The practice of fiber optic cable installation has become much more common than ever. The cables are special in many ways. They offer better bandwidth, ideal for long-distance connectivity, more reliable, and capable of withstanding all typical environmental stresses expected in their application. The two most common outdoor fiber optic cable installations in Ohio are pole-line aerial installation and underground cable installation. In this blog, we will talk about underground fiberoptic cable installation.

In underground fiberoptic cable installation, cables can be buried directly in a trench or placed into a buried duct.

Underground Direct Installation
Directly buried installations are most common for long, cross-country installations. As compared to the duct, the installation process is relatively very quick. The most common cables used for this type of installation are steel armored outdoor fiber cables. Trenching is slower than plowing in; however, it allows a much more controlled cable installation.

Underground Duct Installation
The next method is an underground duct installation. The cables are plowed through underground ducts, which protect the cables from harsh, unfavorable conditions. This method also provides an opportunity for future expansion without a need to dig, which is the most common practice in urban areas. Another benefit of using this method is that fiber cables can be used without armor, making the installation even easier.

Directional Boring
A situation where the surface cannot be worked on, for example, railway crossings, etc., the directional boring technique is often used. A machine is used to bore a hole underneath the surface. A duct is pulled through the hole and then cables are pulled into the duct.

Underground Fiber Cable Installation: Cautions

Underground fiber cable installations need to be carried out very carefully. Here are some of the things that must be taken care of:

• You need to bury the cable below the frost line to prevent damage by background frost heaves
• You need to keep the trench as straight as possible.
• The fiber cable warning labels must be buried directly above the cable
• You need to observe fiber cables minimum bend radius

For fiber optic construction, installations, or maintenance in Ohio, contact National Fiber Construction. We are qualified, experienced, and equipped to perform all aspects of outside plant construction.