A telecom handhole, also known as a handhold vault or joint pit, is an underground enclosure that provides access for the installation, maintenance, and repair of telecommunications cables and equipment. They protect delicate wiring from damage while allowing technicians to work on fiber optic, telephone, and internet lines.
Construction materials:
Handholes come in various sizes, shapes, and materials to suit different needs.
- Precast concrete: A durable and versatile material that is the first choice for many telecommunication systems. It resists buoyancy and strengthens over time.
- Polymer concrete: Lightweight yet strong, this material is another popular option for handhole vaults.
- Composite: Made from materials like carbon fiber and fiberglass, composite handholes are lightweight and highly resistant to corrosion and impact.
- HDPE (High-density polyethylene): A durable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant plastic material that is easy to install.
Key installation considerations:
- Spacing: Handholes are typically installed at regular intervals along a cable run to allow for periodic access to the network. The maximum distance between handholes in the same conduit run is typically 200 feet.
- Conduit entry: Conduits must enter the body of the handhole, not the traffic ring. There must be a minimum 12-inch separation between telecom conduits and other utility conduits (electrical, gas, etc.).
- Grounding: telecom handhole that serve as an endpoint must have a ground rod to provide proper grounding.
- Detectable tape: A detectable tape should be placed above the conduit at a specific depth to alert future excavators of the buried utility.
Handholes versus vaults:
While often used interchangeably, handholes are smaller than vaults. Vaults (sometimes called larger handholes) are typically used in more demanding applications, such as traffic intersections.
Logos:
To help technicians and utility workers quickly identify the type of network contained within, handhole lids often have a logo indicating the utility.