PART C - TROUBLESHOOTING
1.
The telephone cable WD-1( )/TT that you have installed will more than likely develop trouble at
some time. There could be several things wrong. It could have been cut. It could have been pulled
along the ground and the insulation rubbed off. Maybe someone else worked on it and spliced the
wrong wires together in the dark. There are problems that can befall the line and now it is up to you to
find the trouble and repair it.
2.
There are certain procedures to follow when you are looking for trouble. We will be discussing
those procedures and what you have to do about the problem. You have probably figured out what you
have to do to repair the line, so center your thoughts on finding the problem.
3.
As each problem is discussed, think about the line that is already installed. It might be a short
line or it might have been a 1/2 mile or longer line. In any case, these problems can arise in any line.
4.
The first problem you will try to understand is the open. This simply means that either one or
both conductors have been broken or cut. It is usually found in long spans and most often in the aerial
construction. Why? Look at the strain you have on the wire from support to support. It might be
broken anywhere in the span or it might be broken where you secured it to the support. Consider also
the fact that when the line was installed there could have been a splice in the aerial span. If that splice
was not done properly, it could have broken. There are many ways a wire might have been cut. The
aerial span might not have been high enough over the road and a vehicle with a tall load went under it
and caught the wire, stretched it, and caused it to snap.
a.
Do not forget about the surface and buried construction. On the surface construction,
many things could happen to cause an open. Someone might have needed some wire to secure an area;
run lights to a tent or an extension to another telephone; or maybe a vehicle drove over the wire causing
it to break.
b.
Buried cable can also create problems which would cause an open in the line. Sharp
objects in the trench could have worked their way down and cut the wire. It is also possible that
constant vehicle traffic, either wheeled or tracked, in and out of a node can cause damage to your line.
5.
Now look at short circuits. These may be caused by the insulation being worn off and the bare
conductors touching each other. How could the insulation be worn off? Was the line thrown through
the tree and resting on tree limbs? Was it windy causing the tree to sway back and forth? The rough
bark could rub the insulation off very easily. Don't forget about the splices in the line. The tape could
have come loose and fallen off and the poorly made splice could cause the short.
2-11
SS0440
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