FAQ
Successful underground fiber optic installation relies on a variety of specialized tools and equipment to handle the delicate cables and navigate difficult environments. Key equipment includes:
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Hydraulic Cable Pullers: These machines are vital for pulling fiber optic cables through conduits and ducts over long distances with controlled tension, preventing damage to the sensitive fibers.
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Cable Rollers and Sheaves: Used to guide the cable smoothly during installation, these tools reduce friction and stress, ensuring the cable's integrity.
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Underground Cable Laying Equipment: This category includes a wide range of products, such as cable pushers and cable drum trailers, designed to manage and transport the cable reels, making the entire process more efficient.
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Conduit and Inner-ducts: These provide a protective pathway for the fiber cables, shielding them from physical damage and allowing for easier future upgrades or repairs without re-excavation.
Our company specializes in manufacturing and exporting a wide array of these tools and equipment, offering comprehensive one-stop supply for your project needs.
Answer: Choosing the right jointing method depends on your specific application, voltage level, and environmental conditions.
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Heat-Shrink Joints: These use heat-activated sleeves that shrink to form a tight, protective seal. They are versatile, reliable, and commonly used for low to medium-voltage applications, offering excellent mechanical and environmental protection.
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Cold-Shrink Joints: These are pre-expanded rubber sleeves that contract once a removable core is pulled. They are known for their ease and speed of installation, as they require no heat or special tools. They provide a tight, consistent seal and are suitable for a wide range of applications.
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Resin-Cast Joints: These are highly durable joints where the connection is encased in a liquid resin that hardens into a solid block. They offer superior protection against moisture, chemicals, and mechanical stress, making them ideal for harsh environments, especially for underground and submerged applications.
We offer tools and kits that support all these methods, and our team can provide expert guidance to help you select the best solution for your project.
For an overhead transmission line stringing project, a professional setup requires a suite of specialized equipment to ensure efficiency and safety. Key components include:
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Hydraulic Tensioners and Pullers: These are the core machines that precisely control the tension and speed of the conductor during stringing.
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Conductor Rollers (Blocks): These are strategically placed along the towers to support the conductor and allow it to roll smoothly with minimal friction.
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Swivels and Grips (Socks): These connect the pulling rope to the conductor, allowing it to rotate and preventing twisting, which can cause significant damage.
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Cable Drum Stands and Trailers: These provide a stable and safe way to handle and unreel large conductor drums.
Our website offers a wide range of these tools and equipment, manufactured to the highest quality standards for all your OHTL projects.
For a successful underground cable installation, the right tools are paramount to ensure safety, efficiency, and the integrity of the cable. The essential accessories include:
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Cable Pulling Winches: For applying controlled tension to pull long lengths of cable through conduits.
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Cable Rollers: Straight and corner rollers are critical for guiding cables smoothly into trenches or ducts, minimizing friction and potential damage.
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Cable Drum Stands and Jacks: These are used to securely and stably dispense cable from drums, preventing tangles and ensuring a smooth feed.
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Cable Pulling Grips (Socks): A key accessory that attaches securely to the cable, distributing the pulling tension evenly to prevent sheath damage.
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Duct Rods and Lubricants: Duct rods are used to clear and inspect conduits, while specialized lubricants reduce friction during the pull, decreasing the risk of exceeding the cable’s maximum pulling tension.
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Swivel Links: These are placed between the pulling grip and the winch rope to prevent the cable from twisting during the pull.
Cable rollers and sheaves play a vital role in protecting cables and workers. They provide a frictionless path for the cable, allowing it to be laid with minimal force and without being dragged along the ground or against sharp edges. Different types serve specific purposes:
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Straight Line Rollers: Positioned along the length of a trench to support and guide the cable.
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Corner Rollers: Designed with multiple vertical rollers to navigate bends in the trench without damaging the cable's bending radius.
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Manhole Entry Rollers: A specialized design used at the entry points of manholes to guide the cable cleanly from the surface into the underground duct.
