Telecommunication apparatus test module with deflectable circuit switching contact

Abstract

A telecommunication apparatus comprising an external plastics casing containing a conductive path for a telecommunications signal. The casing includes an aperture providing access to the test contact member using a typical crocodile clip. The conduction path may take various forms. One such example is a contiguous path adjacent the test contact member ( ) but not in contact with the test contact member except when in a test position. This enables an engineer to test a telephone line by simply clipping a crocodile clip onto the test contact member and a wall member. A second form of the apparatus provides for a pair of conductors not in mutual contact but each in contact with the test contact member when the latter is in the rest position. When the test contactor is in a test position, only one of the pair of conductors is in contact with the test contact member. A third form of the apparatus includes a pair of conductors not in mutual contact, but each in contact with a third conductive member when in its rest position. None of these three elements are in contact with the test contact member when the latter is in its rest position. Upon deflection of the test contact member to a test position, the test contact member is brought into contact with the third conductive member thereby causing same to be deflected from its rest position to a test position in which it is not in contact with a least one of the pair of conductors.