iCalculator™ Math

Cable Sag Error (Catenary Curve Effect) Calculator

Catenary Curve Effect Calculator
Cable tension	lbf
Straight line distance	feet
Force perpendicular to cable length	feet/s²
Cable mass per unit length	lb/ft

Cable Sag Error (Catenary Curve Effect) Calculator Results
Cable sag = ft
Cable length = ft

Cable sag error is a common phenomenon that occurs in electrical or telecommunication cables due to the weight of the cable and the tension force applied to it. It can cause signal distortion or even complete signal loss if not properly accounted for. Our cable sag error calculator can help you calculate the amount of sag in your cable and the resulting error in signal transmission.

How to Use the Cable Sag Error Calculator

To use the cable sag error calculator, follow these simple steps:

Enter the length of the cable (L) in meters.
Enter the weight per unit length of the cable (w) in kilograms per meter.
Enter the tension force applied to the cable (T) in Newtons.
Enter the distance between the two supports (D) in meters.
Click "Calculate" to get the cable sag error (S) in meters and the resulting error in signal transmission.

Cable Sag Error Formula

The formula used by our cable sag error calculator is:

S = (w*L^2)/(8*T) * (1+(D^2)/(3*L^2))

where:

S is the cable sag error in meters.
w is the weight per unit length of the cable in kilograms per meter.
L is the length of the cable in meters.
T is the tension force applied to the cable in Newtons.
D is the distance between the two supports in meters.

Example

Let's say we have a 100-meter long cable with a weight per unit length of 0.1 kg/m, and a tension force of 500 N applied to it. The distance between the two supports is 80 meters. To calculate the cable sag error, we can use the cable sag error formula:

S = (w*L^2)/(8*T) * (1+(D^2)/(3*L^2))

Plugging in the values, we get:

S = (0.1*100^2)/(8*500) * (1+(80^2)/(3*100^2))

Simplifying the expression, we get:

S = 0.4 meters

So the cable sag error in this case is 0.4 meters, which can cause signal distortion or loss if not accounted for.

Conclusion

By using our cable sag error calculator and following the above steps and formula, you can easily calculate the amount of sag in your cable and the resulting error in signal transmission. It is important to take into account cable sag error in electrical or telecommunication cable installations to ensure optimal signal quality and reliability.

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