Commscope Trunk & Distribution Cable User Manual

Broadband Applications & Construction ManualTrunk & Distribution Cable Products

Inspecting and Unloading CommScope CablesTrouble-free unloading begins with letting your CommScope Customer Service Representative know of anyspecial

Unloading CommScope CableUnloading at a DockUse a pallet jack or forklift to remove all cable on pallets. Remove any blocking materials for the indivi

Storage and Stacking CommScope ReelsCommScope cable can be stored indoors or outdoors, and the cable may be stacked on flange or stored upright on the

Testing CommScope CablesWhile testing reels of CommScope cables after delivery is not required, testing prior to, during and afterconstruction will id

Impedance/TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer) TestingImpedance testing using a TDR is a quick and straightforward method for finding the distance from the

Aerial Installation of CommScope CableThere are two cable types built specifically for aerial installation:QR/P3 JCA the standard construction, avail

Pulling TensionPulling tension for CommScope cables are shown in this chart. JCAM cables should be pulled by the messenger, where the maximum pulling

Bending RadiiCables are often routed around corners during cable placement and pulling tension must be increased to apply adequate force to the cable

Expansion LoopsAs temperature rises and falls, coaxial cable will expand/contract at almost twice the rate of strand. Expansion loops allow the cable

Expansion Loops - FormingTwo different sizes of expansion loops are currently used.For sizes < 625, use a mechanical bender to form a 12-inch flat

Expansion Loops - Various ConfigurationsThese are several examples of common expansion loop configurations.Angled poleStraight poleMid-span crossover

Expansion Loops - Various ConfigurationsThese are several examples of common expansion loop configurations.Double dead-endLine pole dead-end Aerial I

Installation - Back-Pull/Stationery Reel Set-UpSet-Up Chute PlacementThe set-up chute should be positioned on the first pole of the cable route or att

Back-Pull/Stationery Reel - Puller Set-Up and Block PlacementCable Puller Set-UpPlace an appropriate cable grip on each cable. Secure the grip to the

Back-Pull/Stationery Reel - Passing the Pole and WinchingPassing the Cable Puller at PolesPull the cable puller to the pole and release the tension in

Back-Pull/Stationery Reel - Making Expansion Loops and LashingMake Your Expansion Loop Prior to LashingIf an expansion loop is called for (see Aerial

Back-Pull/Stationery Reel - Passing the Lasher at the PolePassing the Lasher at the PolePull the lasher toward the pole to be passed. Attach a lashin

Drive-Off/Moving Reel Set-Up and LashingTrailer Set-UpPay the cable off the top of the reel rotating toward the rear of the cable trailer. Use minimal

Drive-Off/Moving Reel - Expansion Loops/Passing the PoleForm the Expansion LoopsStop the lasher about 6 feet/1.8 meters from the pole. If an expansion

Installation - Overlashing Existing CableOverlash Cable PlacementOverlashing cables onto existing cable plant is similar to installing cable onto new

Table of Contents 0.1 Trunk & Distribution Cable Applications and Construction Manual NOTE: Information in this manual is subject to change.Ch

Integrated Messenger InstallationThe most cost effective and reliable coaxial installation is possible today by using CommScope’s integratedmessenger

Down GuysAll down guys must be placed prior totensioning the self-supporting cable.Where grounding of down guys isrequired, it will be necessary to bo

Hardware and Block PlacementExtension brackets, strand clamps and roller blocks should be in place prior to cable placement for each method described.

Moving Reel MethodThe moving reel method of placing self-supporting cable is used where a cable reel can be moved along side the pole line and there a

Stationary Reel MethodWhen self-supporting cable will be placed from a stationary reel, all strand hardware,cable blocks, frames, and down-guys must b

Attach a swivel between the grip and pull line. Pull by the messenger only! Start each pull very slow to remove slack in the pull line and cable. Neve

TensioningThe length of self-supporting cable that can be tensioned at one time will depend on several factors such ascorners, span length, changes in

Dead EndingSelf-supporting cable is dead-ended at the first, last, and corner poles. For stranded steel attach with aStrand-Dead End (Preform), for so

Cable and Strand Separation Note: At the time of tensioning the cable and strand must be separated before making permanent attachment.When a Strand Vi

Pole AttachmentAfter the self-supporting cable has been placed and properly tensioned, it must be attached permanently.Any twist (360° rotation) in th

Section 5 ...Underground Installation 5.1 Overview 5.2 Pulling Tension 5.3 Bending Radii 5.4 Vibratory Plowing

SplicingSeparating Cable and StrandMeasure from the clamp center bolt out 24 inches plus the width of the device plus another 24 inches beyond the dev

A minimum of 24 inches separation is required at each pole passed. Measure from the clamp center bolt twelve inches from each side. Web RemovalThe we

Underground Installation of CommScope CableThere are several cable types built specifically for underground installation:QR / P3 JCASS / MOCJ with Mi

