UNDERGROUND CABLE - DISTRIBUTION

The Distribution cabling or "D" side cables as they are known as, radiate from the street Cabinet.  They connect to either the Distribution Points (DP) directly, subscribers premises or go a Pillar.

These are smaller cables than the Main cables as they feed less and less customers as they radiate out.

A Pillar is used to feed a small area and the distribution cables to the customers radiate out from the Pillar to the DP's or directly into the premises.

Cabinets and Pillars offer a cross connection point se that any incoming pair of wires can be connected to any outgoing pair of wires - the ultimate in flexibility.

In the early days of the Telephone, there was no such thing as multi-core cable and customers were fed with open wires directly from the exchange to the premises.  Click here for more details.

Cabling at this point is easier as the cables are smaller and much lighter.  Cables would be hand pulled and transportation was much easier.  Two men could easy lay a local distribution cable and this was known as a two man party cabling team, who used a Rodding and Light Cabling vehicle.

The distribution cables may also be dug into fields where no ducts exist.  This may be achieved by the use of trenching (small lengths) or by the use of moleploughs.

Cables on housing estates were generally armoured, if dug in the ground directly, to resist damage.

Continuous rods could also be used with the Machines, Rod, Continuous - Click here for Lines, Underground F3041

A Duct Motor could also be used to rod ducts and this was driven by air from a compressor.  The Motor itself is a piston with two rubber bulbs, one at each end.  The air expands the back bulb and the piston expands pushing the front bulb forward.  The front bulb expands, the back bulb deflates and the piston then contracts pulling the back bulb forward.  It does continuously, moving up the duct until it reaches the other end.

Click here for a document on Duct Rodding Equipment - Tools and Transport, Hand Tools R1250
Click here for a document on Duct Rodding Equipment - a2d3055

Rodding in ducts - Lines, Underground F3040

Duct Motor - Operation and Maintenance - Lines, Underground F3042

Use of Rodding and Light Cabling Vehicle - Lines, Underground F3045

Rodding and Light Cabling vehicle - Tools and Transport, Vehicles B3855

Trailers, Cable Drum No. 2 (1943)
Distribution Cable drums were lighter and smaller and could easily be handles by two men

Trailers, Cable Drum No. 2

Last revised: April 18, 2023