Modular telecommunications plug and method

Abstract

A modular plug for terminating a telecommunications cable having a twisted wire pair is disclosed. The modular plug includes a housing defining an internal cavity and a slot positioned toward a distal end of the housing, each slot being parallel to a central axis of the modular plug. A wire manager fits within the internal cavity and defines a passageway for positioning the twisted wire pair within the housing. A wire board extends from the wire manager and defines a plurality of grooves, each groove shaped to position an individual wire from the twisted wire pair at an angle relative to the central axis. The modular plug further includes a plurality of plug contacts. Each plug contact is held by a slot of the housing and is configured to form an electrical interface with a wire positioned by the wire board.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application, filed as a PCT international patent application on April 30, 2021, claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 017,706, filed on April 30, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] Telecommunications networks use cables designed to maintain signal integrity. The cable consists of stranded copper wire pairs surrounded by a cable sheath. The cable is terminated by a plug that secures the ends of the copper wires for alignment and contact with a series of plug contacts. When the plug is inserted into a mating jack, it locks in place, and the plug contacts transmit signals to the corresponding contacts inside the jack. An RJ45 connector plug is an example of a plug that can be used to terminate cables.

[0004] Each plug contact includes teeth that make contact with the copper wire. The teeth of each plug contact are offset towards the opposite side of the mating wire. The offset is small because the plug contacts are housed together tightly inside the plug housing to align with the contacts in the socket. A reliable connection requires that the teeth of each plug contact fall on the opposite side of each wire so that they cross the wire. When this occurs, the plug contacts and wires deform with a certain degree of elasticity, thereby generating and maintaining a contact force.

[0005] Achieving a reliable connection between the plug contacts and the copper wires inside the plug can be challenging because aligning the teeth of the flat plug contacts with the linearly positioned conductors is difficult. For this and other reasons, improvements are necessary. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect relates to a modular plug for terminating telecommunications cables with stranded wire pairs. The modular plug includes: a housing defining an inner cavity and one or more slots at a distal end of the housing; one or more plug contacts held by the slots of the housing, each plug contact configured to form an electrical interface with conductors from the stranded wire pairs; a conductor manager within the inner cavity configured to receive the stranded wire pairs within the housing; and a conductor plate extending from the conductor manager, the conductor plate defining one or more recesses, each recess shaped to position a conductor from the stranded wire pairs at an angle relative to a corresponding plug contact.

[0007] On the other hand, a method for terminating a cable using a modular plug is provided. The method includes: positioning stranded pairs from the cable through one or more channels defined by a conductor manager of the modular plug; unwinding the stranded pairs; positioning the conductors on a conductor plate of the modular plug, the conductor plate defining a plurality of recesses for positioning each individual conductor at an angle relative to plug contacts; trimming the conductors flush with the distal end of the conductor plate; inserting the conductor manager and conductor plate into the housing of the modular plug; and crimping the plug contacts to engage the individual conductors positioned by the conductor plate.

[0008] On the other hand, a modular plug for terminating telecommunications cables with stranded wire pairs is disclosed. The modular plug includes: a housing defining an inner cavity and slots positioned distally, each slot parallel to the central axis of the modular plug; a wire manager engaging within the inner cavity, defining channels within the housing for positioning the stranded wire pairs; a wire plate extending from the wire manager, defining a plurality of recesses, each recess shaped to position individual wires from the stranded wire pairs at an angle relative to the central axis; and a plurality of plug contacts, each plug contact held by a slot on the distal end of the housing and configured to form an electrical interface with the wires positioned by the wire plate.

[0009] Various additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the following description. Inventive aspects may involve individual features as well as combinations of features. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and illustrative, and do not limit the broad inventive concepts on which the examples disclosed herein are based. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The following, which forms part of this application, also includes the described techniques and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way.

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a telecommunications cable terminated by a modular plug.

[0012] Figure 2 This is another perspective view of telecommunications cables and modular plugs.

[0013] Figure 3 This is the right view of the modular plug.

