atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction What do you call...

...those devices that attach to an aerial drop.

Usually used in light weight installations from the pole to the eves of residential houses. Clamps directly on cable and has a loop that can be fastened to the structure.

I think you're talking about P clamps. Go to https://www.gmptools.com/nf/07380.htm for a picture.

PRS-6 "C" type wire hanger I get mine from Clifford of Vermont
https://www.cliffordvt.com/

Those are the ones.

thank you.

Just make sure you get the right P clamp for the drop wire you're using.

RG6 quad shield ?

RG6 would have to be figure 8 cable that takes a different clamp

I have made my own for RG6 if you can't find them. Just take some #12 soft solid ground wire and "basket weave" a loop on the cable. Works well and cheap. As Merritt said don't use Telephone drop wire P clamps on RG6.

Hmmm.

I just took a look at my telco and coax drop onto my house and they both are using the same type of clamp... Is there something im missing?

What will happen to the coax (eventually) if the wrong clamp is being used?

Thanks bill for the tidbit. I will be using your method on thursday.

~r

The PRS-6 are wedge type clamp that will squish the coax I have used them on the carrier but they slip easy

With bills method do we still need to use figure 8 wire? The span is about 50'

~r

I've never had a problem and with spans a lot longer than that. The factory clamps are stronger, so if you can get them it would be better in the long run.

Actually, T&B/Sachs makes something similar for Coax. It doesn't use the same wedge system, but looks very similar since it includes the traditional stainless bail (loop) used with telephone drop wire clamps. Here's what they look like:

https://catv-cat.tnb.com/wcat_images/publish/dss/dss_nonmessengered_drop_clamp.gif

Most newer installations use figure-8 (messengered) coax cable. Most CATV providers around here are using these:

https://catv-cat.tnb.com/wcat_images/publish/dss/dss_universal_messenger_drop_wire_clamp.gif

Honestly, wedge clamps for a short run like that probably won't harm quad shield too much. Just don't pull it too tightly and this will reduce the clamp's pressure on the cable. The ridges or "teeth" will simply bite gently into the cable jacket. Being in Arizona, I doubt that you'll have any snow/ice load to worry about on the cable (correct)?

I have even used these wedge clamps on 14/2 and 12/2 UF cable back in the COCOT (payphone) installation days when we needed power to the remote location. I know it was wrong, but it looked a lot better than doing it the proper way.

great. thanks for the help and info.

BTW, theyre talking about the 20's next week, thats night time lows. But yeah, for the most part, long term snow and ice is a non issue. Up until now is been in the mid 70's, not a single cloud in the sky such is life... Spent nearly 2 weeks redoing my entire roof; no heat, no rain, and no worries.

thanks again.

i would go with messenger rg6 i use belden
clamps will change the dyalectric level of the coax and will cause problems

What is the size or diameter of the messenger? Most messengered RG/6 that I have seen and used does not use any type of hanger or dead end. The messenger is typically something like 18 AWG steel and easily cut and twisted.

To attach it to a building, you need to separate the messenger from the length of cable that goes down the side of the house and cut off the excess leaving a few feet. Wrap the messenger "tail" several times around the house hook then wrap it back out over the unseparated cable and messenger for a few inches (to keep the messenger from further separating) then cut the remainder off.

You NEVER want to use anything that will deform the cable or grab it! If somebody used a wedge clamp it obviously wasn't the cable company.

-Hal

Hal.
I do it the same way as you described

Correct, any clamp on coax will change the shape of the dialelectric and change the impedance level. Changing the level won't really effect a one way CATV system, but if they're using digital boxes or have a cable modem keeping the impedance at 75ohms is important.

Hal has this right. Most cable companies have a 3-4-3, or 4-5-5 pattern. Once the messenger is stripped from the coax it's wrapped three times around a P hook, then four times back around the messenger and then three times around both the coax and the messenger. Using this method also makes it easy to put a drip loop before attaching to the building.

The messenger would be attached directly to this
https://www.electrical-supply.net/product.asp_Q_parentID_E_412_A_subCatID_E_446_A_prodID_E_2181

There ya go! That's your typical "P" house hook.

Using this method also makes it easy to put a drip loop before attaching to the building.

Exactly. I didn't mention that you loop the coax around the "P" hook and fasten it to the incoming cable by wrapping it with the messenger to form a drip and safety loop. From there it goes down the side of the building.


-Hal