Abstract: Testing of conductors of a telecommunications cable in which, after stripping cable material surrounding one end of the core, the conductors in the end are separated from one another and are embedded within a dielectric material. The dielectric material is initially flowable and is caused to fill spaces between the conductors. After hardening, the dielectric material forms a solid mass with conductor end portions embedded within it. A planar end face is then formed on the solid mass with the electrically isolated conductor ends terminating at the end face. An electrically conductive probe is then moved successively into contact with exposed conductor ends to pass an electrical current to be passed into the ends to enable measurements to be taken of any desired electrical property.

Abstract: Low voltage electrical wire with only two layers of insulation. An inner layer of polyolefin is covered by an outer layer of irradiation crosslinked material of a PVC based composition. The outer layer has abrasion and heat resistance but its material has an extensibility at break comparable with the conductor. To increase its capability to protect the conductor, the inner layer is capable of absorbing stresses and strains imposed axially upon the conductor so that while the inner surface of the inner layer extends with the conductor, relative movement of the molecules is possible throughout the depth of the inner layer. Thus, the outer layer restrains the outer surface of the inner layer from extending. The net result is that the outer layer extends less than the conductor and is capable of continued unbroken protection after the conductor has severed.

Abstract: Cross-linked polyethylene is continuously produced by injecting dicumyl peroxide (Dicup) into the polyethylene in the mixing barrel of the extruder. The Dicup injection nozzle extends into the flight of the screw of the extruder and the flight is interrupted, or notched, at this position. This enables the Dicup to be injected at a position about half way between the extruder barrel wall and the core of the screw and also avoids pulsed back-pressure on the feed pump for the Dicup. A closely controlled and constant ratio of cross-linking agent to raw polyethylene is obtained.