EP2044781A1

EP2044781A1 - Connector block

Info

Publication number: EP2044781A1
Application number: EP07765227A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wayne William Dennes
Original assignee: ADC GmbH
Current assignee: Tyco Electronics Service GmbH
Priority date: 2006-07-25
Filing date: 2007-07-18
Publication date: 2009-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-18
Also published as: US8210883B2; CN101455091A; ZA200901267B; HK1134731A1; AU2007278522A1; AU2007278522B2; US20110159722A1; NZ572640A; ES2477875T3; US7901254B2; CN101455091B; EP2044781B1; WO2008012016A1; US20100022144A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector block (11) for separating insulated conductors of a first data cable (82) and a second data cable (86), said connector block containing: first and second groups (12A, 14A) of a plurality of slits (16) arranged in a row along a common side of the connector block; and a plurality of insulation displacement contacts comprising forked contact sections (21, 23) which at least partially extend into respective individual slits in order to electrically separate the insulated conductors. The groups of slits are separated by an insulation space (22) in order to reduce alien crosstalk between the conductors of the first data cable (82), which are coupled to the insulation displacement contacts of the first group of slits (12A), and the conductors of the second data cable (86), which are coupled to the insulation displacement contacts of the second group of slits (14A).

Description

CONNECTOR BLOCK

THE iNVENTION field

The present invention relates to a connector block for terminating a plurality of insulated conductors of two or more electronic data cables.

General state of the art

When cables are formed of multiple twisted pair conductors, electromagnetic coupling between pairs, also referred to as crosstalk (XT), can be reduced by having each pair having different rates of drilling. However, if similar cables are juxtaposed, twisted pairs may be placed very close to other twisted pairs at the same rate of drilling, increasing cross-talk between twisted pair pairs with corresponding twist rates in adjacent cables; Crosstalk between cables is also referred to as alien crosstalk (AXT).

Connector blocks (also known as terminator blocks) are useful for terminating and connecting many pairs of conductors simultaneously. Current conductor blocks may be affected by unwanted electromagnetic coupling between conductors. This may be the case in particular at high frequencies and when several cables, each containing a plurality of conductors, are packed close together. This unwanted electromagnetic coupling may also contain alien crosstalk.

Generally, it is desirable to overcome one or more of the difficulties described above, or at least to provide a viable alternative.

Brief description of the invention According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector block for terminating insulated conductors of a first data cable and a second data cable, comprising: (a) a plurality of slots arranged in a row along a common side of the connector block in first and second groups; and (b) a plurality of insulation displacement contacts with bifurcated

Contact portions extending at least partially into respective ones of the slots around the insulated ones

To complete the ladder,

wherein the groups are separated by an isolation distance to permit alien crosstalk between the conductors of the first data cable coupled to the insulation displacement contacts of the first group of slots and the conductors of the second data cable coupled to the insulation displacement contacts of the second group of slots to reduce.

Preferably, the conductors of the first data cable and the second data cable are arranged in twisted pairs, and the slots are arranged in pairs for receiving the conductors of the corresponding twisted pair.

Preferably, the isolation distance is greater than the distance between adjacent pairs of slots.

Preferably, the distance between adjacent pairs of slots is greater than the distance between the slots of one of the pairs of slots.

Preferably, the isolation distance is greater than 17 mm.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of terminating a plurality of insulated conductors of first and second electronic data cables using the connector block claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the insulated conductors of each cable of the cables are arranged in twisted pairs; including the steps:

a) terminating a first twisted pair of the first cable at a first rate of drift in a first pair VÜΠ protecting a first group of slots and

b) terminating a first twisted pair of the second cable at substantially the first bit rate in a first pair of slots of a second group of slots,

wherein the position of the first pair of slots of the second group corresponds to the position of the first pair of slots of the first group of slots.

Preferably, steps (a) and (b) are repeated for the second and third and fourth twisted pairs of the first and second cables.

