Equipment and Configuration
Proper Handling of Fiber
Fiber Installation
Next Steps
Welcome to Dominion Energy’s Fiber Training Site. Here you will have the opportunity to learn about our Fiber System along with how to handle, install and repair fiber optic cable safely. On this site, you will find several options for navigation. You can click on the blue dot “01” icon to get started or hit the ‘Next’ arrow at the bottom of the screen. For a quick review of specific information, please jump to any section by selecting one of the sections in the timeline on the top left.
Equipment & Configurations
Dominion Energy’s overhead distribution fiber can be identified in the supply space of the pole and by our signature yellow Dominion tag.
Tangent configurations allow for fiber optic cable to circumvent a pole and progress the same reel of cable without cutting or diverting the cable route.
The dead-end configuration allows for fiber optic cable to stop at a pole and revert to underground.
Coil brackets are used to safely store extra fiber cable on a pole for future needs or restoration efforts. The top of the cable loop and/or canister must be installed at least 12 inches below the lowest communication cable and the bottom of the bracket to be 12 feet from the bracket to ground. Install 10 wraps at all coil bracket locations (this includes locations without access points).
A double dead-end is used to maintain a constant tension for uneven span lengths and when the fiber will turn large angles. These are always used for coil bracket and spliced locations but can be seen frequently along the route to progress the fiber without diverting the cable route.
Proper Handling of Fiber
Before installation, line workers should visually inspect fiber for potential breaks, assessing the fiber for kinks, nicks, swelling, bulges, or cuts. Please ‘Do Not’ attempt to cut or splice fiber.
When you encounter downed fiber at a storm event, it is expected that you put it out of harm’s way. If fiber has been cut, it should be rolled into a loop with a 48” diameter and temporarily attach to a pole 6” below the neutral or secondary conductors. When handling fiber avoid kinking or cutting. Ensure that the hanging fiber is off the ground and safely out of reach from the public.
If damaged or down field, please notify the ROC of its location.
Fiber Installation
The fiber optic cables specified for installation on the electric distribution system are single mode fiber optic cables. Fiber optic cable installed on the overhead system is an all dielectric self-supporting cable (ADSS). The 72-count fiber consists of 6 buffer tubes with each tube containing 12 fibers. The 144-count fiber consists of 6 buffer tubes with each tube containing 24 fibers.
In this clip, line workers have installed rubber protective equipment to cover up differences of potential within reach of the fiber optic installation work area.
Here you will see the installation of a tangent configuration. The fiber should be installed 6” below the neutral or secondary conductors. For pole integrity, it is imperative that you maintain 4” bolt hole separation at all drill points.
This video shows the installation of a dead-end configuration. The fiber should be installed 6” below the neutral or secondary conductors. For pole integrity, it is imperative that you maintain 4” bolt hole separation at all drill points.
Once the fiber is installed, a key step of the installation process is the labelling of the fiber cable with the yellow Dominion tag.
This concludes our training for the installation and proper handling of fiber. To review any of the material, just click on the colored button next to the section you wish to review.