Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping fiber optic cable around an overhead line (A), has a carriage (1) which sits on the overhead line (A) and is movable along the overhead line (A). A supply of fiber optic cable (B) is located on one side of the carriage (1) and a counterbalance (3) for the cable supply is located on the other side of the carriage (1). A gear set (4) is arranged to the fiber optic cable (B) around the overhead line (1). A substantially constant tension is applied to the fiber optic cable (B) during all modes of operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for unwrapping fiber optic cable (B) from an overhead line (A). The apparatus comprises a carriage (1) which sits on the overhead line (A) and is moveable along the overhead line (A) and a guide arm (2) mounted for rotation about the carriage (1). The guide arm (2) performs the unwrapping action of the fiber optic cable (B) from the overhead line (A). There is also a drum (3) and drum drive means (5), the drum (3) gathering the fiber optic cable (B) which has been unwrapped from the overhead line (A). There are also a device (6) for varying the speed of rotation of the guide arm (2) with respect to the forward speed of the carriage (1).