Brief description of the drawings

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of non-limitative example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a connector block;

FIG. 2 shows a first end view of the one shown in FIG

Connector block; FIG. 3 shows a second end view of the one shown in FIG

Connector block;

FIG. 4 is a front view of that shown in FIG

Connector block;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the connector block shown in Figure 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of that shown in FIG

Connector block;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of that shown in FIG

Connector block; Figure 8 is a plan view of the connector block shown in Figure 1 coupled to the insulated conductors of two data cables;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a front portion of another connector block eiπschiießiich several coupled insulation displacement contacts and

Figure 10 is an exploded view of the front part of the connector block shown in Figure 9.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The connector block 10 shown in Figs. 1-7 is used to terminate the insulated conductors of four data cables (not shown). The connector block 10 includes a generally rectangular housing 11 having a front side 60; a back 62; a top 64 and a bottom 66. The housing 11 extends along a length extending from a first end 68 to a second end 70. The housing 11 preferably includes a front portion 72 which is connected to a base portion 74. In one embodiment, the front portion 72 is connected to the base portion 74 by a snap fit connection. It will be appreciated that the front portion 72 defines the front side 60 of the housing 11 and the base portion 74 defines the rear face 62 of the housing 11.

As shown particularly in FIG. 1, the connector block 10 includes two adjacent groups, 12, 14 of FIG

Insulation displacement contact slots 16. Each group 12, 14 of slots 16 is arranged in two rows 12a, 12b and 14a, 14b which extend side by side along the front side 60 of the housing 11 in the manner shown in FIG. In the described arrangement, the rows 12a and 14a of slots extend along the front side 60 of the housing 11 in a line adjacent the top 64 of the housing 11. Similarly, the rows 12b and 14b of slots are along the front side 60 of the housing 11 in a line the bottom side 66 of the housing 11th As shown particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connector block 10 includes a plurality of insulation displacement contacts (IDC) 20 captured between the front portion 72 and the base portion 74. Each IDC 20 is preferably formed from a cuvette that is forked about two opposing ones To define contact portions 21, 23 which are separated by a slot into which an insulated wire can be pressed so that edges of the contact portions engage and disengage the insulation and such that the contact portions resiliently engage the conductor of the insulated wire take and make an electrical connection with it. The described IDCs 20 are taught, for example, by US 4,452,502 and US 4,405,187. The two opposite contact portions 21, 23 of the IDCs 20 are disclosed in corresponding slots 16 of the front part 74 of the housing 11, for example in the manner shown in Figure 1.

The IDCs 20 are disposed in fixed positions with respect to the IDC slot 16 so that the contact portions 21, 23 of each IDC 20 extend into a corresponding slot 16. As particularly shown in Figure 8, each slot of the slots 16 of the first row 12a is adapted to receive an end portion of a corresponding insulated conductor 80 of a first data cable 82. The end portion of each insulated conductor 80 may be electrically connected to a corresponding IDC 20 by pressing the end portion of the conductor 80 between the opposed contact portions 21, 23. Similarly, each slot of the slots 16 of the second row 14a is configured to receive an end portion of a corresponding insulated conductor 84 of a second data cable 86. The end portion of each insulated conductor 84 may be electrically connected to a corresponding IDC 20 by pressing the end portion of the conductor 84 between the opposed contact portions 21, 23. Also, the insulated conductors of other data cables (not shown) may be electrically coupled to respective ones of the second series IDCs 20 of the first group 12 of slots 16 and to individual ones of the second group IDCs 20 of the second group 14b 14 of slots 16 are connected.

The IDCs 20a of the first row of slots 12a are electrically connected to respective ones of the IDCs 20b of the second one of contactors 12b by heder finger contacts 25a, 25b extending therebetween Accordingly, the insulated conductors 80 of the first data cable 82 are electrically connected to the one IDCs 20a of the first row 12a of slots 16 are electrically connected to respective ones of the insulated conductors of another data cable (not shown) electrically connected to the IDCs 20b of row 12b of slots 16. Analogously, the insulated conductors 84 of the second data cable are 86, which are electrically connected to the IDCs 20a of the row 14a of slots 16, are electrically connected to respective ones of the insulated conductors of yet another data cable, not shown, which are electrically connected to the insulation displacement contacts 20b of the row 14b of slots 16. An example for the described arrangement of slots 16 and IDCs 20 of the Connector block 10 is set forth in US 4,541,682.