[0014] Figure 4 This is the left view of the modular plug.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a front view of the modular plug.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a rear view of the modular plug.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a top view of the modular plug.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a bottom view of the modular plug.

[0019] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of a modular plug.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a front perspective view of a wire manager with a wire board.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a top view of the wire manager.

[0022] Figure 12 This is the front view of the wire manager.

[0023] Figure 13 This is the right-hand view of the wire manager.

[0024] Figure 14 This is the left-hand view of the wire manager.

[0025] Figure 15 This is a top view of the wire manager.

[0026] Figure 16 This is the rear view of the wire manager.

[0027] Figure 17 This is a detailed top view of the conductor plate aligned with multiple plug contacts.

[0028] Figure 18 This is a detailed front view of the conductor plate aligned with multiple plug contacts.

[0029] Figure 19 This is a perspective view of the plug contacts.

[0030] Figure 20 This is a front view of the plug contacts.

[0031] Figure 21 This is a rear view of the plug contacts.

[0032] Figure 22 This is a top view of the plug contacts.

[0033] Figure 23 This is a bottom view of the plug contacts.

[0034] Figure 24 This is a side view of the plug contacts.

[0035] Figure 25 It is a perspective view of the plug contacts crimped onto the individual conductors of the telecommunications cable.

[0036] Figure 26 A method for terminating a telecommunications cable is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same parts and components throughout several views. References to various embodiments do not limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting, and merely illustrate some of the many possible embodiments of the appended claims.

[0038] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a telecommunications cable 10 terminated by a modular plug 100. The telecommunications cable 10 includes stranded pairs of wires housed within a protective outer sheath. These stranded pairs are configured to transmit signals. For example, information such as video, audio, and data can be transmitted in balanced signal form through a single stranded pair. The transmitted signals are defined by the voltage difference between the wires. The telecommunications cable 10 includes four stranded pairs, resulting in a total of eight individual wires.

[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the modular plug 100 is configured to terminate the telecommunications cable 10. In particular, the modular plug 100 is configured to terminate the stranded wire pairs housed within the sheath of the telecommunications cable 10.

[0040] Figure 3-9 The right view, left view, front view, rear view, top view, bottom view, and exploded view of the modular plug 100 are depicted respectively. For example... Figure 3-9 As shown, the modular plug 100 includes a housing 200, a wire manager 300, a rear component 400, and a wire plate 500. In some embodiments, the modular plug 100 includes a cover 600 that snaps onto the wire plate 500 (see Figure 100). Figure 9 As will be described in more detail, the wire manager 300, the rear component 400, and the wire board 500 are assembled together and housed within the cavity of the housing 200.

[0041] The housing 200 includes an array of slots 210 along the distal end of the housing. For example... Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, the modular plug 100 includes a plurality of plug contacts 110 held within a slot 210. Each plug contact 110 is configured to electrically connect a stranded wire pair in the telecommunications cable 10 to a contact in a telecommunications jack. Each plug contact 110 is held by the slot 210 to be parallel to the central axis AA of the modular plug 100 (see [reference]). Figure 7This ensures that when the modular plug is inserted into the socket, each plug contact 110 aligns with the corresponding contact of the telecommunications socket.

[0042] The conductor plate 500 includes a plurality of recesses 502 to align each individual conductor of the telecommunications cable 10 with a plug contact 110. As will be described in more detail, each recess 502 is configured to position an individual conductor from a stranded pair in the telecommunications cable 10 at an angle relative to the corresponding plug contact 110. In one embodiment, the conductor plate 500 includes ribs 508 on opposite sides. The ribs 508 are configured to interfere with the housing 200 to ensure that the conductor plate 500 is centered within the cavity of the housing 200. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, there are eight plug contacts, eight slots, and eight recesses. Thus, the modular plug 100 can correspond to an RJ-45 jack. However, other configurations are also possible.

[0043] The housing 200 also includes a locking handle 206 and a shoulder 208. The locking handle 206 and the shoulder 208 are configured to engage corresponding structures in the socket of the telecommunications jack to secure the modular plug 100 in the telecommunications jack.

