A New Multifunctional Mass Termination Connector

A new modular connector system has been developed for the mass termination of intrabay and interbay wiring of electronic equipment such as in telephone central offices. Intended for semipermanent connections when only a few reconnects are anticipated, the connector can be used for splicing, bridging, and halftapping cable having 22-26 gauge solid copper conductors with a variety of insulations. The connector utilizes the slotted-beam insulation-piercing contact in a conceptually new fashion; the contact is designed for up to ten reinsertions on the same point of a wire with high reliability and long-term stability. To achieve the small size, high strength, and elasticity requirements of the contact element, a newly developed spinodal copper-nickel-tin alloy is used for the contact material. The design and performance of this new modular connector system are discussed. Also covered are the associated assembly tools, typical applications, and environmental testing of the connector.