From: ahk@chinet.com   
      
   Stephen Sprunk  wrote:   
   >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.   
      
   On the subscriber's premises, Cat 5 is 22 AWG; any areas of oxidation   
   would be snipped off and not used. With minimal googing effort, I can't   
   find the wire gauge for use in the local loop on the pole line. I can't   
   confirm the O.P.'s comment that it's copper clad, either.   
      
   >>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.   
      
   You don't strip the insulation as with a screw terminal.   
      
   >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.   
      
   More insulation remains in place, so that's helpful. It doesn't prevent   
   all exposure, no.   
      
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