Reference · Glossary · 8 Terms
Glossary: G
Outside plant terms that start with G, in plain language, with links to the OSP map and the operations steps.
Gainer
An apparent negative loss on a one-direction OTDR reading, caused by mismatched backscatter between two fibers. Averaging both directions gives the true loss.
- SOP Step: SPL-11 Testing and Acceptance
- See Also: Bidirectional Average, OTDR, Backscatter
Gas Main
Also Called: Gas Line · Gas Service
An existing natural gas line, marked in APWA yellow. If a gas line is hit: stop, evacuate, eliminate ignition sources, and call 911 and the utility, per 49 CFR 196.107 and 196.109, the company emergency plan and CGA Best Practices.
- On the Map: Gas Main
- SOP Steps: UG-04 Potholing (Daylighting), UG-06 Pilot Bore and Tracking
- See Also: APWA Color Code, Electrical Strike
Ghost
Also Called: Echo
A false reflective event made by light bouncing between strong reflections. It shows a spike with no loss after it.
- SOP Steps: SPL-11 Testing and Acceptance, SPL-13 Emergency Restoration
- See Also: OTDR, Reflective Event, Reflectance
Grade of Construction
The NESC level of strength a line or structure must meet, set by what it carries and what it crosses. Stricter grades need more strength margin. The grades come from the NESC edition the state has adopted, or in California from the state's own overhead line rules.
- SOP Step: AE-02 Field Survey and Make-Ready Engineering
- See Also: Pole Loading, Safety Factor, Loading District
Grommet
Also Called: Gel Block · Cable Seal
A seal sized to each cable where it enters a closure, along with gel blocks in some designs. The wrong size lets water in.
- SOP Step: SPL-10 Closure Sealing, Grounding and Mounting
- See Also: Flash Test, Splice Closure
Ground-Line Moment
The bending effect of the sideways loads at the ground line, which the pole's strength and setting must resist.
- On the Map: Utility Pole
- SOP Step: AE-02 Field Survey and Make-Ready Engineering
- See Also: Pole Loading, Transverse Load, Pole Class
Guy Guard
Also Called: Guy Marker
A marker, often yellow, on the lower part of a guy where people or vehicles pass, so the guy is seen (color, length and placement per owner spec and the NESC).
- On the Map: Guy Guard
- SOP Step: AE-07 Down Guys and Guy Guards
- See Also: Down Guy
Guy Strain Insulator
Also Called: Guy Insulator
An insulator placed in a guy where the power owner or NESC requires one, to reduce the chance that a power contact above it energizes the lower guy. It does not make the guy safe to touch; test guys for voltage first, per the employer's safety program (AE-04).
- On the Map: Guy Strain Insulator
- SOP Step: AE-07 Down Guys and Guy Guards
- See Also: Down Guy, Supply Space, Voltage Testing