Abstract: A self-contained unit and method for splicing together the ends of jacketed optical fibers. The unit comprises a guide to align fibers, such as a capillary tube, having opposite ends into which the ends of optical fibers to be spliced pass until they are in contact in a central portion of the guide. A heater high temperature proximal to the central portion of the guide, when activated, generates sufficient heat to fuse and splice together the contacting fiber ends. A securing means, such as spaced ferrules with a tube of ceramic material joining the ferrules, is mechanically associated with the guide to mechanically hold in position the optical fibers when spliced together. By bringing the ends of jacketed optical fibers into contact within the guide, in the vicinity of heater, and subjecting the ends to high temperature heating, the fibers are fused and spliced at their ends.

Abstract: An apparatus for fusion splicing optical fibers includes a base member, an arc region, a clamp member, and a biasing arrangement for urging the clamp member along second and third axes as the clamp member is advanced or retracted along a first axis. The clamp member includes three fingers, each imposing a different biasing force to accommodate different sized fibers. The biasing force of the fingers may be selectively altered. A transformer bobbin includes a series of large and small grooves separated by dielectric ridges to maximize the creepage distance. Once an arc is established between opposed electrodes, constant power is provided during splicing.

Abstract: The timed AC switch comprises a manual on-off switch in series with bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as a triac, for connection in a loop with an AC source and a load which would generally be incandescent or fluorescent lamps. The semiconductor switch is driven by an RC oscillator which is under the control of an inhibit circuit and a digital counter which itself is driven by the oscillator. The counter is reset at initial start up, and may also be reset while operating or after counting out. The times switch may also be controlled to inhibit the oscillator for a very short time as a warning before finally timing out.

Abstract: In a telephone installation in which more than one telephone terminal is connected to one pair of conductors--Tip and Ring--a line status apparatus is provided for each telephone terminal, the apparatus sensing a change in line characteristics resulting from an "off-hook" condition at any telephone and producing an output which is used to provide an indication. Little or no current is drawn from the telephone lines. Typical examples are sensing variations in AC characteristics, as resulting from voice transmission, ringing tones and the like; sensing DC variations, such as voltage drop when a telephone is "off-hook". Indication is generally visual.