Potential problems would be picked up early enough by the transducers and repaired. The customer would always be impressed by the reliability of his service. The basic cause of most failures in outside plant is still water. Designers, manufacturers and users alike have been trying to keep water from causing system failures since the days of Alexander Graham Bell. Water, in all its forms, has always been a problem to the communications network.
Water vapor speeds the corrosion of terminal faceplates and the components of ready access plant.
It permeates through unsealed cable sheaths, and then reverts to a liquid. It permeates into failed splice encapsulations. Water, as a liquid, can enter the cable network through improperly sealed splice cases. Cable sheath damage can be caused by contractor activities, lightning, power contacts, telephone construction activities, and lack of preventive maintenance. Inexperience, bad information, and lack of training are putting the outside plant in jeopardy, especially when it comes to protecting cables from water.