Cable Anchor Force

Cable anchor force is the mechanical load exerted on an anchoring point due to the tension in a cable.  This force is important because it ensures that the cable remains in place and structurally secure, especially in overhead installations, such as aerial fiber-optic cables, coaxial cables, or telephone lines.  Key factors affecting cable anchor force include:

Cable Tension  -  The tension within the cable, caused by factors like cable weight, external environmental forces (wind, ice, etc.), and temperature fluctuations, directly contributes to the anchor force.
Span Length  -  The distance between two support structures (poles or towers) determines how much force is exerted on the anchoring points.
Cable Weight  -  Heavier cables, such as those with additional reinforcement, will exert more force on the anchor points.
Environmental Conditions  -  Wind load, ice accumulation, and temperature changes can increase the tension in the cable, thus increasing the anchor force.
Anchoring Equipment  -  The quality and specifications of the anchors (dead-end anchors, guy grips) must be designed to handle the calculated force without failure.

 

Cable Anchor Force formula
\( CAF \;=\; CW \; ( L^2 \;/\; 8 \; h ) \)     (Cable Anchor Force)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( CAF \) = Cable Anchor Force	\(lbf\)	\(N\)
\( CW \) = Weight of Cable	\(lb\)	\(kg\)
\( L \) = Length of Span	\(ft\)	\(m\)
\( h \) = Height of Cable Sag	\(ft\)	\(m\)