I n t e r n a t i o n a l T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n U n i o n

ITU-T L.89
TELECOMMUNICATION (02/2012)
STANDARDIZATION SECTOR
OF ITU

SERIES L: CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION AND

PROTECTION OF CABLES AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF
OUTSIDE PLANT

Design of suspension wires, telecommunication

poles and guy-lines for optical access networks

Recommendation ITU-T L.89

Recommendation ITU-T L.89

Design of suspension wires, telecommunication poles

and guy-lines for optical access networks

Summary
Recommendation ITU-T L.89 describes the general requirements and a design guide for suspension
wires, telecommunication poles and guy-lines that support aerial cables for optical access networks.
This Recommendation also describes loads applied to the infrastructures.

History
Edition Recommendation Approval Study Group
1.0 ITU-T L.89 2012-02-13 15

Keywords
Aerial infrastructure, guy-line, ice loading, suspension wire, suspension wire tension,
telecommunication pole, vertical load, wind loading.

Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012) i

 FOREWORD
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency in the field of
telecommunications, information and communication technologies (ICTs). The ITU Telecommunication
Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is a permanent organ of ITU. ITU-T is responsible for studying technical,
operating and tariff questions and issuing Recommendations on them with a view to standardizing
telecommunications on a worldwide basis.
The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), which meets every four years,
establishes the topics for study by the ITU-T study groups which, in turn, produce Recommendations on
these topics.
The approval of ITU-T Recommendations is covered by the procedure laid down in WTSA Resolution 1.
In some areas of information technology which fall within ITU-T's purview, the necessary standards are
prepared on a collaborative basis with ISO and IEC.

NOTE
In this Recommendation, the expression "Administration" is used for conciseness to indicate both a
telecommunication administration and a recognized operating agency.
Compliance with this Recommendation is voluntary. However, the Recommendation may contain certain
mandatory provisions (to ensure, e.g., interoperability or applicability) and compliance with the
Recommendation is achieved when all of these mandatory provisions are met. The words "shall" or some
other obligatory language such as "must" and the negative equivalents are used to express requirements. The
use of such words does not suggest that compliance with the Recommendation is required of any party.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

ITU draws attention to the possibility that the practice or implementation of this Recommendation may
involve the use of a claimed Intellectual Property Right. ITU takes no position concerning the evidence,
validity or applicability of claimed Intellectual Property Rights, whether asserted by ITU members or others
outside of the Recommendation development process.
As of the date of approval of this Recommendation, ITU had not received notice of intellectual property,
protected by patents, which may be required to implement this Recommendation. However, implementers
are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information and are therefore strongly urged to consult the
TSB patent database at http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/ipr/.

 ITU 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the
prior written permission of ITU.

ii Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012)

 Table of Contents
Page
1 Scope ............................................................................................................................ 1
2 References..................................................................................................................... 1
3 Definitions .................................................................................................................... 1
3.1 Term defined elsewhere ................................................................................. 1
3.2 Terms defined in this Recommendation ......................................................... 1
4 Abbreviations and acronyms ........................................................................................ 2
5 Conventions .................................................................................................................. 2
6 Configuration of aerial infrastructure ........................................................................... 2
6.1 Aerial communication infrastructure on shared poles .................................... 2
7 General requirements for aerial infrastructure design .................................................. 2
7.1 Clarification of optical fibre cables ................................................................ 2
7.2 Classification of site conditions...................................................................... 2
7.3 Safety and economic considerations .............................................................. 3
7.4 Management of ground height and offset distance......................................... 3
7.5 Loads applied to aerial infrastructure ............................................................. 3
8 Design of suspension wires .......................................................................................... 5
8.1 Materials ......................................................................................................... 5
8.2 Selection of suspension wire type .................................................................. 5
8.3 Sag .................................................................................................................. 5
9 Design of telecommunication poles ............................................................................. 6
9.1 Materials ......................................................................................................... 6
9.2 Embedded depth ............................................................................................. 6
9.3 Pole length ...................................................................................................... 6
9.4 Classification .................................................................................................. 6
10 Design of guy-lines ....................................................................................................... 7
10.1 Configuration .................................................................................................. 7
10.2 Installation angle of upper guy-lines .............................................................. 7
10.3 Classification of upper guy-lines .................................................................... 7
10.4 Classification of guy anchors ......................................................................... 7
Appendix I – Relationship between sag and the length of suspension wire ............................ 9
I.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 9
I.2 Calculation of required suspension wire length ............................................. 9
I.3 Calculation considering the change of temperature and load applied to the
wire ................................................................................................................. 9

Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012) iii

Introduction
Suspension wires, telecommunication poles and guy-lines that support aerial optical fibre cables are
important facilities for providing broadband services. An appropriate design is needed to maintain
the reliability of these facilities and services. Moreover, they are big facilities installed at a high
position, and so they should be managed in a way that ensures sufficient safety. To realize these
requirements, a design is needed that carefully considers facility strength.

iv Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012)

Recommendation ITU-T L.89

Design of suspension wires, telecommunication poles

and guy-lines for optical access networks

1 Scope
This Recommendation deals mainly with fundamental requirements for designing suspension wires,
telecommunication poles and guy-lines supporting aerial optical cables. In this Recommendation
aerial infrastructures mean suspension wires, telecommunication poles and guy-lines. The intent of
such a plant is to support outdoor cables that will be attached by lashings, clips, or similar
mechanisms.
Note that self-supporting cables such as the one shown in Figure 8, ADSS, or others, while not
specifically addressed by this Recommendation, have the same issues applicable to their
installation.

2 References
The following ITU-T Recommendations and other references contain provisions which, through
reference in this text, constitute provisions of this Recommendation. At the time of publication, the
editions indicated were valid. All Recommendations and other references are subject to revision;
users of this Recommendation are therefore encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the
most recent edition of the Recommendations and other references listed below. A list of the
currently valid ITU-T Recommendations is regularly published. The reference to a document within
this Recommendation does not give it, as a stand-alone document, the status of a Recommendation.
[ITU-T L.26] Recommendation ITU-T L.26 (2002), Optical fibre cables for aerial application.
[ITU-T L.58] Recommendation ITU-T L.58 (2004), Optical fibre cables: Special needs for
access network.
[ITU-T L.87] Recommendation ITU-T L.87 (2010), Optical fibre cables for drop applications.
[ITU-T L.88] Recommendation ITU-T L.88 (2010), Management of poles carrying overhead
telecommunication lines.

3 Definitions

3.1 Term defined elsewhere

None.

3.2 Terms defined in this Recommendation

This Recommendation defines the following terms:
3.2.1 guy-line: A wire installed to prevent poles collapsing as a result of tension imbalances that
occur during or after cable installation. One end of the guy-line is fixed to the pole and the other end
is fixed to the ground by a guy anchor.
3.2.2 messenger: An alternative term for suspension wire.
3.2.3 suspension wire: Wire that is installed in advance between telecommunication poles from
which aerial optical cables are suspended. It supports a tension applying to non-self-supporting
aerial optical cables.

Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012) 1

4 Abbreviations and acronyms
This Recommendation uses the following abbreviations and acronyms:
ADSS All-Dielectric Self-Supporting
CAPEX Capital Expenditure

5 Conventions
None.

6 Configuration of aerial infrastructure

The aerial infrastructure consists of a suspension wire (messenger), a telecommunication pole and a
guy-line as shown in Figure 1, and supports the optical fibre cables for aerial applications described
in [ITU-T L.26], [ITU-T L.58] and [ITU-T L.87].
Suspension wire
(Messenger)

Guy-line

Telecommunication pole

L.89(12)_F01

Figure 1 – Aerial infrastructure

6.1 Aerial communication infrastructure on shared poles

The aerial optical cable infrastructure may also be co-located on poles carrying power cables. While
such installations follow the intent of this Recommendation, the effects of the loading, spacing, and
guy-line construction for the power cables must also be considered. Local regulations will also
affect the spacing and sag of communication plants.

7 General requirements for aerial infrastructure design

7.1 Clarification of optical fibre cables

The main function of the aerial infrastructure is to support optical fibre cables. The type and number
of optical fibre cables that are supported are decided based on demand forecasts and future plans for
networks, and so the design of an aerial infrastructure strongly depends on the optical fibre cables
supported. Therefore, telecommunication companies shall know what kind of optical fibre cables
will be installed; taking account of their future plans.

7.2 Classification of site conditions

Ideally, aerial infrastructure is designed in accordance with the conditions of each individual site.
However, designing on such an individual basis raises capital expenditure (CAPEX). Therefore, a
certain level of design standardization is necessary to simplify the design and construction process,
in order to reduce CAPEX. As one example of this standardization, site conditions may be
classified based on wind loading, ice loading and/or soil property. Telecommunication companies
should carefully investigate the site conditions so that the site can be correctly classified.