[0044] The rear component 400 has an arm 404 extending therefrom. The arm 404 may include a recess 402 that receives the distal end of a locking handle 206 of the housing 200. The arm 404 is used to prevent the locking handle 206 from getting caught or being caught.

[0045] Arm 404 can also act as an actuator for locking handle 206 by transmitting pressure applied to arm 404 to actuate locking handle 206 to insert or remove modular plug 100 from socket. Therefore, arm 404 reduces or eliminates the difficulty of actuating locking handle 206 due to the relatively small size of modular plug 100.

[0046] The rear component 400 also includes locking members 406. Each locking member 406 engages a corresponding edge 302 on the wire manager 300. Thus, the rear component 400 is configured to snap onto the wire manager 300.

[0047] The cover 600 has locking members 602. Each locking member 602 engages a corresponding edge 304 on the wire manager 300. Thus, the cover 600 is configured to snap onto the wire manager 300. In an alternative embodiment, the cover 600 is integral with the wire manager 300, such that the cover 600 is not a separate component.

[0048] The housing 200 includes slots 204 on opposite sides of the housing. Each slot 204 receives a corresponding protrusion 408 of the rear component 400. Thus, the housing 200 is configured to receive and secure the wire manager 300, to which the cover 600 and the rear component 400 are attached when the wire manager is inserted into the housing 200.

[0049] Figure 10-16 These are perspective views, top views, front views, right views, left views, bottom views, and rear views of the conductor manager 300. The conductor manager 300 fits within the cavity of the housing 200 and receives stranded pairs from the telecommunications cable 10 via the rear portion 340. The conductor manager 300 defines a central channel 308 and side channels 312 on opposite sides of the central channel 308 to manage the stranded pairs.

[0050] The conductor manager 300 has an inner wall 306 defining a central channel 308 and an outer wall 310, which together with the inner wall 306 defines a side channel 312. The inner wall 306 and the outer wall 310 are flexible to accommodate stranded wire pairs. While the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures shows the outer wall 310 as part of the conductor plate 500, in alternative embodiments, the outer wall 310 may be part of the conductor manager 300 rather than the conductor plate 500. Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures shows the conductor plate 500 as integral with the conductor manager 300, in alternative embodiments, the conductor plate 500 may be a separate component attached to the conductor manager 300.

[0051] The inner wall 306 includes opposing edges 314 that together define a door 316 in the central passageway 308 (see [link]). Figure 11 Door 316 reduces the width of the central passage 308. Additionally, the inner wall 306 includes a protrusion 318 projecting from the opposite edge 314. The protrusion 318 further reduces the width of the central passage 308. Figure 12 As shown, the protrusion 318 defines the upper portion 320 and the lower portion 322 of the door 316.

[0052] Door 316 is configured to position the twisted wire pairs so that the twisted wire pairs can only pass through door 316 in a stacked arrangement. Advantageously, door 316 maintains the twist and spacing between the twisted wire pairs before the wires reach the conductor board 500. By maintaining the twist and spacing, the conductor manager 300 significantly reduces the variability of crosstalk between wires within the modular plug 100, and thus greatly improves the performance of the modular plug 100. In addition, door 316 holds the twisted wire pairs, making it easier for technicians to untangle the wires.

[0053] The first stranded wire pair can be pushed past the protrusion 318 and into the lower portion 322 of the door 316. The inner wall 306 is configured to bend in the opposite direction to allow the first stranded wire pair to be pressed past the protrusion 318 and into the lower portion 322.

[0054] like Figure 12 As shown, each protrusion 318 has an upper edge 324 that is rounded to help a technician press the first stranded wire pair from the upper portion 320 past the protrusion 318 and into the lower portion 322 of the door 316. Each protrusion 318 also has a substantially flat lower edge 326 that is orthogonal to the inner wall 306 to help retain the first stranded wire pair in the lower portion 322 when the wire is pressed past the protrusion 318.

