How does copper turned black affect internet quality? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: forumate
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2022, 08:01:11 pm
content: I need to move my router to a different location in the house. But the new location actually has an older cable and I can't put the other there:https://imgur.com/a/jr0e4AGyou think that can affect internet quality? What is it? oxidation?Ty

author: AmnevaR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2022, 08:18:43 pm
content: That cable looks sketchy.Shouldn't you have at least two pairs (ideally four) oftwistedwire inside the cable?

author: forumate
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2022, 08:49:05 pm
content: I forgot to mention - that cable is probably around 30 years oldThat's a very old house where these cables used only for land phone and no need for the extra features in the second pair so I think that was standard 30 years ago where I live

author: AndyBeez
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2022, 09:02:47 pm
content: 30 years is only 1990. I have 1960 copper wire still as bright as the day it was sleeved. Maybe your line was the cheapest wire they had at Radio Shack?Internet qualityis about having a good signal-to-noise ratio between the exchange and the DSL router - which is what I assume you have? With that oxide the SNR will degrade a little bit. Just condemn the cable and put in a clean line. Or pony the mains with power-line extenders.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2022, 10:36:49 pm
content: Can you use the existing tarnished cable to pull a new cable through the conduit or other path?

author: BTO
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 04:00:47 pm
content: yes you canExcept1. Use duct tape and tape it on securely2. Ensure that the wire is not broken mid way3. Ensure that it's free to move and not obstructed in any waybut those 3 things aside........ yeah you can totally pull through a new length while using the old one, that's what guys like me do and hope forin most cases

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2023, 09:37:26 am
content: Yes, that looks like oxidized metal. Most often when I see wire that black it is oxidized silver which some copper wire is coated with.The insulation usually does a very good job of protecting the wire. Gases (air) has a hard time penetrating more than a small distance from the end of the insulation. I would cut off the stripped ends and about an additional inch of the insulated wire and strip it again. I bet you will see either bright silver or bright copper. If that is so, then the wire is as good as the day it was made.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2023, 03:44:33 am
content: Quote from: BTO on May 15, 2023, 04:00:47 pmI know this is a month old thread, so OP may not be looking anymore -- but in case this is still useful.This is an extension of point #3 above: The cable/wiring may be stapled to the lumber behind the drywall -- either by design or dictated by building codes. You may want to "peek" up the wall with an endoscope (aka snake camera) to see if you found such staples.The two photos are on the basement horizontal lumber (easier to photo). First photo is AC power cable, the second one is POT lines (4-wires cat3) from a room 2nd floors up from the basement. During repairs, I saw similar staples for wiring on the vertical 8x4 lumber as well.

author: TomS_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2023, 08:10:46 am
content: Quote from: forumate on May 22, 2022, 08:01:11 pmTry it?Oxidation is only on the surface of the metal, it doesnt rot through like an old apple.If youre crimping onto the ends of it with new connectors or punching down onto an IDC block, the metal contacts will break through any oxidation and make contact with fresh metal underneath. If youre screwing the conductors down onto a terminal block then the oxidation will also probably be broken through and some contact with fresh metal will also be made. Or you can try and clean the oxidation off and apply some dielectric grease to help keep it looking shiny for a longer time.It may be perfectly fine and you dont need to go to the expense and trouble of pulling new cable in. No point worrying about whether its going to be good or bad until you try it and find out IMO.