When an ADSS cable span is damaged — whether by a falling tree, gunshot, or jacket tracking — the repair procedure must restore both mechanical integrity and optical performance. This guide covers the complete field repair SOP.
Repair Procedure (Field SOP)
- Fault location: OTDR from both ends to pinpoint the fault within ±5 meters.
- Cable preparation: Expose the damaged section. Cut out the damaged segment (minimum 3 meters removed).
- Fiber splicing: Splice each fiber individually using a core-alignment fusion splicer. Verify each splice ≤0.05 dB.
- Closure installation: Place splices in a weatherproof joint closure. Verify gel seals are clean and properly seated.
- OTDR verification: Shoot bidirectionally at 1310 nm and 1550 nm. Compare to pre-damage baseline.
Note: For spans with jacket tracking damage, replacing only the jacket-damaged section is a temporary fix. The undamaged sections of the same span may have been exposed to the same electrical stress and will fail soon. Consider replacing the entire span.
Related Reading: OTDR fault location · Common problems · IEC 60794 compliance
Key Takeaways
- Cut out minimum 3 meters of damaged cable — don’t splice at the edges of damage.
- Verify every splice ≤0.05 dB before closing the closure.
- For tracking damage, evaluate replacing the entire span — not just the damaged section.
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