Abstract: The invention relates to a switch box for producing freely selectable optical connections between the LWGs of incoming optical cables and the LWGs of outgoing optical cables by means of optical shunting lines. The production of any connection is made possible in an ordered and certain way in an arrangement in which LWG groups of the incoming optical cables are connected to a first group of adjacent termination units, LWG groups of the outgoing optical cables are connected to a second group of adjacent termination units, the individual LWGs of the incoming and of the outgoing cables are connected to optical plug connector elements provided on the terminal units, the shunting lines are connected on both sides to mating connector elements, and excessive lengths of the shunting lines not required for producing a connection are stored in storage elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage device for a spare length of at least one optical fibre which emerges from a cable end, which stroage device can be arranged in the vicinity of the cable end and comprises a flat stroage space in which the spare length is arranged in the form of a coil, the end of the optical fibre which leads to the joint being extractable, during which operation the diameter of the coil is reduced, the storage space comprising guide walls which define the minimum inner coil diameter, the maximum outer coil diameter and also the axial height.

Abstract: The invention relates to a branching circuit for an optical cable comprising a plurality of optical waveguides in a cable sheath. In order to accomplish that, at low manufacturing costs, low additional attenuations are obtained, it is provided that a longitudinal section from which the cable sheath has been removed is fixed in a stretched condition in a branching box which extends on both sides beyond the end of the cable sheath and that an end of at least one severed optical waveguide or a branched-optical waveguide connected thereto is passed through a branching sleeve which is fitted to branching box, all as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Abstract: A storage device for a spare length of an optical line, comprising a flat storage space in which the spare length is wound at a radial distance round a central core and led out by its ends through peripheral openings from which one free end can be withdrawn, accompanied by reduction of the diameter of the turns. The device further comprises lateral guide walls at right angles to the central core and outer peripheral walls to limit the diameter of the turns. To permit the unobstructed withdrawal and sliding back in again of an end of an optical line despite an extremely flat construction, the arrangement is such that the distance between the guide walls (6 to 10 and 11 to 16) is slightly greater than the width of the optical line (1 to 5) and smaller than 1.