Microtrenching
Ralston Churchill have successfully developed and installed Vertical Inlaid Fibre using the Micro-Trenching Method for both business and home.
Micro-trenching is the process of creating a shallow grove in roads and footpaths using a newly developed road saw.
A narrow saw cut of 13mm by 250mm deep is achieved in Bitumen and concrete where Cables or draw lines are zipped tied into Verticle Deflecting Condiut (VDC) then placed into the groove and compacted into place using Coldmix or Bitumen.
Why use the Micro-trenching method?
- Cost Effective
- Deploys quickly
- You can drive over the area directly
- Micro-trenching’s non-intrusive nature results in minimum lane closures
- Minimal labour
- Boring or Trenching requires pot holing of services resulting in traffic disruption and heavy reinstatement costs
Environmentally friendly
Unlike typical excavation techniques resulting in deep excavations and removal of surplus spoil and concrete, Micro-trenching requires minimal material removal and reinstatement.
Teraspan Verticle Deflecting Condiut (VDC)

TeraSpan’s Vertical Deflecting Conduit (VDC) is a rugged two-part, slim profile conduit system that “zippers” together around fiber optic cables. VDC’s rugged design and hard edges deflect shovels, picks and other tools and will withstand over 2000 pounds of compression. VDC effectively drains water post-installation eliminating frost heave damage and providing robust protection for enclosed fiber cables.
Types of TeraSpan Vertical Deflecting Conduit

VDC 1
Single channel conduit
Max capacity 72 fibers

VDC-FC5
Designed for FTTH path creation
Pull in standard drop fiber

VDC 4
Four channel conduit
Max Capacity 288 fibers

VDC7
7 channel conduit for FTTH, etc.
504 fiber capacity

VDC – MV3
Three channel conduit
Max capacity 638 fibers

Square Profile Conduit (SPC)
Single channel conduit for FTTH and long haul
Blow, push, pull or rod up to 72 F cable per SPC