[0055] The second twisted wire pair is positioned in the upper portion 320 of door 316. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the inner wall 306 diverges in opposite directions to guide individual wires from the first and second stranded pairs to the conductor plate 500.

[0056] The conductor manager 300 also includes an opposing edge 330 between an inner wall 306 and an outer wall 310, which defines a door 332 in each side channel 312. The inner wall 306 bends toward the outer wall 310 in the opposite direction to at least partially define the door 332 in the side channel 312. On the central axis AA of the modular plug 100, the door 332 in the side channel 312 is offset relative to the door 316 in the central channel 308. For example, the door 332 is closer to the conductor plate 500 than the door 316. The doors 332 in the side channels 312 respectively position the third and fourth stranded wire pairs.

[0057] Door 332 reduces the width of the side passage 312. Door 332 positions the third and fourth twisted pairs so that the wires can only pass through door 332 in a stacked arrangement. Before the wires reach the conductor plate 500, door 332 maintains the twist and spacing of the third and fourth twisted pairs to greatly reduce the variability of crosstalk between wires within the modular plug 100, and thus greatly improve the performance of the modular plug 100. In addition, door 332 holds the third and fourth twisted pairs, making it easier for technicians to untangle the wires.

[0058] The rear portion 340 of the conductor manager 300 includes a flange 346 that abuts the rear portion of the housing 200 when the conductor manager 300 is inserted into the housing 200. The rear portion 340 defines an inner surface 342 that partially surrounds the sheath of the telecommunications cable 10. The inner surface 342 may have a concave shape to surround the circular outer sheath of the cable, or may have other shapes to accommodate cables of different shapes. The inner surface 342 includes ridges 344, each having an inclined surface. The ridges 344 are configured to grip the protective outer sheath of the telecommunications cable 10 when the rear member 400 is at least partially attached to the conductor manager 300.

[0059] Now for reference Figure 10-12 While the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures shows the conductor plate 500 integrated with the conductor manager 300, in alternative embodiments, the conductor plate 500 is a separate component attached to the conductor manager 300. For example, the conductor plate 500 may be configured to snap-fit ​​onto the conductor manager 300. The conductor plate 500 extends from the distal end of the conductor manager 300 and defines an array of recesses 502, each shaped and sized to receive individual conductors from stranded wire pairs.

[0060] Each recess 502 is exposed (e.g., uncovered) on the lead plate 500, such that a crimping tool crimps the plug contact 110 into the individual wire positioned by the recess 502. Once the plug contact 110 and the individual wire are crimped together, an electrical interface is created and maintained between the individual wire and the plug contact 110, such that the plug contact 110 can electrically connect the individual wire to the corresponding contact of the socket.

[0061] Figure 17 and Figure 18 These are detailed top and front views of the multiple plug contacts 110 aligned with the conductor plate 500. Now refer to... Figure 11 , 12 17 and 18, each groove 502 in the conductor plate 500 is shaped to position a separate conductor from the stranded pair in the telecommunications cable 10 at an angle relative to the central axis AA of the modular plug 100. As described above, each plug contact 110 is held by a slot 210 to be parallel to the central axis AA of the modular plug 100. Therefore, each groove 502 also positions a separate conductor at an angle relative to the corresponding plug contact 110.

[0062] Advantageously, positioning the individual wires at an angle relative to the plug contact 110 improves the crimping between the plug contact 110 and the individual wires, because the angle promotes the ability to crimp the teeth of each plug contact 110 on opposite sides of each individual wire so that they cross the wires to form a more reliable connection.

[0063] Although the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure illustrates that the recess 502 is angled toward the right side of the guide plate 500 (see, for example) Figure 11 and Figure 17 However, alternative embodiments are envisioned in which the recess 502 has a different orientation than that shown in the figure, to provide various angular orientations of the recess 502 relative to the plug contact 110. For example, in some embodiments, the recess 502 may be angled toward the left side of the lead plate 500. Additionally, there may be embodiments in which the recess 502 is angled relative to the plane of the lead plate 500 in an upward or downward direction, such that the recess 502 is not flush with the plane of the lead plate 500. Therefore, the recess 502 can provide various angular orientations for individual wires relative to the plug contact 110.

