An Introduction to Telecom Duct Rodding
Publish Time: 2023-07-25 Origin: Fibertel
Prologue
The History of Telecoms Duct Rods appears to have begun with the registration to Henry M Hall, in the USA, on 24th August 1971, of his patent US 3601365A. However, having read this Patent, the original device incorporated a Rod Gripping Mechanism, Wedging Member and Power Drive System, which suggests that the items which we know today, are quite different, and have evolved significantly from Mr Hall's late 20th Century - original conception.
Telecommunications Duct Rods - 21st Century
Telecommunications Networks across the World necessarily require Land based "External" Installations of both Copper and Fiber Optic Cables to be either Underground or Overhead.
In the case of Underground Copper and Fiber Optic Cables - These are traditionally Installed in Plastic (PVC) Ducts and Conduits.
In normal practice the Contractor Ground Worker will dig a trench and lay a Plastic Telecom Duct, which will then be infilled (The Duct will be covered up). The Ground Worker will then build Joint Chamber's (Duct Junctions) covered with Concrete or Ductile Iron Manhole Covers at pre-determined (planned) distances - perhaps 200 - 500 metres apart - This arrangement enables Telecoms Engineers to install and later on access Cables which have been installed.
Duct 54D 90mm (Telecom) PVC Grey Socketed Duct - Typical Length 6m.
Subsequently a Telecoms Engineer will visit the Site - Open the Manhole and begin the Process of Installing Fibertel 6mm Polypropylene Drawrope 1, or an alternative Rope, and then Cable into the Duct.
Manhole Cover - Frame & Cover Carriageway No1 - Ductile Iron
In order to Install the Drawrope 1 - to which the Copper and Fiber Cables can then be connected and pulled through the Duct - The Engineer will use a Rod - known by various names - such as Rod Continuous/Cobra/Snake/Duct Rodder or for Heavy Duty Rodding, in older (blocked/obstructed) Ducts he might use Fibertel Rods Duct 1,2 & 5, which are 24/13mm, 3 and 2 Metre Rods, which are screwed together by integral Brass, Male and Female Fittings.
To explain in a little more detail - Rods are pushed through the Duct at one Joint Chamber (Duct Junction), and then at the Next Joint Chamber, Drawrope or another rope is connected to the Rod Eyelet, and as the Rod is then pulled back through the Duct, a length of Drawrope is left in the Duct - This Drawrope is then available at both Joint Chambers for subsequent connection to Cable which can then in turn be pulled through the Duct from Joint Chamber to Joint Chamber by the Rope.
Both of these Rods Types are pictured below: -
The main purposes of the Fibertel Duct Rods is therefore for cleaning and locating paths, pulling rope and cables by the Rod eyelet, and threading lines, to identifying Duct obstructions.
An interesting feature of the Fibertel Rods Duct Continuous is that because each item is supplied wound on to a Frame, the item stores tensile energy which provides forward thrust during installation into the Duct, particularly for the smaller diameter Rods - The larger and heavier Rods, on the other hand, can be installed either by the Engineer, on his own, or particularly for 14mm Rods - with the aid of a Rod pusher, please click here for the video.
In practice it is inevitable that Engineers will encounter blockages and minor/serious obstructions caused by dirt, stones and other materials finding their way into the Duct, and if the obstructions are not serious the Duct Rod can be used to push the obstructing material through and out of the Duct.
And in situations where the blockage cannot be cleared by the Duct Rod - The Engineer is able to look at the Metre Markings on his Rod to identify the location of the problem - and then perhaps using one of Fibertel's Road Measuring Wheels, to locate the exact spot, he can then dig down and remove the problem Duct Section, replace or repair it, and then return to "Threading" the Duct, initially with Fibertel's Drawrope 1.
Drawrope No1 6mm 3 x Strand Polypropylene 450kg or 550kg Breaking Load.
As it is critically important, that the Engineer is provided with High quality Rods - on which he can rely, this is where Fibertel Communication Technology enters the picture. Our Company supplies probably the best and widest range of Rods in the Market Place. We manufacture and supply both Rods Continuous, and Rods Duct 1, & 2 24mm/3 & 2m and No5 13mm/2m, and a full range of Adaptors, Attachments and Coupling Up Pieces and Associated Fittings for both Duct Rod systems: -
The Fibertel Duct Rod range includes Pro Enhanced (Strong) Solid Round 12mm Galvanised Steel Frames with High - Quality Glass Fiber/Polypropylene. And Super Frames (Extra Strong) Solid Flat 8.0mm Galvanised Steel Frames with Super Flexible Glass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) incorporating a Yarn Layer between the FRP and Outer Jacketed High-Quality Polypropylene.
Polypropylene provides additional Flexibility over Polyethylene, which is used extensively across the Industry - Polypropylene provides more durability, less fatigue and less loss of energy.
Fibertel's Rods are 4.5/6/9/11/14mm diameters, and supplied in a wide range of lengths. The 4.5 and 6mm are on Cages without wheels, and the 9/11/14mm are supplied on Wheeled Frames (Cages).
The Fibertel Heavy Duty Rods Duct 1 & 2, 24mm - 3 and 2 metre respectively, and Rod Duct 5 13mm/2m are used primarily in older Ducts in which it is more likely to encounter difficult obstructions. These Rods are used extensively in the UK, Middle East and in some Commonwealth Countries.
These "All Weather Rods" are manufactured from High quality Materials, so that they do not lose their Tensile Strength in hot conditions, and they do not break when temperatures fall. They are also resistant to UV radiation and Corrosive materials.
The Fibertel Pro Enhanced High Quality and Super Frame, Super Flexible Rods can be seen in operation in the Video Links below: -
https://www.fiber-telecom.com/Fibertel-Pro-Enhanced-Frame-Duct-Rods-pd776610298.html
for Fibertel Pro Enhanced Frame Duct Rods
https://www.fiber-telecom.com/Fibertel-Pro-Super-Frame-Duct-Rods-New-Cobra-pd777797198.html
for Fibertel Pro Super Frame Duct Rods
The Super Frame Duct Rod Video also features our Rod Pusher/Cable Blower - On which we are currently working on a number of upgraded features.
All of these Rods, and Fibertel's extensive range of Fiber and Copper Telecommunications products can be viewed at: -
The Time, Cost and Efficient Installation of Cables, when building, maintaining or upgrading a Telecoms Network, is critically important to the overall success of the Enterprise, and it is therefore essential that Engineers are provided with, and install using the best value reliable Duct Rods and Associated items available to them - such as those Provided by Fibertel Communication Technology.
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