Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!lll-lcc!lll-crg!hoptoad!pozar From: pozar@hoptoad.uucp (Tim Pozar) Newsgroups: comp.periphs,comp.terminals,comp.dcom.lans Subject: Re: Telco-style push down blocks and stranded cable Message-ID: <1634@hoptoad.uucp> Date: Fri, 9-Jan-87 11:57:41 EST Article-I.D.: hoptoad.1634 Posted: Fri Jan 9 11:57:41 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 10-Jan-87 00:10:54 EST References: <2551@phri.UUCP> <2856@osu-eddie.UUCP> Reply-To: pozar@hoptoad.UUCP (Tim Pozar) Distribution: world Organization: Syncstream (San Francisco) Lines: 29 Xref: mnetor comp.periphs:122 comp.terminals:130 comp.dcom.lans:131 In article <2856@osu-eddie.UUCP> paul@osu-eddie.UUCP (Paul Placeway) writes: > >At Ohio State, we have been using punchdown blocks for quite a while. They >seem to work just fine, but we use only single conductor (3 conductor >telephone wire) to wire and cross connect. You might try striping about >1/4 inch and tinning it, then punching in the tinned part. (or, how to make >stranded into single conductor wire). > I missed the previous postings. I assume your discussing the merits of punch/crunch/66 blocks. We're using the blocks for high density, quick changing connections for audio at our station. I'm using Belden 8451 wire with the blocks. 8451 is a 22ga., foil shield with drain wire, single pair, stranded cable. We punch it down with the insulation intact with a standard punch tool. Stripping the wire first, because of the density of the connections, is not a good idea. The exposed wire is too vunerable to shorts with frayed wires and the wire laying across other connections. Before we decided to use stranded wire we tested punch connections with 8451, 8450 (solid), and several other brands of simular wire, one being Naglix. I also have been using 8451 with these blocks for the past 6 years. During this years I haven't had one connection that I have had to repunch due to oxidation or bad punches. . Before we punch down the connections, we paint the blocks with a non-oxidizer from Caig Labritories. Just for my peace of mine... I would like to add that we also research differant type of connection blocks. We also have results originated by the military comparing different type of connections vs. life expectancy. If anyone is interested in this data, you can send me mail and we can make arrangements for sending it to you.