Aerial splices - buried splices, they are all part of the business. It is nice to throw a couple of pedestals in to avoid buried splices but practicality very often does not allow it. I think what happens to the splices most often is that the installers do not, as mentioned above. do the job properly. 3M Better Buried closures with re-enterable encapsulant are definitely the route to go as their product is very robust and the kits come with everything required. Usually problems occuring with buried splices are simple and could be avoided by the splicer taking time to ensure that the job is done correctly. By all means avoid a buried splice as often as possible but be prepared...there are too many cable locators (backhoes, trenchers, post hole diggers)out there.
