Abstract: A method is provided for mapping the position of a customer fiber end on a passive optical network (PON). The method comprises the steps of: connecting an optical reflector to a specific customer fiber end; carrying out an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) trace of the a passive optical network utilising a central office OTDR device; identifying a target reflection event in the OTDR trace having an increased amplitude relative to other reflection events in the OTDR trace, consequent upon the presence of the optical reflector; and mapping data associated with the target reflection event to the specific customer.

Abstract: A device (10) for monitoring the integrity of a wooden post (40) including an outer sleeve (11), a moveable pin (12), a spring (24) and a measuring rod (50). The outer sleeve (11) is adapted to be mounted in a pre-formed recess (41) of complementary size and shape extending from the outer surface (43) of a wooden post (40) substantially into the center (45) thereof. The moveable pin (12) is mounted within the outer sleeve (11) and has a head (18) arranged normally to bear against wood at the center (45) of the post (40). The spring (24) is arranged to urge the pin head (18) against wood at the center (45) of the post (40). The measuring rod (50) denotes any movement of the pin (12) further into the post (40).

Abstract: Method and Device for Monitoring Integrity of Wooden Posts A device (10) for monitoring the integrity of a wooden post (40) comprises an outer sleeve (11), a moveable pin (12), driving means (24) and indicating means (50). The outer sleeve (11) is adapted to be mounted in a pre-formed recess (41) of complementary size and shape extending from the outer surface (43) of a wooden post (40) substantially into the centre (45) thereof. The moveable pin (12) is mounted within the outer sleeve (11) and has a head (18) arranged normally to bear against wood at the centre (45) of the post (40). The driving means (24) is arranged to urge the pin head (18) against wood at the centre (45) of the post (40). The indicating means (50) denotes any movement of the pin (12) further into the post (40).

Abstract: A method is provided for mapping the position of a customer fibre end on a passive optical network (PON). The method comprises the steps of: connecting an optical reflector to a specific customer fibre end; carrying out an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) trace of the a passive optical network utilising a central office OTDR device; identifying a target reflection event in the OTDR trace having an increased amplitude relative to other reflection events in the OTDR trace, consequent upon the presence of the optical reflector; and mapping data associated with the target reflection event to the specific customer.

Abstract: A modified insulation displacement connector block (10) has an array (11) of insulation displacement connectors (12). Each insulation displacement connector (12) is adapted to receive an insulated wire conductor (16) constituting one part of a twisted pair cable (24). The insulation displacement connector block (10) is provided with guide means (17) spaced relative to the connector array (11) so as to define a gap (21) therebetween. The guide means (17) is adapted for aligning each insulated wire conductor (16) with a selected insulation displacement connector (12), and further adapted to receive a length of each insulated wire conductor (16) extending from its selected insulation displacement connector (12) to a corresponding location on the guide means (17). In use, the said length of insulated wire conductor (16) bridges the gap (21), thereby to be presented for subsequent removal by a wire manipulation tool (23).

Abstract: Automated wiring apparatus (20) is provided for the insertion and extraction of a length of wire (35) into a selected connector (74) on a connector block (22, 23). The apparatus (20) comprises a tool head (24) provide with one or more wire manipulation tools (30, 36, 38, 39, 49, 57) associated with effecting insertion and extraction of the wire (35). A supporting framework (25, 26) is mounted adjacent one or more connector blocks (22, 23) so as to define an operational plane for the tool head (24). The operational plane has mutually perpendicular X and Y axes, and is disposed parallel to and spaced from the connector blocks (22, 23).

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for feeding a length of twisted pair cable (15), comprises a driven capstan (11) and a continuous belt (17) defining, respectively, first and second contact surfaces for the twisted pair cable (15). The continuous belt (17) is supported and arranged so that a portion thereof embraces an arc (16) of the substantially circular periphery of the capstan (11). Drive means are provided to effect rotation of the capstan (11), so as to feed a length of twisted pair cable (15) along the arcuate path (16) defined between the first and second contact surfaces where the arc (16) of the capstan (11) intersects the continuous belt (17). The arcuate path (16) is sufficiently narrow such that the capstan (11) and the continuous belt (17) embrace the length of twisted pair cable (15), and sufficiently long such that at least two nodes (19) of said length of twisted pair cable (15) are accommodated therein.

Abstract: An apparatus (1, 2, 20) and method are provided for separating a length of twisted pair cable (10) into its constituent individual insulated wire conductors (11, 12) for subsequent use in telecommunications networks or other electrical equipment. The apparatus (1, 2, 20) includes a separator (15, 66) adapted for insertion between the individual insulated wire conductors (11, 12) constituting the twisted pair cable (10). Cable drive means are provided to cause displacement of the length of twisted pair cable (10) relative to the inserted separator (15, 66) in a direction (a, b) co-incident with the axis of the twisted pair cable (10). In addition to separating the insulated wire conductors (11, 12), the driving (a, b) of the twisted wire cable (10) past the separator (15, 66) also causes plastic deformation of the individual insulated wire conductors (11, 12) thus preventing them from springing back into their initial wound state.

Abstract: A modified insulation displacement connector block (10) has an array (11) of insulation displacement connectors (12). Each insulation displacement connector (12) is adapted to receive an insulated wire conductor (16) constituting one part of a twisted pair cable (24). The insulation displacement connector block (10) is provided with guide means (17) spaced relative to the connector array (11) so as to define a gap (21) therebetween. The guide means (17) is adapted for aligning each insulated wire conductor (16) with a selected insulation displacement connector (12), and further adapted to receive a length of each insulated wire conductor (16) extending from its selected insulation displacement connector (12) to a corresponding location on the guide means (17). In use, the said length of insulated wire conductor (16) bridges the gap (21), thereby to be presented for subsequent removal by a wire manipulation tool (23).