Optical/electrical plug connector

Abstract

An optical cable tracing system is constructed using an optical/electrical (hybrid) cable containing both optical and electrical transmission media. This cable provides desirably high bandwidth via optical fibers while connection accuracy is provided via electrical wires , which are used to operate indicator lights at one or both ends of the cable. A hybrid plug connector terminates the cable at each end and includes a dielectric housing that encloses the optical fiber (glass or plastic), which extends through a front opening in the housing. A single cantilever latch is mounted on a top-side of the housing that is adapted to engage a mating jack receptacle in a locking relationship. A conductor-holding apparatus is molded into the bottom side of the housing where it holds a number of insulated electrical conductors and metallic blade terminals that pierce the insulation and make electrical contact with each of the conductors. The mating jack receptacle includes a row of spaced wire springs at the entrance of the optical connecting portion of the receptacle. The wire springs either extend to an opposite side of the receptacle to provide electrical interconnection between a pair of hybrid plug connectors, or the wire springs are arrayed to fit into a printed wiring board for interconnection with electrical circuitry thereon.