Abstract: This invention provides a method for replacing terminators in a backplane of a telecommunication switch such that the telecommunication traffic carried on a line does not require a separate routing of the traffic by the switch operator to another line card. Using this methodology, a switch operator may save a significant amount of time when a terminator needs to be replaced due to routine maintenance or becomes faulty and has outlived its useful life. The telecommunication traffic carried by the line card is typically switched to protected mode status prior to replacing the terminator on the front side of the backplane. A terminator having a mirror image of electronic circuitry of the terminator being replaced is attached to pins located on the rear side of the backplane. The line card is removed and the terminator on the front side of the backplane is replaced. The line card is inserted back into the slot in the backplane, and the terminator on the rear side of the backplane is removed.