Fiber-Tel and Tier2 Technologies provided the compressor and cable payoff equipment while Sherman & Reilly provided the Cablejet™ blowing equipment and accessories. Craig Burns and Steve Purcell represented MCI construction, and Jeff Matthis, Director of MCI Operations for Texas, were present to observe the trial along with his staff. The trial commenced at 2:00 PM on December 3, 2004 and was completed around 5:30 PM. The cable performed as expected and installed without issue.

OFS, with assistance from Sherman & Reilly, conducted a similar trial on Friday November 23, 2003. It is important to note that the cable performed in a similar fashion at both trials, further demonstrating the cables consistent installation performance.

Summary Trial Installation: The Cablejet™ was set on the south end of the section where the micro duct had been installed (Fig. 1 & 3). The equipment was set up approximately 30 feet south of the hand hole location. The cable reel was set up so that the cable was paying off from the top and was approximately 15 feet from the Jet equipment. The micro duct was then placed in the blowing equipment with the proper duct seal and cable seals per the manufacturers recommendations. A single green spacer (2.3mm) was selected based on the cable OD and Sherman and Reilly and OFS recommendations. The duct was then proofed out by blowing a "BB" through the duct. The duct was then pre-lubed using the recommended quantity of micro lube and dispersed throughout the length of the duct by blowing a sponge through the length of the duct.

Cable installation then proceeded. The cable reel was hand turned to prevent the Jet drive from pulling the cable from the reel (Fig. 6). The cable was pre-cleaned as recommended by S&R with an alcohol soaked rag before entering the Jet system. The cleaning process continued throughout the installation. A full length of 5150 feet of cable was installed and no issues were noted. The average blowing speed was 195 feet per minute. A cable installation speed of 205 feet per minute was achieved through 5150 feet at a duct pressure of 165 PSI and a drive motor pressure of 45 PSI. There were no problems related to the print.

The cable was coiled and left in place so additional testing could be completed in the future (Fig. 7). The wheel system of the Cablejet™ was inspected at the conclusion of the trial. The wheel system was as clean as initial setup and no print residue was observed (Fig. 8).

The line chart below summarizing the installation performance for the cable in Fulshear, Texas as compared to the trial installation completed at Duraline on 11/23/03.