When water infiltrates network infrastructure, the damage mechanisms differ between copper (CAT5e) and fiber optic cables:

// Sample cable degradation simulation (conceptual)
function calculateWaterDamage(cableType, exposureTime) {
  const degradationFactors = {
    'CAT5e': {
      corrosionRate: 0.15,
      insulationBreakdown: 0.3,
      crosstalkIncrease: 2.5
    },
    'Fiber': {
      hydrogenAttenuation: 0.02,
      microbendLoss: 1.8,
      connectorContamination: 0.4
    }
  };
  
  return {
    integrityLoss: degradationFactors[cableType].corrosionRate * exposureTime,
    performanceDrop: degradationFactors[cableType].crosstalkIncrease * Math.sqrt(exposureTime)
  };
}

Copper cables suffer from three primary water-induced failure mechanisms:

• Electrochemical migration between conductors
• Plasticizer leaching from PVC insulation
• Increased capacitance from moisture absorption

Here's how to test for water damage in CAT5e:

# Python snippet for TDR analysis
import numpy as np
from scipy import signal

def detect_water_damage(tdr_waveform):
    # Typical impedance of wet CAT5e drops below 85Ω
    baseline = np.ones(len(tdr_waveform)) * 100
    anomalies = np.where(tdr_waveform < 85)[0]
    
    if len(anomalies) > 3:
        return "Probable water damage detected"
    return "Cable within specifications"

Multimode fiber exhibits different failure symptoms:

When submitting claims, include these technical details:

// JSON structure for insurance documentation
{
  "cableDamageReport": {
    "affectedRuns": [
      {
        "cableType": "CAT5e",
        "lengthExposed": "45m",
        "waterContactDuration": "72h",
        "preFloodTestResults": {...},
        "postFloodTestResults": {...}
      }
    ],
    "recommendedActions": [
      "Immediate replacement of horizontal runs",
      "6-month monitoring of backbone cables",
      "Install vertical drip loops in risers"
    ]
  }
}

For future flood prevention in network closets:

# Bash script for environmental monitoring
#!/bin/bash

while true; do
  moisture=$(read_moisture_sensor)
  if [ $moisture -gt 30 ]; then
    trigger_alarm "WATER DETECTED IN CABLING PATH"
    activate_secondary_drainage
    send_slack_alert "#network-ops"
  fi
  sleep 300
done

Data center operators report these statistics after water incidents:

• CAT5e failure rate increases 40% within 18 months
• OM3 fiber shows 0.8dB/km additional loss after 2 years
• Connector corrosion causes 25% increased packet loss

Document your findings using this markdown template:

markdown
## Cable Damage Assessment
- **Location**: [Riser ID]
- **Cable Type**: [CAT5e/OM3/etc]
- **Exposure Duration**: [hours]
- **Current Performance**:
  - Copper: [NEXT/RL measurements]
  - Fiber: [OTDR traces]
- **Recommended Action**: [Immediate/Deferred replacement]

When water infiltrates cable conduits, it affects different cable types in distinct ways:

// Pseudocode simulating cable degradation over time
function calculateDegradation(cableType, exposureTime, waterContaminants) {
  let degradationRate;
  
  if (cableType === 'CAT5e') {
    degradationRate = 0.15 * exposureTime * waterContaminants.acidity;
    // Twisted pair degradation accelerates with moisture
  } else if (cableType === 'Fiber') {
    degradationRate = 0.02 * exposureTime * waterContaminants.particulates;
    // Fiber primarily suffers from micro-fractures
  }
  
  return degradationRate > 1 ? 1 : degradationRate;
}

From field experience, these failure modes emerge months after water exposure:

• CAT5e cables develop "intermittent ghost packets" due to:
  • Capacitance changes in wet twisted pairs
  • Copper oxidation creating impedance mismatches
• Fiber optics show gradual signal attenuation from:
  • Hydrogen darkening of glass fibers
  • Buffer tube swelling causing microbends

Use these diagnostic tools to assess damage:

# Python example for network diagnostics
import speedtest
from scapy.all import *

def test_cable_health(interface):
    # Layer 1 tests
    eth_status = subprocess.check_output(f"ethtool {interface}", shell=True)
    
    # Layer 2 tests
    ping_test = subprocess.call(["ping", "-c", "4", "8.8.8.8"])
    
    # Advanced diagnostics
    if "CRC errors" in eth_status or ping_test != 0:
        perform_otdr_test()  # For fiber
        run_fluke_cable_analyzer()  # For copper
        
def perform_otdr_test():
    # Simulate Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
    print("Running OTDR trace...")
    # Would connect to specialized hardware in real implementation

Document these metrics for claim substantiation:

When pulling new cables:

1. Use dry air purge for conduits
2. Install moisture-sensitive labels every 20 feet
3. Consider hydrophobic gel-filled cables for future proofing

// Network automation for cable replacement
const newCableSpecs = {
  type: 'CAT6A/Fiber',
  rating: 'CMR',
  waterResistance: 'IP68',
  installationDate: new Date(),
  expectedLifespan: '15 years'
};

function deployReplacement(topology) {
  topology.cables.forEach(cable => {
    if (cable.waterExposure > 0) {
      cable.replace(newCableSpecs);
      logMaintenanceEvent('Water damage replacement');
    }
  });
}