Description
Full-Tension Termination for OPGW and Transmission the Preformed Way
At a transmission tension structure, an angle or dead-end conductor or earth wire is terminated under its full working tension, which on a transmission line is substantial. A preformed tension clamp terminates it the preformed way: a set of helical rods, formed to your cable’s exact size, that grip along a length and terminate in a looped bail to the tension string, developing the cable’s rated tension over the grip length, with no bolts and no point load.
On OPGW the optical ground wire that carries fibers inside a conductor, this matters doubly: the termination has to hold the full tension and protect the fibers, gripping firmly without crushing the delicate optical core. The preformed tension clamp does both, which is why it’s a standard OPGW and transmission tension fitting. This page covers preformed tension clamps: the full-tension-plus-protection job, where they fit in the dead-end family, and why the cable match is everything.
Full Tension and, on OPGW, Fiber Protection
The preformed tension clamp does the demanding version of what every preformed dead-end does:
- Full rated tension over length: The helical rods develop the cable’s rated tension along the grip length on a transmission line, that’s a large load, so the termination has to be genuinely full-strength, not approximate.
- No point load: Distributed grip means no concentrated crushing stress essential on OPGW, where a point load could damage the optical fibers inside the cable.
- Fiber protection (OPGW): The clamp grips the OPGW firmly enough to hold full tension while gently enough to keep the optical core intact the balance that makes an OPGW-specific design necessary, not just any dead-end.
- Looped bail to the string: The bail connects to the tension string / yoke and tower.
So on OPGW and transmission, the preformed tension clamp is chosen precisely because it develops full tension without the point load a bolted clamp applies protecting an expensive, fiber-bearing cable.
Which Tension Termination? Routing the Family
Tension terminations sort by cable, duty, and preformed-vs-bolted:
| Product | For | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Preformed tension clamp (this page) | OPGW / transmission conductor | Preformed, full-tension |
| Dead end grips | General / distribution conductor | Preformed |
| Distribution grips | Distribution conductor | Preformed |
| Bolt-type tension / strain clamps | Conductor, re-openable | Bolted |
For OPGW or transmission tension, this preformed tension clamp; for general/distribution preformed dead-ends, the dead end grip or distribution grip; for a re-openable bolted termination, the tension/strain clamp. Tell us the cable and duty and we’ll route you.
The Critical Spec: The Cable Match
A preformed tension clamp is formed to one cable size the rods are pre-shaped to a specific cable diameter and lay. On OPGW especially, the cable match is the spec that can’t be approximated:
- A clamp made for your exact cable grips cleanly, at full tension, without crushing.
- A clamp for a neighboring size won’t grip right and on OPGW, a mismatch risks the fibers.
Specifying a preformed tension clamp starts with the cable: for OPGW, the specific OPGW type and diameter (and the makers’ data); for conductor, the type, diameter, and stranding. Send the cable and each clamp is matched before production the spec we confirm in writing.
Why Buyers Choose DAPENG Preformed Tension Clamps
- Matched to your exact cable: Formed to your OPGW/conductor diameter and lay confirmed at RFQ.
- Full tension, fiber-safe: Develops the cable’s rated tension over length while protecting the core on OPGW batch-tested.
- Looped bail to your string: Connects to the tension string / yoke and tower.
- Corrosion-matched, tool-free: Formed wire to the cable’s metallurgy; wrapped on by hand, no point load.
- Part of the OPGW/tension set: Tension clamps with the ADSS/OPGW fittings, strain clamps, and string hardware from one source.
Use-Case Deep Dive
Why a preformed tension clamp on OPGW instead of a bolted clamp?
Because it develops full tension without a point load, which protects the optical fibers. A bolted clamp grips at a concentrated point, which on OPGW risks crushing the fiber core; the preformed tension clamp distributes its grip over a length, holding the full tension while keeping the fibers intact. On OPGW an expensive, fiber-bearing cable where a damaged termination means lost communications, not just a mechanical repair the fiber-safe preformed termination is the standard choice.
Is it as strong as the cable?
Yes a preformed tension clamp develops the cable’s full rated tension over its grip length, batch-tested and documented, so the termination holds the full line tension and isn’t a weak point. On a transmission tension structure carrying a large load, that full-strength termination is the design requirement. Send the cable and we confirm the clamp and its holding value.
How does it connect to the tower?
Through the looped bail at the end of the clamp, which connects to the tension string the insulators, yoke plate, and couplings that take the termination to the tower. The clamp terminates the cable; the string takes it to the structure. We supply the clamp matched to your string hardware, so the tension assembly is complete.
Specifications and What They Mean for You
| Specification | What we supply | What it means for the buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Preformed helical tension dead-end | Full-tension, no point load |
| Cable match | Formed to your OPGW/conductor | Grips correctly; a size off risks the cable |
| Holding value | Develops cable rated tension | Termination as strong as the cable |
| OPGW design | Fiber-protecting grip | Holds tension without harming the fibers |
| Bail | Looped, to the tension string | Connects to the yoke/tower |
| Material | Formed wire to cable metallurgy | Ages with the cable; no galvanic couple |
Straight Answers to Common Buyer Concerns
“Is this suitable for OPGW, or just conductor?” For OPGW specifically the preformed tension clamp is a standard OPGW tension termination precisely because it holds full tension without a point load, protecting the optical fibers inside the cable. It’s also used on transmission conductor. Tell us the exact OPGW type and diameter and we’ll match a fiber-safe clamp to it.
“Will it hold the full transmission tension?” Yes it develops the cable’s full rated tension over its grip length, batch-tested and documented, so it’s a full-strength termination at a transmission tension structure, not a weak point. Send the cable and the tension and we confirm the clamp and its holding value.
“Preformed tension clamp or bolted tension clamp?” Preformed where you want full tension without a point load essential on OPGW, and gentle on any conductor; bolted where a re-openable, re-tension able, inspectable termination is required. On OPGW, the preformed (fiber-safe) clamp is the standard; on conductor, either, by preference. We make both and advise.
Complete the Tension Assembly
- ADSS/OPGW fittings the full OPGW/ADSS hardware family
- Dead end grips and distribution grips general/distribution preformed dead-ends
- Bolt-type tension clamps and strain clamps the bolted tension terminations
- Yoke plates, thimble clevis the tension-string hardware
- Preformed line fittings the full preformed family
- Browse all overhead line fittings and pole line hardware
Get a Cable-Matched Quote Within 24 Hours
Send your cable (OPGW type/diameter, or conductor type/diameter/stranding), the tension, the string hardware you connect to, and quantities. Our engineers confirm the tension clamp to your cable and return a factory-direct quotation with the string/OPGW hardware alongside, typically within one working day.
After You Order
Cable-match and holding-value confirmation before production, batch test reports with shipment, clamps kitted with the tension-string/OPGW hardware, and an engineering contact who answers precisely because a preformed tension clamp terminates the cable at full tension while protecting it, and getting the cable match right is the whole specification.
