Detonating cord should not be plastic coated if there is going to be a lot of knots in the cord.

• A. Not specified
• B. True
• C. False
• D. It should always be coated

Answer: (B)

The main idea is knot security and friction. When you tie knots in detonating cord, the knot must stay tight and resist slipping so the initiation points remain reliable along the length. A plastic coating on the cord acts like a lubricant, reducing friction at the knot and making it more likely to loosen or slide under handling, tension, or movement. If you’re using a lot of knots, the chances of one or more knots slipping increase, which can lead to inconsistent initiation. That’s why plastic-coated det cord is not ideal in knot-heavy work—non-plastic or less slippery coatings (like wax-coated) help the knots grip better and stay secure.