---3. Number of Test Telephone Provided temporarily
4. Staff number/Name of SI/SIO/LM/PM collecting the subscriber telephone for repairs
5. ---
--- Signature of Subscriber Signature of
Representative SI/SIO/LM/PM
---Signature of PI / JTO
6.1.1 Use of Drop wire with Accessories.
As far as possible a single length of drop wire should be run from DP to subscriber premises upto maximum length of four spans. The drop wire span should not be more than 30 meters . Elimination of joins in drop wire reduces high resistance faults. Following accessories are to be used.
Distribution clamp is made of reinforced plastic material. The drop wire is taken round the grooves of the distribution clamps. The distribution clamp is attached to the support clamp hook by means of any of the three holes provided in the distribution clamp as per requirement. At subscriber premises a driver bolt is to be fixed to the wall for holding the distribution clamp.
The support clamp is made of not dip galvanized steel. The support clamp is fixed on the CI bracket with U clamp. The support clamp holes two distribution clamps and thus two drop wires.
RTTC, NAGPUR Page 143 of 185
DPs OPENING REGISTER
Sl. Date Time Reasons for DP opening i.e. for Nature of Name of
No attending fault or new work Fault found Official opened
the DP & Signature
telephone services. Following steps may be taken for proper maintenance of Dps.
1. DP location is one of the most important parameters for controlling the faults.
The location of the DP should be such that the length of overhead alignment is kept minimum.
2. The DP post is to be properly erected Slanting post causes hanging of drop wires.
3. Height of DP may be 4.5 meters. The DP box is to be located at 1.25 meters from the top of A4BC post of DP is to be fitted at 30 cms below the ultimate lowest bracket.
4. Handling of Dps may be restricted to specified officials. for attending and sectionalizing a fault the LM should first go to subscriber premises and move towards DP and not the other way. This reduces handling of Dps to some extent.
Details of DP openings are to be recorded in a register and maintained section wise . A specimen Performa is given in Plate 3 . This is only for keeping watch over DP openings and fixing responsibility for proper maintenance of Dps and also to find out Dps, which have been opened frequently, for their improvement. This procedure also reduces the NFF ( Not Fault Found ) cases.
5. Installation of 10 pairs Dps instead of 20 pairs may be resorted to reducing the area served by DP from 200 to 150 meters. This will considerably reduce the fault rate.
6. New Dps may be opened whenever the existing cable fill exceeds 70% so that the balance 30% can cater for future demand.
7. There should not be any criss-cross connection working from one DP to another DP.
8. Street crossings of overhead lines are a weak point. Often the wires are broken by speeding lorries loaded to greater heights. As far as possible, DPs may be provided on both sides, especially for wider roads in order to minimize road crossings.
9. DP post should not be erected below power lines or in the close vicinity of electrical transformer or electrical post.
10. Adjustable clamps with jumper rings are to be fixed on the DP Post at intervals to hold and keep the drop wires in position along the post.
11. Proper locking of DP box is to be ensured always. If necessary an outer metal box, called DP locking box enclosing the DP box, may be provided for protecting DP boxes.
6.2 Preventive Maintenance Methods
Number of digging operations by various agencies may cause sheath damages to the underground cables . These sheath damages accumulate and result in cable breakdowns after the first rains. The worst aspect of undertaking repair work of these cables due to moisture entry is that the faulty portions are to be cut and replaced with bits of cables, thereby the number of joints increases. Following preventive measures may be adopted.
6.2.1 Patrolling of Cable Routes
It is the most effective preventive measure against cable faults Nearly 70% of the monsoon breakdowns can be avoided if rigid route patrolling is ensured with proper follow-up action.
Patrolling of cable route should be done exclusively on foot to keep a track of digging activities taking place. The patrol man should inform JTO on day to day basis about the status of the cable routes giving details of pits or trenches observed, location and digging agency etc. for taking necessary immediate action.
6.2.2 Flooding
Whenever a trench is dug for laying new telephone cables or some other department digs the trench for installation of their services, the trench may be filled in with adequate quantity of water for two or three days to simulate the monsoon conditions. If the water is not allowed to remain in the trench for adequate period some sheath damage, which is small in size, may escape. the cables involved should be kept under observation keeping in touch with the Test Desk. If no fault is reported by the Test Desk the trench can be closed, otherwise fault is to be localized and attended to.
6.3 Pressurization
Gas pressurization is a preventive maintenance work for dry core cables Dry air or Nitrogen is fed into dry core cables either by use of cylinders or compressor dryer units at a pressure of 0.7 KSC either by static feed system or continuous feed system. The Gas Pressure Alarm System ( GPAS), if installed, should function properly. When sheath damage occurs an alarm is given to enable necessary action to be taken before the pressure falls below 0.3 KSC.
If GAPS does not exist in the system, cable pressure readings are to be taken at PTVs (Pressure Test Valves) and recorded daily. These readings are to be checked for any leakage due to sheath damage and timely action taken to avert the cable breakdown.