2 Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012)

7.3 Safety and economic considerations
Aerial infrastructure consists of large facilities that are installed high above the ground. So, it is
recommended that telecommunication companies carefully consider safety and avoid any accidental
destruction to aerial infrastructure by employing a design with sufficient strength and protection
against lightning. Note that telecommunication companies should also consider reducing CAPEX
while maintaining safety.

7.4 Management of ground height and offset distance

It is recommended that aerial infrastructure (including cables shown in [ITU-T L.26], [ITU-T L.58]
and [ITU-T L.87]) has sufficient ground height to prevent any component from being a traffic
barrier and to eliminate risks to people and other constructions. The ground height shall be
evaluated in wind-free conditions. An offset distance that is as great as possible should be
established between optical fibre cables and electrical cables to achieve safety and workability. In
general, ground height and offset distances are defined by regulations, and so telecommunication
companies shall follow these regulations when designing aerial infrastructure.

Required ground height

L.89(12)_F02

Figure 2 – Ground height

7.5 Loads applied to aerial infrastructure

Aerial infrastructure should be designed in accordance with the loads applied to them to maintain
their reliability and safety. In particular, telecommunication companies should carefully consider
wind loading, suspension wire tension and vertical load, as shown in Figure 3. These loads must
include the weight of the cable(s) which are expected to be supported by the suspension wire
(see clause 7.1).
7.5.1 Wind loading
The wind load peaks when the wind blows at right angles to an aerial infrastructure. At that time,
the wind load Tw [N] can be obtained by the following equation.
1
Tw = ρC DVw2 S (7-1)
2
where ρ, CD, Vw and S are the air density, the drag coefficient of the infrastructure determined by
wind tunnel testing, the wind velocity and the profile area of the cable and the suspension wire,
respectively. Note that ice accretion to the cable and suspension wire may increase in their profile
area.

Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012) 3

7.5.2 Suspension wire tension
The suspension wire tension is the load supported by suspension wire. The suspension wire
tension T [N] can be obtained with the following equation.
WL2
T= (7-2)
8d
where L is a span length. d is a sag and has an inverse ratio to T. In terms of the ground height, a
smaller sag is desirable, but this increases suspension wire tension as shown in Figure 4, and so an
aerial infrastructure with greater mechanical strength is required. Therefore, telecommunication
companies should design the sag and the suspension wire tension so that they are in balance. As
shown in Figure 5, W is the load imposed by the sum of the wind load and the cable weight. Note
that the resultant load W [N/m] should be defined as the value per unit length. So, it is given by:
2
T 
W = w2 +  w  (7-3)
D
where w and D are an aggregate of cable and suspension wire weights per unit length and aggregate
of cable and wire diameters, respectively. Note that the suspension wire tension reaches its
maximum value at its minimum temperature because metal contracts as the temperature falls. Ice
loading should be included in cable weight. Ice loading guidelines are generally established by
local, regional, or national authorities. Different ice density values for radial and rime ice may be
used depending upon local conditions.
7.5.3 Vertical load
This is load applied to a telecommunication pole vertically. Typical vertical loads are as follows:
− weight of telecommunication pole;
− weight of snow and ice adhering to telecommunication pole;
− vertical component of guy-line tension;
− weight of workers and tools.
It is recommended for telecommunication companies to consider maximum vertical load when
designing telecommunication poles.
Wind load Suspension wire tension

Vertical load

L.89(12)_F03

Figure 3 – Wind load, suspension wire tension and vertical load

4 Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012)

 T T

d d

L L

L.89(12)_F04

Figure 4 – Relationship between suspension wire tension and sag

Wind

Tw
D

L.89(12)_F05
W: Resultant load

Figure 5 – Resultant load applied to a suspension wire

8 Design of suspension wires

8.1 Materials
It is recommended that stranded steel wire be used as suspension wire. Anticorrosive material,
e.g., aluminium-coated steel or zinc-coated steel, should be used for the suspension wire in areas
with a corrosion risk. Typical corrosion risk areas are as follows:
− Near the coast; corrosion by salt breeze.
− Industrial and mining areas; corrosion by sulphur dioxide gas.
− Hot springs (warm water found in a volcanic location) and volcanic areas; corrosion by
hydrogen sulphide.

8.2 Selection of suspension wire type

It is recommended for telecommunication companies to select the suspension wire in accordance
with the specifications of the aerial cables that it supports. When a future expansion plan for optical
cables becomes clear, telecommunication companies may employ the suspension wire that
conforms to their plan in advance. The applicable type of suspension wire should be decided
carefully based on its tensile strength, calculated suspension wire tension and safety margin.

