Communications assembly disabling mechanism

This invention relates, in general, to the safety promotion of optical devices and, more particularly, to enhanced safety features of parallel data link communications systems. A method and apparatus are provided for optically interlocking a plug and receptacle combination. The method includes the steps of disposing an optical source and receiver in a sidewall of the receptacle with an axis of transmission from the optical source to the receiver directed into and across a plug space of the receptacle substantially perpendicular to an axis of insertion of the plug and activating the optical interlock when an optical signal from the optical source is detected by the optical receiver.