable for pulling.

Factory Splicing: Splices are done in the factory every 600–650 yards using a sewn lockstitch along the entire length of the adjoining pieces.

Field Sewing: Technically possible, but requires power, a sewing machine, and skilled personnel—making it impractical for most field situations.

MaxCell solutions are installed using standard sealing methods to protect the conduit and maintain system integrity.

These include:

• Inflatable bags
• Termination plugs
• Foam sealant applications

For Watertight Sealing:
Use split termination plugs, which provide a secure, moisture-resistant seal.

For Non-Watertight Sealing:
Inflatable bag termination systems are recommended. When inflated with CO₂, these bags compress tightly around the cable structure, resisting silt, water, and chemicals.

Proper sealing ensures:

• Environmental protection
• System longevity
• Reduced maintenance needs

No. MaxCell solutions are manufactured using 100% virgin resin, no re-grade or recycled resin is used in production.

This ensures:

• Consistent product quality
• Long-term durability
• Reliable performance in demanding conduit environments

MaxCell solutions meet strict material standards to support high-performance cable placement and infrastructure integrity.

No. All MaxCell solutions, including Standard, Riser, and Plenum configurations, are halogen-free.

This ensures:

• Compliance with environmental and safety standards
• Reduced toxicity in case of fire
• Safer use in enclosed or sensitive installation environments

MaxCell solutions are engineered to meet stringent material specifications for low-smoke, zero-halogen (LSZH) applications.

No significant degradation occurs. MaxCell solutions are made from materials rated for 20+ years of underground use, with less than a 15% reduction in strength over time.

Engineered for Durability:
MaxCell solutions are designed using geo-textile materials proven in underground environments.

These materials offer:

• High tenacity and toughness
• Excellent abrasion, temperature, and chemical resistance
• Strong resistance to fuels, ground chemicals, and moisture

This ensures long-term performance and reliability in demanding conduit conditions.

MaxCell solutions are engineered to withstand harsh underground environments, including prolonged exposure or immersion in:

• Water
• Saltwater
• Mud
• Silt
• Ground chemicals

Durability Assurance:
These conditions do not affect the life expectancy or performance of MaxCell. Its materials are specifically selected for chemical resistance, abrasion tolerance, and long-term reliability in contaminated conduit systems.

Ideal for use in:

• Flood-prone areas
• Coastal installations
• Utility corridors with variable soil conditions

MaxCell solutions are highly heat-resistant and perform reliably across a wide range of temperatures.

Thermal Performance:

• Melt temperature: 419°F (215°C) — nearly twice that of standard HDPE innerduct
• Operating temperature range: -49°F to 118°F (-45°C to 48°C)

MaxCell solutions remain unaffected in standard Outside Plant (OSP) environments, making it ideal for installations exposed to seasonal temperature fluctuations or elevated heat conditions.

MaxCell solutions are built to withstand extreme cold and remain unaffected at temperatures as low as -49°F (-45°C).

No. The lubricant used in MaxCell solutions is stable and unaffected within the normal Outside Plant (OSP) operating temperature range of -49°F to 118°F (-45°C to 48°C).

This ensures:

• Consistent performance in extreme hot or cold conditions
• Reliable cable installation across diverse environments
• No degradation or loss of lubricity due to temperature fluctuations

MaxCell solutions are engineered for durability and efficiency in real-world OSP applications.

MaxCell solutions retain lubricity over time, even when exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

Durability Assurance:
The prelube additive used in MaxCell solutions are not degraded or removed by exposure to:

• Water
• Saltwater
• Mud
• Jet fuels
• Ground chemicals

This ensures consistent cable-pulling performance and long-term reliability in demanding conduit environments.

MaxCell pulling tape is constructed from multi-filament polyester yarns, known for their:

• High tensile strength
• Durability under tension
• Resistance to moisture and abrasion

This material ensures reliable performance during cable installation, even in challenging conduit environments.

The pull tape supplied in MaxCell solutions has a rated breaking tensile strength of 1,250 lbs.

This high-strength polyester tape ensures:

• Reliable cable pulling performance
• Reduced risk of breakage during installation
• Compatibility with long or complex conduit runs

MaxCell solutions pull tapes are engineered for durability and consistent tension handling in demanding environments.

Yes, prolonged UV exposure can reduce the tensile strength of MaxCell solutions, similar to rigid innerduct materials.

UV Protection Built In:
To minimize exposure, MaxCell solutions are shipped with a UV-protective wrap that shields the fabric during storage and handling.

Yes. MaxCell Self-Supporting is UL certified in both the United States and Canada, and is classified as UL94 V-0, indicating excellent flame resistance.

This rating confirms:

• Compliance with plenum space requirements
• Suitability for use in air-handling spaces
• Enhanced fire safety performance

MaxCell Self-Supporting is engineered for safe, code-compliant installation in commercial and industrial environments.

Yes. Cables can be safely mixed across different cells within a MaxCell Self-Supporting pack. Each cell provides an individual pathway, keeping cable bundles physically separated to prevent contact or interference.

Installer Responsibility:
Before mixing cable types, the installer must verify compatibility—especially for cables with different electrical or thermal properties—to ensure they can be placed in proximity without risk.

MaxCell solutions multi-cell design supports:

• Mixed cable types (e.g., fiber, copper, coax)
• Organized separation
• Scalable and flexible conduit management

No. MaxCell Self-Supporting is made from flexible fabric and contains no shielding materials. As a result, it does not prevent or reduce crosstalk interference between cables.

Important Consideration:
If crosstalk mitigation is required, use shielded cables or additional protective measures designed for electromagnetic interference (EMI) control.
MaxCell solutions provides physical separation between cables but does not offer electrical isolation.

For optimal performance, cables should be pulled horizontally from the leading end of the run, starting with the middle cell, followed by the two outer cells. This method ensures balanced loading and easier access during future installations.

Designed for Strength:
MaxCell Self-Supporting is engineered to withstand appropriate direct downward force, making it suitable for aerial or unsupported conduit applications.

Yes—MaxCell Inside Plant products meet UL-required burn tests for indoor installations. We can provide testing data upon request to support compliance verification.

Important Note:
Local building codes may vary significantly. Always consult your local code requirements to ensure safe and compliant network design.
MaxCell solutions are engineered to meet national safety standards and support code-compliant installations across a variety of environments