Abstract: The invention comprises a telecommunications terminal block with integral but separate test port captured cap feature as well as a method of manufacturing same in an automated fashion. The block permits the electric connection of various size gauges of wires without the severing of the smallest gauges of wire or ruining the block when initially contacting on the largest gauge wire.

Abstract: A telecommunications terminal block has binding posts and caps that are a screw-fit thereon. The binding posts lie in apertures that contain a sealing material. Drop-wires are connected to the posts by inserting them through further apertures that communicate with those in which the posts lie, and tightening down the caps onto them. Displaced sealing material is received into a third aperture.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable particularly suited for use in building distribution systems includes a core which comprises a plurality of coated optical fibers (22--22) with each being enclosed in a plastic buffer (26). The optical fibers are individually or collectively enclosed in a fibrous strength member. Over the strength member in each of several embodiments is provided an outer jacket comprising a plastic material having excellent resistance to flame spread and smoke evolution. The plastic material comprising the jacket is disposed about the strength member and decoupled sufficiently therefrom to avoid the introduction of microbending stresses in the optical fiber. This may be accomplished by vacuum sizing the plastic material which has been tubed over an advancing optical fiber core as the plastic material is being drawn down onto the strength member.

Abstract: A flame resistant and smoke suppressed plasticized polyvinyl chloride polymer containing from about 20 to about 80 parts per hundred resin (phr) of an ester-type plasticizer and an effective amount of a flame retardant and smoke suppressant agent comprising an inorganic molybdenum compound such as molybdenum oxides and metal molybdates. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the flame retardant and smoke suppressant agent further includes a controlled effective amount of an antimony compound such as antimony oxide in combination with the molybdenum compound imparting synergistic flame retardancy and smoke suppressing characteristics to the plasticized polyvinyl chloride resin formulation.

Abstract: A method for recovering plastic from plastic insulated wire scrap involving separating the plastic from short segments of the wire by agitating the segments in a heated dry powder medium until the metal is released from the plastic insulation, separating the metal from the plastic insulation leaving at least 0.5% by weight of the powder intermixed with the plastic insulation.