Significantly, the connector block 10 is designed to reduce alien crosstalk between the first and second data cables 80, 86 when electrically connected to the IDCs 20 of the rows 12a, 14b of the first and second groups 12, 14 of slots 16. Alien crosstalk is reduced by separating the rows 12a, 14a with an isolation distance 22a. Similarly, the connector block 10 is designed to reduce alien crosstalk between data cables electrically connected to the IDCs 20 of the rows 12b, 14b of the first and second group of slots 16 by separating the rows 12b, 14b with an isolation distance 22b. The isolation distance 22 is, for example, greater than 17 mm.

As particularly shown in Figure 8, the isolation distance 22 is selected to reduce alien crosstalk between adjacent cables 82, 86 by increasing the distance "X" between centers of twisted pairs of adjacent groups 12, 14 of slots 16. The isolation distance 22 is for example greater than 17 mm. Advantageously, the isolation distance 22 reduces alien crosstalk to a level that makes the connector block 10 suitable for use in an installation that complies with the Category 5 communication standard and changes high bandwidth communication standards such as 10 gigabytes.

The length "X" of the insulation spacing 22 is preferably selected to be as large as possible in view of the space requirements of the insulation displacement contacts 20. The length "X" of the isolation distance 22 is preferably selected to be in the light of the space constraints of the device in which the connector block 10 should be mounted as large as possible. For example, if the mounting of the device is a communication rack or a configuration of mounting bars.

As shown particularly in Figure 8, the insulated conductors 80, 84 of the first and second data cables 82, 86 are arranged in twisted pairs. The twisted pairs of each data cable 82, 86 have different twist rates. An example of such a cable is one from ADC Communications Pty ltd. However, it should be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may consider cables including, for example, more or less twisted pairs of conductors.

As shown in particular in FIG. 7, the insulation displacement contact slots 16 of each row 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of slots 16 are arranged in the following pairs:

1. 12ai, 12aii, 12aiii, 12aiv;

2. 12bi, 12bii, 12biii, 12biv; 3. 14ai, 14aii, 14aiii, 14aiv and 4. 14bi, 14bii, 14biii, 14biv.

The connector block 10 is used to connect the conductors 80 of the four twisted pairs 80a, 80b, 80c, 8Od of the first cable 82 in corresponding pairs of slots 12ai, 12aii, 12aiii and 12aiv of the first row 12a of slots 16 in the manner shown in FIG. 8. Advantageously, the twisted pair 80a terminated at location 12ai has a first drivetrain; the twisted pair 80b terminated at the stand i2aιιι has a second rate of drilling; the twisted pair 80c to be terminated at location 12aiii has a third rate of drilling, and the twisted pair 8Od to be terminated at location 12aiv has a fourth rate of drilling. The connector block 10 is also used to similarly terminate four twisted pairs 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d from the second cable 86 in respective pairs of slots 14ai, 14aii, 14aiii, 14aiv. Advantageously, the twisted pairs of the second cable 84 are arranged such that the twisted pair 84a terminated at location 14ai has a first rate of drilling having a second rate of twist at point 14aii terminated twisted pair 84b, and twisted pair 84c terminated at location 14a has a third drill rate and the twisted pair 84d terminated at location 14aiv has a fourth rate of drill. The described arrangement of twisted pair leads of the first and second cables 82, 86 advantageously provides a minimum separation of 17 mm between the closest centers of twisted pairs in adjacent cables, thereby minimizing alien crosstalk.

Advantageously, twisted pairs of the two adjacent cables 82, 86 are terminated in the connector block 10 in the following manner:

a. The first drill rate of the twisted pair 80a terminated at the pair of slots 12ai corresponds to the first rate of twist of the twisted pair 84a terminated at the pair of slots 14ai. b. The second twist rate of the twisted pair 80b terminated at the slot pair 12aii corresponds to the second twist rate of the twisted pair 84b terminated at the slot pair 14aii. c. The third drill rate of the twisted pair 80c terminated at the slot pair 12aiii corresponds to the third rate of twist of the twisted pair 84c terminated at the pair of slots 14aiii. d. The fourth diameter of the twisted pair 8Od terminated at the pair of shafts 12aiv corresponds to the fourth rate of twist of the twisted pair 84d terminated at the pair of slots 14aiv.

