Overhead wires carry power or data transmission and are arranged by hazard level, with power cables at the top. They are cheaper than underground cabling and were first used for telegraph communication. Insulation and safety are factors in their placement, and interference can occur with metal-based cables.
An overhead wire is a wire often seen hanging above houses in residential areas; usually provides power or data transmission. These cables are placed on large wooden poles and are arranged from the less dangerous cables – for the transmission of telephones and cable TV – at the bottom to the more dangerous ones – power cables – at the top. Metal-based overhead cable may cause interference with other nearby cables if the power and transmission cables are strung alongside each other, but this will not happen if the cables are fiber optic. Overhead cables are a cheaper alternative to underground cable cabling.
In many civilized areas, the wooden post with its network of overhead wires is a common sight, especially in congested residential areas. Each overhead cable is responsible for carrying information or power to connected homes or buildings. Alongside the cables are also systems that operators can access to manage cables.
The most common use and the reason overhead wire was first hung up is for data transmission. Overhead wires were first used when the telegraph system became popular and wires were needed to transmit telegraph information. In the early 21st century, telephone and cable TV information is sent over these cables, creating a vast communication network.
Another common use for overhead wire is to transfer energy from power plants to homes. These power lines are mostly made of aluminum and steel, because these metals are efficient at conducting energy to the home or building that needs the power. They are strung high above the ground and the air provides most of the necessary insulation, so these cables are cheap to make, maintain and operate.
Each overhead wire is laid out according to the hazard. Data cables carry less energy, so they run lower down, while higher-energy power cables run higher up. This helps with safety, because taller wires are less likely to fall to the ground and prevents wires from interacting. The other reason is that insulation is needed for cables and the higher the cable, the more natural insulation it gets from the wind.
Older metal-based communication cables have a tendency to create noise when a telephone wire and a power cord interact. This noise could be just a buzzing or static, or it could cause phone users to accidentally hear other conversations for a few seconds. Interactions are not a problem for modern fiber optic communication cables because no noise is produced.
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