Installation Instructions AFL Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) (Stainless Steel Tube Cable Designs) (Aluminum Pipe Cable Designs) (Slotted Core Cable Designs)
Installation Instructions AFL Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) (Stainless Steel Tube Cable Designs) (Aluminum Pipe Cable Designs) (Slotted Core Cable Designs)
Installation Instructions AFL Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) (Stainless Steel Tube Cable Designs) (Aluminum Pipe Cable Designs) (Slotted Core Cable Designs)
06
Installation Instructions
AFL Optical Ground Wire (OPGW)
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Contents Section
OPGW cable reels should always be transported and handled in an upright position.
Never lay a reel of cable on its side. It is recommended that each reel of OPGW be tested
prior to and after installation to ensure that fiber damage has not occurred during shipping
and/or stringing operations. All cable protective packaging (wood lagging or flex wrap) must
remain in place on all reels until placed on a pay-out rack and the rack is in position for cable
stringing.
Above all, be familiar with and observe all of your company’s safety rules when working
with overhead transmission lines. These installation recommendations should not
supersede any established safety practices.
3.0 CABLE INSTALLATION
Reel Preparation Prior to Beginning a Pull
AFL ships the cable reels with the inner tail securely connected to the outside of the reel
flange. This connection should be loosened, but not removed, prior to stringing. This
allows the inner layers of cable to adjust themselves to the varying tensions seen during
installation. As the cable makes these adjustments, the inner tail may lengthen, or “grow,”
requiring periodic attention to ensure that the cable continues to be in a state where it can
“grow” out.
The wooden reel will have through bolts connecting the two flanges. During shipment,
these bolts can loosen. Prior to stringing, the bolts should be tightened to help prevent
any issues while paying off the cable.
AFL recommends using the controlled tension stringing method of installation. Ordinary
stringing equipment can be utilized as if installing standard overhead ground wire
provided all of the minimum block sizes and other requirements of these instructions are
followed. Suitable equipment includes pullers, tensioners, reel winders, and stringing
blocks.
Figure 1 illustrates a typical stringing setup.
Stringing
Block
Pulling
100’ Line
OPT-GW
100’
Anti-Rotational Device Pulling
Tensioner Machine
There is one primary difference between installing OPGW and conventional overhead
ground wires. Standard ground wires are typically spliced using compression type
connectors and locations of the splices are relatively flexible. The splice locations of the
OPT-GW cable must be planned to allow for splicing of the optical fibers. The reel lengths
will be engineered to locate the cable splices at predetermined towers on each end of a
stringing section.
After installing deadends, the free ends of the OPGW are trained down the towers to the
ground for splicing. The length of the free cable should be at least the tower height, plus
an additional 75 feet (23 meters) to accommodate the splicing. After stringing, this cable
length is typically coiled and temporarily stored at the tower until the splicing occurs.
The OPGW will also use special attachment hardware, including deadends, suspension
clamps, and wire fittings such as grounding clamps. The hardware is designed to provide
the necessary holding strengths and prevent deformation of the fiber unit which could
potentially damage the optical fibers.
Temperature Ranges:
Storage: -50°C to +85°C; Installation: -40°C to +85°C; Operation: -40°C to +85°C.
4.0 STRINGING PROCEDURES
Stranded wire pulling lines are generally used, although nylon ropes have also been
employed. In either case, the line must be rated strong enough to withstand the required
stringing tensions. The pulling line should have the same direction lay as the OPGW to
help resist the tendency to rotate under stringing load.
If an existing overhead ground wire is to be removed, it can potentially be used as a
pulling line for the OPGW. A visual inspection should be made of the existing ground wire
to be sure it is in suitable condition. If there is any concern about the existing wire’s ability
to withstand the stringing tensions, it should be pulled out and replaced with a pulling line.
It is recommended to use a bull-wheel type tensioner with round (not “V” type)
polyurethane lined contact grooves. The tensioner should have two bull-wheels, each
with multiple grooves to minimize cable damage. The tensioner should be capable of
maintaining the required tensions at various pulling speeds. Positive braking systems are
necessary for pullers and tensioners to maintain the tension when pulling is stopped.
Minimum diameter of the bull wheels should not be less that 70 x D (diameter of the
OPGW). For cable diameters greater than 0.787” (20 mm) please contact AFL.
The OPGW must be reeved (threaded) through the bull-wheel tensioner properly. Left
hand lay OPGW (typical USA) is reeved from right to left, as shown in Figure 2, below.