[0064] Figure 19-24 These are perspective views, front views, rear views, top views, bottom views, and side views of an example of plug contact 110. Now refer to... Figure 19-24 Each plug contact 110 has a body 112 having a first side surface 114 and a second side surface 116. The body 112 also has a top portion 118 configured to be engaged by a crimping tool to push the body 112 downward within a groove 210 of the housing 200 to engage a separate wire positioned by a lead plate 500. The top portion 118 is substantially flat. When the plug contact 110 is pushed downward within the groove 210 of the housing by the crimping tool, the plug contact 110 and the separate wire undergo some elastic deformation, generating a contact force to maintain the electrical connection between the plug contact 110 and the separate wire. Subsequently, the top portion 118 is configured to provide an electrical interface between the plug contact 110 and the corresponding contact of the telecommunications jack when the modular plug 100 is inserted into the jack.

[0065] The body 112 of the plug contact 110 also includes a first tooth 120 and a second tooth 122, each having inclined surfaces 124 and 126. As shown, the first tooth 120 and the second tooth 122 are offset relative to the central axis BB of the plug contact, such that the end 123 of the first tooth 120 is on one side of the central axis BB, while the end 125 of the second tooth 122 is on the opposite side of the central axis BB. The inclined surfaces 124 and 126 diverge in opposite directions relative to the central axis BB in a scissor-like manner. The offset between the first tooth 120 and the second tooth 122 of each plug contact 110 is small because the plug contacts 110 are tightly placed together within the slot 210 to align with the contacts of the socket.

[0066] Figure 25 This is a perspective view of the plug contact 110 crimped onto the individual conductor 12 of the telecommunications cable 10. Now refer to... Figure 19-25The inclined surfaces 124, 126 of the first tooth 120 and the second tooth 122 are configured to span opposite sides of the individual conductor 12 to form an electrical interface between the plug contact 110 and the individual conductor 12. The electrical interface between the plug contact 110 and the individual conductor 12 is configured to transmit electrical signals back and forth between the telecommunications cable 10 and the jack. For example, the plug contact 110 transmits electrical signals from the telecommunications cable 10 to the telecommunications jack and receives electrical signals from the telecommunications jack for transmission to the telecommunications cable 10.

[0067] A reliable connection requires the first tooth 120 and the second tooth 122 to fall on opposite sides of the individual wire 12, ensuring a secure and stable electrical interface between the plug contact 110 and the individual wire 12. Now refer to... Figure 17 , 18 And 25, the groove 502 of the conductor plate 500 positions the individual conductors 12 of the telecommunications cable 10 at an angle relative to the plug contact 110, the plug contact being positioned by the slot 210 of the housing 200 parallel to the central axis AA of the modular plug 100. Advantageously, the angle between the individual conductors 12 and the plug contact 110 increases the likelihood that the first tooth 120 and the second tooth 122 of each plug contact 110 will fall on opposite sides of the individual conductors 12, thus reducing defects during the assembly of the modular plug 100.

[0068] Return to reference Figure 17 and Figure 18 The recess 502 on the conductor board 500 is positioned adjacent to the center channel 308 and side channel 312 of the conductor manager 300 to provide a transition for individual conductors from the conductor manager 300 to the conductor board 500.

[0069] In one embodiment, each recess 502 on the leadboard 500 has a first portion 504 and a second portion 506. The first portion 504 of each recess 502 is positioned toward the proximal end of the leadboard 500 and is substantially parallel to the central axis AA of the modular plug 100 to provide a smooth transition of individual wires from the wire manager 300 to the recess 502 of the leadboard 500. The second portion 506 of each recess 502 transitions from the first portion 504 and extends toward the distal end of the leadboard 500. The second portion 506 of each recess 502 is angled relative to the central axis AA of the modular plug 100 to align each individual wire at an angle relative to the plug contacts 110 held by the housing 200.

