Guyed towers are one of the important types of towers used in a telecommunication network. Guyed towers are also the most economical option amongst all the telecom towers. The installation costs of a guyed tower are low when you compare it with a self supporting tower.
The guyed tower does not require a large foundation, but it gets its stability from the tensioned wires attached to its circumference. The length of these guyed wires is 70% to 80% that of the height of the tower. One end of the tensioned wire is attached to the tower, while the other end is attached to the ground.
A brief look at guyed towers:
The guyed tower is a single, long pole tower that is fixed in the ground and tied with strong cables. The cables give the tower the much needed stability. The length and thickness of the attached cables depends on different factors that are unique to that geographical location. One of the aspects that is given importance while designing and installing a guyed tower at a site is wind load. The foundation of the guyed tower is very small and depends heavily on the guy wires to withstand natural forces.
The guyed towers have a triangular shape with angular, tubular, and solid elements. These types of towers are specifically designed to handle light to medium loads which make them ideal for TV and AM/FM radio stations and cellular sites.
The guyed towers are specifically designed for heights ranging from 20m to 150m. Manufacturers of telecom towers provide guyed towers in sections that can be easily transported in a standard 20’ ISO container. The modular design of the guyed tower allows engineers to make last minute modifications to the design to suit the site requirements. The design of the guyed tower mainly depends on the site where it is installed.
Recommended use of Guyed Towers:
The guyed towers can be fitted with different telecommunications accessories that include antenna mounts, platforms, lightning protection kits, safety devices, obstruction lights, and many more. The accessories can be fitted on a guyed tower at any orientation or at any height as per client requirements. A guyed tower is ideal for-
- GSM/CDMA Equipment
- FM Radio
- TV
- Video Surveillance Equipment
- Meteorological Equipment
- Wind Turbines
Maintenance of Guyed Towers:
Maintenance of guyed towers is extremely important to maintain the structural integrity of the structure. The corrosive atmosphere and environmental factors deteriorate the condition of the guyed tower. The tensioning of the guyed wires needs to be adequate at all times to hold the tower in its place.
All these factors point out the need for regular inspection to ascertain the condition of the guyed tower. Regular inspection becomes necessary to look for the items that need to be repaired or replaced. Telecom companies need to draw a regular inspection plan for their guyed towers and other telecom towers to prevent any mishap or catastrophic failure.
The guyed towers in urban areas need more attention and proper maintenance as they are normally installed in the midst of human settlement zones.
For more info:
Self support towers
Self supporting towers
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