Controlled procedures for the installation, routing, jointing, termination and documentation of AGL series-circuit primary cables — route preparation, underground installation, trenches, ducts, bedding, backfilling, identification and numbering, entries into CCR rooms/transformer pits/base cans, terminations, joints, sealing, route inspection and as-built records.
Important — Final cable types, installation depths, bend radii, pulling tensions, separation distances, jointing systems, termination methods and testing requirements shall be based on the approved project drawings, cable manufacturer's instructions, applicable standards and airport specifications.
Hold Point — Cable installation shall not begin until the route has been inspected and released.
To ensure that the approved primary AGL cable route is properly prepared before cable installation.
Verify:
Critical Rule — Never pull an AGL primary cable beyond the manufacturer's specified pulling tension or bend radius.
To establish a controlled method for installing AGL primary cables without damaging the cable or compromising future system reliability.
To ensure underground AGL primary cables are installed with adequate mechanical and environmental protection.
Check for:
Hold Point — The trench should be inspected before cable installation and before backfilling.
To prepare cable trenches suitable for safe AGL cable installation.
To ensure cable ducts provide continuous mechanical protection and maintainable cable routing.
The duct shall be free from:
To protect AGL primary cables from mechanical, environmental and installation-related damage.
Depending on the approved design:
Important — Bedding material shall comply with the approved project specification. Improvised materials shall not be used.
To provide suitable support and protection beneath and around underground cables.
Prohibited Practice — Do not dump heavy material directly onto exposed cable.
To protect installed cables while restoring the cable route.
To ensure every primary cable can be positively identified throughout its service life.
Cable identification should include, as applicable:
To establish a consistent numbering system for primary AGL cables.
Develop a project-specific numbering convention.
Example Structure
AGL-CIR-01-CBL-001
Where:
The actual project numbering system shall be defined in the approved document-control procedure.
The same cable number shall appear consistently on:
To identify underground AGL cable routes for future maintenance and excavation control.
Cable route marking should allow future maintenance personnel to understand the approximate route without relying solely on memory or old drawings.
Critical Requirement — Cable penetrations shall not compromise the building's approved waterproofing, fire-separation or environmental protection arrangements.
To establish a safe and controlled method for bringing primary AGL cables into the CCR/electrical room.
To ensure primary AGL cable entries into transformer pits are mechanically protected and environmentally sealed.
Critical Requirement — The cable entry shall not create mechanical stress at the connector or transformer connection.
To establish the correct method for bringing primary cable into an AGL base can.
Critical Rule — Termination dimensions shall be taken from the approved termination manufacturer's instructions, not from an assumed generic dimension.
To ensure reliable electrical and mechanical termination of AGL primary cables.
To establish controlled procedures for joining AGL primary cables.
Before jointing:
To ensure permanent primary AGL cable joints are installed to the approved technical requirements.
Every permanent joint should be traceable through:
To protect installed cable joints from mechanical damage, moisture and environmental deterioration.
Depending on approved design:
Check:
Critical Rule — A cable sealing system shall be treated as part of the electrical reliability system, not merely as a civil finishing activity.
To prevent moisture and contaminants from entering cable terminations, joints, ducts and equipment interfaces.
To verify that the installed primary cable route complies with the approved design.
Route
Installation
Identification
Interfaces
To ensure complete technical records are created for every installed primary AGL cable.
The cable installation record should contain, as applicable:
Where applicable, maintain:
Final records shall be reflected in:
The master workflow, quality hold points, critical checks and common failure modes that apply across all 21 Division 05 procedures.
The following sequence should be applied end-to-end for every primary AGL cable installation:
The installation team should specifically monitor:
The following conditions should receive particular attention during QA/QC:
“A primary AGL cable is not simply a wire placed underground. Its reliability depends on the complete installation chain: correct route, correct cable, controlled pulling, correct bend radius, proper jointing, effective sealing, mechanical protection, accurate identification, electrical testing and accurate as-built documentation.”
Each project should adapt these SOPs to its own approved cable route drawings, cable schedule, cable manufacturer's instructions, jointing/termination kit manufacturer's instructions, applicable national and international cable installation standards, and airport/authority specifications.
Approved project drawings and manufacturer's instructions shall take precedence wherever they impose more restrictive requirements.
Technical references behind the procedures in this division:
References are given at document or chapter level for technical orientation. Confirm the current edition, amendments and national adoption (for example DGCA CAR Section 4, FAA Advisory Circulars or EASA material) for each project. Approved project specifications, manufacturer instructions and the airport's own procedures take precedence, as stated in the precedence note above.
Quick answers about Primary AGL Cable Installation SOPs in the AGL SOP Library.
Division 05 is a set of 21 procedures (SOP-100 to SOP-120, Rev 0) for installing, routing, jointing, terminating and documenting AGL series-circuit primary cables. It covers route preparation, underground installation, trenches, ducts, bedding, backfilling, identification and numbering, entries into CCR rooms, transformer pits and base cans, terminations, joints, sealing, route inspection and as-built records.
Cable types, installation depths, bend radii, pulling tensions, separation distances, jointing systems, termination methods and testing requirements must be based on approved project drawings, the cable manufacturer's instructions, applicable standards and airport specifications.
Never pull a primary cable beyond the manufacturer's specified pulling tension or bend radius (SOP-101). Use suitable rollers and guides, avoid dragging over sharp surfaces or twisting the cable, verify drum identification and length, protect cable ends and identify both ends.
From the approved termination manufacturer's instructions, not from an assumed generic dimension (SOP-114). Verify the cable ID and termination kit, inspect the insulation, maintain the required stripping dimensions, apply the specified sealing, perform the required electrical tests and record the termination.
Confirm cable identification, circuit isolation, the required permit, cable and joint-kit compatibility, environmental conditions, a clean work area and qualified jointing personnel (SOP-115). The procedure then requires isolating, applying LOTO and verifying absence of voltage before preparing the cable ends.
HP-01 Route Release, HP-02 Trench/Duct Inspection, HP-03 Cable Inspection, HP-04 Cable Installation, HP-05 Jointing, HP-06 Termination, HP-07 Cable Protection, HP-08 Backfill, HP-09 Electrical Testing and HP-10 As-Built. Electrical testing must be complete before energization.
SOP-119 checks the correct route, cable, circuit and location, absence of visible damage, bend radius, protection, duct or trench arrangement, bedding and backfill. It also checks identification and the CCR room, pit, base-can, joint and crossing interfaces. Inspection happens during installation, before closure and as a final route verification, with deviations recorded and as-built information updated.
Knowing the cable-laying procedure is essential. Understanding why primary circuit routing, depth and continuity matter to a reliable series circuit takes deeper technical knowledge.
Learn through structured training covering:
Develop the technical foundation to work with AGL systems systematically, safely and confidently.
Please read before relying on any content on this page or on any SOP downloaded from it.