8.3 Sag
The sag of a suspension wire reaches its maximum value at the maximum temperature or under the
maximum weather loading. So, it is recommended for telecommunication companies to carefully
consider the temperature conditions at the installation site.

Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012) 5

9 Design of telecommunication poles

9.1 Materials
Telecommunication poles should be made of steel, reinforced concrete or wood.

9.2 Embedded depth

The embedded depth of the pole shall be decided in accordance with the subsurface condition of the
ground and the material of the pole to prevent poles from collapsing. A greater embedded depth
shall be employed for soft ground such as a paddy field area, an embanked zone and peat soil. The
use of a pole anchor is also effective for coping with such ground conditions. The method for
evaluating a telecommunication pole's foundation is described in [ITU-T L.88].

L.89(12)_F06

Figure 6 – Example of pole anchor

9.3 Pole length

The pole length is limited by the ground height defined by regulations. So, the pole length should be
designed to satisfy the required ground height whenever the sag (temperature) reaches its maximum
value. At that time, the embedded depth and the surplus length should also be considered.

9.4 Classification
Telecommunication poles are typically classified based on their purpose as follows (Figure 7):
− intermediate pole;
− corner pole;
− terminal pole.
The intermediate pole is located midway in the rectilinear cable region. The intermediate pole is
affected by wind loads acting on it, wires and cables. So, guy-lines should be installed on both sides
of the intermediate pole. The installation interval of the guy-line should be decided in accordance
with the wind load at the site. It is recommended that two side guy-lines be installed every two
poles as long as the site condition permits it when the wind load is classified at the highest level.
A corner pole is installed at a bent section of an aerial optical cable line. This corner pole is affected
by the resultant load of angular bidirectional suspension wire tensions. So, it is recommended that a
guy-line be installed on one side. Note that there is no need to use a guy-line when the suspension
wire tension is sufficiently small.
The terminal pole is located at the start and end points of cable lines, and is affected by unbalanced
suspension wire tension. So, it is recommended that a terminal guy-line be installed. Note that there
is no need to use a guy-line when the suspension wire tension is sufficiently small.

6 Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012)

10 Design of guy-lines

10.1 Configuration
A guy-line consists of an upper and a lower part. The upper part of the guy-line (i.e., upper guy-
line) is attached to telecommunication poles. The lower part of the guy-line (i.e., guy anchor) is
buried to exploit the bearing capacity of the soil.

10.2 Installation angle of upper guy-lines

The installation angle, which is formed by the pole and the upper guy-lines, may be more than
25 degrees.

10.3 Classification of upper guy-lines

Upper guy-lines are typically classified based on their purpose as follows (Figure 7):
− terminal guy-line;
− one side guy-line;
− two side guy-line.
Terminal guy-lines are attached to terminal poles, and should be installed parallel to optical cables.
If the allowable strength of the single guy-line is insufficient, two guy-lines can be used. One side
guy-lines are attached to the corner poles. One side guy-lines should be installed in the direction
bisecting the corner angle. Two side guy-lines are mainly attached to the intermediate poles. Two
side guy-lines should be installed every two poles when the wind load is classified at the highest
level.

10.4 Classification of guy anchors

Guy anchors are typically classified according to their purpose as follows (Figure 8):
− piton anchor;
− block anchor;
− spiky bolt anchor.
The piton anchor, which is a spiky steel piton driven into the ground, is used in most cases except
when the installation is on rock or when the driving action might damage existing underground
installations or facilities. When it cannot be used, the next choice is the block anchor. The guy-line
is held in place by an anchor block formed on site by pouring concrete into a hole, which is then
refilled and compacted. However, this also cannot be installed on rock. For an installation on rock, a
shallow hole is drilled and a spiky bolt is inserted and mortared in place.

Two side guy Terminal pole

Terminal guy
Intermediate pole

One side guy

Corner pole Terminal pole
L.89(12)_F07

Figure 7 – Classification of telecommunication pole and upper guy-line

Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012) 7

 Spiky bolt
anchor

Piton anchor Block anchor Mortar

L.89(12)_F08

Figure 8 – Classification of guy anchors

8 Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012)

 Appendix I

Relationship between sag and the length of suspension wire

(This appendix does not form an integral part of this Recommendation.)

I.1 Introduction
It is useful to calculate the suspension wire length to meet the requirement of the sag which is
decided according to the required ground height. Here, a basic formula for the calculation of the
required suspension wire length is introduced.

