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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New ZealandPosts: 9440
| Posted: 12:11am 18 Jun 2024 |
I have an insulation-breakdown tester. I could certainly test a few pairs NOT connected to any house at the other end!
My tester can do 250v, 500v and 1000v breakdown tests. I've actually used that thing before in the past, when EVERYONE was on copper, to confirm a pair that has had an insulation breakdown fault, which usually causes noise on the line such as popping or scratching, humming or buzzing kinds of complaints.
Happily, I never have to worry about chasing those phone faults now, as most people are either on wireless or fiber, either of which, does not have to worry about any of those old copper line faults.
Assuming I can get something that does eventually work, I would prefer to keep the supply AC voltage to 50v or less, then you don't have to worry about any regulations per-se', and it is still a pretty safe LV to have floating around. Fused, naturally, but as soon as I go above 50vAC, electrical regulations and compliance come into effect. And fair enough too.
It's winter here at the moment, so I don't really get any fine days lasting long enough without rain, to do the on-site cable testing, but once we get out of the winter, I will be doing some tests on cable pairs not in use.
EDIT: I still remember in the days when copper was king, fault-finding on crook pairs, and you'd be clipping your test phone onto the line where it connects to the house(after isolating the house), to test and see if the noise was cos of wiring in the house, or a bad pair feeding the line to that house......and someone would try to ring into that house, while you had you hands on the wires. The ringing-voltage certainly let you know it was there, especially if you were kneeling on damp ground.
After that happened once or twice, I started using rubber mats(and shoes) on the ground to kneel on, to isolate me and prevent that! It also prevented my knees getting damp! Memories.....Edited 2024-06-18 10:17 by Grogster