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#1
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
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 --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com |
#2
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
On 4/30/2014 5:58 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 --- The normal "on hook" talk battery voltage for a POTS line is 48 volts DC and it will drop to 6-12 volts DC "off hook". The current of this DC voltage is limited and not necessarily dangerous but the ringing voltage is a nominal 90 volts AC at 20 cycles. The talk battery voltage can sting an adult and the ring voltage can give an adult a bite but the current of the voltages found on a POTS line is not very high. A toddler might experience a great deal of pain if he sticks his tiny finger in a phone jack when the phone line gets ringing voltage but it's not going to stop his heart. I you are really worried, you can buy a small package of the plugs you see on the end of phone cords and slip them into the unused jacks. The plugs are available almost everywhere at any hardware store. You will need some tweezers or needle nose pliers to get the plug out when you wish to use the phone jack again. When I was a toddler, I didn't mess around. I got under my mother's Singer Sewing Machine, unplugged the female end of the power cord from underneath the machine and proceeded to stick it into my mouth to find out what it tasted like. I was told I turned blue and my diaper needed changing utilizing a shovel. I'm sure that's the reason I have such an electric personality. ^_^ Worry about power cords that plug into the back of computers and many appliances these days. I'm sure a toddler would think they were very tasty. ^_^ TDD |
#3
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
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. -- .. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus www.lds.org .. |
#4
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
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 |
#5
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
"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 |
#6
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Bob:
I would put telephone jacks into the unused telephone receptacles too. While your phone works on fairly low voltage, the ring signal on a telephone line is a full 90 volts AC, and that's enough to give you a good shock. So, if a toddler is sticking something in a phone jack when a call comes in, they can get a real good shock. |
#7
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
WW wrote: "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 Lim Time! There once was a man from Woonsocket, Who stuck his big cock in a socket. His wife was a bitch, And flipped on the switch, Which made him take off like a rocket. Re using a crimp on plug, I wouldn't put it past toddlers to be able to figure out how to press on the latch and remove it pretty quickly. But as others have implied, the chances of receiving serious injury are slim, particularly if there's nothing grounded around that the kid could be in contact with while sticking his little finger into the phone jack. -- Jeffry Wisnia (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE) The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight. |
#8
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
On 4/30/2014 12:20 PM, Jeff Wisnia wrote:
WW wrote: 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 ? Re using a crimp on plug, I wouldn't put it past toddlers to be able to figure out how to press on the latch and remove it pretty quickly. But as others have implied, the chances of receiving serious injury are slim, particularly if there's nothing grounded around that the kid could be in contact with while sticking his little finger into the phone jack. As I read the original thread this morning I considered the likelihood of the toddler receiving a shock from a phone jack vs. the potential of working that little plug out of the socket, putting it in his mouth and perhaps choking on it. My thought is that the latter presents a much greater danger than the former. Anyone else? |
#9
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
On Wed, 30 Apr 2014 18:30:06 -0500, Unquestionably Confused
wrote: As I read the original thread this morning I considered the likelihood of the toddler receiving a shock from a phone jack vs. the potential of working that little plug out of the socket, putting it in his mouth and perhaps choking on it. My thought is that the latter presents a much greater danger than the former. Anyone else? If I was really worried, I'd remove cover plate, cut the wires or remove the snap in module, stuff them inside and use a blank cover plate. http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3900/wlejmk/products/368/images/9049/1_oversized_blank_switch_plate_cover_spbbv__46736. 1367344785.1280.1280.jpg |
#10
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
On Wednesday, April 30, 2014 6:37:09 AM UTC-5, The Daring Dufas wrote:
On 4/30/2014 5:58 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 --- The normal "on hook" talk battery voltage for a POTS line is 48 volts DC and it will drop to 6-12 volts DC "off hook". The current of this DC voltage is limited and not necessarily dangerous but the ringing voltage is a nominal 90 volts AC at 20 cycles. The talk battery voltage can sting an adult and the ring voltage can give an adult a bite but the current of the voltages found on a POTS line is not very high. A toddler might experience a great deal of pain if he sticks his tiny finger in a phone jack when the phone line gets ringing voltage but it's not going to stop his heart. I you are really worried, you can buy a small package of the plugs you see on the end of phone cords and slip them into the unused jacks. The plugs are available almost everywhere at any hardware store. You will need some tweezers or needle nose pliers to get the plug out when you wish to use the phone jack again. When I was a toddler, I didn't mess around. I got under my mother's Singer Sewing Machine, unplugged the female end of the power cord from underneath the machine and proceeded to stick it into my mouth to find out what it tasted like. I was told I turned blue and my diaper needed changing utilizing a shovel. I'm sure that's the reason I have such an electric personality. ^_^ Worry about power cords that plug into the back of computers and many appliances these days. I'm sure a toddler would think they were very tasty. ^_^ TDD The ring voltage used to be 90v when they had the mechanical ringers on the old style phones. With the 'party line' hookup the ring voltage was present at the same time at all houses on the party line loop. Since all phones are now electronic the ring voltage has been reduced to 48v and only goes to one house. (Per the ATT repairman a few weeks ago.) |
#11
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
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#12
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
