sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction Where's the X-pr?

Some of the old telco poles in my area have a canister hanging on them with what looks like a tire valve stem on it. Is this the same thing you are describing Bill?

I remember seeing overhead cables pouring out water. I also remember watching a splicer working on pulp cable with lead sheath. I'm glad we've come a long way since then.

Yes Twisted Pair, when you see what appears to be a tire valve stem, that's a point where technicians could test pressure or connect a pressure source, like an air tank. Even the round repeater cases (stainless steel or light green round cans) can be equipped to be pressurized to keep moisture out of the electronics.

Yeah, Bill, I thought about that after I finished my post. I see a few pole-mouted filter/driers around here every once in a while. The nitrogen tanks are just temporary pressure sources until the permanent repair can be made. My bad :bow:

So, what is the actual percentage? I have no clue!

junkman: Yes wet cables were common. Now days to work lead they were mask, gloves and paper suites to protect them selves, we were't that smart.

Ed. Believe it or not there is about 70 percent air flow through an air core cable.

twisted pair, Ed's got that one, can't fool him much.

Does this mean Bill you have some "lead in your pencil" thanks to those days?

Since you didn't care if the splices were in pairs, only groups, did you tone right away, or did this get done as the pairs were required in the future? How did you determine polarity, or did it matter?

Was still tip to tip ring to ring. After all straight splices were done you'd tone from the CO to the terminal or bridge point or if you went pulp to pic. Polarity was actually more important than than now, as far as CO pairs go. Now for your first question..well maybe not.

I thought they were all one color, so there was a definite color for tip and ring, just the same colors repeated?

Correct. The core group was also a different color from the rest, or had a different binder string.

In 1977 the military had a great idea of swapping jobs. We had splicers, outside plant, and inside plant. My first assignment as an outside plant guy was to accompany a cable splicer up a pole and sit in a span car. I would assist while while the splice was replaced/repaired to " walk a mile in his mocassins". We finished the cutting in the splice and the splicer inadvertantly knocked over the torch on the paper mass. Paper caught fire and in the panic he threw a bucket of water on it effectively ruining everything we had fixed plus more. Cable car was swinging, we were beating the splice to death and I was crapping my pants as I didn't believe the car would stay up on the span. Last time on a aerial splice crew.

Glad to hear that you didn't lose your seat because there's something about a 30 foot fall that spoils the splicing fun. I always wondered about those carnival seats, but never worked with one. It's always been in a bucket for me, but I am a yung-un.

It's hard to believe that cable splicing used to involve lead sleeves and torches! Especially in confined spaces like vaults and manholes. I guess that splicers cared about their jobs back in those days and followed protocol as opposed to today's contract splicers drinking a beer between each binder they splice. That appears to be the norm around here. Hey, a twelve pack nets a 300 pair "splice".