atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction Need some help burying a 25-pair cable ...

You are more than welcome and thank you for coming here for advice. We do our best.
Well....Sort of: To do things correctly, all cable pairs entering a building are to be protected with gas-tubes in a UL-Listed BET. Lightning or ground potential issues don't pick and choose the pairs they plan to hit. They can all can get it.

On the other hand, the number of secondary protection devices you want to use is entirely up to you. Think about this though: Those 66 block ITW units that you mentioned are very easily bypassed with a pair of bridging clips. What if one goes bad and your only quick solution is to throw in a few clips until you can order a replacement module? I'll bet that this will get moved to the back burner and the temporary fix will never get replaced. Use these if you feel that you must, but they are only capable of providing secondary protection.

I must say that when you do come here for advice, expect our answers to be guidance for the 100% correct way to do things. We can't and won't offer halfway solutions when personnel/property issues are at risk. There are also times where we don't make friends as a result, but we'd rather take that risk than give bad advice. I'm sure that you'll understand our position here.

There is always a cheaper and simpler way to do just about anything. I know that we can't subscribe to offering cut-corner advice to people that we don't know in far-away locations. We surely wouldn't base our suggestions upon "possible" or "normal" weather patterns. I think that we all know how those can vary, especially lately.

I'm glad that we were at least able to get you some suggestions. Please feel free to stay around and don't be afraid to ask anything. The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked.

Thanks again, Ed. I completely understand about the advice you guys have given, and so generously I might add. I didn't mention this before, but we're a very small Catholic church in a town with about 200 people. I'm sure you can imagine that money is always an issue, and when things like this need to get done, we always look for the most effective way that will cost the least amount of money. Our yearly operating budget is about $20,000.00, and if we wanted to do this project 100% right, I'm sure we'd probably be close to half that amount. I just want you guys to know where I'm coming from in terms of cost. If I could, I would most definitely spend the $ on a BET, but unfortunately, I can't.

Perhaps what I'll do is to contact our local electrician and see what he might be able to do for us to provide some protection without breaking the bank.

I'm very grateful for your help gentlemen, and for your advice. I will keep all of it in mind as the project progresses.

I did a little more looking this morning. Would something like this work:

https://www.circatel.com/pdf/100-66.pdf

And, according to this page:
https://www.twacomm.com/catalog/dept_id_602/model_FPP4.htm?sid=3BEBDBDBF4D444E310C46152A7E204B4

It says that I can protect only the lines/pairs I need. Is this correct?

Well, you are getting closer. There are some 5 pin protectors that are both primary and secondary rated and they are available singly. You don't need 100 of them, only 50.

That BET is nice but keep looking also. You want that same thing in a box and without that 66 block on the left.

Perhaps what I'll do is to contact our local electrician and see what he might be able to do for us


Good God! Might as well ask the devil what he can do for you! You NEVER want to ask an electrician ANYTHING about telecom or data or cable TV!! They know nothing!

-Hal

Yes, I agree with the many that said something along the lines that this needs to be done 100% correctly. Now with those on a budget will cause issues when not done properly. What will happen is that one of the secretarys will end up calling the telco provider if one of their internal extentions are down, and we will have to waste loads of time explaining that this is not our issue.

Try to go the professional route if possible

Have you thought about procuring some 6 pair OSP to do this project with? By the sound of it 25 pair is overkill, this would greatly reduce the price of properly protecting all of the pairs coming to and from the building. I don't have any laying around right now, but if you happen to see the local telco truck parked on the side of the road you might ask. Cable is far cheaper to buy than the protection.

Sorry re-reading this I noticed that you might need 7 pairs....they make a 12pr OSP cable as well.

Off the topic, but within the thread...

Just wondering why neither Ed nor Hal responded to John's suggestion and scenario...

Harry, I think they wisely ignored the suggestion! Must have, they are both still posting current comments/suggestions/info/whatever! John C.