What could be a potential cause of high signal levels into devices like a cable modem or set-top box?

A "hot" tap with a short drop refers to a situation where a connection is made to a live cable feed without interrupting service. If this connection is too close to the source or if the drop is short, it can lead to excessively high signal levels being received by devices such as cable modems or set-top boxes. This is because the signal strength remains strong over the short distance, which can be problematic as many devices are designed to operate within specific signal thresholds. When the signal level exceeds this threshold, it can cause issues such as distortion or service interruptions.

This understanding is critical for technicians to ensure that installations maintain appropriate signal levels to avoid potential damage or performance degradation of the devices connected to the network.