macy@hal.uucp (09/08/89)
In article <telecom-v09i0278m05@vector.dallas.tx.us> Jeff Wasilko <claris!apple!netcom!wasilko@ames.arc.nasa.gov> writes: >I've seen compressed gas cylynders near poles and I've always wondered what >purpose they are used for? Could anyone shed some light on this? Although its seldom required anymore with the new electronic offices, those bottles are local supplies of dialtone. Usually used in areas where dialtone form the C.O. just can't make it 'cuz the cable is too old or leaky... I've answered this question so many times, that I just couldn't resist giving the answer we always used to give back when I was an telco installer. These bottles are actually dry nitrogen used to provide a local source of dry (low humidity) gas/air to pressurize and keep water out of the cable. Most central offices have "air dryers" to provilded a source of dry, low pressure air for the cables. If a splice is open, or if a cable is very leaky, a local source of dry air is required. Dry nitrogen fits to bill for this quite nicely (until some smart-ass screws with the regulator and ruptures the cable or air dam) While we're at it, here's a variation of the same idea: After repairing a phone at a residence (or business) that had no dial tone, some subscribers would ask what the problem was. My stock reply was "Oh, your phone had been in place so long that it had run out of dial tone. I took it out to the truck and filled it back up. Should last for another four or five years now." This was back in the days before interconnect and modular phones and all phone instruments were telco owned. I got in trouble once because a subsciber called the business office and said she was going to Florida and would they send out that nice repairman to fill up all her phones with dial tone before she left, so they would work when she returned. District business office managers have no sense of humor, I found out. Another variation: In step by step (SXS) central offices, phones left "receiver off hook" (ROH) tied up central office capacity. Instead of trying to explain the techincal reasons to the subscriber, we would use one of several stock explanations: - "Your off hook phone makes us run out of dial tone faster." - "Leaving you phone off hook lets the dial tone run out (all over the floor...)" - "It overheats the wires in the central office..." - "The operators get tired of hummming (to make the dial tone sound) (I had a little old lady offer to bring over cookies and tea to the toll board (operator positions) she was so upset that she had put them to all that trouble by leaving the phone off hook) You should have heard us explain cut off problems..... I've got a bunch of other stories if anyone wants to hear 'em. Even telephone people have a sense of humor! Macy Hallock fmsystm!macy@NCoast.ORG F M Systems, Inc. hal!ncoast!fmsystm!macy 150 Highland Dr. uunet!hal.cwru.edu!ncoast!fmsystm!macy Medina, OH 44256 Voice: 216-723-3000 X251 Disclaimer: My advice is worth what you paid for it. Your milage may vary. [Moderator's Note: Yes please! More stories! We want more!! PT]