The Whitaker Corporation

E Clark Broome

James W Robertson

Harry M Capper

Sam Denovich

James S Hower

Kenneth C Hawk

Carl E Fritz

A subscriber module (40) for a network interface device (10) having a jack (100) defining a plug-receiving cavity (102) thereinto, and having a plug (50) insertable into the jack. The plug includes a plurality of interconnecting contacts (56) disposed at a mating end (58) thereof, and the jack includes first and second contacts (106,112) secured within the plug-receiving cavity in spaced-apart disconnected pairs. Insertion of plug (50) into jack (100) moves interconnecting contacts (56) between associated ones of first and second contacts (106,112) to electrically interconnect them, completing otherwise unconnected circuits between the distribution cable and the subscriber premise wiring. Preferably plug (50) includes a sealing member (74) therearound to seal the mating interface when plug (50) is inserted into jack (100). Conductors (36) of the premise wiring are terminatable by insulation displacement techniques to terminals (164) using a stuffer cap (152), with terminals (164) connected to second contacts (112) by traces of circuit board (170) mounted within module (40), while first contacts (106) are electrically connected by other traces of board (170) to conductors (38) connected to the distribution cable.

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Clemmons, NC, United States of America

E Clark Broome