[0070] The groove 502 has a cross-sectional profile shape along a plane perpendicular to the central axis AA. This cross-sectional profile shape allows the groove 502 to engage the outer surface of an individual wire to help position the individual wire at an angle relative to the plug contact 110. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional profile shape is semi-circular. Other cross-sectional profile shapes are possible.

[0071] In some embodiments, the recess 502 on the leadboard 500 is angled relative to the central axis AA of the modular plug 100 at an angle of about 2 degrees to about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the recess 502 on the leadboard 500 is angled relative to the central axis AA of the modular plug 100 at an angle of about 3 degrees to about 8 degrees. In one embodiment, the recess 502 on the leadboard 500 is angled relative to the central axis AA of the modular plug 100 at an angle of about 4.4 degrees. In some embodiments, each recess 502 has a length of about 0.12 inches to about 0.18 inches. In some embodiments, each recess 502 has a diameter of about 0.030 inches to about 0.045 inches.

[0072] Figure 26 A method 700 for terminating a telecommunications cable 10 using a modular plug 100 is illustrated. Method 700 includes an initial operation 702 of stripping the protective outer sheath of the telecommunications cable 10 to expose the stranded wire pairs inside the cable. Next, method 700 includes an operation 704 of positioning the stranded wire pairs through the center channel 308 and side channels 312 of a conductor manager 300.

[0073] Next, method 700 includes an operation 706 of unwinding the twisted wire pairs and an operation 708 of positioning the wires onto the conductor plate 500. As described above, the conductor plate 500 defines a plurality of recesses 502 for positioning each individual wire at an angle relative to the plug contact 110 held by the housing 200. In some embodiments, operation 708 includes positioning the wires using the recesses 502 of the conductor plate 500 at an angle of about 2 degrees to about 10 degrees relative to the plug contact 110. In some embodiments, operation 708 includes positioning the wires using the recesses 502 of the conductor plate 500 at an angle of about 3 degrees to about 8 degrees relative to the plug contact. In one embodiment, operation 708 includes positioning the wires using the recesses 502 of the conductor plate 500 at an angle of about 4.4 degrees relative to the plug contact.

[0074] Method 700 includes an operation 710 of trimming the wires to be flush with the distal end of the lead plate 500, followed by an operation 712 of inserting the lead manager 300 and the lead plate 500 into the housing 200. As described above, the rear component 400 is attached to the lead manager 300 and includes a protrusion 408 that snaps into a slot 204 in the housing 200 to secure the lead manager 300 and the rear component 400 within the housing 200. In one embodiment, operation 712 includes using a rib 508 of the lead plate 500 to interfere with the housing 200, thereby ensuring that the lead plate 500 is centered within the housing 200. Method 700 then includes an operation 714 of pressing the plug contacts 110 held by the housing 200 to contact individual wires positioned by the lead plate 500.

[0075] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims appended herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without following the exemplary embodiments and applications shown and described herein and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A modular plug for terminating a telecommunications cable having twisted pairs, the modular plug comprising: A housing that defines an inner cavity and a groove extending parallel to a central axis; The plug contacts, each plug contact being at least partially inserted into a slot and configured to form an electrical interface with the wires from the twisted wire pair; A wire manager located within the cavity, the wire manager being configured to receive the stranded wire pairs inside the housing; as well as A conductor plate extending from the conductor manager defines recesses, each recess configured to receive a conductor from the stranded wire pair, wherein each recess is angularly positioned relative to a plug contact at least partially inserted into a slot in the housing, and wherein the recess is angled toward the right or left side of the conductor plate to press the first and second teeth of the plug contact against the opposite sides of the conductor when the plug contact is fully inserted into the slot.

2. The modular plug of claim 1, wherein the recesses on the lead plate are positioned adjacent to a channel defined by the lead manager to provide a transition of the wires from the lead manager to the lead plate, and are aligned at an angle with respect to the plug contacts for each wire.

