Abstract: Electrical line hardware such as termination arrangements and splices for use with overhead electrical cables that enable the interrogation of the overhead electrical cables through the hardware. The hardware includes at least one port to facilitate access to the strength member of the electrical cable so that interrogation instruments may operatively couple to the strength member and to interrogation elements such as optical fibers associated with the strength member. The interrogation may occur after the overhead electrical cable has been fully tensioned and secured by the hardware, e.g., secured to a support tower.

Abstract: Systems, methods and tools for the interrogation of fiber-reinforced composite strength members to assess the structural integrity of the strength members. The systems and methods utilize the transmission of light through optical fibers that are embedded along the length of the strength members. The inability to detect light through one or more of the optical fibers may be an indication that the structural integrity of the strength member is compromised. The systems and methods may be implemented without great difficulty and may be implemented at any time in the life cycle of the strength member, from production through installation. The systems and methods have particular applicability to bare overhead electrical cables that include a fiber-reinforced strength member.