What is a PIMCAP, and why do I need one?

Put simply, a PIMCAP is an RF connector dust cap that has an included desiccant to absorb moisture and keep out all contaminates.
Offering TOTAL PROTECTION, they are particularly useful during new site construction when RF connectors are most vulnerable to damage.

A PIMCAP prevents physical damage to sensitive high-frequency connector mating surfaces by keeping them clean, dry and tarnish-free.
A PIMCAP also prevents contaminates from contacting the mating surfaces, reducing scratches and abrasion, thereby improving long-term passive intermodulation performance.

PIMCAPS use a field-replaceable color-indicating silica gel desiccant to keep the RF connector clean and dry at all times.
The desiccant turns a bright pink when saturated, indicating that there is a moisture problem inside the connector.
A quick visual inspection is all that is needed to help guarantee first-time PIM-Passing test results.

PIMCAP protection is especially helpful during initial cell site construction phases, when connectors are most vulnerable to damage.
Typically, a manufacturer will ship their product with a transportation-type dust cap intended only to keep out large debris.
However, these dust caps are too flimsy for use in the field and will not adequately protect RF devices once installation activities begin.
A PIMCAP on the other hand, can withstand hurricane-force wind-driven rain and still keep everything clean and dry!

PIMCAPS save time, money and effort - and result in a better performing cell site!
They eliminate trapped moisture and contaminates which become ticking time bombs once the coax weather seals are applied.

In short, PIMCAPS force the tower crews to pay much greater attention to the care & handling of RF connectors.
The result is a better performing cell site.

Construction Details

From the outset, PIMCAPS were designed with tower crews in mind.
They are exceptionally rugged, yet lightweight, requiring no tools for installation.
It actually takes less time (and expense) to install a PIMCAP vs. traditional courtesy tape.
(And a PIMCAP won't leave a sticky residue on your RF connectors!)

PIMCAPS are constructed from an engineered thermoset plastic designed specifically for long-term outdoor use.
Machined from solid poly-methyl methacrylate, each PIMCAP is ready for use in harsh tower site environments.

PIMCAPS are presently available in industry standard 7/16 DIN male and female configurations.
Each cap contains 3 grams of a color-indicating Silica Gel desiccant, held captive by an air-permeable membrane.
This quantity is enough to protect the connector from moisture accumulation with a huge margin for reliability.

The color-indicating desiccant is field replaceable, and rechargeable. It will last a lifetime.

Each PIMCAP measures approximately 1-1/2 inches in diameter by 1-1/2 inches tall, and weighs about 39 grams (1.4 ounces).

The PIMCAP diameter is small enough to allow side-by-side installation even in the tightest spaces.

PIMCAPS Will even fit this very complicated antenna, with room to spare!
(Kathrein model 800-10675 antenna shown.)

Case Studies

New Cell Site Construction

PIMCAPS offer the ultimate protection of high-frequency RF connectors during cell site construction.
Once installed by the crew (or having arrived pre-installed from the factory), a PIMCAP will keep the connector completely clean and dry right up until the time the tower crew is ready to make the final permanent connection. Better than tape, a PIMCAP won't leave a sticky residue on the connector mating surfaces, ready to attract any dirt, metal shavings, or other debris commonly found on sites under construction.

In short: PIMCAPS allow 'near-cleanroom conditions' on even the dirtiest construction sites.

Sure, other methods have been tried....
Let's let the photos speak for themselves:

Photo 1. An unprotected RF connector.

Photo 2. Another unprotected RF connector. Would you put this back in service?

Photo 3. It is not uncommon to see flimsy (non-watertight) transportation dust caps used during construction activities.

Photo 4. Typical environment for a cell site under construction, this one at an electrical substation.

Photo 5. Debris can enter the connector at practically any stage of construction!
(Notice especially the plastic tarp where the antennas were pre-positioned just before the crane lift.)

Photo 6. Problems with "courtesy tape" include improper installation and adhesive contacting the connector mating surfaces!

Photo 7. Connectors are typically left unprotected while construction & installation activities are underway.
The result is more PIM problems, more time and expense, and a substantial delays getting the site on-the-air.

Photo 8. Plastic baggies are better than nothing, but clearly this is not a robust solution (and takes too much time to handle).

Photo 9. PIMCAPS can also be used indoors. Since they are threaded, they will not slip off like flimsy vinyl dust caps.

Tower Crew Care & Handling

Each PIMCAP has a highly visible color-indicating silica gel desiccant that indicates the saturation state of the RF connector interface.
When the PIMCAP is blue, everything is fine.

When the PIMCAP turns PINK, you'll know you've got a problem on your hands.
Essentially, this forces the tower crew to pay close attention to the care and handling of all RF connectors.
It is now easy for the construction foreman, or carrier personnel to spot-check the quality of the installation workmanship.

An uncapped connector, or a saturated connector (i.e., pink) may indicate problems with the tower crew workmanship.

But that's not really the point.
Crews will be happy to use PIMCAPS - it's less work for them, it's safer, easier, better and cheaper.
Nobody wants to spend hours applying temporary weatherproofing in the hot sun, when a simple twist of a PIMCAP can get the job done!

And of course, having PIM testing pass as a results of near-cleanroom conditions used during construction is less frustrating for everyone.

Then again, a PIMCAP could even save the afternoon, in the case that no spare connectors are on-site and a mishap occurs:

 Photo 10: Should have let a PIMCAP absorb this impact! This connector is totally ruined.

How to Order