From: stephen@sprunk.org   
      
   On 07-Jul-14 08:05, Adam H. Kerman wrote:   
   > hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:   
   >> On Sunday, July 6, 2014 4:04:09 PM UTC-4, Robert Heller wrote:   
   >>> ... And the 50 or so miles of copper is basically crap. Most of   
   >>> it is worn out and overdue for replacement.   
   >>   
   >> When say the "copper is worn out", do you actually mean the   
   >> insulation of each wire and the sheath of the cable itself?  I   
   >> would think the copper itself doesn't wear.   
   >   
   > Huh? Copper can oxidize, like any other metal.   
      
   Yes, but like aluminum oxide, copper oxide forms a protective layer that   
   protects against further oxidation.  It's not like iron oxide.   
      
   > When I moved into my current place, it still had screw-down   
   > connectors, not idea for DSL.  66 and 110 punch-down blocks were   
   > designed to minimize oxidation at the point of connection inside   
   > the subscriber's premisis.   
      
   Really?  I thought they were designed to minimize the space and time   
   required to make connections.   
      
   Screw (and wire-wrap) connectors do require the tips of the wires to be   
   exposed whereas punch-down connectors don't, but I suspect that is more   
   an issue of not needing the installer to waste time stripping them; just   
   punch them and move on.   
      
   > In the field, wherever the insulation is cracked, water infiltration   
   > and hence oxidation is assumed.   
      
   Of course.  One of the things the insulation is protecting against is   
   air, which contains water (among other things).   
      
   S   
      
   --   
   Stephen Sprunk         "God does not play dice."  --Albert Einstein   
   CCIE #3723         "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the   
   K5SSS        dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking   
      
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