Fiber Planners tech notes for release or update in 2004:

Available to all current technology advisory subscribers:

Commonly used ADSS block proven to damage cable
A special block designed specifically for ADSS can in fact damage it, based on Fiber Planners analysis, laboratory tests and field experience.

Commonly made mistakes in performing isovolt analyses
Why some cable is damaged by dry-band arcing – designers are making some common mistakes when preparing isovolt plots.

IEEE P1222 standard for ADSS cable – still in preparation after 10 years – may finally get finished
Current proposed changes to the existing draft and what it means for Fiber Planners clients.

IEEE 524 installation standard and proposed ADSS revisions
Currently proposed new guidance for ADSS installations.

ADSS to conductor collisions caused by improper design procedures
The standard methods of analyzing conductor clearances don’t always work for ADSS. As a result, ADSS-to-conductor entanglements do occur. Here’s why, and what you can do to prevent it in the design phase.

Common errors in using ADSS suspensions may result in major sagging discrepancies
When it’s safe to use ruling span calculations and … when not to!

ADSS users must factor long-term creep into their sag calculations
Synopsis of recent research on ADSS creep and how to use this data in designing ADSS installations.

How realistic are the NESC weather loading guidelines for ice storms?
The NESC ice loading guidelines are based on work done in the 1920s. This note is Fiber Planners’ summary of more accurate loading estimates using extensive historical and predictive work done recently by the Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory and the National Climatic Data Center.

New advances in predicting dry-band arcing using jacket current analysis
This note analyzes extensive ongoing research being done by BPA (Bonneville Power Administration) and others on better predicting electric field damage to ADSS cable. The new model helps explain some unusual cases where jacket damage was seen in relatively low fields and not in high fields. This note also shows what Fiber Planners is doing now to tangibly put this technology in use today.

How improper installation setup can damage cable – even when following manufacturers’ instructions
Some additional considerations not always covered in cablers’ installation guidelines.

Do you know where your conductors are -- helicopter laser surveys and ADSS installation on transmission lines
This note summarizes Fiber Planners’ experience using helicopter laser surveys of existing lines before finalizing ADSS designs.

Integrating ADSS system design with PLS-CADD transmission line software design tools
This note covers some ADSS-specific issues to keep in mind when using PLS-CADD for transmission line designs, based on Fiber Planners’ own experiences.

Should I use ADSS or OPGW?
An OPGW bigot and an ADSS zealot square off on the advantages and disadvantages of each and when to use each. Often they even agree.

Ongoing inspection requirements for ADSS
What to look for and how often once your cable’s in operation.

Striking back at CATV pole hogs
Cable TV companies are notorious for violating NESC and other rules covering cable locations on distribution poles. Here are specialized legal resources for fighting back.

Seen on rights-of-way: 2001
A tech note in a lighter vein -- it’s a weird world out there. Stories and pictures of odd things Fiber Planners, clients and others have seen lately: pole beavers, psychics, swamp people

What does the NESC really say about ADSS cable?
The National Electrical Safety Code can be confusing to understand and misunderstanding have arisen about ADSS cable, resulting in unnecessary make-ready work and expenses. Here’s the straight scoop.

Adjusting tensions on working ADSS cables
How to adjust tensions on existing ADSS cables without taking power or optical outages

Setting ADSS tensions with dynamometers in lieu of sight-sagging
Sagging with a dynamometer sure is a lot easier – but often much worse – than sight-sagging. Here’s why and what you can do about it.