By using the correct type and number of rollers, you ensure the cable's bending radius is not compromised, reduce the required pulling force, and significantly decrease the risk of cable sheath damage, leading to a more reliable and lasting installation.
Selecting the right cable pulling winch and its accessories is crucial for a safe and effective operation. The key considerations include:
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Maximum Pulling Tension: The winch's capacity must be greater than the calculated pulling tension required for the cable. This calculation depends on the cable's weight, the length of the pull, and the number of bends.
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Cable Diameter and Weight: These factors determine the size and type of cable grip (sock) and the pulling rope needed. Our pulling grips are designed to fit a wide range of cable diameters, ensuring a strong and secure connection.
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Installation Environment: The type of winch—such as a hydraulic winch for heavy-duty applications or a smaller, portable winch for confined spaces—should be chosen based on the job site conditions.
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Safety Features: Modern winches come with integrated dynamometers and footage counters to provide real-time data, preventing the cable's maximum tension from being exceeded.
At Ningbo Changshi, we offer a comprehensive range of winches and accessories designed to meet diverse project requirements while prioritizing safety and performance.
The primary hazards in underground cable laying include excavation collapse, damaging existing utilities, electric shock, and arc flash. To mitigate these risks, a thorough Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and risk assessment must be conducted prior to any work. This includes:
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Pre-planning: Obtain and review plans for all buried services and utilize cable locating devices to pinpoint the exact location of existing utilities.
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Safe Excavation: Implement shoring or trench boxes to prevent collapses. Use insulated hand tools and follow safe digging practices to avoid damaging cables.
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Electrical Safety: Always de-energize and implement a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure before starting work. Ensure all personnel are trained and equipped with appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as insulated gloves, boots, and arc-flash suits.
Our range of underground cable laying equipment, including cable rollers and winches, is designed to ensure precise and controlled installation, minimizing risks associated with manual handling and cable damage.
A Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure is a critical safety protocol used to prevent the accidental re-energization of equipment during maintenance or installation. Its importance lies in:
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Worker Safety: It ensures that electrical circuits are isolated and cannot be turned on, preventing serious injury or death from electric shock or arc flash.
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Clear Communication: The use of locks and tags provides a clear visual signal that the equipment is out of service and that personnel are working on it.
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Compliance: Adhering to LOTO procedures is often a legal requirement set by safety authorities like OSHA and is a fundamental part of maintaining a safe worksite.
At Ningbo Changshi, we strongly advocate for the strict adherence to LOTO procedures and provide equipment that supports safe working practices, such as our range of insulated tools and grounding equipment designed for reliable power isolation.
Overhead line stringing projects pose unique risks, primarily accidental contact with live lines, falls from height, and equipment failure. Key safety considerations include:
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Maintaining Safe Distances: Always maintain the specified minimum safe clearance distance from live lines, as advised by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO). A "flashover" can occur without physical contact.
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Fall Protection: Workers at height must use full-body harnesses, secure ladders, and other fall protection gear.
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Equipment Integrity: Regularly inspect and maintain all stringing equipment, including hydraulic tensioners, pullers, and conductor carts. Our tension stringing equipment is engineered with advanced safety features and robust design to prevent failures.
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Communication & Planning: A detailed EHS Risk Assessment (Environmental, Health, and Safety) should be prepared for every project. A designated spotter should be used when operating cranes or other tall equipment near power lines.
Our OHTL tension stringing equipment is built for reliability and safety, providing a controlled stringing process that minimizes the risk of conductor breakage or accidental contact with energized lines. We offer comprehensive solutions that help our clients meet and exceed global safety standards.
The direct laying method is a popular and cost-effective way to install armored cables. The best practices include:
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Trench Preparation: Dig a trench of an appropriate depth, typically a minimum of 450mm, or deeper in areas with potential for disturbance (e.g., 600mm for roads). Ensure the trench is free of rocks, sharp objects, and debris.
