Connect everything, anything
Land to Sea, Sea to Sea, Branching
A land submarine joint closure (often referred to as a "beach joint" or "beachflex") is a specialized, hermetically sealed enclosure designed to protect the critical connection point where a submarine cable transitions to a terrestrial (land) cable. This transition typically occurs at a Beach Manhole (BMH), a concrete chamber buried near the shore that serves as the final interface before the signal travels to a Submarine Cable Landing Station (CLS).
Environmental Transition
Hermetic Protection
Mechanical Strength
Fiber Management
Installation & Deployment
The installation usually occurs in a Beach Manhole (BMH), a buried concrete vault :
- Preparation : The submarine cable's outer HDPE sheath and bitumen-covered armor wires are stripped back to reveal the fiber units.
- Splicing : Specialized technicians use precision fusion splicers to connect the marine fibers to the land fibers.
- Grounding : An earthing kit is often installed to discharge any electrical surges or lightning strikes that might travel along the cable's armor.
- Testing : Before burial, the closure is pressure-tested to ensure it is hermetically sealed.
The advantages
The primary advantage of a land submarine joint closure is its ability to act as a physical and technical buffer between two completely different environments. Here is why PT. Buana Inovasi Persada are essential for subsea-to-land infrastructure provider and contractor :
- Mechanical Strain Protection. Submarine cables are extremely heavy due to their protective armor. The joint closure uses specialized anchor clamps to secure this armor, ensuring that the weight of the sea cable doesn't pull on or snap the delicate glass fibers inside the Beach Manhole (BMH).
- High-Grade Corrosion Resistance Because they are installed in "splash zones" (areas with high salt and humidity), these closures are typically made of 316L Stainless Steel. This offers a lifespan of 25 to 40 years, preventing rust from compromising the fiber optic signal.
- Ease of Maintenance & Troubleshooting. The closure serves as a testing gateway. If there is a signal loss, technicians can open the closure at the beach rather than sending an expensive cable repair ship out to sea. It allows for quick localization of faults—determining if the break is inland or underwater.
- Hermetic Sealing (IP68+). These units are designed to be fully submersible. Even if the beach manhole floods during a storm or high tide, the hermetic seal prevents water ingress, which would otherwise cause signal attenuation (darkening) in the fibers.
- Flexible Grounding & Earthing. They provide a dedicated point to manage electrical surges. By grounding the cable's metallic armor at the closure, you protect the sensitive electronics in the Cable Landing Station (CLS) from lightning strikes or power surges.
