AERIAL & POWER-GRID OPTICAL CABLE · ADSS / OPGW / OPPC · IEC 60794-4
ADSS & OPGW — fibre on live power lines, without outages.
All-dielectric self-supporting cable for distribution spans up to 1180 m, and optical ground wire that replaces the shield wire on 35–750 kV transmission lines. Span and rating tables below are from our 2026 catalogue.
§01 — ADSS span table
All-dielectric self-supporting cable, 2–144 cores.
Loose-tube stranded core around an FRP central member, PE inner sheath, two counter-helical aramid strength layers, PE or anti-tracking (AT) outer sheath. PE sheath for space potential ≤ 12 kV; AT sheath above 12 kV.
| OD (mm) | Weight (kg/km) | Mean tension (kN) | Max tension (kN) | Break strength (kN) | Span, climate A (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.5 | 125 | 1.5 | 4 | 10 | 160 |
| 13.0 | 132 | 2.25 | 6 | 15 | 230 |
| 13.3 | 137 | 3 | 8 | 20 | 300 |
| 13.6 | 145 | 3.6 | 10 | 24 | 370 |
| 13.8 | 147 | 4.5 | 12 | 30 | 420 |
| 14.5 | 164 | 5.4 | 15 | 36 | 480 |
| 14.9 | 171 | 6.75 | 18 | 45 | 570 |
| 15.1 | 179 | 7.95 | 22 | 53 | 670 |
| 15.5 | 190 | 9 | 26 | 60 | 750 |
| 15.6 | 194 | 10.5 | 28 | 70 | 800 |
| 16.3 | 211 | 12.75 | 34 | 85 | 880 |
| 16.8 | 226 | 15.45 | 41 | 103 | 1000 |
| 17.2 | 236 | 16.2 | 45 | 108 | 1100 |
| 17.9 | 249 | 18 | 50 | 120 | 1180 |
Climate zones: A — wind 15 m/s, no ice; B — wind 35 m/s, no ice; C — wind 10 m/s, 5 mm ice (2.5 N/m); D — wind 10 m/s, 10 mm ice (4.4 N/m). Spans shown for climate A, PE sheath; B/C/D and AT-sheath tables in the catalogue and issued with the offer.
§02 — OPGW ratings
Optical ground wire, centre-stainless-tube design.
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fibre count | 2–48 (G.652D / G.655) |
| Fibre protection | Stainless-steel tube with hydrogen-absorbing gel |
| Stranded wires | Aluminium-clad steel / aluminium alloy / aluminium, 1.5–6 mm |
| Maximum overall diameter | 18 mm |
| Maximum rated tensile strength | 280 kN |
| Maximum metallic cross-section | 200 mm² |
| Short-circuit capacity (40→200 °C) | 100 kA²·s |
| Crush | 2200 N/100 mm |
| Operating temperature | −40 … +65 °C |
OPGW is engineered per line: tower distance, sag, ice and wind loads, short-circuit current and fibre count set the final design. Also available: stranded-tube OPGW, centre aluminium-tube OPGW, and OPPC optical phase conductor for distribution lines.
§03 — Tests
Type-tested per IEC 60794-4.
| Test | Method | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile performance | IEC 60794-4-10 | Per cable design · additional attenuation ≤ 0.05 dB |
| Crush | IEC 60794-20-9.4.5 | 2200 N/100 mm, 10 min × 3 · ≤ 0.1 dB, no damage |
| Repeated bending | IEC 60794-4-20-9.4.3 | R = 15–20 × D · ≤ 0.05 dB, no damage |
| Water penetration (OPGW) | IEC 60794-4-10-9.8 | 0.5 m sample, 1 m water head, 1 h · no leakage |
| Drip / compound flow | IEC 60794-4 | 70 °C, 24 h · no dripping |
| Temperature cycling | IEC 60794-4-20-9.6 | −40 … +70 °C · ≤ 0.1 dB |
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§04 — FAQ
ADSS or OPGW?
ADSS vs OPGW — how do I choose?
ADSS goes under the phase conductors on existing lines without touching the ground wire — ideal for distribution (≤ 35 kV class) and retrofit jobs where an outage is impossible. OPGW replaces the shield wire itself and is the standard for new transmission lines (110 kV and above): it gives you earth-wire function, lightning protection and fibre in one component. OPGW installation normally needs a line outage.
When is the anti-tracking (AT) sheath required on ADSS?
When the space potential at the installation point exceeds 12 kV — typically near or between phase conductors on higher-voltage towers. Below 12 kV, standard PE sheath is sufficient. Send the line voltage and the installation position and we confirm the sheath.
What information is needed for an OPGW design?
Line voltage, tower span profile and sag-tension data, ice/wind climate zone, system short-circuit current (kA, duration), required fibre count and type, and any diameter/weight limits from the existing shield wire. With these we return a structure proposal with the mechanical and short-circuit ratings shown.
Can ADSS be installed on live lines?
ADSS is all-dielectric and routinely installed on energised lines by qualified crews using live-line methods — one of its main advantages over OPGW retrofits. Installation method statements and hardware (suspension / tension sets, vibration dampers) are part of the supply scope on request.
Send the fibre count and route. We confirm the design in 24 hours.
Share: fibre count & type (G.652D / G.655 / multimode), installation method, span or duct profile, armour requirement, delivery length and destination port.
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