Earlier quoted context omitted.
> The Toronto eruv alone is estimated to cost $100,000 per year > But being difficult to maintain is kind of the point. Why not implement it as an optical fibre? Non-conducting and easy to continuously check that there are no breaks.
At least for fibre optic, I thought it required a carrier wire for rigidity? Dunno if they're okay with automated checking, it might make it too scalable and simple to be acceptable.
Great idea though! I'd always thought that looking at the phase of an electroni impluse would give you a good idea of how far along the path a break occurred, as the return signal's phase should be inverted at the break point and you can then use time of flight to infer the distance of the break.
[0] This is a hyper deep part of jewish law and there are many exceptions. Please consult your local rabbi before taking my word for anything.