First of all, calling them self-terminating taps is a misnomer. They are simply not terminated until the drop ports are terminated with 75 ohm resistor or a drop attached, otherwise they are an open and will cause reflections and ripple. There is little difference between a 4/2 tap and a 2-way splitter. Also, a bad drop connected to the lower value taps can cause issues on the
All drop ports are opens if un-terminated, but the effects are minimal until you get to the lower value taps, and of course the "self-terminated" taps. GI 10/4 taps were notoriously bad for causing reflections on returns until terminated.
Secondly, a bad terminator can go bad in many ways and can cause a
