"Pat" wrote in message ...

On Wed, 30 Apr 2014 10:10:24 -0400, Stormin Mormon
wrote:

On 4/30/2014 6:58 AM, Bob wrote:
Hi,

Know it's a very good idea to cover all electrical outlets with
those Kiddy-safe blank plugs when you have a toddler around, but
is it also necessary for unused phone jacks ?

BTW: what's the max. voltage out of these things ?

guess it is also different "normally," and when a call is being
received. True ? What's the volt. then ?

Do they sell blank plugs for phone wall/floor mounted outlet jacks ?
Have never seen any.

Thanks,
Bob

It's been a while since I researched this, but
the voltages are about 48 VDC "on hook", or
idle. "off hook" is about 5 VDC (talking on
the phone). Ring is about 100 VAC. Only really
dangerous when ringing. Never seen a blank
plug, but it's a good idea.

I have never heard of a real problem with this as the current is very
limited, but it can be quite a surprise to be in contact with a phone
line when it rings. Anyway, I have never seen a blank plug designed
for the purpose of protection. However, any standard crimp-on plug
will work. You (the OP) can buy bags of them at radio shack for a few
dollars. These are meant to be crimped on the end of a phone cord
with a crimping tool, but for this purpose, just plug in the blank
plastic plug with no cable attached.

Pat

This brings back memories. In WWll on Okinawa doing electric repairs in US
Navy Sea Bees. A large monkey would get into our Quonset hut shop and chew
through wiring. So one day he was on the metal hut and I wrapped a phone hot
wire onto a metal file with a wood handle. Shook it at the monkey and he
grabbed it. The wire have ring voltage on. 90 volts 20 CPS. That was the
last I ever saw of the monkey again. Also as a 2 year old my dad carried me
into the butcher shop to purchase some meat. in those days fresh meat was
displayed in glass show cases that had line voltage lighting. The lamps were
under a open bottomed cover. As dad was holding me I ran my hand under the
cover came to a socket that did not have a bulb in it. Stuck my finger into
it and got a good shock. However this I thought was funny and did it again.
I never was hurt on line voltage. WW