Abstract: A transmission wire connector includes a first wire contact member and a second wire contact member mounted in bores in a base unit wherein the first and second contact members may slide to make contact with an exchange linked wire, and a consumer linked wire respectively, the first and second wire contacts within the base unit being isolated from one another; together with a separable module unit cable of coupling with the base unit and providing direct or indirect electrical connection between the first and second contacts when the module unit is coupled to the base unit, the separable module unit being one of a plurality of such module units arranged to provide different functions to the connector or a wire it connects.

Abstract: A telecommunication connector for a distribution point comprises a base part and a detachable configuration module, the configuration module being able to take a plurality of dispositions with respect to the base part, the base part having connection means to (i) a telecommunications cable from an exchange, (ii) a cable to a further distribution point, and (iii) a cable to a consumer, wherein the configuration module causes electrical connection from the exchange to the further distribution point in a first disposition but not in a second disposition. This permits the installer who is connecting a new consumer to disconnect the unnecessary part of the wire forming the relevant pair when activating the service whilst leaving intact the investment in the network. The configuration module can also contain protective devices for the line, such as three or five pin protection, over current devices and over voltage devices, or other active electronic elements.

Abstract: A connector for an electrical cable, comprising a body in which is formed a passageway having a longitudinal axis, a contact element which projects into the passageway in order to make contact with the electrical cable when in the passageway, and a retaining element for hindering longitudinal withdrawal of the cable from the passageway, the retaining element comprising a pair of resiliently deformable lips extending into the passageway from a face thereof in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, each of the lips being separated from a face of the passageway in a second direction transverse to both the first direction and the longitudinal axis, thereby to allow flexing of the lips in the second direction. The lips are advantageously shorter than the depth in the first direction of the passageway, typically 40 to 80% of the passageway depth. Further lips can be provided on a lid which covers the passageway, the further lips extending in a direction opposed to the first lips.

Abstract: An electrical test adaptor comprises a pair of spaced apart elongate conductive probes supported on an insulating base, and a moveable deflector part comprising at least one cam surface adapted to bear on at least one of the probes when the deflector is in a closed position, thereby to deflect the probe from a non-contact position into a contact position. The contact position can be one in which the conductive probes are closer than in the non-contact position, and the deflector ideally has a pair of cam surfaces, each adapted to bear on one of the conductive probes. Further, an electrical test adaptor comprises a pair of elongate conductive probes supported on an insulating base, and a moveable locking part adapted to move between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position in which the locking part is closer to the conductive probes than in the open position, the locking part having a retention surface facing the base. The retention surface can be a side of an aperture formed in the locking part.

Abstract: A telecommunication apparatus comprising an external plastics casing containing a conductive path for a telecommunications signal. The casing includes an aperture providing access to the test contact member using a typical crocodile clip. The conduction path may take various forms. One such example is a contiguous path adjacent the test contact member (26) but not in contact with the test contact member except when in a test position. This enables an engineer to test a telephone line by simply clipping a crocodile clip onto the test contact member and a wall member. A second form of the apparatus provides for a pair of conductors not in mutual contact but each in contact with the test contact member when the latter is in the rest position. When the test contactor is in a test position, only one of the pair of conductors is in contact with the test contact member.

Abstract: A connector for an electrical cable, comprising a body in which is formed a passageway having a longitudinal axis, a contact element which projects into the passageway in order to make contact with the electrical cable when in the passageway, and a retaining element for hindering longitudinal withdrawal of the cable from the passageway, the retaining element comprising a pair of resiliently deformable lips extending into the passageway from a face thereof in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, each of the lips being separated from a face of the passageway in a second direction transverse to both the first direction and the longitudinal axis, thereby to allow flexing of the lips in the second direction. The lips are advantageously shorter than the depth in the first direction of the passageway, typically 40 to 80% of the passageway depth. Further lips can be provided on a lid which covers the passageway, the further lips extending in a direction opposed to the first lips.