Twisted pair lines from the two adjacent common rate drill wires 82, 86 are arranged in pairs of slots providing a maximum distance "Y" therebetween as shown in Figure 4. The length "X" of the isolation distance 22a is preferably greater than 17 mm. Advantageously, the isolation distance 22a reduces alien crosstalk to a level that makes the connector block 10 suitable for use in an installation that complies with the Category 6 communication standard and other high bandwidth communication standards.

Similarly, connector block 10 is used to terminate four twisted pairs from a third cable (not shown) in pairs of slots 12bi, 12bii, 12biii and 12biv and from a fourth cable (not shown) in pairs of slots 14bi, 14bii, 14biii and 14biv. Advantageously, twisted pairs of the two adjacent cables are terminated in the connector block 10 in the following manner:

a. The first drill rate of the twisted pair terminated at the slot pair 12bi corresponds to the first rate of twist of the twisted pair terminated at the slot pair 14bi. b. The second drill rate of the twisted pair terminated at the pair of slots 12bii corresponds to the second rate of twist of the twisted pair terminated at the pair of slots 14bii. c. The third drill rate of the twisted pair terminated at slot pair 12biii corresponds to the third drill rate of those closed at slot pair 14biii twisted double line. d. The fourth drill rate of the twisted pair terminated at the pair of slots 12biv corresponds to the fourth rate of rotation of the twisted tubing terminated at the pair of slots 14biv.

Twisted pairs of the adjacent third and fourth common-rate cable are arranged in pairs of slots which provide a maximum distance "Y ^* therebetween as shown in FIG. The length "X" of the isolation distance 22b is preferably greater than 17 mm. Advantageously, the isolation distance 22b reduces alien crosstalk to a level that makes the connector block 10 suitable for use in an installation meeting the category 6 communication standard and other high-level communication standards bandwidth.

As particularly shown in FIG. 4, the distance "A ^Λλ between nearest centers of slots 16 of adjacent twisted pairs is preferably 5.5 mm. The distance "B" between nearest centers of twisted-pair slots 16 is preferably 3 mm. The distance "A" is preferably greater than the distance "B".

The connector block 10 includes clips 24 for coupling the connector block to a rack mounting structure, such as a pair of solid bars that are gripped by clips 24. The connector block 10 could alternatively be attached to a mounting structure by any other suitable means. The clips 24 are located on the back side 62 of the connector block 10 and are connected to the base part 74.

As shown particularly in Figure 6, connector block 10 also includes first and second cable managers 26, 28 positioned on top 64 of base 74 of housing 11 to locate cables at fixed positions to correspond to respective ones of rows 12a and 14a the slots 16 are presented. The connector block 10 also includes third and fourth cable managers 32, 34 mounted on the Bottom side 66 of the base portion 74 of the housing 11 are positioned to locate cables in fixed positions to be presented to respective ones of the rows 12b and 14b of the slots 16.

Each cable manager 26, 28, 32, 34 includes a tab 38 extending outwardly from its respective side 30, 36 of the housing 11. Distal ends of the tabs 38 include flanges 40 that are generally parallel to respective sides 30, 36 of the housing 11. The cable managers 26, 28, 32, 34 are generally T-shaped. The distance between the flanges 40 and the respective sides 30, 36 of the housing 11 is preferably smaller than the width of the data cables 82, 86 and greater than the width of the conductors 80, 84.

As shown in particular in FIG. 8, the first cable manager 26 is coupled to the upper side 64 of the base part 74 between slot pairs 12aii and 12aiii. For example, the first cable manager 26 is configured to sit between the second and third twisted pair 80b, 80c of the first cable 82. In such an arrangement, the lug 38 is in a "V", the twisted between the second and third double line 8Ob ₇ 80c and the sheath of the cable 82 is formed. In this position, the end of the sheath abuts the flange 40 or the lug 38 In any event, the cable manager 26 holds the end of the cable 82 in a fixed position when the ends of the conductors 80 are terminated in corresponding slots 16. In the described arrangement, the cable manager 26 holds the cable 82 flush against the top 64 of the housing 11. When multiple connector blocks 10 are stacked on top of each other (as an example), the cable manager 26 prevents interference between the cables.

