Cable & Wire | High quality and excellent service at reasonable prices.
info@zion-communication.com

News Details

HOME » News / Blog » Telecom & Internet » How to Select the Right ADSS Cable for Your Project | ADSS Fiber Cable Selection Guide

How to Select the Right ADSS Cable for Your Project | ADSS Fiber Cable Selection Guide

Author: James     Publish Time: 16-06-2025      Origin: Site


 

 A Practical Guide for Engineers and Procurement Professionals 

ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting), or ADSS - All-Dielectric Self-Supporting fiber optic cables, are employed to create light woven structure for transmission and distribution networks overhead because of many benefits such as ease of installation, lightweight structure, propriety installation without utilizing metal supporting components. Nevertheless, the choice of an appropriate ADSS cable is contingent upon meticulous analysis of several professional and environmental parameters. 

This guide explains how to choose the appropriate ADSS cable model based on span length, voltage level, climate conditions, and mechanical load requirements, with practical recommendations for commonly used models such as ADSS-12J, ADSS-24, and ADSS-48F.


 

 Key Selection Factors for ADSS Cables 

1.1. Span Length (Installation Span) 

Span length is one of the most important parameters influencing the cable's tensile strength and sag performance.

Span Length

Recommended ADSS Design

≤ 100 m

Light-duty cable design with fewer reinforcements

100–300 m

Medium-tension cables with reinforced strength members

≥ 300 m

High-tension cable designs with aramid yarn bundles or specific sheath structures

⚠ Long distance necessitates stronger tensile strength and better control of sag to avert line contact or mechanical fracture.


1.2. Voltage Level (kV Class) 

ADSS cover must be absolutely insulating of electrical tracking and discharge junctures, especially if it was installed in the vicinity of high voltage lines.

Voltage Class

Sheath Requirement

Typical Material

< 110 kV

Standard outer sheath (HDPE)

PE

≥ 110 kV

Anti-tracking outer sheath

AT (Anti-Tracking) PE

✅ For installations on 110kV, 220kV, or 500kV lines, AT-sheath is mandatory to prevent damage caused by electrical discharges.

 

1.3. Environmental and Meteorological Conditions 

The determination of the local environmental factors will affect the design and materials to be used in:

Condition

Consideration

High wind/snow

Select higher tensile strength and sag control

Coastal/salty

Use corrosion-resistant materials for accessories

Ice zone

Consider load increase due to ice accumulation

High UV exposure

UV-resistant outer jacket materials

 



 Recommended Models and Applications 

Model

Fiber Count

Recommended Span

Voltage Level Suitability

Sheath Type

Typical Applications

ADSS-12J

12 cores

≤ 100 meters

≤ 110 kV

PE or AT

Short-distance links, distribution networks, urban/rural pole routing

ADSS-24

24 cores

100–300 meters

110–220 kV

AT-sheath recommended

Medium-span routes, utility backbone, suburban installations

ADSS-48F

48 cores

Up to 500 meters

≥ 220 kV

AT-sheath mandatory

Long-distance transmission lines, smart grid infrastructure

 ADSS Cable


ADSS-12J 

  • Fiber count: 12 

  • Recommended span: ≤ 100 m 

  • Application: Sales purposes such as distribution networks have installation at urban and rural power lines under 110kV. 

  • Sheath: PE or AT (based on voltage level) 

✅ An implementation of fiber-to-the-pole for substation ring with compact size is perfect.

 

ADSS-24 

  • Fiber count: 24 

  • Recommended span: 100–300 m 

  • Application: Serve as backbone distribution route, medium span and aerial installation in rural or suburban areas. 

  • Sheath: AT-sheath recommended for 110–220kV environments 

✅ Medium-sized power-utilization networks usually are connected through this kind of line.

 

ADSS-48F 

  • Fiber count: 48 

  • Recommended span: ≤ 500 m (with proper mechanical reinforcement) 

  • Application: For high-capacity network lines and backbones of long-distance. 

  • Sheath: AT-sheath mandatory for 220kV and above 

✅ Ideal for employing high core-count whose purpose is illustrated smart grid infrastructure for wide-area or utility-scale projects.





  Additional Considerations 

Sag calculation: Last but not least, always carry out mechanical simulation to maintain sag under control in adverse circumstances. 

Installation tension: Centre payload on the maximum lifting tension; avoid exceeding the tensile strength rating. 

Fitting compatibility: Select the suitable suspension and tension components for the cable outer diameter and the span tension. 

Fiber type: G.652D commonly, but for long distances or better dispersion, envisaged G.655 or G.657 options.


 

  Conclusion

Adopting the right ADSS cable means imposing a careful balance between mechanical strength, environmental resilience, and fiber count with continuing the project stability. Checking out with manufacturers or suppliers during the cable selection process will ensure you get a cable model (either ADSS-12J, 24, or 48F) that fits perfectly and performs as desired. Least chances of risks during maintenance in the future.

 

If you would like us to carry out more thorough professional talks or if you want your span custom modeled, you may contact our team of experts in ADSS cables.


James Zion



James is a technical manager and associate at Zion Communication. 

Specializes in Optical Fiber communications,  FTTH Solutions, 

Fiber optic cables,  ADSS cable, and ODN networks.

james@zion-communication.com

+86 13777460328




ADSS Installation Guide

ADSS Fiber Optic Cable Technical Q&A Checklist

ADSS Cable vs. OPGW Cable- Key Differences and Applications Explained

How to Select the Right ADSS Cable for Your Project | ADSS Fiber Cable Selection Guide

ADSS Fiber Optic Cable Specifications Explained | Structure, Performance & Parameters

ADSS Cable Price Factors: What Affects Cost & How to Choose the Best Value Cable

ADSS Cable Installation Accessories for Aerial Fiber Deployment





  • [Video Surveillance] How to choose the right cable for CCTV & Video Surveillance systems?
    How to choose the right cable for CCTV & Video Surveillance systems Read More
  • [Optical Communication] ADSS Cable Installation Accessories for Aerial Fiber Deployment
    ADSS Installation Accessories: Comprehending the core concepts of a reliable overhead fibre network Are you installing ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting) cables? Then you know that it's not all about the cable. The installation accessories are not any less important. They support your cable by pr Read More
  • [Optical Communication] ADSS Cable Price Factors: What Affects Cost & How to Choose the Best Value Cable
    ADSS Cable Price Factors - What influences the price range of ADSS cables? Should you be a buyer or a procurement officer in the telecom or power utility sector, it is important to know what contributes to the cost of ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting) fiber optic cable. This guide breaks down th Read More
We use cookies to enable all functionalities for the best performance during your visit and to improve our services by giving us some insight into how the website is being used. Continued use of our website without changing your browser settings confirms your acceptance of these cookies. For details, please see our privacy policy.
×