BFM® Blog and latest news

How to spot if your BFM® connector isn't installed correctly

Written by Matthew Bailey | Jul 26, 2024 12:34:28 AM

Our BLUEBAND connectors are distinctive because of the bright blue, flexible cuffs that are designed to fit perfectly inside the two ridges on  BFM® fitting spigots (or steel adaptors).

It's the perfectly engineered combination of the BFM® connector cuff nestling inside the spigot ridges that provides the 100% seal our products are famous for.

And once a BLUEBAND connector is snap-fitted correctly into its spigot, you shouldn't be able to see the cuff ridges!

Here's what a correctly installed BLUEBAND™ connectors look like:

So, if your connector hasn't been installed correctly, it should be easy to spot - like the examples below:

To ensure a 100% seal and optimum connector performance, both ridges of the cuff should always be fully inside the spigot adaptor.  It usually just takes a few quick seconds to reposition the cuffs fully inside the spigot head, and you're back in business!  For tips on snap-fitting your connector, check our Installation Guides here.

Impressively, in all of the cases above where both cuff ridges hadn't been fully fitted inside the spigot, the operators didn't realise they weren't installed correctly, as they still worked perfectly and didn't leak!

 

What If We Can't Get Both Cuff Ridges Fully Inside The Spigot?

If you find that the connector cuffs can't be fully fitted inside both spigots because they won't reach, then your Installation Gap is too big. 

The Installation Gap (or IG) is the space left between the two spigot heads when the system is first installed. It's the single most important factor in ensuring the best performance of your BFM® fitting system.

This video explains the importance of the correct Installation Gap, and you can check if your Installation Gap is correct using our Installation Gap calculator.

If you need advice on the correct Installation Gap and how best to adjust an existing installation, please contact your local Authorized Distributor.