Abstract: Disclosed is a terminal block for providing electrical connection to insulated wire pairs. An entrance port of the block includes a blade for separating the wires as they are inserted therein. The wires are then positioned above a respective one of a pair of insulation displacement contacts. Pressure applied to the top of the block, as by screwing, drives each wire into its associated contact thereby causing penetration of the insulation for electrical connection. Posts may also be molded into the block to provide strain relief for the wires.

Abstract: Splices between conductors in of an aerial telephone cable are covered by a closure located within a terminal. The closure has a large central section connected via tapered joints to two end sections. A settable liquid encapsulant is received in the central section. The closure has two halves joined by a flexible hinge that runs lengthwise along a first longitudinal edge. Two rigid tabs of nonuniform thickness running lengthwise along a second longitudinal edge are secured by snaps through apertures in the tabs. The snaps have tapered sections that clamp the varying thickness rigid tabs along their lengths to prevent leakage of liquid encapsulant. The end sections have open cell foam strips fitting snugly between the cable and the end section walls which are fixed with the liquid encapsulant. The encapsulant sets within the open cell foam to form a barrier to passage of contaminants into the central section.