Abstract: A connector assembly including at least one connector coupled to a connector housing and, at least one trough disposed on two opposing sides of the housing, such that a wire coupled to the at least one connector passes through both troughs. The troughs operate to reduce the strain on the wire by shifting forces on the wire away from a wire wrap section where the wire is coupled to the at least one connector.

Abstract: A wire connector block is provided which is formed to be used with both wire wrapping and wave soldering in connecting wires to wire connectors mounted thereon. Additionally, a method is disclosed for mounting a ribbon wire onto a printed wire board (PWB) that is connected to wire connectors. The ribbon wire is manipulated, preferably bent, to define an enclosed space with the printed wire board in which is disposed a material that is resistant to the passage of moisture therethrough.

Abstract: A modular plug assembly is provided which includes a modular plug body, and an insulation displacement connector (IDC), having a terminal body and a terminal strip. The assembly is formed to engage a wire, including a multi-conductor wire, and be inserted into a modular jack to form an electrical connection between the wire and the modular jack. Any length of wire can be used, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly engages the wire in a toolless manner.

Abstract: A terminal strip with an integrated strain relief mechanism is deployed in an insulation displacement connector that contains a cap section, a base section including at least one terminal strip, and a latch member. The cap section is movable between an open position and a closed position and has therein at least one terminal strip receiving portion and at least one wire insertion channel for holding a wire. The channel has an entrance aperture for entry of the wire. The open position facilitates entry of the wire into the channel. When the cap section is in the closed position, the terminal strip is contained within the cap in the terminal strip receiving portion. The terminal strip includes a first arm having a first arm recess and a second arm having an offset tab. The latch member is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position such that when the latch member is in the engaged position, it maintains the cap section in the closed position.

Abstract: A connector having improved dielectric strength is provided and includes a lower portion having a front side and a rear side and a bottom, a pair of terminal disposed in the lower portion, each of the pair of terminals having a side extension and a wire wrap tail, one of the pair of terminals being disposed in the lower portion toward the front side, the other of the pair of terminals being disposed in said lower portion toward the rear side thereby forming a gap between the side extensions of each of the pair of terminals. A base having a pair of terminal openings for receiving the pair of terminals, respectively, with the base being dimensioned and shaped for receiving the lower portion. A protruding wall is disposed in the base between the pair of terminal openings. A notch is disposed on the bottom of the lower portion, the notch being dimensioned and shaped so that when the lower portion is placed in the base, the protruding wall is matingly engaged with the notch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit and system for preventing tampering with services provided in a broadband transmission network. A coaxial relay is coupled between a cable providing signals in the network and the drop cable to the customer's premises. The coil which operates the relay is coupled to the shield conductor of the drop cable and to a source of dc potential. As long as a current flows through the shield portion and the coil, the customer is connected to the network through the relay. If current stops, as when the customer disconnects the drop cable, the customer is disconnected from the network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit which permits a customer to be disconnected from a telecommunications network for testing purposes. The circuit includes a pair of switching means coupled to the tip and ring conductors of the network, and a pair of relay contacts coupled in parallel with respective switching means. The relay contacts are operated by a relay coil also coupled to the tip and ring conductors so that the switching means can be bypassed as the result of a remote signal from the network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device providing an interface between a customer and a combination telephone and broadband network. The device includes two adjacent compartments, one including connections to the network and the other including connections to the customer. The broadband connection is provided by a flexible coaxial jumper cable with one end fixedly mounted in the network compartment and the other end free to move in the customer compartment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method of manufacture which provides a maintenance termination unit (MTU) and surge protector in a single 5-pin package. The components for both the MTU and surge protector are formed on a single printed circuit board separated by a groove but electrically connected by a plurality of wires. After wave soldering the contacts on the board, the board is broken apart while maintaining the electrical connection, and the resulting structure is mounted in a 5-pin package.

Abstract: Disclosed is a network interface unit which includes customer bridges and an array of circuits such as maintenance termination units (MTUs). The MTUs are provided on printed circuit boards, each including a male and female connector. Each board is inserted in between posts in the unit housing so that the female connectors plug into a mother board at the bottom. Jack wires are plugged into the male connectors and extend to the customer bridge portion of the unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device which includes a Maintenance Termination Unit (MTU) and surge protector in a single 5-pin package. In accordance with one embodiment, a base includes an array of spring contacts, including a grounding element, in which are inserted both a surge protector module and an edge of a circuit board including the MTU.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating faults in a transmission line as being on a customer side or a network side of the apparatus is disclosed. A maintenance termination unit (30) is described that includes a pair of normally open voltage sensitive switches (16) respectively connected in series with conductors (11,13) of a transmission loop (10) and a distinctive termination (23) connected between the conductors on the customer side of the switches. The distinctive termination includes a resistor (20) and oppositedly disposed diode (18) zener diode (19) pair.