punchdown

See also: punch down

English

Etymology

Deverbal from punch down.

Noun

punchdown (plural punchdowns)

1. (telecommunications) A kind of electrical connection often used in telephony, having solid copper wires that are punched down into short open-ended slots which are a type of insulation-displacement connector. The slots contain blades which cut through the wire's insulation as it is punched down, and hold the wire in position while making electrical contact.

   Synonym: punch block