What is a handhole?
A small buried chamber on a cable route. It lets people reach the cable to pull, join, test and inspect it without digging up the pavement.
A handhole is a small buried chamber, usually concrete or precast, set on a cable route. Cable ducts enter and leave it, and inside there is room for spare cable, joints and testing from above through a removable lid.
It is a civil interface because it is excavated, bedded and backfilled with the civil works, often beside pavement and duct banks. Its location, depth, duct entries, drainage and lid level must be agreed with the civil team before the ground is closed. Positions come from the cable-route design, typically at direction changes, crossings, branches and long pulls.
Route access point for cable pulling, joints and inspection. Usually holds no equipment.
Larger chamber that houses an isolating transformer and its connectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is a handhole in airfield ground lighting?
A small buried chamber, usually concrete or precast, on a cable route. It gives access to cable for pulling, jointing, testing and inspection, and has a removable lid, duct entries and drainage.
Q2How is a handhole different from a transformer pit?
A transformer pit exists to house an isolating transformer and its connectors. A handhole is a route access point and is usually smaller. It holds cable and joints rather than equipment.
Q3Why is a handhole a civil interface?
It is excavated, bedded and backfilled with the civil works, often alongside pavement and ducts. Its location, depth, duct entries, lid level and drainage must be agreed with the civil team before the area is closed.
Q4Where are handholes placed?
Typically where cable ducts change direction, cross pavement, branch, or run long enough to need pulling points. Positions come from the cable-route design, not from the light layout.
Q5Why do handholes need drainage and a good lid?
Standing water degrades cable joints and connectors, so the base is free-draining. The lid gives access and, where trafficked, must carry the loads over it and sit level with the surface.
Q6Where are the requirements defined?
FAA AC 150/5370-10 and AC 150/5345-42 cover related items, and ICAO Aerodrome Design Manual Part 5 covers electrical systems. Confirm against the current edition and the manufacturer's data.
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