Messenger Wire Manufacturer and Supplier

At Bekaert, we manufacture high-quality messenger wire that provides excellent support and stability for your telecommunication lines. We use industry-leading equipment and processes to produce messenger wire that meets the unique demands of your applications and withstands adverse conditions. 

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American Made Steel Messenger Wire Products

We design our messenger strand to support and bear the weight of fiber optic cables and keep them in place. The wire does not carry a signal — it only adds strength and stability to the cable, reducing strain and preventing sagging. 

We manufacture our steel wire products and solutions in America. If required, we have the production capabilities to manufacture 100% of your order locally in your region. This capability applies to every part of fulfilling your order, from creating the wire strands to adding your choice of coatings.

At Bekaert, we have complete control over our manufacturing process. Competitive lead times allow us to fulfill your order with efficiency, and we offer fast delivery for our clients across North America.

Messenger Wire Specifications for Aerial Fiber Optic Drop Cable

Our messenger wire adheres to specifications set by ASTM International, a global authority in developing standards for various materials and ensuring consistency in performance. These standards define the ideal characteristics and testing methods for a range of materials, including steel messenger wire. 

Our specifications include ASTM 475, a standard for metallic-coated steel wire strands, and ASTM A228 (music wire) for optical cable. Customized specifications are also available on request. 

Messenger Wire Specifications for Aerial Fiber Optic Drop Cable

Our messenger wire adheres to specifications set by ASTM International, a global authority in developing standards for various materials and ensuring consistency in performance. These standards define the ideal characteristics and testing methods for a range of materials, including steel messenger wire. 

Our specifications include ASTM 475, a standard for metallic-coated steel wire strands, and ASTM A228 (music wire) for optical cable. Customized specifications are also available on request. 

Customization Options for Messenger Wire Specifications 

Our control over our production process makes us unique. Vertical integration ensures we produce quality products that meet industry standards and exceed your expectations. At Bekaert, we manufacture every aerial messenger cable based on your exact specifications, including shape, composition and mechanical characteristics.

Building to your specifications while maintaining the industry's safety standards allows us to manufacture high-quality products with every order. We also offer customization for lashed or built-in aerial optical cable and drop cable. In addition to providing the widest range of diameters in the industry, our customized messenger wire specifications for aerial fiber optic drop cable include:

  • Minimum breaking strength: We manufacture wire messengers with various standardized strengths, including extra high-strength, utility, high-strength, Siemens-Martin and common grade.
  • Wire strand count: We offer single-strand messenger wire and strands made of three, seven or 19 wires. 

Benefits of Messenger Wire for Aerial Fiber Optic Drop Cable

The telecommunications industry makes it possible to communicate over vast distances. Wired systems are responsible for much of that communication. Data travels from one point to another via wires that transmit the information.

Steel messenger cable is a support wire. In the telecommunications industry, messenger cable keeps wires that transmit data in place. Modern systems use electrical messenger wires or drop cable wires to support data transmission lines, which means their purpose is structural.

An aerial fiber optic cable with messenger wire will:

  • Add strength and rigidity to prevent sagging and support long-distance installations.
  • Reduce the strain on delicate coaxial cables.
  • Stabilize the wires, which is essential for the longevity of any system. 

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Applications of Electrical Messenger Wire

Messenger wire is exclusively used in the telecommunications industry. It can be strung on telephone poles for aerial installations of fiber optic cables. The messenger strand will prevent the cable from sagging due to its own weight, extending its life span.

Messenger strands are not intended for ground wire applications. Ground wire carries a high electrical load and requires specialized ground wire. Messenger wire is made from steel and is not designed to carry an electrical current. Electrical messenger wire is also not commonly used with short cables because the additional support is not required.

Using Messenger Wire With Aerial Messenger Cable

Messenger strand structurally supports aerial fiber optic cables in above-ground installations. To provide this rigidity, the cables must be tethered with lashing wire. The lashing process involves spiral wrapping the messenger wire and fiber optic cable using a lasher machine.

Lashing the messenger wire and fiber optic cable offers these benefits:

  • Holds the cables in place
  • Reduces stress on the cable and its fibers
  • Enhances the life span of the cables
  • Decreases hardware costs
  • Simplifies the installation process
  • Reduces maintenance requirements for cable setup

Bekaert offers stainless steel lashing wire coils in three grades, all meeting ASTM A580 specifications. We sell this product in bulk sizes of six coils per box for convenient ordering.

Effective Messenger Wire Coatings

Even the strongest steel wires are vulnerable to degradation. Corrosion is the leading cause of messenger cable deterioration and breakage. To prevent damage, Bekaert offers various coating options for your steel messenger strand. When you work with Bekaert for messenger wire, you can be confident in the durability of the finished product.

Galvanized-Zinc Coatings 

Quality coatings enable our drop cable wires to perform well in harsh conditions and provide the necessary support for telecom cables. Galvanized zinc-coated wires have excellent corrosion resistance. We offer messenger wire with three classes of galvanized zinc coatings, including:

  • Class A: Class A zinc galvanized wire has the thinnest coating weight of all three classes and is ideal in less corrosive environments. 
  • Class B: Class B wire has double the weight of a Class A coating, which makes it more resistant to corrosion.
  • Class C: Class C zinc galvanized wire has the heaviest coating of all three at triple times the weight of Class A coating. This coating is well-suited for high-corrosion areas. 

Our Bezinal® Coating 

In addition to the three classes of zinc-coated wires, we also offer Bezinal®, our unique zinc-aluminum alloy coating for enhanced corrosion resistance. Our Bezinal® coated drop cable wire provides the best protection against corrosion compared to hot-dip and electro-galvanized. Bezinal® zinc-aluminum alloy coating outperforms zinc galvanized in various corrosive testing environments.

The coating also lasts two to six times longer than other coating materials. This comprehensive protection reduces repair costs and responsibilities, allowing your company to save time and money in replacing cables.

All Bekaert coatings meet industry standards, including coatings that are not zinc galvanized. Bezinal® meets ASTM A855/856 and ASTM 640 classifications.

Reliable Strength

Standardized strength means that our messenger wires are safer and more reliable. Their steel cores add to the wires' strength, making drop cable wires with Bezinal® coatings an ideal solution for special conditions. Inclement weather conditions, like high winds and ice, can contribute to tension and ice loading. Our messenger wires provide the weather resistance needed to prevent rust, sagging or breaking caused by those harsh conditions. 

Why Choose Bekaert for Messenger Wire?

Discover the benefits of choosing Bekaert for your messenger wire needs: 

  • Quality solutions: Our fiber optic messenger wire is a high-quality, cost-effective solution for your applications and an investment in your company's longevity. With over 140 years in the industry, we offer immense value to our clients through our products, knowledge of steel wire transformation and creation of new coating technologies.
  • Superior service: Even though Bekaert is the largest independent manufacturer of steel wire products in North America, we focus on each client's individual needs. We value building strong relationships through the quality of our work and service. 
  • Customer support: We use our experience to provide expert advice and support you can trust. As one of our partners, you will enjoy the advantages of working with an industry leader that offers flexible production facilities and an expert customer support team that is ready to meet your needs.

Request a Quote for Messenger Wire and Strand Today

Choose a messenger wire manufacturer that is dedicated to your company's sustainability, success and safety. Bekaert will help your telecom operations with quality products built to your specifications. Request a quote for your messenger strand product today, or contact our team for more information.

Advantages

Advantages

  • Extensive product range
  • High corrosion resistance and standardized strength
  • Domestically produced and fast shipping
  • Packaging in both reels and coils