Right hand lay OPGW (typical International), is reeved from left to right. A thorough
explanation of the reeving process can be found in the latest revision of IEEE Std 524.
This arrangement is necessary to avoid any tendency to loosen the outer layer of strands and
to avoid induced torque during installation.
To
Structure
From Reel
Figure 2. Reeving direction for Left Hand Lay OPGW cable, typical in North America.
The reel shall be placed directly in line with the tensioner. The distance from the reel to
the tensioner should be at least 25 feet (7.5 meters). The OPGW shall not be permitted to
scrape the reel flanges while being pulled.
The OPGW cable reels are not designed to withstand the braking forces present during
stringing. Direct tensioning of the OPGW from the cable reel is not recommended. Back
tension on the reel should only be enough to keep the cable properly seated in the
tensioner grooves and to prevent overshooting and bird-caging.
Two basic types of pulling machines are recommended for tension stringing. These are
either drum type or bull wheel type pullers. Positive braking systems are required in either
case. On a drum type puller, the pulling line is taken up directly onto the drum. On the
bull wheel type, the line is threaded onto two bull wheels, much like the tensioner, and
onto a self winding drum.
Stringing blocks, sometimes called travelers or sheaves, are mounted on the structure at
the OPGW attaching point in the normal manner. Please refer to Reference A, OPGW
Diameters and Bending Radius, for information on blocks diameters.
The stringing blocks should have neoprene lined grooves. The linings should be in good
condition and adhering to the block. Minor rough areas can be sanded out to ensure the
lining is smooth.
“Radius Blocks”, “Banana Blocks” or “Array Travelers” as shown below in Figures 3A-C
are strictly prohibited during the installation of OPGW. The decreased surface area in
contact with the OPGW is sufficient to damage the OPGW at typical stringing tensions.
A B C
Figures 3A-C. These types of array installation blocks should NOT be used to string OPGW.
Uplift rollers (which attach to the installation sheave wheel) or hold-down blocks (which are
separate blocks) need to be placed where uplift of the pulling line is likely to occur (due to its
higher tension/weight ratio than the conductor). This will typically occur going up inclines or
at a low point in a section. These devices should also have a break away feature in the event
of fouling or incorrect installation. The size of the uplift rollers should follow the same
guidelines as the installation sheaves shown in Reference A.
The tensioner and puller should be positioned for a 3:1 ratio to the stringing block on the
first structure adjacent to the equipment. See Figure 1. The tensioner should be placed
in line with the first two structures (or first span) of the pull. Likewise, the puller should be
placed in line with the last two structures (or last span) of the pull. Doing so minimizes the
line angle change seen by the cable during the installation process.
This minimum stringing block diameter and distance to the tensioner (3:1) are
recommended to help prevent deformation of the fiber unit (aluminum pipe, stainless steel
tube or slotted core), which protect the optical fibers in the OPGW.
The use of an Anti-Rotational Device (see sample drawing on Page 16) depends largely
upon the construction of the optical ground wire. Such a device is used to prevent the
OPGW from twisting while being pulled. Variations of these devices have been successfully
used. Please consult the AFL for any inquiries regarding a particular form of anti-rotation
device.
For cables with helically stranded stainless steel tubes, an anti-rotational device may or
may not be required. To confirm whether one is needed for your particular application,
contact AFL. When in doubt, the conservative approach is to conduct the installation with
the use of an anti-rotational device. For cables constructed with an un-stranded stainless
steel tube in the center of the cable or single layer cables, an anti-rotational device is
always a requirement.
If the anti-rotational device is not preventing the cable rotation or if the anti-rotational
device is wrapping around the OPGW, a stiffer or heavier device is required. The weight
and length of the ARD will depend upon the construction of the optical ground wire.
The anti-rotational device attaches to the OPGW with a Kellum type grip. The grip must be
appropriately sized for the OPGW diameter and pulling tensions.
Normally, the OPGW should be kept under constant stringing tension during the stringing
process to keep the line clear of both the ground and other obstacles that could cause
damage to the cable.
Do not cut the OPGW with ratchet cutters or other types of tools that could crush or crimp
the optical core. The use of a hacksaw will ensure the fiber optic units are free to move
within the pipe. During stringing, the optical fiber core (design dependent) may pull back
into the cable, requiring a few feet to be cut away upon splicing on the leading end to
expose the optical core.
It is important to monitor the tensions and ensure that excessive tension is not applied as
the OPGW passes from the reel to the tensioner.
The following values are recommended to help prevent damage to the OPGW.
