Greenlee Communications, Sherman+Reilly offer fiber drop cable installation system

Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) companies Greenlee Communications and Sherman+Reilly have teamed to market the ULTIMAZ Point-to-Point (P2P) Hybrid Fiber Drop Installation System. The system combines air and push deployment for installation of fiber cable from 50 to 1,200 feet in both inside and outside plant (OSP) applications.

The companies assert the proprietary hybrid "CableJetting" method combines a low-strain pushing force with a high-speed air stream. The system can support installation speeds of up to 600 FPM while reducing the amount of damaged fiber-optic cable. Installers can operate the system in either a handheld or stand-mounted format, and may use either compressed air or bottled air.

The system weighs 3 lbs and reduces the fatigue and injuries associated with hand pulling while installing cable at a rate up to 6X faster than by hand, the companies say. As the fiber cable installs directly from the reel, no pull lines are used.

The ULTIMAZ P2P will accommodate round or flat drop cables with outer diameters of 3.0 to 10.5 mm. It is compatible with microducts from 10 to 18 mm in diameter. The use of a special insert will adapt to OSP ducts with 0.5 inch, 0.75 inch,1 inch, and 1.25 inch IDs.

Although designed for drops, some cable duct combinations can yield installation lengths near 3,000 feet, Greenlee Communications and Sherman+Reilly say.

For more information on cable accessories and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.