Abstract: A protector module (30) for protecting the conductors of a telephone loop cludes a pair of protector assemblies (40-40') which are supported within a common housing (32). A gas tube voltage protection subassembly (42) of each protector assembly is connected electrically to a grounding subassembly (44) for causing current associated with excessive voltage surges to be conducted to ground. A first electrode includes a portion which extends through annular dielectric and metallic members and an opening of an open-ended metallic container (93) to engage a shunting element (62) of a current protection subassembly (41). The superimposed annular members are held in engagement with the first electrode at a substantially constant pressure by axial forces applied by turned-in portions (109--109) of a side wall of the metallic container. The shunting element is supported at one end of the line pin in an initial position by a fusible material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the presence of an out-of-service telephone in a building. The method comprises the steps of electrically isolating the building interior and exterior loops, determining if the electrical resistance of the interior loop is within a selected range, determining if the electrical capacitance of the interior loop exceeds a selected capacitance level, and generating a telephone present signal should either the determined resistance be within the selected resistance range or the determined capacitance exceed the selected capacitance level.