OPGW Cable & System Information Guide for Hardware Selection On American Wire Group

The following outline describes the OPGW cable information required to select proper cable attachment hardware and accessories. Most of the cable information can be found in the cable manufacturer's specification – it is recommended that this information be gathered along with the information about the customer’s cable system. Submit this information to technical support to verify proper application.

• CABLE INFORMATION REQUIRED for DEAD-ENDS AND SUSPENSIONS:
• CABLE SPECIFICATIONS/ Cable Specification Sheet Data
  • Cable Diameter: Overall outer diameter of the OPGW.
  • Cable Construction Strand Configuration: Lay Direction of outer wire strands, Distribution and Location of individual strand materials in a cross-section, Number of strand layers.
  • Rated Breaking Strength
  • Fault Current
• CABLE SYSTEM
• Maximum Vertical Load at Hardware Attachment
• Line Angles

In addition to the outline above, other products for OPGW applications require further information as listed below.

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR OTHER HARDWARE ACCESSORIES:
  • Splice Closures, Closures, and Domes
    • Fiber Count
    • Fiber Type
    • Fiber Optic Element Configuration
    • Type of Buffer Tubes (plastic or stainless steel)
    • Core construction (Solid, Aluminum Tube, Aluminum Channel),
  • Spiral Vibration Damper
    • Span Lengths
    • Final Tension at the Average Annual Minimum Temperature (AAMT)
    • Terrain
  • FITTINGS (Y-Clevis, Clevis Eye, Yoke Plates), Ground Wire, Downlead Cushions, Cable Storage
    • Interface at structure
    • Type of Structure (Wood Pole, Concrete, Steel, Lattice Tower)
    • Ground Wire Material, Bonding Material

HARDWARE TESTS:

The IEEE 1138 Test Standard for OPGW includes a series of tests that require suitable hardware to demonstrate system performance. System tests include Tensile Strength, Vibration Test, and Galloping Tests among others. System tests require dead-ends and suspensions that can survive the test parameters and prove cable/hardware compatibility. For multi-layer strand cable construction, special recommendations may be required after review.