Direct-buried cable
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Direct-buried cable (DBC) is a kind of communications or transmissions cable which is especially designed to be buried under the ground without any kind of extra covering, sheathing, or piping to protect it.[1]
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[edit] Description
Most direct-buried cable is built to specific tolerances to heat, moisture, conductivity, and soil acidity. Unlike standard telecommunications and power cables, which have only a thin layer of insulation and a waterproof outer cover, DBC consists of multiple layers of heavy metallic-banded sheathing, reinforced by heavy rubber covers, shock absorbing gel, wrapped thread-fortified waterproof tape, and stiffened by a heavy metal core.
[edit] Benefits
Most cable of this kind is coaxial or bundled fiber-optic in nature. Direct-buried cable is cheaper and easier to lay than other kinds of cable that require protection from the earth.[1] However, DBC is also easily cut during digging or other excavations. As a result, most direct-buried cable is found on side roads, not main thoroughfares.[2]
DBC is preferable in some areas since it is more resistant to being the focus of lightning discharges.[3]
[edit] Power cabling
Some power cabling is also direct-buried. This kind of cabling must follow strict regulatory procedures regarding installation and backfilling. This is usually used in areas where overhead cabling is impractical or dangerous.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b Sterling, Donald J. (2000). Premises Cabling. Thomson Delmar Learning. ISBN 0766817350.
- ^ Highhouse, John (1997). A Guide for Telecommunications Cable Splicing. Thomson Delmar Learning. ISBN 0827380666.
- ^ Rakov, Vladimir A.; Uman, Martin A. (2003). Lightning: physics and effects. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521583276.