All repairing works of cables must be flash pressure tested for any leak. Test the sheath enclosure at 1.4 KSC, or 20 PSIG for 20 minutes and no bubbles indicate OK. Note that pressurized cable should not be left unpressurised for a long time.
6.2.4 Pre monsoon Precaution
A check list of pre monsoon precautions as listed below may be prepared and necessary action taken to reduce the incidence of cable faults.
1. Updating cable diagrams and records.
2. Procurement of jointing materials and testing equipment.
3. Obtaining clearance from local civil authorities for the period of monsoon for digging of road, footpaths, etc. for suspected cable faults.
4. Printing of subscribers intimation cards for cable breakdowns and their distribution to each outdoor Sub division for issuing to subscribers affected by cable faults.
5. Permanent closure of katcha joints made for want of regular jointing kits at the time of fault repair.
6. Dressing up of all DPs.
7. Commissioning of new exchanges/area transfers preceding monsoon may be avoided as far as possible.
RTTC, NAGPUR Page 145 of 185
I
N ADDITIONTOTHE ABOVETHE FOLLOWINGSTEPSMAYBE TAKENFOR FURTHERIMPROVEMENT.
1. Closer liaison with public utility services may help in getting advance intimation of excavation operations, so that cable protection activities can be planned timely . The more the monitoring of the digging activities of other departments the more breakdown free Is the external plant network.
2. Dial before you dig service may be opened with easily remembered telephone number giving wider publicity among public in general and public utility services in particular. They should be requested to call that number whenever they proposed to dig up a road so that a telephone representative can be posted at the digging site to oversee the digging operations.
A
NNUAL MAINTENANCEPROGRAMMEDFORIMPROVEMENT OFEXTERNALPLANTGENERALLY CONSISTS OFFOLLOWING ACTIVITIES.
Identification of the telephone instruments which have become very old & outlived in the network and their replacement in a phased manner.
1. Replacement of worn-out drop wires.
2. Replacement of fault prone overhead lines by insulated wires, aerial cables and underground cables.
3. Rehabilitation of Dps.
4. Replacement of fault prone underground cables whose maintenance is uneconomical.
They may include cables, which have served for more than 40 years, cables where 50% or more cable pairs are abandoned or faulty or having low insulation and/;or cables having number of joints ( more than three for every 200 meters).
6.2.6 Measures for speedy Removal of Faults
The complaints of the subscribers be attended to promptly. Computerization of fault repair Service (FRS) 198 will ensure prompt action on the subscriber complaints right from the time of booking till rectification. After the faults have been removed the Test Position Operator should speak to the subscriber to ensure that the telephone has been set right to laters satisfaction. The Fault Repair Services may be reviewed by the section officer’s daily at 10.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to know the faults position and the Daily Faults Analysis Report analyzed and action taken to minimize repeat faults.
6.2.7 Maintenance of Cable Diagrams and records.
Upto date maintenance of cable records and diagrams will facilitate quick localization and removal of faults and also enables speedy execution of works. Standard documentation in book from helps in preserving the records and computerization of records and diagrams may be implemented and followed.
7.0 REGULAR INSPECTIONS
Telecom installations can be maintained in good shape for giving good service, provided they are kept all the time in good working order and this can be done by taking remedial measures wherever defects are noticed or deficiencies found. This is possible if inspections are carried
out regularly and observations are recorded correctly. It is reiterated that periodical inspections by concerned officers at various levels followed by remedial measures would automatically improve the quality of service.
8.0 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Opening a Customer Service Center in each external plant Sub division help in taking prompt action in attending to complaints or to answer the queries of the subscribers in matters relating to telephone service, Further, the Customer Service center can ascertain about the service quality and telephone problems by dialing a group of subscribers as a routine daily.
the telephones of public utility services, VIPs and heavy calling rate subscribers may be daily tested.
Always prompt and timely action may be ensured and courteous replies given to written communications from customers and members of the public Where delay is anticipated in sending a final reply, an interim reply may be sent within a fortnight, indicating the possible date by which a final reply can be given. Where the request could not be accepted to for any reasons, the reasons for not acceding to such request may be given This will go along way in improving customer satisfaction
9.0 COMPUTERIZATION OF COMMERCIAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Introduction of Dot soft integrated package made the Management easy
I. On line registration of NPCs by issuing demand notes , Recording payment details registration, issue of acknowledgment letters and allotting waiting list number on the spot.
2. Prompt issue of advice notes for subscriber requests like shifts, safe custody, provision of accessories, provision of accessories, provision of STD facility and barring of STD facility etc.
10.0 CONCLUSION.
The Department of Telecommunications is a public utility organization run on a commercial basis As the subscribers pay adequately for the services, they are entitled to prompt and courteous attention at all times. Hence, by following the better maintenance practices detailed above, the external plant can be maintained reasonably well so as to ensure better service quality and customer satisfaction.
