How are cable lashers and messenger strand used to install aerial telecom cable?
A cable lasher secures aerial telecom cable to a supporting messenger strand with spirally wrapped lashing wire.
The lasher rides along the strand and cable while one or two wire magazines feed stainless-steel lashing wire around the bundle. Crews use it when placing new aerial fiber, coax, or communications cable and when overlashing an additional cable onto compatible existing aerial plant.
The key concepts
A mechanical machine pulled along the aerial span to wrap lashing wire around cable and strand.
Fast, consistent attachment of aerial telecom cable
The model must match the strand, cable-bundle size, wire, and construction method
The tensioned support member that carries the environmental and mechanical load of lashed cable.
Supporting non-self-supporting aerial cable between poles
Sag, tension, pole loading, bonding, clearances, and make-ready must be engineered
Corrosion-resistant wire wrapped helically around the cable bundle and supporting strand.
Holding the cable continuously against the strand
Wire size, tension, termination, and single- versus double-lashing follow the plant specification
Adding cable to an existing compatible lashed bundle instead of installing a separate support strand.
Expanding aerial capacity where loading and owner rules allow it
Existing plant condition, bundle limits, pole loading, permits, and attachment-owner approval must be checked
Practical guidance
Use the lasher manufacturer’s operating manual and the cable owner’s aerial-construction standard. Before work, verify strand and bundle compatibility, pole loading and make-ready, required clearances, bonding, traffic control, fall protection, cable bend and tension limits, and the correct lashing-wire termination.
Trusted telecom references
Use these original standards and public resources to verify details. References are related by topic, not claim-level citations.
- GMP C2 cable lasherGMP · GMP specifies that the C2 lashes small-diameter aerial telecom cables to supporting strand with stainless-steel lashing wire and supports new construction or overlashing.
- GMP C2 operation and maintenance manualGMP · GMP documents the C2 as a machine for lashing small-diameter aerial cable to supporting strand with stainless-steel lashing wire.
- CommScope broadband applications and construction manualCommScope · CommScope documents aerial cable placement, cable blocks, expansion loops, positioning the cable in the lasher, and pulling the lasher along the supporting strand.
General telecom guidance · Reviewed August 28, 2026 · Verify current commercial, regulatory, and safety-sensitive details with the applicable primary authority.