Pulling TensionPulling tension for CommScope cable types are shown in this chart. NEVER EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PULLING TENSION.Excessive forces applied to

Bending RadiiCables are often routed around corners during cable placement and pulling tension must be increased to apply adequate force to the cable

Underground Installation - Vibratory PlowingVibratory plowing offers substantial productivity gains over other direct burial methods. A tractor moves

Underground Installation - Vibratory Plow MovementHandling obstructionsIf obstructions (tree roots, large rocks, etc.) are encountered, disengage the

TrenchingTrenching is accomplished with specialized trenching tractors which cut the trench and remove the soil in a single action. A trench can be us

Boring and Conduit InstallationsConventional BoresMechanical boring machines may be utilized to push a drill stem to make an adequate cable passage.Pn

Installing CommScope Cable into ConduitCable can be pulled in new or existing conduit. New conduit should be installed in as straight a path aspossibl

Advanced Coring Technology®• EnhancedMechanicalPerformance• Meets/ExceedsANSI/SCTE,EN50117,IECandCenelec• FullyBackwardCompatible• Identi

Hardline coaxial cables have been used in the broadband industry for decades. During these years many refinements were made to these cables to produce

Industry StandardsTo assure a cable’s performance for the user, the industry has adopted standardized test methods andminimum specifications for defin

There is an operating range, though, in between these two extremes of performance that facilitates a dielectric bond that will cleanly break away from

P3® with ACTTM and QR® with ACTTM cables were developed to address a question that has been clearly stated and often repeated by the craftsmen, engine

What Makes ACT So Different?Typical bond strengths of today’s cables well exceed the minimum requirements, being as much as 100% above that specified

Getting a Clean CoreTo take advantage of an ACT cable’s unique clean coring capabilities there are a couple of simple “Best Practice” procedures that

P3® ConnectorizationUse the right tools: a P3 coring tool, a P3 jacket stripper, a file, center conductor cleaning tool, wrenches sized for the connec

QR® ConnectorizationQR coring/stripping tools are designed for craft-friendliness and speed of operation. All QR connectors and tools are manufactured

MC2® ConnectorizationUse the right tools: a MC2 jacket stripper, a file, center conductor cleaning tool, wrenches sized for the connectors (adjustable

Plant MaintenanceCommScope Cable actually requires very little maintenance once installed. However, periodic inspection may reveal small problems that

Advanced Coring Technology®P3® with ACT® and QR® with ACT® cables were developed to address a question that has been clearly stated and often repeate

Construction Safety IssuesConstruction of a broadband cable system requires a substantial amount of manpower, tools and equipment. Underground and aer

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) StandardsOSHA Standards were established in 1970 to help ensure workplace safety. The Standards a

NEC Articles 820NEC article 820 deals with broadband coaxial cable. Traditional coax networks carry a low-voltage radiofrequency (RF) signal. The volt

National Electric Safety Code (NESC) Standards and Construction GradesThe NESC defines grades of construction on the basis of strength requirements fo

NESC Table 232-1/Vertical Clearance of Wires This chart shows the clearances required for a coaxial cable, isolated communication conductors and cable

Pole Lease Agreements and Other Codes and RegulationsPole Lease AgreementsCable system operators often enter into contractual agreements with the owne

Equipment/Benders and DynamometersMechanical BenderUses a mechanical wrenching action to bend expansion loops into QR cable prior to lashing or during

Equipment/BlocksMultiple Cable Block Used to support multiple cables in independentrollers. Multiple cable blocks make a cablepositioner unnecessary w

Equipment/Blocks, Chutes and Brackets90° Corner Block Used to route cables through inside or outside corners up to 90°. It minimizes drag on the cable

Cable LasherUsed to lash cable directly to installedstrand or cable bundles. Lashers are somewhat specific to cable and strand size - improper lasher

Introduction 1.3 ACT® - Advanced Coring TechnologyP3® - Traditional ReliabilityP3 is the standard by which all coaxial cables are measured.The P3 ce

Lay-up StickA fiberglass stick used to lift cable blocks and cables into place utilizing appropriate lay-up stick heads.Equipment/Lifting Tools and Br

Broadband Resource Center...Your One Stop Source for Cable InformationResponsive support and literally years of deployment experience make CommScope a

Technical Services & ToolsAccess to the Broadband Resource Center affords access to the a wide array of services and tools:On-site Custom Training

Legal DisclaimerTHIS MANUAL IS PROVIDED FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED OR IN ANY WAY RELIED UPON WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH AND SUPE

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QR® - Superior Design and ConstructionQR’s patented design combines several elements to achieve its unparalleled combination of superior performance i

Introduction 1.5 MC2 Design Details and AdvantagesMC2® - Supporting Legacy PlantMC2 is offered to sustain plants designed and built around this cabl