Outside
Plant Construction Guide
Introduction
Review Of Fiber Optic
Technology.
Project
Preparation And Guidelines.
Underground Cable
Construction.
Underground
Cable Installation.
Aerial
Cable Installation. Aerial Cable Plant Workmanship
Completing
Outside Cable Plant Installation.
Aerial Cable Plant Workmanship
Workmanship in aerial cable networks can affect the performance and
reliability of the network of course, but also the aesthetics of the
visible aerial cable plant. Aerial cables should be installed "in a neat
and workmanlike manner;" which can be interpreted as "what is correctly
done also looks good."
Here are some guidelines for aerial
installations, illustrated primarily by bad examples.
Installers must follow local ordinances and customer requirements for the aerial cable plant.
 
Cables on poles sharing electrical and telecom/CATV cables must be
installed in the telecom space with proper clearance from both
electrical cables and other low voltage cables. This includes separation
mid-span where both electrical cables and the messenger/fiber cables
both sag for their weight.
 
All aerial cables
should be installed clear of any obstructions including buildings,
trees and other cables. Weather conditions at the location may justify
greater separation from trees.
Every span must be analyzed for the size of messenger, the tension
required for the span length and cable weight to meet sag requirements.
Sag is generally limited to <2% of span length and maximum tension
<30% of cable minimum breaking strength.
Cables must be sufficiently high above the ground to clear all obstacles including traffic that may pass underneath it.
 
All cables
must be securely lashed to the messenger and/or cable(s) with no loose
hanging cables along the span. Messenger wire must be neatly terminated
at the ends.
  
Splice closures should be attached to poles with necessary service loops
using appropriate hardware. Closures attached to the messenger and their
cable(s) must be securely attached and service loops secured along the
current cables with showshoe turnarounds or a cable loop that respect
the cable's minimum bend diameter.
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No service loops or cables awaiting further installation may be left
hanging from the span. All loops of cable must be secured to a pole at
the end of the span. Excess cable awaiting installation may be secured
at poles for short periods of time only.
Overlashing must
consider the current cable loading, the weight of the cable intended to
be added and the affects on span tension and sag.
Any damage done to current cables during OMTR (one touch make ready) or
overlashing must be reported to the permitting authority and the owners
of the other cables on the span.
Disclaimer: This information is provided by The Fiber Optic
Association, Inc. as a benefit to those interested in
teaching, designing, manufacturing, selling, installing or
using fiber optic communications systems or networks. It is
intended to be used as an overview and/or basic guidelines
and in no way should be considered to be complete or
comprehensive. These guidelines are strictly the opinion of
the FOA and the reader is expected to use them as a basis
for learning, as a reference and for creating their own
documentation, project specifications, etc. Those working
with fiber optics in the classroom, laboratory or field
should follow all safety rules carefully. The FOA assumes no
liability for the use of any of this material.
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