TITLE
    LocalTalk: Description of Cable System Hardware
Article ID:
Author:
Created:
Modified: 		794

10/19/87
9/18/89
TOPIC



    Overview
    --------
    The cables and connectors in the LocalTalk Cable System incorporate a
    locking mini-3 (AppleTalk) connector. The connector assembly has a small
    latching pin as part of the male connector shield sleeve that mates to a
    receptacle in the female connector housing. Insertion of the connector
    latches the pin; the male connector sleeve must be pulled back to extract
    the pin, freeing the connector. The latching connector is engineered to
    have a shear pull force of no less than 6 pounds, preventing the accidental
    loosening of the connectors.

DISCUSSION


    Compatibility
    -------------
    The cables are compatible with earlier connectors, except that there is no
    latching action if any old-to-new connection is made (either new male to
    old female, or new female to old male).

    Custom Cable Assembly
    ---------------------
    Because of the added complexity of the new connector assembly, customers
    are not required to construct the actual connector as before. Instead, the
    new cable assembly will consist of simply splicing cables together with a
    new "splice box".

    1. The user will take a short 6- to 8-inch cable section (which has a
    latching connector on one end and the wires stripped in "pig-tail" fashion
    in the other) and place the stripped end into the splice box housing.

    2. The next step is to strip the end of the plenum cable and place it in the
    other side of the splice box.

    3. Closing the box forces the wires between two insulation displacement
    fasteners, making a wire-to-wire connection and at the same time ensuring
    a positive cable shield attachment, acting as a secure strain relief.

    Cable/Connector Kits
    --------------------
    LocalTalk Locking Cable Kit-10 meter
    LocalTalk Locking Connector Kit-din8
    LocalTalk Locking Connector Kit-DB9
    LocalTalk Locking Cable Kit-25 meter

    AppleTalk Custom Wiring Kit: Includes 100 meters (300 feet) of plenum
    cable, 26 cable and connector assemblies, and 4 cable extenders.


EXTENDED Information section - Apple Internal Use - Service Providers and Support Professional

APPLE EYES ONLY Information section - Apple Need-To-Know Confidential

Article Change History:



Copyright © 2000 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.