Customized Solutions

Alcatel 6840 - 6844

Power Lines

Optical Aerial Solutions for Energy Networks

OPGW, OPPC, MASS, ADSS and ADL

Regional and international power trans-
mission lines require modern network
automation and remote control systems.
To accomplish this, power utilities started
very early to equip their lines with reliable
telecommunications connections. Telecom-
munications deregulation now opens up
the opportunity for power utilities to lease
dark fibers or transmission capacity, or to
become telecom operators themselves.
Fiber optic cable links are the foundation
of such communications systems, since they
provide high capacity transmission over
long distances. At the same time they are
not influenced by electromagnetic fields
and do not exhibit any cross-talk, which
are important consideration for installation
on high voltage (HV) lines.

Overhead Lines Deliver Telecom and Power

The easiest way to ADL on ground wire OPGW

connect power plants
and control stations ADSS or
is with existing MASS
high-voltage lines.
The most common
method is to install
an Optical Ground OPPC
Wire (OPGW), which for 100 kv
contains optical fibers
housed in stainless
steel tubes, as a
substitute for existing
ground wire. Another
possibility consists of OPPC
incorporating optical for 30 kv
fibers in a cable
that replaces one
ADL on phase
of the standard
conductor
phase conductors.
This solution is called
an Optical Phase
Conductor (OPPC). Beside these Various options are available to install optical cables on power lines
integrated solutions, additional cables
can be installed on transmission towers. While these self-supporting cables a ground wire or a phase conductor
Self-supporting cables for installation are hung between the towers, may serve as the messenger. The
on high-voltage lines are either Metallic All-Dielectric Lashed (ADL) is a diagram on the next page summarizes
Aerial Self-Supporting (MASS) or small-sized cable which is attached to and categorizes these solutions.
All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS). a messenger wire. In HV lines, either
Copyright 2002 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Rev 0, Jan. 02

ARCHITECTS OF AN INTERNET WORLD

 Customized Solutions
Alcatel 6840 - 6844
Power Lines

Optical Aerial Cables

on Power lines

Metallic Dielectric
Solutions Solutions

Optical Ground Wire Optical Phase Conductor Metallic Aerial Self-Supported All Dielectric Self-Supporting All Dielectric Lashed
OPGW OPPC MASS ADSS ADL

Replacement for existing ropes Installed additionally to existing ropes

The optimal solution for each project parameters such as the maximum load for
demands a careful evaluation of many towers, possible wind and ice loads, etc.

6841 OPGW Optical Ground Wire

The substitution of an existing ground The main characteristics of an OPGW are:

wire by a cable combining the classical
functions of an earth wire and telecomm-
unications capacity has a long history.
Today, OPGW is the most important
and accepted technology to equip high-
voltage lines with transmission capability.
An OPGW has to perform two functions.
On one hand, it must function as an
earthing conductor, i.e., conduct short-
circuit currents that result from faults in
the electrical system to earth, and
safeguard the line from lightning.
On the other hand, it must protect the
optical fibers from external forces and
harsh environmental conditions, such as
extreme temperatures, wind and ice
loads. By combining these functions in
one cable, OPGW considerably reduces
loads on the towers. The challenge is to
optimize the mechanical, electrical, and
data transmission properties to fulfill all
overhead line design requirements.
Copyright 2002 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
high mechanical strength, which is
mainly determined by the amount
of steel used
short-circuit current capacity, which
is mainly determined by the amount
of aluminum (alloy)
the number of optical fibers.
Alcatel has chosen the steel tube design
for OPGW. In this design, the optical
fibers are protected by stainless steel
tubes which replace one or more of the
armoring wires of a bare ground wire,
thus forming a completely metallic
solution.
More than twenty years of experience
in optical ground wire technology and
excellent quality have made Alcatel one
of the biggest suppliers of OPGW in the
world.

steel tube designs

Rev 0, Jan. 02

ARCHITECTS OF AN INTERNET WORLD

 Customized Solutions
Alcatel 6840 - 6844
Power Lines

6842 ADL - All-Dielectric Lashed Cables

A ll-Dielectric lashed cable (ADL) is travelling along the messenger wire.

not a self-supporting construction, but
needs to be attached to a messenger
wire. The messenger could be a
ground wire in high-voltage lines or
a phase conductor in low and
medium-voltage lines. The cable is
fixed by two lashing binders made
of coated aramid yarn which are
helically wound around the
messenger wire and the ADL cable.
This process is carried out using a
small machine called a "lasher"
It can be either pulled by hand or by
a tug. The cable can be fed into the
lasher either from the ground, or it
can be carried by a special drum
carrier on the messenger. With these
different components and user
options, the technology is very
flexible and can be adapted to
specific conditions. ADL technology
makes fast and cost-effective
installation of optical fiber cables
possible on HV lines.
ADL cable, lasher and the messenger wires

A Complete Solution

In addition to optical cables, products management, training and follow-up

such as joint boxes and accessories
are needed for the implementation of
optical links on power lines. Alcatel
offers installation supervision and
guidelines, engineering, project
services for all products and systems.
Alcatel can also provide preliminary
or feasibility studies, as well as supply
turnkey telecommunications systems.

