LS--"-Cable&System 156.147 .226.1 99 /2 0 14 .08 .

25 10:52 / 2008001

IEEE
OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINE CONDUCTORS Std 524-2003

11.4.1 Stringing

Lined blocks are recommended for use with OPGW and the minimum sheave diameter is dependent upon
the cable design. When installing OPGW, the cable manufacturer should be consulted for a recommendation
on the minimum sheave and bullwheel diameters, the specific maximum pulling speed s and the maximum
pulling tension.

Using the correct size sheave is very important to ensure that the optical fibers in an OPGW are not crushed
during the stringing proce ss. If sp.ecifjc sheave recomm~ndations are not available from the manufacturer, a
=
conservative sheave diameter is 40D (i.e ., 40 x D;,.D Cliameter of the OPGW2. On-line angles or pullover
angles greater than 30°, larger sheave diameters may be needed. If sp.ecific bullwheel diameter recommen-
dations are not available, a conservative bullwheel diameter for tensioners is lOD. For OPGW with left-hand
lay, the bull wheel must be reeved from right to left. The opposite reeving direction is appropriat e for OPGW
with right-hand lay . The use of a swivel on the pulling line followed by an anti-rotation device should be
used to minimize the tendenc y of the OPGW to twist during stringing . Some cable design and installation
tension combinations of OPWG may not require an anti-rotation device.

The setup location for the cable reel, the tensioner and the puller should take into consideration the slope of
the cable betwe en the tensioner and the sheave at the first structure. This slopeshould never be steeper than
three to one (3 horizontal and I vertical). If the tensioner cannot be placed.aithe proper distance from the
first structure, the tensioner should be repositioned or the first sheave tempQA iiiy lowered during the pulling
operation, then later raised for final hardware installation. ::'< '~:,~>;.
r:·::~ ..: , ,~.~ -.

Experience has shown that pulling speed, maximum tension ii!ip'Oi> 6'd"on the line during stringing, and the
number of times the line passes through stringing blocks in 9.I1~ 'seCtibn are important factors in achieving a
smooth operation. Typi cal stringing tensions are in the ra [lg'e ~9f' 15% or less of the OPGW ' s rated breaking
strength. The maximum stringing tension should genergllype limited to 20% of the rated breaking strength
and pulling speeds of 2-5 km/h 25 are recommended ~ : :·e " : ·;:: '~ "
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11.4.2 Sagging " ;~f
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The method used to sag OPGW is;*$';'" . . i& 'ftio that used for conductors and overhead ground wires . Certain
-1~""j. ~ '
grips used for conductor an£l:wverhe'~2ijiffound wire are normally not acceptable for OPGW becau se they
could crush the fiber tUbe( s)'i;;~?~~k~~ ~'o'6k type comealongs are available , but are typically designed for the
specific OPWG cable . Thes e ~P.~9J$fio o l s are machined to clos ely match the diameter of the OPGW so that
they will not crush the cable. F3f:ined wire grips may sometimes be used , if they are approved by the manu-
facturer. Sag/tension data is normally supplied by the OPGW manufacturer.

11.4.3 Splicing

There is one primary difference between OPGW and conventional overhead groundwires. Convention al
overhead groundwires are often spliced midspan with a compression type connector. OPGW , on the other
hand, is typically spliced at a tower. A 9- 20 meters26 tail is therefore required to make up the connection,
depending on the particular splice box arrangement being used.

11.5 All-dielectric self supporting fiber cable (ADSS)

ADSS cable was devel oped for telecommun ications applications on high-voltage power lines. The cable
contains no metalli c or electrical conducting elements , and yet contains sufficient strength from dielectric
strength members such as aramid or fibergl ass yarns to be suspended between supports without the need to

251.5_3 m.p.h.
26 30_65 feet

Copyright © 2004 IEEE. All rights reserved. 71

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