atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction Where's the X-pr?

This came up in the 1A2 discussion, so ----

Okay, Ed & Bill, you've awakened me. Where's the x pairs? T-Screen? How about D-Screen? What colors were the binders? Japanese PIC, what were the colors?

Inside lead became inside plastic and had the same quality control issues, X pair carried over -- what was the other colors?

The pair in the 25 pr. terminal was a hold over from when cable terminals actually had 11, 16, and 26 pr of lugs.

"Tip top, ring right". What if it is upside down?

Why a streamer?

Okay, let's hear about it.


KLD :shrug:

Just how old do you think I am? I searched for the odd pic color code, couldn't find it. Never splice the T-carrier cables so lost there. D screen? Terminal BP's were the same either way if spliced correctly. Streamer? Not ringing a bell, unless you're talking the spare in pulp cable (red violet I think). So Mr. "old" phone guy, what's the answers? I'll wait for Ed and others to reply.

Wasn't there a red/white spare in one of the old cables?

jb,

I'll wait for Ed, also, but you aare getting real close.

KLD

I did one t-screen cable for a remote cabinet of an SL1 around 1983. Ran through repeater orbs ever so often. Haven't seen or heard of it since.

It's been a long long time since I worked with Japanese cable color code . I think it was blue,pink,green,brown,grey. Then dots and dashes to seperate binder groups as opposed to our white,red,black,yellow,violet. Have not terminated one since 1975 so I may be a little off .

what is PIC cable?

Jeff, it stands for polyethelene insulated conductors. Most outside plant cable uses this type of insulation and outer jacket, mainly because it's lighter and cheaper. It's terribly flammable though, so it can't be used indoors.

Prior to this, outside plant cables had conductor insulation made from paper, referred to as "pulp". This paper was waxed and formed tight and uniform binders within the cable to permit small diameter cables in congested vaults and manholes. The pairs weren't individual colors; they were all red-white, white-green, etc. on a per-binder basis. It's still available today, but not with the original outer sheath made of lead.

To protect the paper insulation from obvious destruction in the event water enters the cable, this type of cable is pressurized with nitrogen. Pressure sensors are placed at various points along the cable route to monitor this pressure. In the event of a pressure drop, an alarm is sounded in the central office for immediate repair.

As for all of those other questions, I don't have a clue. I am not old enough, although I already answered the spare pair question in another category yesterday

Jeff Moss

In the past outside plant pulp insulation cable was treated with such things as arsenic and other nasties to reduce rodent damage . If you ever come across a wrap a solder mdf with intact gas tubes ,wood jumper holes and ink and stencil labling take a picture for your children/grandchildren .

NOw, Ed, don't be that way!

Even you young guys like Ed have been around old PBX mainframes that had lead terminals similar to a mini-central office. Lead, due to it's type of manufacture had extra pairs just in case there was a bad pair. Depending on who made it 1 pair per binder or three for 100 in larger counts.

When looking at the end section of the cable one "T" divided the binders, send/recieve.
"D" wrapped the shield around one or the other binder.

Several types of Japanese PIC, most followed the pulp colors with the x-pr having a gold stripe. And yes some of the Japanese PIC by some makers had pink, orange, whatever --- seen that on some of their PBX mainframes.

Streamers were the maker's info, sometimes to include footage, sometimes just in the cable sometimes around the binders.

Justbill had the right answer on the upside down lead terminals --- wire them backwards when it is spliced.

There sure are a lot of you guys out there that know more about this old stuff then will admit it!

Have a good weekend,.

KLD