425 network questions

[Sargeguy]

My daughter was helping me hook the B-1 up to my home-made subset when she stuck the screwdriver into the hole in the middle of the network and removed it covered with a thick viscous goo that sticks to everything.  What is it and is it toxic?

[Adam]

Found out on the interwebs:

"Don't be surprised to find that the network has been potted in a very sticky, odious paste that has the texture of hot chewing gum and the odor of unwashed shirts. This material - alleged to be manufactured according to a secret formula - will not wash off with soap and water. The phone company has a solvent for it, but because one of the secret ingredients is said to be beeswax, ordinary beeswax solvents such as gum turpentine, mineral turpentine (paint thinner or white spirit) and kerosene will work."

So, it sounds like it's non-toxic, but this doesn't say for sure.

[HarrySmith]

It is a dielectric gel. All the 425 networks are filled with it. It is to cool and protect the guts. I posted a picture somewhere showing one I had removed from the case and cleaned it all out.

[Sargeguy]

Thanks.