RTTC, NAGPUR Page 147 of 185
REDUCTION OF FAULT RATE IN EXTERNAL PLANT
With The Introduction of state of the art technology into the switching and Transmission equipments the faults due to indoor equipment have been reduced drastically increasing in the satisfaction of the customer. But the rate of faults occurring in the external plant is causing worry to the Managers of the plant.
By adopting two methods of
• Implementing Pole less External plant
• Replacement of obsolete / fault prone telephone instruments
These methods have to detected during inspection and implemented by the way of rehabilitation of the external plant, which results in reduction of heavy fault rate in the outdoor network thereby increasing the satisfaction of customers and managers.
By implementing the pole less external plant the overhead section in the outdoor network including poles, AI wire and drop wires will be replaced by a 5 pair underground cable which is proposed to be laid from the nearest Distribution cable to the subscribers premises and terminated at the LJU.
An average of 50 meters of 5 pair cable perhaps have to be laid in the premises of subscriber. With in the subscriber’s premises it may not require digging of trench to a depth of 1 meter and a easy
method of laying in cost free earthen or PVC pipes can be laid under the flooring which it self is a mechanical protection. This also reduced cost and easy replacement in future.
Implementation of pole less scheme should be done in phased manner. In order to get quick results in reducing fault rate with minimum expenditure and time, the following points should be kept in mind while identifying the priority area where ::
Maximum Over head lines exist
Maximum faults are booked and noticed
Many overhead road and power crossing exist.
DPs are in bad condition due to traffic congestion.
Different gauge drop wires exist.
Many DPs for which the Phone Mechanic is Removing the pair from DP termination and twisting the UG cable pair to Drop wire directly.
Non feasible areas exist.
High telephone density exists
One subscriber is a customer of many number of telecom services.
Detailed survey and preparation of Estimate::
After identifying the area, a detailed survey should be carried out and perfect record should be prepared as shown in the figure 1. Based on the survey report the requirement of 5 pair, 10 pair and 20 pair cables should be assessed. The requirement of 5 pair cables should be prepared inb two parts, i.e. the requirement of 5 pair cable in the customer premises and remaining part of cable on the public road. The later part ma\y included in the cable estimate where as the first part should be provided as a part of replacement of overhead lines in lieu of L&W component. If the expenditure exceeds more than the norms of project estimate and separate Mission for Better communication estimate should be prepared for excess portion of the cost.
Procurement of 5 pair Cable ::
The 5 pair cable is usually purchased by Circle level according to provisions in the sanctioned estimates. In order to procure adequate quantity of 5 pair cable, the preparation of estimates in advance and procurement will also contribute in the reduction of the cost of the work as 5 pair cable can be laid in the trenches already made for normal laying. Hence the procurement of 5 pair cable is the essence of implementation of the pole less scheme.
Typical estimate of the work ::
Store required for OH line
Subscriber AB Posts Drop wire in mars
1 4 100 Store for Pole less Method
2 2 115 10 / 0.5 UGable 140 mts
3 2 130 5 / 0.5 UG cable 470 mts
4 1 110 5 / 0.5 for subs loop 160 mts
5 1 125
6 1 165
7 3 225
8 5 290
9 1 205
10 1 220
Total 21 1685
RTTC, NAGPUR Page 149 of 185
OVER HEAD LINE
Description Quantity Rate Rs Total (Rs)
AB post complete 21 1075 22,575
Support Bracket 21 270 5,670
Drop wire 1685 3 4,875
DP Box 10 pair 1 400 400
GI Pipe 2 mars 120 240
Saddle 21 100 2,100
Labours 51 112 5,712
Transportation 2,100
Total 43,672
Cost per line is Rs. 4,367 only POLELESS TECHNIQUE
Quantity Rate Rs. Total Rs.
10/0.5 CABLE 104 20 2,800
5/0.5 CABLE 630 13 8,190
Bricks 510 x 5 x1.5 3,825
Trenching +Laying
cable on Road 510 x 6+140x6+470x6 11,820
Trenching at Subs.
Premises @ Rs. 10
1,600
Internal DP 10 125 1,250
TSF 1 kit 10 360 3,600
Joint Kit 10 151 1,510
T
OTAL 34,595Cost per line is Rs. 3,460 only
Even though the calculations are approximate and vary from place to place the average in the per line savings is about Rs. 907 /- only the liability of fault and its rectification and revenue lost during the period of fault and the customer satisfaction counts very much for the development of business and reliability for us.
Because we are proposing to lay the cable in subscriber premises through PVC pies or earthen pipes it is easy for us to recover the cable and can be used else where with out much difficulty and damage.
The parameters of line condition also improve with the removal of overhead and drop wire
Particularly Drop wire which is prone for low insulation as it wears and tears in the atmosphere and requires frequent replacement. The cost of frequent replacements also is avoided with this pole less technology i.e. with the introduction of 5 pair cable direct to the customer premises.