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Intro: |
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| If you have to expose the copper wire to connect it, don't strip away more than about 3/4 inch (2 centimeters) of the insulation--just enough to secure the wire to the terminal. Exposed wires can short-circuit each other if they touch. |
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If you like, you can rewire an existing jack to access a new phone number. Before you touch the wires, disconnect the outside line(s) at the NID by pulling the plugs out of the test jacks. Open the jack. Unscrew the jack cover. Inside you should see the cable with four to eight wires emerging from it, and at least two pairs of color-coded terminals (possibly attached to the back of the jack cover itself).
At least two of the wires will be connected to two of the terminals. This is your existing phone line. If it's not the last jack in the circuit, wires will also lead from these terminals back into a phone cable to service the next jack in line or return to the NID.
If a second pair of wires (either a black and a yellow or white/orange striped) are connected to another pair of terminals, then this jack is already wired for a second line. Close the jack, wait for the phone company to activate your line, and go to Step 6. Another set of very short, color-coded wires may be visible (possibly attached to the jack cover), connecting the terminals to the part of the jack where your telephone cord plugs in. Don't detach these; they carry the current from the jack to your phone cord. If you want to install a new jack in a new location, jump to Step 7.
Connect the T2 and R2 wires. If the second pair of wires isn't connected to its terminals, connect them now. The T2 terminal is usually either green or black and the R2 terminal is usually either red or yellow. (Or they may correspond to the other color system described in Step 3.)
There are many different jacks available, with different-looking terminals: The terminals may be metal screws or nuts, or they may be a row of plastic clips with metal contacts inside. Study how the existing connection is made and copy it. More jacks? If you want to wire another jack for the second line, connect the outgoing wires to the terminals, too. Then go to the next jack down the line and continue the connection. When you're done, reconnect the outside line(s) to the test jack(s) in the NID. Plug a jack adapter into the wall jack to access either phone line.
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Rewire an existing jack
