An undersea optical repeater is provided. The repeater includes a pressure
vessel for use in an undersea environment. The pressure vessel includes a
pressure housing and at least two cable reeving elements disposed on
opposing ends of the pressure housing for respectively receiving ends of
optical cables that each include an electrical conductor therein. The
cable receiving elements are adapted to be in electrical contact with the
respective electrical conductors in the optical cables. At least one
optical amplifier is located in the pressure vessel. The optical
amplifier includes at least one electrical component adapted to receive
electrical power from the electrical conductors in the optical cables.
The pressure housing includes a dielectric layer having sufficient
dielectric properties for electrically isolating the cable receiving
elements from one another to provide a voltage thereacross.