Protected telecommunication test adapter module

Details Protected telecommunication test adapter module Protected telecommunication test adapter module

1998-12-11

2001-02-06

Leja, Ronald W. (Department: 2836)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Safety and protection of systems and devices

High voltage dissipation

C379S027010

Reexamination Certificate

active

06185083

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to telecommunications test adapters and more particularly to test adapters for use in troubleshooting telephone networks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telecommunications cables going into a building or structure are usually routed to an interface panel where outside line cables and in-house equipment cables meet. The interface panel is provided so that outside line connection can be broken for testing or service purposes. The schematic diagram of an interface panel arrangement is shown in FIG.
1
. Captured socket
9
is part of the interface panel and is provided for mounting protector module
5
. Line tip wire
1
and line ring wire
2
are part of a cable going into the building. Equipment ring wire
3
and equipment tip wire
4
are part of a cable which connect to telecommunications equipment. Protector module
5
is used to couple the telecommunications equipment to the outside line. Protector module
5
includes surge protector
6
. Surge protector
6
is used to protect users and equipment against high voltage that may be induced by lightning or power crosses. Ground wire
7
connects surge protector
6
to earth ground for shunting any high voltage surge currents.
One of the commercially available protector modules used in telephone central offices and remote structures is the 5 pin type
303
. Also popular is the 6 pin type
700
module. The type
700
is similar to the type
303
except that the type
700
has an additional pin to accommodate an alarm signal
8
.
In servicing the telecommunication network or equipment, the connection between the outside line wires and equipment wires is broken to allow service personnel to isolate the equipment from the line. Once connection is broken, tests can be made on the equipment without the influence of the outside lines and vice versa. Since protector module
5
provides continuity between the outside line wires and equipment wires, protector module
5
must be removed to break the connection. Removal of protector module
5
is also necessary because protector modules have enclosed housings which prevent access to the wiring for safety reasons. Although some protector modules have a housing that can be opened or have openings in the housing to allow test probes to contact the line and equipment wires, the wiring connection, usually a terminal strip, does not allow for hooking-up or clipping-in test instruments thereby forcing service personnel to physically hold the probes to the wires during test.
Test assembly
13
, a prior art test adapter, is shown in FIG.
2
. Protector module
5
is removed from the interface panel and is replaced by station protector block
10
. Station protector block
10
provides access to the outside line wires and equipment wires. Station protector block
10
has an eight to twelve foot long four conductor cord
11
which is usually wound on a reel or disc. The other end of conductor cord
11
is fitted with socket
12
for connecting protector module
5
. Note that protector module
5
is required in test assembly
13
to provide surge protection. Test assembly
13
can be built using, for example, Reliance Comm/Tec part numbers F013590 (patch cord) and R
128
(protector block) along with a protector block.
There are other prior art test adapters that are more modular than test assembly
13
. However, these adapters only provide a mechanical interface to the telephone wiring and does not incorporate requisite safety elements such as surge protectors.
Thus there is clear need for a protected, modular, and easy to use test adapter for servicing telephone networks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problems with the prior art are overcome by the test adapter of the present invention. The present invention is a telecommunications test adapter that is modular, protected from current surges, and provides an interface between a telecommunications industry standard 5 or 6 pin module protector socket and an RJ
11
telephone jack or test posts.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4209671 (1980-06-01), Charles et al.
patent: 4307430 (1981-12-01), Montalto et al.
patent: 4564728 (1986-01-01), Romano
patent: 5392327 (1995-02-01), Galpin
patent: 5392349 (1995-02-01), Elder, Jr.
patent: 5539801 (1996-07-01), Herh et al.
patent: 5548641 (1996-08-01), Butler et al.
patent: 5687213 (1997-11-01), Larkin
OSP Troubleshooting Kit, Westek Electronics, Inc. (2 pgs) No Date.
Tester Storage Disc Assembly Schematic, Reliable Electric Company (1 pg) No Date.
Test Cord Assembly Schematic, Reliable Electric Company (1 pg) No Date.
Two-Pair Station Protectors, Reliable Electric Company, Section 1, p. 19 No Date.
Test Equipment Accessoris, Reliable Electric Company, Section 1, p. 73 No Date.
R-700 Connector Overvoltage Protection Modules, Reliable Electric Company, Section 8, p. 31 No Date.
Joslyn Technical Data, Gas Tube, Models 2401-3X, 2402-4X, 2405-OX and Continuity, Model 2403-OX Series (2 pgs) No Date.

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