atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction Buried Cable Recommendation

I need to install about 800 feet of 25 pair buried cable between buildings. There will be a pvc conduit provided for this cable.

I believe it's wise to use gel filled cable, even if it's in conduit. My two questions are:

1) 22 or 24 gauge?
2) What kind of cable? (solid, foam, alpeth, asp, etc . . . ????)

Thanks.
Jim

Jim:

25/22 PE89 cable will be your best bet. 22 gauge for that distance is a must and PE89 uses foam-skin conductor insulation thereby reducing the overall diameter and weight of the cable without reducing integrity.

Your cable supplier will know exactly what PE89 is.

Isn't that air core which reduces the overall installation time also because there's no gel (icky-pick)?

PE22 is air core. Rest assured, PE39 (full-size) and PE89 (reduced-size) are quite filled.

Just remember your entrance distance requirement with gel filled cables entering a building.

Thanks Ed for reminding me why I prefer to use PE22.

Ed, is PE89 the same or similar to ALPETH cable, like this link?
https://www.superioressex.com/communicationscable.aspx?id=702&ekmensel=c580fa7b_10_78_702_1

ALPETH (ALuminum shield, PolyETHelene jacket) is not filled and intended for aerial use only. If it's pressurized, then it can be used underground in conduits. The only major difference between ALPETH (PE22) and PE89 is the fact that PE89 is filled.

Thanks Ed, I wasn't sure...I don't know much about OSP cable.

I got the PE89. It's definately filled. What a mess! I did notice that there aren't any color coding stripes on the conductors in order to keep a pair together. You have to be very careful when removing the jacket, and remove enough to see which conductors make a pair. Otherwise you'll end up with some splits. :scratch:

Jim