The Cable

Sometimes, when we are asked to solve a problem, we really have to use our wits and also any other (legal) means so that the job does not drag on. Because the longer you are there, the more it will cost the company. And sometimes, we really have to fight with our inner demons too.

Anyway, it all started when our customer asked us to solve the problem of an incoming line which has crackling noises. They have called in Telekom which as expected, told them the cable was not their problem. So, I had to send my technician to take a look to determine if we could solve it or not (since I was too busy with other service calls). My tech took one look at it and advised for the customer to lay a fresh cable. But since he does not have any fresh cable (as his mode of transport was the motorbike), I have to do the follow up job.

When I was there, I took a look at it and say (in my heart), "This can be repaired!". The reason why I was reluctant to lay a fresh cable was that the current cable/s are lying outside the balcony and it would be very dangerous to step out there alone. Second, well, second, the cables below the balcony are a mess and it would be a very dirty job.

This is the cable. When I moved it for a closer
look, the orange pair came off...

So! since it was not protected from the harsh
weather, the rain came in and did a little
electrolysis which corroded the cable and made
it useless.

When I opened the protective sheaths, the copper
inside were black. This indicates that the cable has
been wet before. Where the cable rusted were the
signs of copper sulfate (green stuff)

So, I took another pair of cable and used it to join
both ends. Voila! The line is not crackling anymore
and has pure dialing tone!

This is the reason why I do not want to
mess with the existing cables. I have
done this last year and it was messy

You can even see a bird nest (on the bottom left) and
a pigeon here.