What should be done to prevent the buildup of lethal static electricity on long lengths of fiber-optic cable?

To prevent the buildup of lethal static electricity on long lengths of fiber-optic cable, installing grounding clamps at each pole site is essential. Grounding provides a direct path for any accumulated static charge to flow away safely into the earth, thus preventing the potential for electrical surges that could otherwise damage the cable or pose hazards to personnel. This practice is especially crucial because long runs of cable can accumulate a significant amount of static electricity due to environmental conditions, movement, or interaction with other materials.

While using insulated cables and wrapping cables in insulated sheathing may help in reducing certain risks associated with electrical interference, they do not actively prevent static charge buildup in the same way grounding does. Moreover, limiting the length of cable splices is a good practice for maintaining signal integrity but does not directly address the issue of static electricity accumulation. Therefore, grounding clamps at each pole site effectively mitigate the hazards associated with static electricity in fiber-optic installations.