Abstract: An adaptor terminates one or more modular protectors of the same size obviating the need for a telephone company to carry an inventory of many different sizes. Each modular unit, which protects a telephone line, has a hollow shell into which two terminals are received, each terminal communicating with a protector. The terminals are elevated above a landing on the housing so that the distance between the two terminals exceed a predetermined distance to reduce noise. The protectors are enclosed within the hollow shell by a base cover which is secured in place by a grounding clip which has many tines on one end for penetrating the side of the housing; the other end of the grounding clip is so formed as to secure the housing to the adaptor.

Abstract: An electrical protector assembly (100) for grounding excessive voltages and excessive currents encountered on a telecommunication line circuit includes a heat coil subassembly (103) for sensing the excessive currents and apparatus (102 and 104) axially aligned with the heat coil assembly for conducting the excessive voltages to ground. When excessive currents are encountered on the line circuit, the protector provides a direct metallic contact (151 and 102) between the line circuit and ground. The internal arrangement of the protector allows both carbon blocks (180 and 181) and gas tube protectors (196) to be used as excessive voltage protection devices. In addition, miniature electronic circuits, such as minibridge lifters (195), may be advantageously incorporated into the protector module.