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From: holtzman@mit-amt.MEDIA.MIT.EDU (Henry N. Holtzman)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs,comp.terminals,comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Re: Telco-style push down blocks and stranded cable
Message-ID: <600@mit-amt.MEDIA.MIT.EDU>
Date: Tue, 6-Jan-87 17:33:52 EST
Article-I.D.: mit-amt.600
Posted: Tue Jan  6 17:33:52 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 6-Jan-87 23:34:02 EST
References: <2551@phri.UUCP>
Reply-To: holtzman@media-lab.MEDIA.MIT.EDU (Henry N. Holtzman)
Distribution: world
Organization: MIT Media Lab, Cambridge MA
Lines: 25
Summary: Don't do it!
Xref: mnetor comp.periphs:104 comp.terminals:112 comp.dcom.lans:114

Do not use standard punch down blocks and stranded wire.

Let me repeat, do not use standard punch down blocks and stranded wire.

Even if you get a good connection, you will probably sever all but one
or two strands of the wire.  Next time you work on the block you may
pull on the cable and break the remaining strands.

In fact, you should not use standard punch down blocks with anything
but wire which is meant to go in them.  If you use the wrong gauge or
the wrong softness wire then you can either ruin the block, or get a
bad (immediately, or time decaying) connection.

Now for the brighter side:

	There are companies that make stranded wire punch down blocks.
One of them is Gentner, another is ADC.  Contact a broadcast audio
supply store for more specific information.  Call the business number
of one of your local radio stations and ask for the Chief Engineer if
you can't find anybody in the yellow pages.  S/he will undoubtably
have a made purchases somewhere.

-Henry

Disclaimer:  I don't make or sell punch down blocks; I just use 'em.