Optical ground wire

An OPGW cable contains a tubular structure with one or more optical fibers in it, surrounded by layers of steel and aluminum wire.

The conductive part of the cable serves to bond adjacent towers to earth ground, and shields the high-voltage conductors from lightning strikes.

[1] The optical fiber itself is an insulator and is immune to power transmission line and lightning induction, external electrical noise and crosstalk.

Effectively, the optical circuits are protected from accidental contact by the high voltage cables below (and by the elevation of the OPGW from ground).

A communications circuit carried by an overhead OPGW cable is unlikely to be damaged by excavation work, road repairs or installation of buried pipelines.

This real-time data can be crucial for early detection of faults or potential issues, allowing for quicker response times and preventive maintenance.

[citation needed] OPGW facilitates the implementation of smart grid technologies by providing a communication backbone.

It allows for the exchange of data between various components of the power grid, enabling better monitoring and control for improved efficiency and reliability.

Live-line working techniques are used to re-strand the towers with OPGW replacing the all-metal type of overhead shield wires.