GB2474500A

GB2474500A - Network Terminating Equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2474500A
Application number: GB0918209A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Holliday Falder
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-19
Filing date: 2009-10-19
Publication date: 2011-04-20
Also published as: GB0918209D0

Abstract

A network Terminating Equipment with the following functionality and facilities: A Push-to-test button which can be easily operated by the customer, Two telephone connection outlets, Caters for up to four extension cables to be terminated by means of the Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC) terminals located under a cover plate in the lower section, has permanent labelling designating the service and test sockets and has an Exchange Line number identification label panel.

Description

UK (PSTN) TELEPHONE EXCHANGE LINE -NETWORK TERMINATING EQUIPMENT (NTE) NETWORK TERMINATING EQUIPMENT (NTE) This invention relates to the UK PSTN Telephone exchange me terminating equipment NTE Currently in the UK the Exchange Line (EL) terminates at the customer premises onto Network Terminating Equipment referred to as an NTE This provides a means for isolating the customer's extension cabling from the exchange line in order for testing to take place in the event of a fault condition existing.

It is necessary to isolate the customer's extension wiring so it can be established if the fault exists on the customers own internal telephone cabling and equipment or if it the fault is external to the property on the incoming telephone exchange line.

The currently used NTE provides a demarcation point between the Telephone Service Provider's (TSP) equipment and the Customer's own equipment. The NTE is connected at or near to the incoming connection point on the exchange line entering the customer's premises.

All the customer's extension cabling and equipment emanates from the NTE.

The current NTE has a BT standard UK telephone connection socket mounted on a removable front plate. The front plate is secured by two small screws. Behind the front plate there is an inner BT phone socket.

By removing the front plate any extension cabling and customer owned equipment becomes isolated from the incoming Exchange Line and it can be established if the fault exists on the incoming line. If the service is working OK from the test socket then it can be assumed that a fault exists on the customer side.

Also with the front plate removed the TSP can run remote testing of the exchange line with customer equipment disconnected.

The NTE5 contains some passive components which to make up telephone circuitry for the master telephone socket these are a capacitor, a resistor and a lightning surge protector.

Figure 1 shows a picture of the current NTE arrangement with front cover in place Figure 2 shows a picture of the current NTE arrangement with front cover removed Figure 3 shows a picture of the current NTE front plate (shown from the rear) Figure 4 shows a diagram of the circuitry of the master telephone socket Figure 5 shows a diagram of the demarcation between the exchange line and the customer's privately owned equipment Provision for Extension Telephone Cabling A extension cabng emanates from the NTE5 and is terminated under standard lnsulaUon Displacement Connection (IDC) terminals on the reverse side of the front plate.

Two extension cab'es can be terminated in the NTE5 as the IDC terminals on'y cater for 2 wires to be terminated at each connector. If further extension cabling is required to be run from the NTE an external connector must be used.

Problems with the current system 1. The primary problem is that the Telephone Service Provider's (TSP) customer or consumer is required to perform the remova' of the front p'ate in order to isolate the customer equipment and this must be done with a screwdriver tooL As the NTE is usually installed on the skirting board or very low down on the wall it makes the operation quite difficult even for able bodied DlYers let alone for elderly, infirm or disab'ed people for whom the operation is often impossible to perform.

2. As the extension cabUng is connected to the reverse side of the plate it is possible that wires can be dislodged from the IDC connectors during front plate removal or replacement which would introduce a fault in the customer owned wiring.

3. The current NTE allows for only two extension cables to be connected (due to limitation of IDC connection terminals) and if further connections are required an additional connection box needs to be installed a'ongside the current NTE 4. The current NTE has one sing'e BT phone socket out'et which is not a problem in itself.

However customers often wish to connect additional equipment by means of pre-wired DIY extension leads in lieu of hard wired extension sockets and with the advent of the professional home office there is becoming more need for additional outlets for office equipment such as modems, fax machines as well as for Sky TV points.

NEW STYLE NETWORK TERMINATING EQUIPMENT (NTE) This invention is for a new sty'e Network Termination Unit which has the following functionality: 1. A PUSH-TO-TEST button which can be easily operated by the customer.

2. Two RJ-1 I telephone connection outlets.

3. Caters for up to four extension cables to be terminated by means of Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC) terminals located under a cover plate in the lower section.

4. Has permanent labelling designating the service and test sockets 5. Exchange Line number designation panel Figure 6 shows a diagram of the external dimensions and the look of the new NTE Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of circuitry.

