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Intro: |
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A working phone One or more jack adapters Slotted and Phillips head screwdrivers A small, adjustable wrench or pliers A pencil and paper Optional (necessary if you're installing a new jack): A new phone jack A tape measure A wire cutter/stripper Four-, six-, or eight-strand phone wire Cable staples A hammer |
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| Depending on the amount of wiring that's already done, the job can take between 30 minutes and about four hours. |
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Two lines, no waiting If you're tired of juggling your phone, fax, and modem on a single line, it may be time to install a second. The phone company will happily charge you both an activation fee and, if your internal wiring isn't connected, an installation fee. There's not much you can do about the activation fee, since only the phone company can assign you a new phone line and connect it from its wires to your house. But installation is within your control. You can either hire an electrician or another third party to do it (usually for a little less than the phone company), or you can do it yourself with a few common tools and the right hardware. This 2torial will walk you through the basics of both connecting an existing jack to a new phone line and installing a new jack.
What does a phone line look like? It's a cable from the phone pole on the street to a box in your house. This cable is insulated (covered with a plastic sheathing), and inside the insulation are usually four to eight insulated copper wires. One phone number needs two of these wires, called "tip" and "ring" wires, to work. So if you already have one working phone line in your house, you probably also have the wiring needed for at least one more line--that is, you have at least one more pair of tip and ring wires. This 2torial should apply in most U.S. residential situations, though some wiring or equipment may look different than that described here, especially if it's old. If this is the case for you, the manager of your local hardware store may be able to help you sort it out--or you may need to call the telephone company or an electrician after all. Some words of caution. Phone lines carry a small electrical charge. To avoid getting a jolt, disconnect your line where it comes into your house whenever you work on the wires (disconnection is described in Step 3). Don't do any wiring work if you wear a pacemaker. Avoid working with wet feet or during an electrical storm, and keep uninsulated wires dry.
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