What structural component is crucial for protecting junctions in urban cable installations?

In urban cable installations, manholes serve a vital role in protecting junctions. These underground chambers provide a secure environment for cable connections and splices, allowing for maintenance access while shielding the connections from environmental factors like moisture, debris, and physical damage.

Manholes are specifically designed to withstand the weight of traffic above and are equipped with access hatches that allow technicians to reach the junctions easily without disrupting the surface infrastructure. This not only helps maintain the integrity of the cables but also enhances safety by preventing accidental contact with high-voltage connections.

While ducts and vaults can also provide forms of protection and access for cables, manholes are particularly useful for junctions because they facilitate easier access for repairs and modifications, making them integral to urban cable management systems. Transformers, on the other hand, do not relate directly to protecting junctions but instead are components that modify voltage levels within the cable network.