3. The modular plug of claim 1, wherein each recess has a first portion and a second portion transitioning from the first portion, the first portion being positioned toward the proximal end of the conductor plate and substantially parallel to the central axis, and the second portion extending toward the distal end of the conductor plate and at an angle relative to the central axis.

4. The modular plug of claim 1, wherein each of the recesses has a cross-sectional profile shape to engage the outer surface of an individual wire and positions the individual wire at an angle relative to the plug contact.

5. The modular plug according to claim 1, wherein the groove on the conductor plate is angled relative to the central axis at an angle of 2 to 10 degrees.

6. The modular plug according to claim 1, wherein the groove on the conductor plate is angled relative to the central axis at an angle of 3 to 8 degrees.

7. The modular plug according to claim 1 or 5, wherein each of the recesses has a length of 0.12 inches to 0.18 inches.

8. The modular plug according to claim 1, 5 or 7, wherein each of the recesses has a diameter of 0.030 inches to 0.045 inches.

9. The modular plug according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the telecommunications cable has four stranded pairs, and the modular plug includes eight slots facing the distal end of the housing, eight recesses on the conductor plate, and eight plug contacts.

10. The modular plug according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the lead plate includes ribs on opposite sides, the ribs being configured to interfere with the housing to ensure that the lead plate is centered within the cavity.

11. The modular plug according to claim 1, wherein the leadboard is integrated with the lead manager.

12. The modular plug of claim 1, wherein the leadboard is a separate component attached to the distal end of the leadboard manager.

13. The modular plug according to any one of claims 1-6, further comprising a rear component that snaps into the conductor manager to capture the distal end of the telecommunications cable between the rear component and the conductor manager.

14. The modular plug of claim 13, wherein the wire manager and the rear component each include a ridge configured to engage the sheath of the telecommunications cable to secure the telecommunications cable to the modular plug.

15. The modular plug of claim 13, wherein both the wire manager and the rear component are housed within the cavity of the housing.

16. The modular plug of claim 13, wherein the rear component snaps into the housing, thereby securing the wire manager to the housing.

17. The modular plug of claim 13, wherein the rear component includes an arm to prevent the locking handle of the housing from being tripped.

18. A method for terminating a cable using a modular plug, the method comprising: The stranded pairs from the cable are located through one or more channels defined by the wire manager of the modular plug; Untangle the twisted wire pairs; The wires are positioned on the lead plate of the modular plug, the lead plate defining a plurality of grooves for angularly positioning each wire relative to a plug contact partially inserted into a slot in the housing of the modular plug, wherein each of the plurality of grooves is configured to receive a wire from the stranded wire pair, and wherein each of the plurality of grooves is angled toward the right or left side of the lead plate to press the first and second teeth of the plug contact against the opposite sides of the wire when the plug contact is fully inserted into the slot; Trim the wire to be flush with the distal end of the conductor plate; Insert the wire manager and wire board into the housing of the modular plug; and The plug contacts are crimped to engage the wires positioned by the lead plate.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: The wire is positioned at an angle of 3 to 8 degrees relative to the plug contact using the groove of the wire plate.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: The ribs on the opposite side of the conductor plate interfere with the housing, thereby ensuring that the conductor plate is centered inside the housing.

21. A modular plug for terminating a telecommunications cable having twisted pairs, the modular plug comprising: A housing that defines an inner cavity and slots oriented distally, each slot being parallel to the central axis of the modular plug; A wire manager, which is fitted within the cavity, defines a channel for positioning the stranded wire pairs within the housing; A conductor plate extending from the conductor manager defines a plurality of recesses, each recess being configured to receive conductors from the stranded pairs, wherein each recess is positioned at an angle relative to the central axis toward the right or left side of the conductor plate. as well as Multiple plug contacts, each plug contact being partially inserted into a slot on the distal end of the housing, and wherein each plug contact has a first tooth and a second tooth, the first tooth and the second tooth being configured to press against the opposite side of a wire positioned by a groove in the lead plate when the plug contact is fully inserted into the slot, to form an electrical interface with the wire.

Images