sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Diagnosing Short Circuits on 66/110 Blocks

Reminds me of a time I was called to a residence to diagnose a ring-trip on all CO lines. Customer had a Partner system and complained that when somebody called they would hear a partial ring then a hang up. Figuring that the same problem like that on three lines would be unusual, I started to look around for something connected to an extension with all lines assigned. I could have done the old plug a 34 button into an extension and program all the extensions onto DSS buttons and watch to see which one went off hook when I called into the system. But I just happened to notice that there was a bar outside on the patio that had what looked like a line cord lying over the top of it. It was winter and there was snow on the ground and sure enough I found one end plugged into the jack on the outside of the house and the plug on the ground buried in the snow. They took the phone in but left the line cord. The end that was in the snow was all corroded and I wouldn't be surprised if that cord was out there for a few winters.

-Hal

Just out of curiousity, from a diag perspective, how do you know/diag that a wet is wet/short circuit.

The symptom you put was exactly that. Outbound calls were good. Inbound callers would either hear a garble and then the call would just drop.

Ordered me a set of ABN test leads that will fit my stash of Fluke meters.

Wet means that there is battery on the pair- 48v so you know that there isn't a dead short on the pair. The "short" (which is really not dead zero ohms but something higher) happens when the 90 volt ring comes along. The 48 volts won't draw enough current through the resistance to break dialtone so no problem with outgoing calls. But when the line rings the current through the resistance is enough to trip the line as if a phone went off hook.

In the case I was talking about the plug was covered with green corrosion which can cause a high resistance between the conductors. But corrosion can also can act like a semiconductor and have no resistance but then break down when hit with the ringing voltage.

-Hal

Just chiming in here to confirm this is exactly what happens. I was on a troubleshoot call a couple of weeks ago for the CLEC that I do work for. CX had issues with incoming calls 2 rings then static (nothing in her handset when lifted off hook), but no issues with outgoing calls. Checked wallplate jack and sure enough green with corrosion (small apartment, covered in nicotine stains and humid). She only wanted 1 jack working, so I disconnected the rest of them (daisy-chained on back of jack) and replaced the corroded jack. Problem went away.

I am not making this up: CO Line was not functioning either incoming or outgoing, but when the customer selected that CO line they heard "frying" and cracking.

I went to the site. Found the pair was wet. Sounded, to me, like a bad splice in the cable coming from the CO.

I called Windstream. I gave them all the customer info and the complaint from the customer and then I said the pair is wet.

The person from Windstream said: "WELL, DRY OFF THE CABLE."

DUH! Why didn't I think of that?

Rcaman

I hope your joking Rcaman but I doubt you are!!

I have one better, same problem. I removed the jack from the wall and it was all wet. Customer had a cat that liked to pee. I'll leave the rest up to your imagination.

-Hal

Oh, how I wish I was joking. When it comes to award winning stupidity, Windstream is second only to Comcast when it comes to just plain ignorance around here. Again, around here, Verizon is a cut above, but, since all the "old guys" either are retiring or have retired, what comes through the door as a service tech is scary.

Rcaman

Same here Hal, not once but twice. The second time I put in a jell-filled outdoor jack. Tom cats will do this unless you "take care of them".

Bird at the vet's office pooped onto the amphenol connector for the 1A2 system (no phone installed at that corner, but the cable was jumpered down) - lots of pretty lights with that one