Maximum span of pole wire for FTTP?

I have quite a long span between the pole and property (overhead line).

Estimated at 60-65m.

Is there a maximum span distance between pole and property for FTTP connections or should I be fine?

Is any maximum likely to be similar between BT and altnets?

Thanks

That’ll be OK.

Not sure if there’s different rules for Altnets though

The pole to pole span for overhead fibre should normally be no more than 68M.

The span from the last pole to the house from the CBT can be longer with the proviso it is at least 5.9M above any carriageway at its lowest point. Engineers can order Pre terminated fibre drop wires up to 150M or maybe even longer these days.

In reply to a post by PhilipSmith72:

Engineers can order Pre terminated fibre drop wires up to 150M or maybe even longer these days.

Although I would imagine that longer lengths would normally go via one or more intermediate poles.

In reply to a post by think26872:

I have quite a long span between the pole and property (overhead line).

Estimated at 60-65m.

Is there a maximum span distance between pole and property for FTTP connections or should I be fine?

Is any maximum likely to be similar between BT and altnets?

Thanks

Interesting, I wasn't aware there was an issue with the length of cable. I just assumed it would need to be tensioned to keep it in line.

I'm supposed to have mine fitted tomorrow morning, I'm not sure how far I am from the pole, but I'd guess at over 60m...might need to pace it out!

Will also chat with the OpenReach engineer (assuming he turns up as planned) and ask him about it.

Mine used a 110m I believe. approx 50m pole to pole, 50m to the house, 5 m inside and just a little waste.

They did mention I was well inside the limit - suggested about 65 and he had used longer length were there were two intermediate poles.

In reply to a post by think26872:

0
Is any maximum likely to be similar between BT and altnets?

Wouldn't expect there to be any difference in reality if the AltNet is using Openreach PIA for access.

Is there an Altnet connectorised block terminal / final distribution point mounted on the pole (or any other pole in the victinity) - or are you asking a 'what if' question in general?

>Will also chat with the OpenReach engineer (assuming he turns
>up as planned) and ask him about it.

That would be interesting if the opportunity arises but don't do anything that may put the engineer off helping you get connected.

In reply to a post by think26872:

>Will also chat with the OpenReach engineer (assuming he turns
>up as planned) and ask him about it.

That would be interesting if the opportunity arises but don't do anything that may put the engineer off helping you get connected.

Hehe, no chance. I've already had them turn up once and refuse to do the job because it was late on a Friday afternoon and would take them too long.

They owe me around £75 in compensation at the moment...hopefully it doesn't grow to much more!

>Mine used a 110m I believe. approx 50m pole to pole,
>50m to the house, 5 m inside and just a little waste.

>They did mention I was well inside the limit - suggested
>about 65 and he had used longer length were there
>were two intermediate poles.

I never thought they may only connect up select poles and then piggy back off another pole. Is this a standard way of doing things?

For example, could they only connect up one of three poles and then the single pole serves the other two poles?

I guess that may make it simpler but I thought all poles got some kind of device put on it I just assumed each pole would have to have a trench dug to it?

Thanks

In reply to a post by think26872:

I never thought they may only connect up select poles and then piggy back off another pole. Is this a standard way of doing things?

Yes, quite common.

350m is the max ‘off the shelf’ CBT to CSP reel. I hear even longer on special order

In reply to a post by candlerb:

In reply to a post by think26872:

I never thought they may only connect up select poles and then piggy back off another pole. Is this a standard way of doing things?

Yes, quite common.

Yes, and with copper too …

Interesting, I wasn't aware there was an issue with the length of cable. I just assumed it would need to be tensioned to keep it in line.

Over a certain length the weight and sag of the span puts excessive strain on the cable, especially where held by the clamps

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Over a certain length the weight and sag of the span puts excessive strain on the cable, especially where held by the clamps

Thanks Zarjaz, will be interesting to see how they handle it tomorrow.

As already mentioned quite common. In my case the underground duct runs from cabinet to every pole except te last one - which serves just two houses including mine.

It's also quite common around here (S London) to span the CBT tails to another pole rather than unblocking a duct. A bit messy if you ask me, but I'm sure there are many who appreciate the faster deployment.

My area has both Openreach and Community Fibre equipment on poles - where CF do it, they generally use either 48f cable or a drop tube with a 12f unit, which isn't too noticeable.

Openreach often span 3x COF250 CBT tails across a similar route, which looks far worse to me. At least my end of the street was done the old-fashioned way by excavating to unblock ducts.

In reply to a post by think26872:

>Will also chat with the OpenReach engineer (assuming he turns
>up as planned) and ask him about it.

That would be interesting if the opportunity arises but don't do anything that may put the engineer off helping you get connected.

All installed this morning, took under an hour in the end.

They didn't really know much about the cable length issues to be honest.
They were part of the Kelly Group though, not OpenReach themselves.

I've seen a lot of this in our area, also they sometimes run the 36F cables they use extensively to link to the Ag nodes & also between splitter nodes overhead due to duct blockages and congestion. The most I've seen between poles is three of these.

Looking at the state of some of the ducts I don't blame them, particularly ducts in country lanes as they get full of all sorts of muck and can often be quite congested. Around here they did attempt to clear some of the ducts in the roads but gave up due to the number of blockages and went overhead instead for short sections.

My favourite example of this was a section they went overhead a ~100m section instead of using the ducts because someone has extended their paved drive out onto the pavement and over an Openreach chamber cover. If it were my decision I'd have just broken up the paving over the cover!

Rules for Altnets, from CP08 (overhead engineering specs):

68m for a standard span
75m absolute max span over a road (but needs to be a minimum of 6.5m instead of 5.9)
85m absolute max where not crossing a road

In reply to a post by robwifiscotland:

Rules for Altnets, from CP08 (overhead engineering specs):

68m for a standard span
75m absolute max span over a road (but needs to be a minimum of 6.5m instead of 5.9)
85m absolute max where not crossing a road

Useful information hopefully this will mean I am within the 68m limit so should be safe.

Round here much of the new FTTP network is overhead, pole to pole. I have no idea if this is due to nearly every duct being blocked and only having a limited budget for unblocking, or if they don’t even bother to check.

The network is being built now, so if this is the way it’s being done in urban areas we are in for a very messy future.

Yup, in my village OR have gone overhead where the copper is underground. They've even installed new poles in some places! No wonder people are going mad!