Copper Termination Blocks

Fri Apr 15 09:17:08 UTC 2022

When I ran the largest (legacy) dialup ISP in Phoenix in the late 90's 
(2000+ POTS lines over a couple sites), we ordered huge frames of 66 
blocks... like someone else said better for troubleshooting because you 
could pull the bridge clips to test each side and/or troubleshooting 
better (or jam pennies between the bridge clips to bypass broken lines 
when you needed to.)

20 years later moved to rack mounted 110 blocks for the occasional POTS 
line or T1, way better density and we weren't chasing 30+ broken POTS 
lines at a time.... they were just customer lines and they could deal 
with it.  :)

bill

On 4/14/2022 5:42 PM, Grant Taylor via NANOG wrote:
> On 4/14/22 2:05 PM, Mike Hammett wrote:
>> I know I'm discussing what some consider ancient technology. I counter 
>> that it meets or exceeds the needs of many, many people.
> 
> As people say, "if it isn't broken, don't fix it".  --  That being said, 
> I believe the third stanza is missing; "Optimize it."
> 
>> Currently, we use 100-pr Telect-style termination blocks. They don't 
>> offer much in terms of ease of use for testing and don't organize well 
>> on a 19" or 23" rack.
> 
> I always found the spades (?) of the 66 block to be convenient to clip a 
> test set (with an angled bed of nails) onto.  I've also used slip on 
> jack more than a few times, especially for testing.  E.g.
> 
> Link - 66 block to RJ-45
>   - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F3W7NL4
> 
>> I was recommended to look at Krone blocks. They look just great. Easy 
>> to break into for testing with their "look both ways" plug as well as 
>> their preterminated blocks looked much easier to rack-mount.
> 
> I've never run into Krone myself.
> 
> I found that using the two sides of a 66 block with bridge clips to be 
> convenient for testing.  Especially for building and / or floor entrance 
> points.  E.g. incoming network on the left side, outgoing station on the 
> right side, and bridge clips connecting the two.  Any time I need to 
> test, pull the bridge clips to split the circuit in a way that's equally 
> as easy to put back.
> 
> Sure, this technique burns more 66 block / wall space.  But I found it 
> to be worth while in some use cases, like building entry.
> 
>> Any recommendations for places to get old telco blocks, testers, 
>> mounts, etc.?
>>
>> Any recommendations for alternatives that are easier to source?
> 
> I look forward to learning from recommendations on this thread.
> 
> 
> 

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