Aerial installations are crucial for the transmission of power and communication signals over long distances. One of the most critical components of an aerial installation is the cable used. Two commonly used cables for aerial installations are ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting) and OPGW (Optical Ground Wire). Both cables have their advantages and disadvantages, but which offers better performance for aerial installations?
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ADSS cables are made entirely of dielectric materials, which means they do not have any metallic components. This feature makes them lightweight and immune to corrosion, which is a significant advantage in harsh weather conditions. ADSS cables are also easy to install, making them a popular choice for utility companies.
On the other hand, OPGW cables have a central metallic conductor with optical fibers embedded in a layer of steel and aluminum. This design offers superior strength and durability, making them ideal for installations in areas with high winds or other extreme weather conditions. Additionally, OPGW cables provide an excellent path for lightning to travel through, making them a popular choice for areas with high lightning activity.
So, which cable offers better performance for aerial installations? The answer depends on several factors, including the installation location, the intended use of the cable, and the budget.
For utility companies looking for a lightweight and easy-to-install cable, ADSS may be the better option. However, if the installation is in an area with extreme weather conditions, OPGW may be the better choice due to its superior strength and durability.
What is ADSS Fiber Optic Cable?
ADSS fiber optic cable is All-dielectric Self-supporting Optical Cable.
An all-dielectric (metal-free) optical cable is independently hung on the inside of the power conductor along the transmission line frame to form an optical fiber communication network on the transmission line, this optical cable is called ADSS.
All-dielectric self-supporting ADSS fiber optical cable, due to its unique structure, good insulation, high-temperature resistance, and high tensile strength, provides a fast and economical transmission channel for power communication systems. When the ground wire has been erected on the transmission line, and the remaining life is still quite long, it is necessary to build an optical cable system at a low installation cost as soon as possible, and at the same time avoid power outages. In this scenario, the use of ADSS optical cables has great advantages.
ADSS fiber cable is cheaper and easier to install than OPGW cable in many applications. It is advisable to use power lines or towers nearby to erect ADSS optical cables, and even the use of ADSS optical cables is necessary in some places.
Click to learn the difference between ADSS fiber optic cable and OPGW fiber optic cable.
Structure of ADSS Fiber Optic Cable
There are two main ADSS fiber optical cables.
Central Tube ADSS Fiber Optic Cable
The optical fiber is placed in a PBT (or other suitable material) tube filled with water blocking ointment with a certain excess length, wrapped with suitable spinning yarn according to the required tensile strength, and then extruded into PE (≤12KV electric field strength) or AT (≤20KV electric field strength) sheath.
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The central tube structure is easy to obtain a small diameter, and the ice wind load is small; the weight is also relatively light, but the excess length of the optical fiber is limited.
Layer Twist ADSS Fiber Optic Cable
The fiber optic loose tube is wound on the central reinforcement (usually FRP) at a certain pitch, and then the inner sheath is extruded (it can be omitted in the case of small tension and small span), and then wrapped according to the required tensile strength suitable spun yarn, then extruded into PE or AT sheath.
The cable core can be filled with ointment, but when the ADSS works with a large span and a large sag, the cable core is easy to “slip” due to the small resistance of the ointment, and the loose tube pitch is easy to change. It can be overcome by fixing the loose tube on the central strength member and the dry cable core by a suitable method, but there are certain technological difficulties.
The layer-stranded structure is easy to obtain a safe fiber excess length, although the diameter and weight are relatively large, which is more advantageous in medium and large span applications.
Advantages of ADSS Fiber Optic Cable
ADSS fiber optic cable is often the preferred solution for aerial cabling and outside plant (OSP) deployments due to its efficiency and effectiveness. The key benefits of optical fiber include:
- Reliability and Cost-Efficiency: Fiber optic cables offer both dependable performance and cost-effectiveness.
- Long Installation Spans: These cables exhibit the strength to be installed over distances of up to 700 meters between support towers.
- Lightweight and Compact: ADSS cables boast a small diameter and low weight, alleviating the strain on tower structures from factors like cable weight, wind, and ice.
- Reduced Optical Loss: The internal glass optical fibers within the cable are designed to be strain-free, ensuring minimal optical loss over the cable’s lifespan.
- Moisture and UV Protection: A protective jacket shields the fibers from moisture, while also safeguarding the polymer strength elements from damaging UV light exposure.
- Long-Distance Connectivity: Single-mode fiber cables, combined with light wavelengths of or nanometers, enable signal transmission over circuits up to 100 km without the need for repeaters.
- High Fiber Count: A single ADSS cable can accommodate up to 144 individual fibers.
Disadvantages of ADSS Fiber Optic Cable
While ADSS fiber optic cables present several advantageous aspects, they also come with certain limitations that need to be considered in various applications.
- Complex Signal Conversion: The process of converting between optical and electrical signals, and vice versa, can be intricate and demanding.
- Fragile Nature: The delicate constitution of ADSS cables contributes to relatively higher costs, stemming from their need for careful handling and maintenance.
- Challenges in Repair: Repairing broken fibers within these cables can be a challenging and problematic task, often involving complex procedures.
Application of ADSS Fiber Optic Cable
The origin of ADSS cable traces back to military lightweight, rugged deployable (LRD) fiber wires. The benefits of utilizing fiber optic cables are numerous.
ADSS fiber optic cable has found its niche in aerial installations, particularly for short spans such as those found on roadside power distribution poles. This shift is owing to continuous technological enhancements like fiber cable internet. Notably, the ADSS cable’s non-metallic composition makes it well-suited for applications in proximity to high-voltage power distribution lines, where it has evolved into a standard choice.
Long-distance circuits, spanning up to 100 km, can be established without the need for repeaters by employing single-mode fiber and light wavelengths of either nm or nm. Traditionally, ADSS OFC cables were predominantly available in 48-core and 96-core configurations.
ADSS Cable Installation
ADSS cable finds its installation at a depth of 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) beneath the phase conductors. Providing support to the fiber-optic cable at each support structure are grounded armor rod assemblies. Some of the key accessories utilized in the installation of ADSS fiber optic cables include:
- Tension assemblies (clips)
- Optical distribution frames (ODFs) / optical termination boxes (OTBs)
- Suspension assemblies (clips)
- Outdoor junction boxes (closures)
- Optical termination boxes
- And any other necessary components
In the installation process of ADSS fiber optic cables, anchoring clamps play a pivotal role. They offer versatility by serving as individual cable dead-end clamps at terminal poles or even as intermediate (double dead-end) clamps.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Fiber Optic Cable Hardware. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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