How to Make a Phone Circuit

You can save cash by learning how to wire your own telephone circuit.

Telephone circuits in your home start from the network interface device (NID) where the telephone company terminates their cable. Two wires inside a telephone cable are needed to conduct power and signals from the NID to the RJ-14 telephone jack in your home.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Telephone cable
• Diagonal pliers
• Wire stripper
• Cable staples
• RJ-14 telephone jack

Instructions

1. Unscrew the cover of the NID that is mounted on a wall just outside your home. Trace the telephone cable running from the utility pole into your house to find the NID. Locate the short cable plugged into a telephone jack beside the red and green terminal screws inside the NID, then unplug the cable to discontinue power and signals from the telephone company.

2. Slip the tip of a telephone cable through the opening at the base of the NID, then pull up the cable from inside the NID by about six inches. Remove two inches of cable sheathing from the tip of the cable, using diagonal pliers. Strip off 1/2 inch from the tip of the red and green wires, using a wire stripper.

3. Loosen the red and green terminal screws inside the NID, using a slotted screwdriver. Wrap the red and green wires clockwise around the red and green terminal screws, then tighten each screw. Pull on each wire to make sure there are no loose connections.

4. Locate the wall where you want to place the RJ-14 telephone jack. Open the RJ-14 jack cover and mount the jack onto the wall, using screws supplied with it. Loosen the red and green terminal screws on the jack to accommodate the wires later.

5. Run the telephone cable along walls, ceilings and baseboards from the NID to the RJ-14 telephone jack. Use cable staples every two feet to attach the cable onto surfaces. Cut the cable once it reaches the jack, but allow an extra six inches in length. Remove two inches of cable sheathing from the tip of the cable using diagonal pliers.

6. Strip 1/2 inch from the tip of the red and green wires using a wire stripper. Wrap the red and green wires clockwise around the red and green terminal screws on the RJ-14 jack, then tighten each screw. Tuck the wires inside the jack and close the jack cover. Replug the short cable inside the NID and close the NID cover. Plug a telephone into the RJ-14 telephone jack and call someone to test the line.

References

• Top Bits.com: How to Install Telephone Wiring
• Wire Your Phones: Doing Your Own Telephone Wiring
• Public Service Commission of Wisconsin: The Network Interface Device