ADSS cables are designed for 25 years of maintenance-free operation — but “maintenance-free” doesn’t mean “inspection-free.” Periodic inspection catches problems before they become outages. This guide provides a recommended inspection schedule.
Recommended Inspection Frequencies
| Inspection Type | Frequency | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Visual (ground-level) | Annual | Visible sag changes, obvious jacket damage, hardware displacement |
| Detailed (aerial/bucket) | 3-5 years | Jacket tracking signs, clamp condition, damper position, bird damage |
| OTDR | 3-5 years | Attenuation drift compared to commissioning baseline |
| Post-storm | After major ice/wind events | Hardware displacement, mid-span damage, new sag anomalies |
Related Reading: OTDR testing · Tracking vs bird damage · Cable slipping
Key Takeaways
- Annual visual inspection is the minimum. Detailed inspection every 3-5 years.
- OTDR every 3-5 years establishes a trend line — catch attenuation drift before it causes outages.
- Post-storm inspection is mandatory — wind and ice can shift hardware and damage jackets.
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