Abstract: A telephone service panel includes a panel base assembly having multiple subscriber modules each having a test receptacle connected to an incoming line, and each having a set of subscriber terminals for connection to a local subscriber circuit; access to each receptacle is blocked by an individual subscriber-controlled padlocked cover; a composite cover over all the test receptacles consists essentially of a spine carrying the padlocked covers and locked to the panel base assembly, but releasable by service personnel for access to all the subscriber modules. So long as the test receptacle is empty, each subscriber circuit is connected to its incoming line; to disconnect the subscriber circuit from the incoming line, it is only necessary to insert the plug of a test device into the test receptacle; insertion of the plug also connects the test device to the incoming line.

Abstract: A test interface for a telephone service panel includes a receptacle having switching contacts for normally connecting a network line to a subscriber line. A contact of each pole of the receptacle has an actuator operable by an inserted plug of a test device, independent of mating contacts of the receptacle and the plug-in device. One switching contact of each pole is fixed in place and has a resilient extension engageable by a plug-in device.

Abstract: Connectors having multiple posts upstanding from a common cross-connection bus are produced by a method that includes the steps of making an extrusion that encompasses the end projection of the connector including the bus and the posts, and then using hollow end-milling cutters to form the posts.

Abstract: Two forms of insulation-displacement connection devices and panels of such devices are disclosed; the connection devices of each of the panels include upstanding connectors bent to provide paired wire-gripping finger portions in a plane parallel to the related panel. Each form of the connecting devices includes a rotor operable about an axis perpendicular to the related panel, the rotor being arranged to drive upstanding inserted wires broadside--parallel to the rotor's axis--from starting positions opposite to the ends of the pairs of wire-gripping finger portions to end positions gripped between the wire-gripping finger portions. The wire's insulation is displaced and the center conductor of the wire is bared locally as the wire is forced between the wire-gripping finger portions. In both embodiments, there are two pairs of wire-gripping finger portions, at opposite sides of the rotor's axis.