Testing Telephone Cable
 

Hi all

I have a second telephone cable run from the master box in the downstairs
hallway, all the way to my distribution point in the loft.
This I intend to use for unfiltered signal when broadband is installed.
Pulling some power cables recently along a similar route, I noticed that the
second telephone cable had been "dented" and was scorched on the opposite
side to the dent impact over about an inch of its length.
This has obviously been the work of plumbers who upgraded the ch recently
despite my urgings to them to take care of cabling.

So, the question, can I test the cable somehow to make sure its OK?
Will mean lifting lots of floor again to replace cable at this stage.

TIA

Phil

Testing Telephone Cable
 

I have a second telephone cable run from the master box in the
downstairs hallway, all the way to my distribution point in the loft.
This I intend to use for unfiltered signal when broadband is
installed. Pulling some power cables recently along a similar route,
I noticed that the second telephone cable had been "dented" and was
scorched on the opposite side to the dent impact over about an inch
of its length. This has obviously been the work of plumbers who upgraded
the ch
recently despite my urgings to them to take care of cabling.

So, the question, can I test the cable somehow to make sure its OK?
Will mean lifting lots of floor again to replace cable at this stage.

It is never good practice to put data or telephone cables in the same duct
or trunk as power cables. Neither should be in a duct with heating pipes.

Peter Crosland

Testing Telephone Cable
 

TheScullster wrote:
Hi all

I have a second telephone cable run from the master box in the downstairs
hallway, all the way to my distribution point in the loft.
This I intend to use for unfiltered signal when broadband is installed.
Pulling some power cables recently along a similar route, I noticed that the
second telephone cable had been "dented" and was scorched on the opposite
side to the dent impact over about an inch of its length.
This has obviously been the work of plumbers who upgraded the ch recently
despite my urgings to them to take care of cabling.

So, the question, can I test the cable somehow to make sure its OK?
Will mean lifting lots of floor again to replace cable at this stage.


It will either work or it won't, by and large.

And you probably have several wires spare, some of which may work..as well.

Unless there is good reason to relay NOW, leave it..

TIA

Phil

Testing Telephone Cable
 

On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:40:28 -0000 someone who may be "TheScullster"
wrote this:-

I have a second telephone cable run from the master box in the downstairs
hallway, all the way to my distribution point in the loft. [snip]

So, the question, can I test the cable somehow to make sure its OK?

Test it for continuity using a battery powered DC meter. If such
cables are unbroken then they will generally carry a signal. Test
all the pairs and if they are all sound and you have problems
sending the ADSL signal over one pair try another pair.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

Testing Telephone Cable
 

The Natural Philosopher typed


It will either work or it won't, by and large.

True, but it may work partially, like being fine for broadband and
outgoing calls, but not ringing properly for incoming calls (BTDT) and
possibly not then actuating an answering machine.

Connect up a phone to your suspect cable. Try to make an outgoing call,
try it for BB if you can and check it all rings if you phone it from
another line (mobile recommended).

I think the BT website has some other line-testing things but I'm not
sure if non BT customers can use them.

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.

Testing Telephone Cable
 

Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:

Connect up a phone to your suspect cable. Try to make an outgoing call,
try it for BB if you can and check it all rings if you phone it from
another line (mobile recommended).

Depends what phone you use for the test, so far as checking the ringing
is concerned. Many phones now connect to only two wires (2 & 5, which
should be Blue pair, conventionally), and split the ringing signal
internally. Other phones use three wires (2 & 5, plus 3 - Orange
pair), using the ring signal that has been split to the third wire at
the Network Termination Equipment (usually referred to as a 'linebox'
or master socket).

If wire 3 has been damaged a 'two-wire' phone won't detect the fault.

Testing Telephone Cable
 

In message , Helen Deborah
Vecht writes
The Natural Philosopher typed


It will either work or it won't, by and large.

I think the BT website has some other line-testing things but I'm not
sure if non BT customers can use them.

17070 for automated line test and ring-backs.
--
steve