argh.. just lost my long post whilst trying to insert an ascii char and ended up using the back key instead
Starts again, but doubts it will be as long.
>>>> Helps keep out moisture from getting into the cable and will act as advance warning of impending failure if the normal leak rate suddenly increases substantially.
Thats my understanding too.
>>> so they are pressurized in the exchange?
I believe so, its a while since I was in the exchange and my memory is hazy on this as I was more interested in the stuff like MSANs... but the cables were pressurised in a dark and dingy dungeon underneath the exchange by a large compressor. TBH its not somewhere to loiter and I seem to recall the engineer saying something about Health and Safety due to the air/gas condition so we only got the briefest of peaks.
>>> what about the e-side along to the cab?
They are pressurised by the equipment in the exchange.. and although the compressor was located in the basement, the monitor dials were in a more easily accessible location, so that any problems could easily be spotted.. ie loss of pressure indicating damage to the cable.
cab <-> e-side cable < -> dungeon where the e-sides are pressurised < -> MDF
↓ ↓ ↓ < - > Pressure gauges for monitoring purposes.