I.2 Calculation of required suspension wire length

A shape of a suspension wire supported by poles is the catenary curve. Therefore, the length of
suspension wire can be calculated based on a well-known arc length of the catenary curve. The
length of suspension wire supported by poles l [m] is express as follows.
L3W 2
l = L+ (I-1)
24T 2
where L [m], T [N] and W [N/m] are a span length, the suspension wire tension and the load
imposed by the sum of the wind load and the cable weight, respectively. The following formula is
given by substituting equation (7-2) for T in equation (I-1).
8d 2
l = L+ (I-2)
3L
Moreover, Young's module E [N/m2] is defined as follows.
T
E= A (I-3)
l − l0
l0
where l0 [m] is the length of suspension wire before supporting a load, i.e., the wire length which
should be prepared before its construction. A [m2] is the cross-section area of the wire. Finally, l0 is
calculated by substituting equation (I-2) for l in equation (I-3) and solving for l0.
 8  d  2  EA 
l0 = L 1 +     (I-4)
 3  L   EA + T 

Equation (I-4) immediately provides the required suspension wire length for arbitrary sag and span
length.
I.3 Calculation considering the change of temperature and load applied to the wire
The environment where wires and cables are installed is not stable. In particular, the temperature
and the load are momentarily changed. So, with regard to their design, it is significant to consider
any changes.
Here, the situation in which the temperature and the load are changed from θ to θ1 [oC] and from W
to W1, respectively, is considered. Note that the change of the load is mainly caused by changes in
wind pressure. The parameters used for the calculation are as follows.
L [m]: span length
l0 [m]: length of suspension wire before supporting a load at temperature of θ

Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012) 9

l0' [m]: length of suspension wire before supporting a load at temperature of θ1
l [m]: length of suspension wire supported by poles at temperature of θ and load of W
d [m]: sag at temperature of θ and load of W
T [N]: suspension wire tension at temperature of θ and load of W
l1 [m]: length of suspension wire supported by poles at temperature of θ1 and load of W1
d1 [m]: sag at temperature of θ1 and load of W1
T1 [N]: suspension wire tension at temperature of θ1 and load of W1
α[/°C]: linear expansion coefficient of the wire
E [N/m2]: Young's module of the wire
A [m2]: cross-section area of the wire
When changing the temperature from θ to θ1, the length of the suspension wire before supporting l0'
is expressed as,
l0' = l0 {1 + α (θ1 − θ )} (I-5)
So, when the wire is supported by poles, the length of the wire supported by poles l1 is given
by:
 T 
l1 = l0 {1 + α(θ1 − θ )}1 + 1  (I-6)
 EA 
Here, by substituting equation (I-2) for l in equation (I-6), l0 is expressed as follows.
 8  d1  2 
L 1 +   
 3  L  
l0 = (I-7)
{1 + α(θ1 − θ)}1 + T1 
 EA 
Regarding equation (I-4) and equation (I-7),
 8  d  2   T   8  d  2  T 
L 1 +   {1 + α(θ1 − θ)}1 + 1  = L 1 +  1  1 + 1  (I-8)
 3  L    EA   3  L   EA 

When substituting equation (7-2) into equation (I-8) and by neglecting some smaller terms, the
following relation is given.
 1  WL 
2
T  2 1
T + EAα(θ1 − θ) +  T1 = (W1 L ) EA
3 2
1  − (I-9)
 24  T  EA  24

This is the formula to calculate the suspension wire tension T1 when the temperature and the load
change from θ to θ1 and from W to W1. Of course, the sag at this condition can also be immediately
calculated by using equation (7-2).

10 Rec. ITU-T L.89 (02/2012)

 SERIES OF ITU-T RECOMMENDATIONS

Series A Organization of the work of ITU-T

Series D General tariff principles

Series E Overall network operation, telephone service, service operation and human factors

Series F Non-telephone telecommunication services

Series G Transmission systems and media, digital systems and networks

Series H Audiovisual and multimedia systems

Series I Integrated services digital network

Series J Cable networks and transmission of television, sound programme and other multimedia signals

Series K Protection against interference

Series L Construction, installation and protection of cables and other elements of outside plant
Series M Telecommunication management, including TMN and network maintenance

Series N Maintenance: international sound programme and television transmission circuits

Series O Specifications of measuring equipment

Series P Terminals and subjective and objective assessment methods

Series Q Switching and signalling

Series R Telegraph transmission

Series S Telegraph services terminal equipment

Series T Terminals for telematic services

Series U Telegraph switching

Series V Data communication over the telephone network

Series X Data networks, open system communications and security

Series Y Global information infrastructure, Internet protocol aspects and next-generation networks

Series Z Languages and general software aspects for telecommunication systems

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Geneva, 2012