What does the term 'ingress' refer to in the cable system?

The term 'ingress' specifically refers to signals or unwanted noise that leak into a cable system from outside sources. This can occur through various points in the system, such as connectors, junctions, or any other vulnerabilities that allow external signals to enter. In the context of cable systems, managing ingress is crucial because these unwanted signals can interfere with the quality of the transmitted content, leading to distortion or degradation of service.

Understanding this term is essential for anyone involved in maintaining or troubleshooting cable systems, as mitigating ingress can help ensure that the system operates effectively and provides a high-quality experience for users. The other answer choices do not accurately describe ingress; they focus instead on transmission, signal flow, or effects unrelated to the intrusion of external signals into the system.