Twisted pair communication cables that include reduced or minimal use of colorant may include a plurality of twisted pairs of individually insulated conductors, and the respective insulation formed around each conductor included in the plurality of twisted pairs may not be blended or compounded with any colorant. Physical indicia may be selectively formed on respective outer surfaces of the insulation of at least two of the plurality of twisted pairs. The physical indicia may include colorant that occupies less than 5.0% of a surface area of the insulation on which it is formed, and the physical indicia facilitate identification of the plurality of twisted pairs. A jacket may formed around the plurality of twisted pairs.

A class of electrical connectors are described along with methods of manufacturing the same. In one example embodiment, a method of assembling a connector includes extending a twisted pair through a slot in a seal plate; untwisting the twisted pair along a first distance; inserting first and second conductors of the twisted pair through first and second through holes of a seal carrier; coupling first and second electrical terminals to the first and second conductors; re-twisting the twisted pair along a portion of the first distance by rotating the seal carrier; and inserting the seal carrier into the slot of the seal plate.

A class of electrical connectors are described along with methods of manufacturing the same. In one example embodiment, a method of assembling a connector includes extending a twisted pair through a slot in a seal plate; untwisting the twisted pair along a first distance; inserting first and second conductors of the twisted pair through first and second through holes of a seal carrier; coupling first and second electrical terminals to the first and second conductors; re-twisting the twisted pair along a portion of the first distance by rotating the seal carrier; and inserting the seal carrier into the slot of the seal plate.

An electrical connector system includes a connector with a plug. A shroud extends over a portion of the plug and is coupled with the plug. A conductive socket is configured for receiving the plug of the connector. The socket includes a groove formed on an outer surface thereof. The shroud includes spring fingers having a lock portion thereon configured for engaging the groove for securing the connector in the socket. A collar is slidably mounted on the conductive socket and is configured for sliding between a locked position proximate to the socket groove and an unlocked position. The collar is further configured for engaging the spring fingers of the connector shroud in the locked position to hold the finger lock portions engaged with the groove to lock the connector in the socket.

An electrical connector system includes a connector with a plug. A shroud extends over a portion of the plug and is coupled with the plug. A conductive socket is configured for receiving the plug of the connector. The socket includes a groove formed on an outer surface thereof. The shroud includes spring fingers having a lock portion thereon configured for engaging the groove for securing the connector in the socket. A collar is slidably mounted on the conductive socket and is configured for sliding between a locked position proximate to the socket groove and an unlocked position. The collar is further configured for engaging the spring fingers of the connector shroud in the locked position to hold the finger lock portions engaged with the groove to lock the connector in the socket.

A family of connectors includes a plug, receptacle and adapter with the plug incorporating beam contacts, and the receptacle and adapter incorporating interfacing arched beam contacts. A z-configuration of the port(s) within the receptacle and adapter is configured to interface with the plug, which also presents a z-configuration. The parallel, upper and lower portions of the z-configuration of the plug incorporate the beam contacts. The first beam contact of the plug is rotated 180 degrees from the second beam contact of the plug; the arched beam contacts are similarly rotated. The plug, receptacle and adapter of a small form factor that is similar or identical to the formal factor of an optical fiber LC connector. The plug and receptacle can be configured for circuit board, cable or patch cord mounting. The plug and receptacle can be utilized in a multi-plug/multi-receptacle configuration.

A connector is capable of replacing an STP cable (10B) and a UTP cable (10A) without a large structural change. UTP connection terminals (21A) are accommodated in accommodating portions (26) of a UTP dielectric (22A) that are close to each other in a width direction. Thus, elastic contact pieces (32) thereof are located inside and close to each other in the width direction, while receiving portions (31) are located outside and spaced from each other in the width direction. STP connection terminals (21B) are accommodated in accommodating portions (26) of an STP dielectric (22B) that are spaced more apart in the width direction than those of the UTP dielectric (22A). Thus, elastic contact pieces (32) thereof are located outside and are spaced from each other in the width direction, while receiving portions (31) thereof are located inside so as to be close to each other in the width direction.

A connector is capable of replacing an STP cable (10B) and a UTP cable (10A) without a large structural change. UTP connection terminals (21A) are accommodated in accommodating portions (26) of a UTP dielectric (22A) that are close to each other in a width direction. Thus, elastic contact pieces (32) thereof are located inside and close to each other in the width direction, while receiving portions (31) are located outside and spaced from each other in the width direction. STP connection terminals (21B) are accommodated in accommodating portions (26) of an STP dielectric (22B) that are spaced more apart in the width direction than those of the UTP dielectric (22A). Thus, elastic contact pieces (32) thereof are located outside and are spaced from each other in the width direction, while receiving portions (31) thereof are located inside so as to be close to each other in the width direction.

A connector system having a plurality of high-speed connector modules, an anti-decoupling connector shell, and a multi axis backshell is provided. The high-speed module provides a low signal degradation electrically conductive signal path for terminated wires of twisted pairs of wires. The high-speed module additionally provides for dense placement of the terminated wires within the connector shell. The connector shell provides an anti-decoupling mechanism to prevent decoupling of the connector shell from a socket type connector shell resulting from typical forces applied to the connector shell. The multi-axis backshell provides mechanisms to toollessly adjust the angle of the various components making up the backshell which in turn provides a specifically angled path for cables contained within the backshell.

A connector system having a plurality of high-speed connector modules, an anti-decoupling connector shell, and a multi axis backshell is provided. The high-speed module provides a low signal degradation electrically conductive signal path for terminated wires of twisted pairs of wires. The high-speed module additionally provides for dense placement of the terminated wires within the connector shell. The connector shell provides an anti-decoupling mechanism to prevent decoupling of the connector shell from a socket type connector shell resulting from typical forces applied to the connector shell. The multi-axis backshell provides mechanisms to toollessly adjust the angle of the various components making up the backshell which in turn provides a specifically angled path for cables contained within the backshell.