Power Line Solutions Benefits

OPGW solutions which are reliable and long-lasting

For additional information visit Alcatel online or call
your nearest Optical Fiber Sales Representative
Fast and low-cost ADSS and ADL networks
Ideal for replacing or reinforcing existing networks
Easy access for all splices and repairs
Weather-proof and environmentally friendly
Installation supervision and training available
Turnkey solutions for operators who want rapid implementation

www.alcatel.com/opticalfiber
Copyright 2002 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Brazil.................................+55 11 3068 9993

France .............................+33 1 55 51 51 51
France (HQ) ..................+33 1 39 19 12 00
Germany ........................+49 2166 27 2667
India .....................................+91 11 335 9650
Spain.....................................+34 942 247 111
UK .......................................+44 1633 413 600
North America ..............+1 828 459 9787
800 879 9862
Rev 0, Jan. 02

ARCHITECTS OF AN INTERNET WORLD

 Customized Solutions
Alcatel 6840 - 6844
Power Lines

6843 OPPC Optical Phase Conductor

S ometimes, medium-voltage lines and
high-voltage lines up to 150 kV are
not equipped with a ground wire.
Consequently, replacement by an
OPGW is not feasible. To equip such
a transmission line with optical fibers,
an Optical Phase Conductor (OPPC) may
be used. Here again, the optical cable
has to provide two different functions. It
must carry the permanent current in the
three-phase system, and it has to house
and protect the optical fibers. To keep
the electrical system running well, the
electrical resistance of the cable must be
properly adapted to that of the substituted
phase conductor.
Generally, OPPCs are manufactured
according to the same basic designs used
for OPGW. However, since optical fibers
are installed on high-voltage lines in the
case of the OPPC, the splicing technology
is different. Connections in the line must
be carried out in a way that the cable, as
well as the joint box, do not directly touch
ground potential. A joint box can either
be installed freely, hanging between the
insulator strings on strong poles, or it
can be placed on an insulator itself. At
both ends of the line, electrical current
and optical fibers must be separated.
This can be done by special separators
consisting of two splice closures placed
at the top and bottom of an insulator.
Like the OPGW, the OPPC has the
advantage of combining functions
without placing additional loads on
the towers.

6844 MASS Metallic Aerial Self-Supporting

Where the substitution of a ground wire
or phase conductor is either impossible
or uneconomical, additional cables can
be installed on towers. The only function
that these cables have is to house and
protect the optical fibers. A universal
solution for all voltage levels is the
Metallic Aerial Self-Supporting (MASS)
cable. This is a small-sized armored sag requirements only, because the cable
cable for additional installation at the does not have any electrical function.
center of towers. To minimize the
additional load, weight and diameter
are significantly reduced. The typical
diameter range of MASS cables is
between 9 and 12 mm. The armoring is
optimized according to span length and

6840 ADSS All-Dielectric Self-Supporting Cables

Another well-known cable solution for
additional installation on medium and
high-voltage lines is the All-Dielectric
Self-Supporting (ADSS) cable. ADSS
does not contain any metallic elements.
The fibers are placed in several stranded
loose plastic tubes which are covered by
one or two plastic jackets. To make the
cable self-supporting, it contains strength
elements made of aramid yarns. The
excellent strength-to-weight ratio of this
material ensures the low weight of ADSS
and limits additional loads on towers. By
Copyright 2002 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ADSS is a universal solution for a large
variety of applications. However, special
attention must be paid if the cable is to
be installed on high-voltage lines, to
prevent dry-band arcing. Special
sheathing material and software to
calculate optimum placement on the
towers make this technology usable for
line voltages of up to about 275 kV.
With a capacity of greater than 144
fibers, this cable technology offers a
good opportunity to equip medium and
high-voltage lines with optical fibers.

adapting aramid content, spans of 800 m

or even 1,000 m are possible, depending
on permissible additional loads.

Rev 0, Jan. 02

ARCHITECTS OF AN INTERNET WORLD