In the described arrangement, the length of the first twisted pair 80a is preferably equal to that of the fourth twisted pair 8od. Similarly, the length of the second twisted pair 80b is preferably equal to that of the third twisted pair 80c. Similarly, the second cable manager 28 is coupled to the top 64 of the base member 74 between pairs of slots 14aii and 14aiii. The second cable manager 28 is adapted to sit between the second and third twisted pair conductors 84b, 84c of the second cage 86. With such an arrangement, the tab 38 is located in a "V" formed between the second and third twisted pairs 84b, 84c and the sheath of the cable 86. In this position, the end of the sheath abuts the flange 40 or tab 38 In either case, the cable manager 28 holds the end of the cable 86 in a fixed position when the ends of the conductors 84 are terminated in corresponding slots 16. In the described arrangement, the cable manager 28 keeps the conductors 84 flush against the top 64 of the housing 11th

In the described arrangement, the length of the first twisted pair 84a is preferably equal to that of the fourth twisted pair 84d. Similarly, the length of the second twisted pair 84b is preferably equal to that of the third twisted pair 84c.

The third and fourth cable managers are respectively coupled between slot pairs 12bii and 12biii or slot pairs 14bii and 14biii to the underside 66 of the base part 74. The arrangement of the third and fourth cable manager 32, 34 is analogous to that of the first and second cable manager 26, 28 and is not described here.

The flanges 40 are of sufficient size and width to prevent the twisted pairs from being displaced by cable movement. When a plurality of connector blocks 10 are stacked on each other (as an example), the cable managers 26, 28, 32, 34 prevent interference between the cables.

The cable managers 26, 28, 32, 34 are preferably formed integrally with the connector block 10. Alternatively, the cable managers 26, 28, 32, 34 are attached to the body of the connector block 10 at a later point. As shown more particularly in FIG. 6, the connector block 10 also includes upper spacers 50 a, 50 b coupled to the upper surface 64 of the base portion 74 of the housing 11. The connector block 10 also includes lower spacers 50c, 50d coupled to the underside 66 of the base portion 74 of the housing 11. When a plurality of connector blocks 10 are stacked on each other, the lower spacers 50c, 50d of a connector block 10 rest on the upper spacers 50a, 50b of the connector block 10 immediately below. The spacers 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d thereby sever the connector blocks 10 in the stack. The spacers 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d separate the connector blocks in the stack by a minimum distance to prevent significant interference between the conductors of adjacent cables coupled to adjacent connector blocks 10. The spacers 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d preferably prevent alien crosstalk between the conductors of adjacent cables coupled to adjacent connector blocks 10.

The connector block 100 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is used to terminate the insulated conductors of ten data cables, not shown. The connector block 100 includes five adjacent groups 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 of IDC slots 16. The connector block 100 acts in a manner analogous to that of the connector block 10, and as such, common number reference numbers are the same. The connector block 100 is configured to reduce alien crosstalk, for example, by including isolation distances 22 between adjacent groups 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 from the IDC slots 16.

Advantageously, the isolation distance 22 reduces alien crosstalk to a level that makes the connector block 100 suitable for use in an installation that complies with the Category 6 communication standard and other high bandwidth communication standards.

The length "X" of the isolation distances is selected so as to reduce alien crosstalk between adjacent data cables (not shown) by adjusting the distance between them Slits 16 is increased according to adjacent cables. The isolation distance 22 preferably increases the distance between slots for twisted pair lines with equal drill rates.

The length "X" of the isolation gap 22 is preferably selected to be as large as possible given the space requirements of the insulation displacement contacts 20a, 20b. The length "X" of the isolation distance 22 is preferably selected to be in the light of space limitations of the device. in which the connector block 100 is to be mounted is as large as possible. For example, if the mounting of the device is a communication rack or a configuration of mounting bars.

The connector block 10, 100 includes openings 50 for connection to a cable manager with mounting lugs not shown. The connector block 10, 100 also includes internal guides on its inner sidewalls (not shown) to facilitate connection to a cable manager with side clips.

It should be understood that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modification and additional components may be provided to enhance the performance of the device. In another embodiment of the present invention, a standard connector block 10, 100 may be used with a regular pitch of insulation displacement contact slots 16 (ie, without preformed insulation spacers 28, as shown in FIG. 1), and the isolation distance 22 may be formed by adding a selected number of slots 16 is not connected between cable groups, the selected number being selected to reduce alien crosstalk below a specified level. Preferably, the number of unconnected slots is sufficiently large to reduce alien crosstalk below levels required by the Category 6A standard. In further embodiments of the present invention, the connector block 10, 100 is adapted to be mounted on vertical bars, in a rack or in a communication cabinet.

