atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction Buried or Aerial...what's your preference?

When you need to do an OPX, what do you prefer do do & why?

What do you recommend to the client?

Dave

Buried, because my feet are on the ground :-)

I prefer buried because we sell more. It's easier to work with than messengers, it can also be used in conduit, and it has a better chance of not being disturbed. Nothing pi$$es me off more than having to work in aerial cable in the winter where it always breaks vs. the summer when it's warm.

Aerial is still good for attaching to sides of buildings (as in just under the soffit).

Carl

Short version. It depends on what the environment calls for. Everything equal buried.

Yep, I second and third the above.

Seems like easier to protect buried service.

Although we put maximum protection on both kinds of services, i would lean to buried installation.

As Carl stated, aerial more likely to have maintenance issues.

Maintenance:

Mighty gussying wind.
Heck of a ice storm.
Electrode for receiving (RADIO MOSCOW) Lighting.
Heat, Sun, and Rain.
If a road crossing broken supports in time maybe.

I agree with buried--but have a quick source for proper underground splice gear----it's amazing how sharp impliments can find just one lil-ole cable.

BobComm makes an interesting point. Your cable in the air is at much lower risk to non-professionals messing with it if it's on telco poles. It's also much less likely to get damaged.

On the other hand, if it's buried, it's a LOT easier to service and maintain. Pedestals are cheap and easy ways to provide testing and maintenance access points. No need for bucket trucks or ladders in these environments.

You still have a MUCH higher exposure to damage caused by just about anyone with underground. NONE will admit responsibility. You need to invest in more expensive cable locating and fault locating equipment (it's pretty simple to see where the aerial cable fell down).

You are committing suicide if you maintain any underground wiring and you don't have the proper splicing tools and at least two of each buried splice closure that will be needed, 100 feet (minimum) of each type of cable you are supporting, and a few pedestals in stock. You can't rely upon wholesale suppliers for these emergencies.

The "Man" speaks of experience, I can see.

True, each has it's drawbacks, but underground vs buried vs ariel, all things even, I still would go under the dirt, preferably the underground.

As one old-time splicer I used to work with used to say about buried, the mobile, rubber-mounted cable locator's (backhoe) will do it every-time.

I Canada you have frozen ground just like we have in Maine I prefer aeriel because it is easier to service in the winter then digging through the snow and frozen ground. Anything buried just a foot or so in the ground is going to get moved around by frost plus the frost will move rocks that can break or even cut underground cables.

I use a clean cut, four inch chunk of 2400 pair as a 'paper-weight'. It was given to me by one of our splicers. It was at night, pouring down rain, and it's 'highly rumored' that the backhoe operator noticed the cable, looked at his watch, then proceeded to cut thru it. Most of our cables are below ground here.