A temporary grip is installed on the OPGW for tensioning. The grip must be designed to
hold the OPGW without damage, and in particular not pinch the cable or crush the
aluminum pipe. AFL can provide a come-along, sometimes called a pocketbook grip, that
can be attached anywhere along the length of an OPGW. Figure 4 illustrates a
satisfactory come-along design.
Some types of gripping devices that might damage the OPGW such as Chicago grip or
Kito grip are strictly prohibited to use for OPGW, as shown in Figures 5A & B.
Certain types of formed guy grips can also be used successfully, but their use in stringing
applications should be checked with the grip’s manufacturer.
If vibration dampers are required for this span, these should be placed on the OPGW
immediately after clipping in. Dampers may not be required at every structure; their
locations will be specified by the utility or AFL. A drawing of an AFL Stockbridge damper
is shown in Figure 8.
The splice enclosure will typically be installed on the structure between 15 and 20 feet
(4.5 to 6 meters) above the ground. In most cases, it will be desirable to store extra cable
on the tower. This will allow the splice box to be removed and lowered to the ground if it
is ever necessary. This can be accomplished with a simple loop of OPGW below the
splice box or by permanently storing a coil of OPGW higher on the tower.
The following is an example of anchoring the optical units when installing AFL Loose
Tube OPGW (Aluminum pipe designs) in an AFL Splice ENCLOSURE SBO1-72 (See
Figure 10).
• Once the pipe is removed, the fiber core should be cut to length and the binders
removed.
• Unwind the optical units and set aside the aramid yarn in the center of the unit.
• Wind the optical units back into their original position and use electrical tape every
15 inches to secure the units. Leave the end of the units free of tape so that the
units can be prepped for splicing.
• Remove any excess aramid yarn, leaving at least 14-18 inches to tie off into the
box.
• Secure the yarn to the eye bolt in the enclosure. (See Figure 10)
• Tape the units (duct tape is recommended) to the top outside radius of the box
(See Figure 10). This will help support the units and prevent damage of the units at
the bushing.
• Tighten the retaining nut of the connector kit so that the bushing is sealed around
the pipe.
• Repeat the previous steps for the remaining OPGW cable(s).
A similar procedure is available for AFL Tight Structure, HexaCore and CentraCore
OPGW and AFL OPTI-GUARD TM Splice Enclosure.
** Ensuring that the optical core is “tied off” within the chosen splice enclosure (whether
AFL splice enclosures or not) is a must. If not, the optical core may work its way back
into the cable over time, damaging the splice box contents and potentially affecting the
optical continuity. **
30 Ft (to free
end of cable) Duct Tape
Route Optical
Units Behind
yarn
REFERENCE A
AND
BENDING RADIUS
For cable diameters greater than 0.787” (20 mm) please contact AFL:
1. Maximum OPGW recommended stringing tension is 20% (at tensioner) of the rated
breaking strength.
4. The minimum bending radius after installation (static) for the OPGW is 15 x D.
The minimum bending radius during installation (dynamic) for OPGW is 20 x D.
(D = OD of OPGW).
NOTE: Based on actual OPGW size, etc., care must be taken when bending the
OPGW to avoid kinking the strands and, therefore, damaging the optical fibers
contained within the central pipe.
6. The minimum permanent bending radius for plastic buffer tubes is 3 inches (8 cm).
7. The minimum permanent bending radius for the optical fibers is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
8. The swinging angle of the stringing block shall be controlled corresponding to the
swinging angle of the OPGW stringing plane to help prevent the cable from riding out of
the traveler or excessive twisting during installation. The cable should travel through the
lowest part of the groove. At angle structures, this is done by tying a support rope to the
sheave to keep it suspended.
The following sheave diameters are recommended for their respective stringing
angles in Table 1. These sizes are considered satisfactory if the pulling line slope is
at least three horizontal to one vertical from the traveler to the site and the stringing
tension does not exceed 20% of the OPGW’s rated breaking strength.
Sheave Size
Stringing or Line Angle (x OPGW OD)
Bull Wheel Diameter 70x
First and Last Structures 40x
Tangent Structures 30x
θ < 20° Stringing Angle
Tangent Structures 40x
20° < θ < 45° Stringing Angle
Tangent Structures 50x
45° < θ < 60° Stringing Angle
Tangent Structures 60x
60° < θ < 90° Stringing Angle
Tangent Structures No Go
90° < θ Stringing Angle
Table 1. Sheave Sizes for different Stringing Angles.