CEVs are concrete enclosures buried below the ground. A larger version is 24 feet in length with the same height and width dimensions. A 16 foot CEV can be used to serve up to 3,456 lines. The maximum capacity of the 24 foot CEV is 5,760 lines. CEVs are preassembled and shipped to the construction site.
Telecommunication equipment is installed at the factory prior to shipment.
The top and bottom sections are build separately and they are joined at the site. A crane with a 100 ton lifting capacity is required to lower the preassembled sections into the excavation. Opening the access hatch activates an intrusion alarm which results in the monitoring center being notified via telemetering equipment that the hatch has been opened. A view of the status lights indicating when it is safe to descend and the ladder leading down to the interior of the CEV are shown in the picture. Employees must check these idicators before entering.