A guyed tower is a slim structure that depends on external support for stability. The tower receives support from cables or guyed wires. Guyed towers are the most cost-effective types of telecom towers used in building a telecommunication network.
These towers do not require a big foundation and use less steel in comparison to other telecom towers, which makes them the most economical telecom towers.
A Brief Study of Guyed Towers
A guyed tower is triangular and made of angular, solid and tubular elements. The design of a guyed tower is specifically optimized for medium to heavy loads. This makes these towers suitable for AM/FM radio stations, cellular sites, and TV stations.
The guyed tower is designed for heights in the range of 20m to 150m. It is constructed in sections/modules that can be easily transported in a standard 20’ ISO container. The sections are assembled at the site. The modular design of a guyed tower allows engineers to make last minute changes in the design as per the client’s demands. Design changes are achieved by interchanging the modules to make the design more specific to a client’s site design.
The guyed tower can be fitted with a variety of telecom equipment and accessories like antenna mounts, platforms, obstruction lights, safety devices, lightning protection kits, and several other accessories. All these accessories can be fitted on tower at any orientation and at any height as per a client’s requirement.
Maintenance of Guyed Towers
The maintenance of guyed towers is a bit different from that of other telecom towers. Since these towers depend on guyed wires for stability, telecom companies have to prepare a routine and timely maintenance schedule to check guy tension and loose members in the tower. The maintenance should also include checking for displacement of any feed lines or telecom equipment which could affect the structural stability of the tower.
Timely maintenance of a guyed tower is necessary to increase the life of the tower. This also decreases the probability of a mishap or catastrophic failure due to loose cables or the displacement of any equipment fitted on a tower. The maintenance of a guyed tower is easy as professionals are not required to climb on the tower. It can be lowered to a comfortable height by slackening the guyed wires. These towers are generally preferred by telecom companies in hurricane zones as they can be lowered if there is a hurricane warning in the area.
This feature helps telecom companies save expensive telecom equipment from damage, which would be otherwise destroyed by the hurricane. The task of lowering the guyed tower is completely automated. The tower is fitted with an electric winch kit which lowers or raises the tower when needed.
The task of erecting a guyed tower is a complicated process. Telecom companies generally outsource the task of erecting telecom towers to telecom turnkey solutions providers. Most telecom turnkey solutions providers also manufacture telecom towers like different types of self supporting towers and guyed towers. These providers have extensive experience and technical knowledge that is required to erect self supporting towers and guyed towers.
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