UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION
DISTRIBUTION POINTS
These are terminal boxes (see Block Terminals) found at the end of the local underground cable distribution network, used to connect to the customer feed cables, be they overhead or internal.  They can be found on poles, on walls and inside/outside buildings.  They terminate the cables that are fed, underground or via aerial cabling, from either the Cabinets or Pillars.

When a Distribution Point is fitted internally, polythene external cable is joined to internal cable outside the building and the internal cable is then terminated.  This is done because polythene is a fire hazard if used internally.

Distribution Points are known as DP's.  A pole is only called a DP when it has a terminal block fitted.  If no terminal block is fitted to a pole then the poles are numbered sequentially.  So the first pole would be pole 1, the second, pole 2 and so on.

Cables that feed into buildings have the ducts sealed to stop gas or rodents entering the building.

In a large building the incoming cable may terminate on a small MDF or in later years a metal cabinet fitting with Krone strips.  The terminations used in all these cases would still be called and labelled a DP.

Click here for a document on Leading-in and Block Terminal use - 1939

Click here for a list of Block Terminals

Click here for more information on Overhead plant

Click here for Boxes, Pole, Test

Wall mounted DP (Block Terminal No. 17)
The larger cable in the middle is the incoming distribution cable
The six smaller cables are feeding the customers premises

 

 
 
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Last revised: February 03, 2025

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