Would somebody here possibly know how to get residue off copper washers
other than filing or sandpaper and pass on the knowledge to me please.
(I'm rewiring a single phone line into the house from the Network
Interface box outside the house. The original line goes back probably
to at least 1920, the wires' jacket are similar to old TV aerial antenna
wire. Also the old line consists of two porcelin fixtures one is fused,
the other looks like it was at one time an amplifier, but currently it
is just wired to bypass the fixtures (but still on the porcelin
terminals), a type of button tack(s) secures the three wires thru the
run, 3 solid insulated wires, one HOT (red) at 48 volts, one GROUND, the
other I suspect leads to GREEN (no voltage) and I suspect also ground,
also all three wires are not color coded.)
I found the short, within the customer side of the Network Interface. I
think probably the result of a lightning ZAP! The item in question is a
terminal screw (ZINC I think) and three copper washer to a broken
terminal lug. I added a crimped on terminal lug to the internal GREEN
wire (I suspect it is the GROUND) and I have 48 volts DC (I'm assuming
DC) across the RED and GREEN terminals, so I think I'm good to go with
running the new line. Oh, yeh, I will disconnect the telephone modular
plug input while rewiring.
I don't know why the corrosion, but it looks to me like the process of
disimilar metals touching one another. I'm just looking for a soulution
to clean the residue off, maybe it is oxides, maybe it is zinc.
Presently I got the scew and washers soaking in apple cider vinegar
chancing that it may work, but it may not. I remember HCL acid cleaned
ZINC residue off steel pins in a mold repair shop I once worked. I have
no idea where to get HCL acid. Muriatic acid maybe (HCL?), but I don't
know the chemical composition and I know for concrete work it quickly
etches, so kind of potent I think, but as to copper, I don't know. If
vineger doesn't work I guess I'll try muriatic acid next, then sulphuric
>> but 'm just guessing, water rinses in between.
======Anybody know where I can get wire strippers for 4 wire telephone cable,
below 22 gage solid coper---wire measures .037" diameter????
======
Telephone company suggests THEY repair, but at about $100 an hour
service charge, so I will attempt this 1st, myself!
Thanks in advance for any help. Yes, I am a neophyte at this---critique
away, I can take it!
Alan