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Cable Bedding: Lay a 100mm layer of fine sand at the bottom of the trench to provide a soft bed for the cable and protect its outer sheath from moisture and stones.
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Cable Laying: Carefully lay the armored cable along the trench. For multiple cables, maintain a specific spacing to prevent mutual heating and ensure efficient heat dissipation. Use specialized cable rollers and cable pulling equipment to ensure a smooth, damage-free installation.
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Covering and Protection: Cover the cable with another 100mm layer of fine sand. Then, place electrical warning tape above the sand to alert future excavators of the cable's presence. Finally, backfill the trench with soil, ensuring it is gently compacted.
Safety is paramount in any electrical construction project. Key precautions and the tools we provide to support them include:
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Risk Assessment: Always perform a thorough risk assessment and use utility detection tools to map out existing underground services before any excavation begins.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Workers should be equipped with insulated gloves, safety boots, hard hats, and high-visibility clothing to prevent electric shock and physical injury.
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Proper Handling: Utilize appropriate cable handling equipment such as cable drum jacks, cable reel trailers, and cable rollers to manage the heavy and rigid armored cables safely, preventing mechanical damage and reducing strain on workers.
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Earthing and Termination: The armor of the cable must be properly earthed (grounded) to prevent electric shock hazards. This is done with the use of the correct cable glands and earthing tags, ensuring a safe and secure termination.
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Testing: Post-installation, perform rigorous electrical tests, such as high-potential (Hi-Pot) testing, to verify the cable's integrity and ensure compliance with all safety standards before energizing the line.
Proper termination is critical for maintaining the cable's integrity and safety. Here is a step-by-step guide:
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Measure and Cut: Accurately measure the required length and use a suitable cable cutter to make a clean, straight cut without damaging the internal conductors.
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Strip the Outer Sheath: Carefully remove the outer PVC sheath to expose the steel wire armor. Be careful not to nick the armor or the inner layers.
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Prepare the Gland: Slide the gland nut and compression ring onto the cable.
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Expose Conductors: Cut the steel wire armor to the required length, then strip the inner insulation to expose the conductors.
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Connect the Gland: Position the gland over the armor wires, ensuring they are evenly spread. Tighten the gland to secure the armor, and use an earth tag to connect the armor to the equipment's earth terminal, ensuring proper grounding.
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Final Connection: Insert and terminate the conductors into the equipment, following wiring regulations.
We offer a full range of cable laying equipment and tools to ensure every step of this process is executed with precision and safety.
Proper cable laying for substations and electrical apparatus is crucial for system safety and longevity. At Ningbo Changshi, we emphasize a systematic approach that includes thorough pre-planning and the use of specialized equipment. Key best practices include:
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Pre-planning: Carefully review site conditions and engineering drawings.
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Choosing the Right Method: Select the most suitable laying method, such as direct burial, troughing, or conduit systems, based on environmental factors and project specifications.
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Using Correct Equipment: Utilize appropriate tools and equipment, such as cable pulling winches, cable guiding devices, and rollers, to manage pulling tensions and prevent cable damage.
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Avoiding Overbending: Always adhere to the cable manufacturer's specified minimum bending radius to prevent insulation and conductor damage.
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Proper Termination: Ensure clean and secure cable terminations at the apparatus using quality connectors and tools.
We provide a full range of equipment for both overhead and underground projects to ensure these best practices are followed.
The installation of medium-voltage cables to switchgear requires precision tools to ensure a safe and reliable connection. Essential equipment includes:
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Cable Drum Stands & Jacks: To safely unspool heavy cable drums without twists or kinks.
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Cable Rollers: To reduce friction and guide the cable along the route into the trench or conduit.
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Cable Pulling Grips & Socks: To secure the cable end for a strong, uniform pull.
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Pulling Winches: To provide a controlled, consistent pulling force that does not exceed the cable's maximum tension.
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Hydraulic Crimping Tools: For making reliable and durable connections with cable lugs and connectors.
Our complete line of OHTL and underground cable laying equipment is specifically designed to handle these demanding applications.
