Abstract: A weatherproof station protector module for communication systems includes a hollow housing on which is disposed a pair of weatherproof line terminals that extend into the hollow housing and a ground terminal. A holding assembly is affixed to the ground terminal within the hollow housing and is adapted to receive a surge arrester therein. The surge arrester may be a three terminal device or a pair of two terminal arresters with one electrode of each connected to the ground terminal and each one of the other electrodes being connected to a line terminal.

Abstract: A miniature back-up overvoltage protection apparatus for use on an overvoltage protection device includes a housing adapted to be removably mounted on the first and second terminals of an overvoltage protection device. A dielectric is disposed within the housing and is sandwiched between two electrically conducting members done of which is in contact with one end terminal of the overvoltage protection device. A unitary clip is adapted to removable retain the overvoltage protection device and to urge a pair of back-up overvoltage protection apparatuses against the distal terminals of the overvoltage protection device with the clip making electrically conducting contact with the third terminal of the overvoltage protection device, the second conducting member and to the ground terminal of the telephone line system.

Abstract: A miniature solid state surge protector apparatus for use in telephone central offices, or the like, that are provided with terminal blocks for communication lines which may include an in-line overcurrent coil arrangement that grounds each communication line if an overcurrent flows therethrough and is additionally provided with a solid state miniaturized surge protection device disposed across a pair of communication lines and a common ground terminal, thus providing overvoltage and overcurrent protection (fail short) to a pair of telephone communication lines.

Abstract: A miniature station protector module for communication systems includes a hollow housing into which is disposed a pair of line terminals with a ground terminal therebetween. The line terminals extend into the hollow housing and include thereon a back-up surge arrester in axial alignment with each of the terminals, either a three terminal surge arrester or a pair of two terminal arresters may be utilized having one electrode connected to the ground terminal with the other electrodes being connected to the line terminals.

Abstract: A miniature solid state surge protection device having an unsealed solid state device having first and second electrodes with the first electrode in contact with a fusible pellet is provided. When a surge occurs the pellet melts to thereby short the first and second electrodes together.

Abstract: A weatherproof telephone terminal apparatus includes a terminal assembly having a pair of terminal members included therein suitable for splicing insulated telephone wires of the same or different wire sizes in a single housing which is impervious to atmospheric conditions and may be used indoors and outdoors and may be installed in a clamshell-like housing, thereby eliminating the need for conventional splicing techniques.

Abstract: A back-up surge arrester is combined with a conventional gas filled surge arrester in axial alignment. The size of the air gap is held to a predetermined distance by aid of the mechanical configuration specified herein and further includes a heat sensitive material in a parallel breakdown path.

Abstract: A telephone line to utility meter interface for use in connecting a telephone line pair to a plurality of utility meters, includes a weather sealed and lockable housing with a telephone line cord plug and receptacle and a terminal block disposed therein. The incoming telephone line pair may be isolated from the utility meters for testing, via the insertion of a known operating telephone having a standard telephone plug into the receptacle within the housing which is integrally molded into the terminal block. The terminal block also includes integrally molded test cable retainer. The utility meters may individually be interrogated by the aid of electrical interrogation circuitry activated by a specific electrical signal appearing on the subscriber telephone line.

Abstract: A flexible boot adapted to receive a telphone cable plug includes an opening through which a telephone retaining lever projects. The boot receives the telephone cable through an opening provided therein and slips over the telephone plug. Upon insertion of the plug into a mating telephone jack, the boot frictionally engages the jack circumference and seals the connections from the environment. A similar boot may be utilized to protect and seal a telephone jack.

Abstract: A triggered surge suppression network is disclosed comprising a low voltage clamping device, a crowbar device and a trigger device. The voltage clamping device and the trigger device are connected in parallel; and these devices are connected in series to the crowbar device. The resulting circuit is connected across a voltage supply, in parallel to a load. The trigger device causes the crowbar device to break down at a pre-set value and discharge the energy of the surge through the low voltage clamping device. The breakdown voltage of the network will depend essentially on the breakdown voltage of the crowbar device while the peak voltage supplied to the load during the surge will independently be determined by the clamping voltage of the voltage clamping device.

Abstract: A self-contained air gap spark arrester assembly is disclosed which may be constructed and tested prior to its incorporation into a fail-safe surge arrester assembly. The air gap spark arrester assembly comprises a rivet shaped electrode, on which are concentrically mounted an insulating ring, a ring electrode, and an insulating spacer ring. These elements are arranged so as to provide an air gap between the two electrodes, aproximately equal to the thickness of the spacer ring and shielded from particulate contamination. Due to the placement of the assembly's electrodes, it is particularly well suited for combination with gas tube arresters in metal canisters. In one embodiment the canister is of cylindrical form and houses a fusible alloy spacer, a cylindrical gas discharge tube, and the air gap spark arrester assembly.

Abstract: A station interface and protector apparatus for use on a telephone line pair includes a protector device having terminals connected from each line to a ground terminal, via a gas discharged tube and/or a protective air gap and includes an insulated cover which covers the protector device and is provided with a telephone receptacle (jack) to which the incoming telephone line pair is connected. A cable having a plurality of wires therein is terminated on one end with a cooperating telephone line plug disposed within the receptacle with the other end of the cable wires being connected to a plurality of terminals provided in the cover which is additionally adapted to receive the subscribers telephone line pairs.

Abstract: A line protector device for providing an electrical conducting path between a line and ground upon an overvoltage appearing on the line includes an overvoltage device having a pair of longitudinally spaced conductive terminals forming an arc gap therebetween. One of the terminals includes a longitudinally extending portion and an insulation circumscribing the extending portion which is inserted into a longitudinally circumscribing shorting clip and is provided with a centrally disposed slit in one end which receives the extending portion of the overvoltage device. The clip and overvoltage device are received within a conductive cartridge which then may be inserted into a conventional terminal block.