FUNCTIONALITY

OPERATION OF TEST MODE

The new NTE performs the function of a standard UK PSTN master telephone socket and provides two BT socket telephone outlets on the front of the unit.

The incoming exchange line pair is connected via screw terminals. In normal operation the exchange line is routed via the normally operated (NO) double pole / double throw switch contacts through to the master socket components (1.8pF capacitor and 47Kohm resistor) and to the BT te'ephone service sockets.

When the self latching switch is operated by the consumer the exchange line is routed through to the test socket and the customer service sockets are isolated along with any customer owned equipment connected via the service sockets. The TSP can then run remote testing of the line to establish if a fault condition exists.

The test button is labelled "PUSH IN FOR TEST MODE" Pressing the button again unlatches the switch and the NO contacts returned so line is routed to the service sockets.

The Test socket and services sockets are designated accordingly with permanent labelling.

SERVICE SOCKETS

The two service sockets al'ow the user to connect telephone equipment and computers with ASDL filters and also to connect DIY plug-in extension leads.

ACCESS FOR HARD WIRED EXTENSIONS

Two parallel connected IDC connection terminal blocks are located in the bottom section of the NTE6 behind the removable cover. This allows for up to four hard wired extension cables to be terminated within the unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHYSICAL DESIGN

The physical size of the NTE unit is 85mm Wide x 85mm High and 35mm Deep (Induding patress box).

This is the size of a standard single UK electrical surface plate and will fit a standard surface mounted 25mm patress box or can be flush mounted onto sunken metal back-box. Front plate affixes to the surface patress box with machine screws at 60mm centres.

AI circuit components, phone sockets and IDC terminal b'ocks are mounted on a circuit board which affixes to the rear of the front plate. An internal moulded cover plate affixes to the circuit board to protect components when front plate is removed.

The lower section of the front plate has a removable cover plate secured by two machine screws.

Beneath the cover plate there are two x four way IDC terminal blocks where hard wired extension te'ephone cab'es can be connected.

Line connection terminals and test switch and al circuit components are mounted on circuit board fitted to the rear of the front plate by machine screws.

Figure 8 shows a circuit component diagram of circuit board.

Figure 9 shows a diagram of the circuit board design Figure 10 shows a diagram of the side elevation of the NTE

INDEX OF DIAGRAMS

Figure 1 shows a picture of the current NTE arrangement with front cover in place Figure 2 shows a picture of the current NTE arrangement with front cover removed Figure 3 shows a picture of the current NTE front plate (shown from the rear) Figure 4 shows a diagram of the circuitry of the master telephone socket Figure 5 shows a diagram of the demarcation between the exchange line and the customer's privately owned equipment Figure 6 shows a diagram of the external dimensions and the look of the new NTE Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of circuitry.

Figure 8 shows a circuit component diagram of circuit board.

Claims

CLAIMSProblems with the current system 1. The primary problem is that the Telephone Service Provider's (TSP) customer or consumer is required to perform the removal of the front plate in order to isolate the customer equipment and this must be done with a screwdriver tool.As the NTE is usuaUy instaUed on the skirting board or very low down on the wall it makes the operation quite difficult even for able bodied DIVers let alone for elderly, infirm or disabled people for whom the operation is often impossible to perform.
2. As the extension cabling is connected to the reverse side of the plate it is possible that wires can be dislodged from the IDC connectors during front plate removal or replacement which would introduce a fault in the customer owned wiring.
3. The current NTE allows for only two extension cables to be connected (due to limitation of IDC connection terminals) and if further connections are required an additional connection box needs to be installed alongside the current NTE 4. The current NTE has one single BT phone socket outlet which is not a problem in itself.However customers often wish to connect additional equipment by means of pre-wired DIV extension leads in lieu of hard wired extension sockets and with the advent of the professional home office there is becoming more need for additional outlets for office equipment such as modems, fax machines as well as for Sky TV points.NEW STYLE NETWORK TERMINATING EQUIPMENT (NTE) This invention of a new style Network Termination Unit which has the following functionality: 1. A PUSH-TO-TEST button which can be easily operated by the customer.2. Two RJ-1 I telephone connection outlets.3. Caters for up to four extension cables to be terminated by means of Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC) terminals located under a cover plate in the lower section.
4. Has permanent labelling designating the service and test sockets
5. Exchange Line number designation panel