What’s an overhead wire?

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Antenna cables, also known as hover cables, are shielded cables suspended above ground level on utility poles. They carry electronic signals for telephone communications, cable services, and electrical power distribution. Multiple utilities can use the same poles to support their cables, reducing the number of poles needed. The concept of aerial cable strategy dates back to the 19th century when telegraphs were used. When overhead wire is not used, underground wires are used instead.

Also known as hover cables, antenna cables are shielded cables that are used for different types of electronic transmission, and are suspended above ground level, usually with the use of utility poles. Sometimes described as an overhead power line, overhead wire can be used to carry electronic signals such as telephone communications, cable services, and even as part of the electrical power distribution system within the local community. While exposed, typical overhead wire is fully insulated and configured with all conductors needed to handle transmission efficiently.

Many communities rely on the use of overhead wire for a number of different functions. It is not unusual for multiple utilities to use the same utility poles to support cables for each of the services provided. For example, the local power company might actually own and install the set of power poles that serve a neighborhood, but will allow the phone and cable companies to also use those same poles to run their cable throughout the entire neighborhood. area, usually in exchange for some sort of recurring fee. The benefit to area residents is that instead of scattering the landscape with poles owned by each of the utilities, one set of poles can be used to support the overhead cable connections of all the utilities that offer services in the area.

The concept of aerial cable strategy can be traced back to the early 19th century when the use of the telegraph became common. The cables were suspended above the poles to allow the system to operate with relative ease. After the invention of the telephone and the advent of residential electrical services, this concept resulted in the use of poles to suspend utility cables overhead, allowing easy access to electrical and telephone services. As cable television became more popular during the latter half of the 19th century, many cable companies also began the practice of running cables over those pre-existing poles.

When an overhead wire strategy is not used in a residential area or commercial district, the alternative approach is to use underground wires. This sometimes requires routing cables associated with local telephone, cable television, and electricity providers through conduits that are embedded in the underground sewer system or even in designated areas in a subway or underground transit system. In recent years, the use of buried cable strategies has become increasingly common in planned neighborhoods where utility poles are preferred not to be incorporated into the overall landscape.




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