On 4/30/2014 9:12 PM, Oren wrote:
On Wed, 30 Apr 2014 18:30:06 -0500, Unquestionably Confused wrote: As I read the original thread this morning I considered the likelihood of the toddler receiving a shock from a phone jack vs. the potential of working that little plug out of the socket, putting it in his mouth and perhaps choking on it. My thought is that the latter presents a much greater danger than the former. Anyone else? If I was really worried, I'd remove cover plate, cut the wires or remove the snap in module, stuff them inside and use a blank cover plate. http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3900/wlejmk/products/368/images/9049/1_oversized_blank_switch_plate_cover_spbbv__46736. 1367344785.1280.1280.jpg Use the same tamper proof hardware used in prisons. ^_^ TDD |
#13
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
Pat formulated on Thursday :
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 A Crimp plug, RJ11 style, would be more dangerous than leaving the socket open.The hole is VERY SMALL and the plug is small enough for a child to swallow :-? -- John G |
#14
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
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 Phone jack is not the term. Telephone or RJ style jack. Those plugs are pretty hard to get out sometimes, so a blank plug would probably work, as well as DUCT TAPE. The local Internet outlet should be safe. Phone plug can be a telephone plug for switch operators of old, looks like a 1/4 inch headphone plug. Used mostly in audio. Sometimes also amplifier outputs, speaker inputs. Phono plug is another, for phonographs. Greg |
#15
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
gregz wrote: 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 Phone jack is not the term. Telephone or RJ style jack. Those plugs are pretty hard to get out sometimes, so a blank plug would probably work, as well as DUCT TAPE. The local Internet outlet should be safe. Phone plug can be a telephone plug for switch operators of old, looks like a 1/4 inch headphone plug. Used mostly in audio. Sometimes also amplifier outputs, speaker inputs. Phono plug is another, for phonographs. Greg Usually referred to as an RCA jack Greg, by us old timers. Jeff -- Jeffry Wisnia (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE) The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight. |
#17
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ? Smart man
On 5/1/2014 7:11 PM, Tekkie® wrote:
Unquestionably Confused posted for all of us... And I know how to SNIP On 4/30/2014 12:20 PM, Jeff Wisnia wrote: WW wrote: 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 ? Re using a crimp on plug, I wouldn't put it past toddlers to be able to figure out how to press on the latch and remove it pretty quickly. But as others have implied, the chances of receiving serious injury are slim, particularly if there's nothing grounded around that the kid could be in contact with while sticking his little finger into the phone jack. As I read the original thread this morning I considered the likelihood of the toddler receiving a shock from a phone jack vs. the potential of working that little plug out of the socket, putting it in his mouth and perhaps choking on it. My thought is that the latter presents a much greater danger than the former. Anyone else? Hmm, a very valid concern, good thinking. I won't make any snarky remarks on this. A drop of hot melt glue which can be removed with pliers can keep a toddler from pulling the plug. ^_^ TDD |
#18
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ?
On 5/1/2014 1:13 PM, Jeff Wisnia wrote:
gregz wrote: 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 Phone jack is not the term. Telephone or RJ style jack. Those plugs are pretty hard to get out sometimes, so a blank plug would probably work, as well as DUCT TAPE. The local Internet outlet should be safe. Phone plug can be a telephone plug for switch operators of old, looks like a 1/4 inch headphone plug. Used mostly in audio. Sometimes also amplifier outputs, speaker inputs. Phono plug is another, for phonographs. Greg Usually referred to as an RCA jack Greg, by us old timers. Jeff Or "phono jack/plug". ^_^ TDD |
#19
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ? Smart man
On Thu, 01 May 2014 21:13:13 -0500, The Daring Dufas
wrote: On 5/1/2014 7:11 PM, Tekkie® wrote: Unquestionably Confused posted for all of us... And I know how to SNIP On 4/30/2014 12:20 PM, Jeff Wisnia wrote: WW wrote: 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 ? Re using a crimp on plug, I wouldn't put it past toddlers to be able to figure out how to press on the latch and remove it pretty quickly. But as others have implied, the chances of receiving serious injury are slim, particularly if there's nothing grounded around that the kid could be in contact with while sticking his little finger into the phone jack. As I read the original thread this morning I considered the likelihood of the toddler receiving a shock from a phone jack vs. the potential of working that little plug out of the socket, putting it in his mouth and perhaps choking on it. My thought is that the latter presents a much greater danger than the former. Anyone else? Hmm, a very valid concern, good thinking. I won't make any snarky remarks on this. A drop of hot melt glue which can be removed with pliers can keep a toddler from pulling the plug. ^_^ TDD ....Or cut the pin off flush with the socket. The plug can still be removed with a pin or needle, but not the normal way. Pat |
#20
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Phone Jack Safety And Toddlers ? Smart man
On 5/2/2014 6:52 AM, Pat wrote:
On Thu, 01 May 2014 21:13:13 -0500, The Daring Dufas wrote: On 5/1/2014 7:11 PM, Tekkie® wrote: Unquestionably Confused posted for all of us... And I know how to SNIP On 4/30/2014 12:20 PM, Jeff Wisnia wrote: WW wrote: 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 ? Re using a crimp on plug, I wouldn't put it past toddlers to be able to figure out how to press on the latch and remove it pretty quickly. But as others have implied, the chances of receiving serious injury are slim, particularly if there's nothing grounded around that the kid could be in contact with while sticking his little finger into the phone jack. As I read the original thread this morning I considered the likelihood of the toddler receiving a shock from a phone jack vs. the potential of working that little plug out of the socket, putting it in his mouth and perhaps choking on it. My thought is that the latter presents a much greater danger than the former. Anyone else? Hmm, a very valid concern, good thinking. I won't make any snarky remarks on this. A drop of hot melt glue which can be removed with pliers can keep a toddler from pulling the plug. ^_^ TDD ...Or cut the pin off flush with the socket. The plug can still be removed with a pin or needle, but not the normal way. Pat Didn't a five year old recently break the security code to some video gaming system? I don't put anything past kids of any age. ^_^ TDD |
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