The Ultimate Guide to Bekaert Guy Strand

Utility poles are buried deep underground, which makes them sturdy. However, poles at the end of long, straight sections are vulnerable to movement. Utility companies use power line guy wire to secure utility poles so that they can resist high winds, hurricanes and other severe weather.

Radio masts are some of the tallest human-made structures. Therefore, they need reliable stabilizers. To create that support, installation teams affix the guy strands to the upper part of the mast. The other end of the guy strand attaches to the ground via an anchor. We use several kinds of anchors to secure radio masts and other towers, including:

• Deadman anchors
• Screw anchors
• Expanding anchors
• Grouted anchors

Bekaert guy wire also secures other types of utility structures, including electricity masts. Even alternative electricity sources, like wind power, use guy strands for security. For example, guy wires anchor wind turbines to the ground surrounding the tower to hold them in place.

Telephone poles have a large portion of their length buried underground. Most often, guy wires are necessary on dead-end transmission or anchor poles. 

That said, most telephone pole formations require at least three guy strands to secure the object properly. On a telephone pole, each guy wire creates an angle between the vertical pole and the ground. While guyed structures need a larger area for their foundation, they are more cost-effective than most self-supporting structures. 

Steel guy wire also stabilizes other free-standing structures like radio transmission cell towers that support antennas for broadcasting and telecommunications. Though some radio transmission cell towers are self-supported, guyed towers are more common in wireless, broadband and point-to-point communications.

While stranded steel wire is most commonly used to stabilize tall structures, it has uses in other areas. Cable railing also relies on stranded steel wire. You can find this railing on parking decks, public walkways, balconies and other high structures that need a protected edge. Guy wire offers the durability needed for these railings and it's easy to install post-construction.

Other common uses for steel guy strands include:

• Standing rigging on sailboat masts
• Stabilization wire for cranes when carrying high payloads
• Flexible ladders
• Supports for tents
• Various wind turbine designs

Prevent rust with the appropriate coating that meets your specifications. Bekaert provides various zinc coating options for our steel guy line, including Class A, Class B and Class C zinc galvanized coatings that meet industry standards. For clients who need extra corrosion resistance, Bekaert created Bezinal® — a zinc-aluminum alloy coating that performs well in corrosive environments.

The zinc coating on galvanized steel resists corrosion, making it the leading choice for telecommunications applications. Benefits of this coating include:

• Cost-effective option: While zinc coatings offer extensive protection, they often come at a relatively low cost compared to other protective coatings.
• Reduced maintenance: Significant maintenance requirements can be demanding for your team. Galvanized steel requires very little care to remain strong.
• Increased life span: Guy wires play an essential role in many applications, so you want a durable product with a long life span. Galvanized steel provides this advantage.

One of the most notable benefits of our galvanized steel wire solutions is their corrosion resistance. Over time, rust weakens guy wires and encourages breakage. A weak guy wire might snap under pressure, causing many issues — and health and safety concerns — for companies and the public.

However, at Bekaert, we coat all steel wires with high-quality zinc-aluminum alloy coatings that prevent oxidation. We rigorously test these coatings to ensure supreme corrosion resistance, especially for guy wires used to support telephone poles. Bezinal® even performs better than pure zinc galvanized materials under various conditions. 

Ultimately, our zinc-aluminum alloy coatings strengthen and weatherproof our guy wires, ensuring impressive longevity in the face of inclement weather. 

Steel guy wire is incredibly strong, which is why many industries rely on it to secure their tallest structures, especially along the coast or in areas vulnerable to straight-line winds. High winds can cause your towers to move but our guy strands have the strength to hold them in place. 

Bekaert steel guy wires also resist breaking, even under excessive tension. That means steel guy wire is your company's safest choice for stabilizing tower supports across the United States.

Guy wire must meet your needs for utility pole support, which is why Bekaert manufactures steel guy wire to your exact specifications. Our production facilities have incredible flexibility. We can manufacture steel wire in any shape, with any composition and mechanical characteristics. 

For industries or regions that require custom guy wire solutions, we can create guy wire cables strong enough to keep the largest and tallest utility poles secure and upright to prevent unnecessary downtime or safety issues.

You won’t need to worry about degradation, breakage or high winds with Bekaert guy wire solutions. With corrosion-resistant, galvanized coating options and standardized strength levels, Bekaert steel guy wire cables are durable enough to stand the test of time.