On 9/21/2010 10:52, Holmes,David A wrote:
Modern telephone pole aerial fiber uses all dialectric self-supporting (ADSS) technology, where the self-supporting component consists primarily of aramid yarn, the same material used for bullet-proof vests. This makes for an extremely light weight, almost indestructible fiber bundle. My guess is that ADSS fiber would deflect any bullets, or it would take a very good marksman using a very high caliber weapon to actually sever an aerial fiber.
Now in the case described below where optical ground wire (OPGW) fiber is used as a component in the ground wire running at the top of high voltage transmission towers, it may be possible to hit the insulators at the top of the towers, but the ground wire itself is usually armored, with ADSS inside. Seems far-fetched to me.
Back in my ISP days it was more common for people to take pot shots at remote equipment cabinets than the cable/fiber itself. Any field enclosure is as easy a target as your average bullet-ridden road sign. Although this was extremely rare; I can only recall one instance where it was the direct cause of an outage. ~Seth