Advantageously, the twisted pair lines in the block may be terminated by other forms of IDCs, including non-separable IDCs, and other forms of electrical contacts known in the art.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context otherwise requires, the word "comprising" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" are understood to include the inclusion of a specified integer or step or phrase Group of specified integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or derivative thereof

Information) or any matter that is known is not and should not be construed as an acknowledgment or concession or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived therefrom) or known matter forms part of the usual

General knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this patent relates.

Claims

CLAIMS:

A connector block for terminating insulated conductors of a first data cable and a second data cable. including:

(a) a plurality of slots arranged in a row along a common side of the connector block in first and second groups; and

(b) a plurality of insulation displacement contacts having bifurcated contact portions at least partially extending into respective ones of the slots to terminate the insulated conductors;

wherein the groups are separated by an isolation distance to prevent alien crosstalk between the conductors of the first data cable coupled to the insulation displacement contacts of the first group of slots and

Ladders of the second data cable connected to the

Insulation displacement contacts of the second group of slots are coupled to reduce.

2. The connector block of claim 1, wherein the conductors of the first data cable and the second data cable are arranged in twisted pairs and the slots are arranged in pairs for receiving the

Head of corresponding twisted pairs.

The connector block of claim 2, wherein the isolation distance is greater than the distance between adjacent pairs of slots.

The connector block of claim 2 or 3, wherein the distance between adjacent pairs of slots is greater than the distance between the slots of one of the pairs of slots.

5. A connector block according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the insulation distance is of sufficient size to Alien crosstalk between a first twisted pair of the first cable having a first rate of drilling completed on a first pair of slots of the first group of slots and a first twisted pair of the second data cable being connected to the first

Drill rate, which is completed at a first pair of slots of the second group of slots to block.

The connector block of claim 5, wherein the position of the first pair of slots of the first group of slots corresponds to that of the first pair of slots of the second group of slots.

7. Connector block according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the isolation distance is greater than 17 mm.

The connector block of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the distance between adjacent pairs of slots is substantially 5.5mm.

The connector block of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the distance between the slots of one of the pairs of slots is substantially 3mm.

A connector block according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the isolation distance makes the connector suitable for use in an installation meeting the communication standard category 6.

The connector block of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each group of slots includes two substantially parallel rows of slots.

12. The connector block of claim 11, wherein a first row of slots of the first group of slots is configured to terminate the conductors of the first data cable, and a second row of slots of the first group of slots is configured to be conductors a third data cable.

The connector block of claim 11 or 12, wherein a first row of slots of the second group of slots is adapted to terminate the conductors of the second data cable, and a second row of slots of the second group of slots is adapted to be conductors of a fourth data cable complete.

The connector block of any one of claims 1 to 13 including means for coupling the connector block to a structure for supporting a plurality of connector blocks.

15. The connector block of claim 14, wherein the structure is a communication frame.

The connector block of any one of claims 1 to 15, including means for coupling the connector block to a cable manager.

The connector block of any one of claims 1 to 16, including a plurality of cable managers for placing the cables in fixed positions for presentation to respective ones of the first and second group of slots.

The connector block of claim 17, wherein the cable managers are integrally formed on respective sides of the connector block.

The connector block of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein each cable manager of the manager includes a tab extending outwardly from a side of the connector block and a flange coupled to an end of the tab.

The connector block of claim 19, wherein the flange is substantially parallel to the side of the connector block.

21. A method of terminating a plurality of insulated conductors of first and second electronic data cables using the connector block claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the insulated conductors of each cable from the cable are arranged in twisted pairs, including the steps of:

a) terminating a first twisted pair of the first cable at a first rate of drilling in a first pair of slots of a first group of

Slits, and

The method of claim 21, wherein steps (a) and (b) are repeated for the second and third and fourth twisted pairs of the first and second cables.

A connector block including a plurality of insulated conductors coupled thereto by carrying out the steps claimed in any one of claims 21 or 22.

24. Connector block substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A method for terminating a plurality of insulated conductors substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.