How to Use the Rod Technique for Installing a Phone Jack

Installing a new phone jack in your home or place of business can be done easily by using the rod technique. Another term for rod technique that is commonly used in the electrical field is known as a fish tape.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surface mount phone jack
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire strippers
• Drywall saw
• 1 1/2-inch drywall screws

Install the Phone Cable

1. Locate where you want to install the jack. Using the 1 inch drill bit, drill a hole 12 inches from the floor. Sixteen inches is the standard height for the top of the phone jack, so drilling at 13 inches will allow proper placement of the jack.

2. Push the rod through the small hole upwards towards the ceiling. If you feel the rod hit a stud above, go into the attic and drill a hole in the center of that stud to allow the rod to penetrate into the attic area.

3. Find the end of the rod in the attic and connect the wire. Tie a small knot with one end of the phone wire and connect it to the rod.

4. Go back into the room and pull the rod downward slowly until you see the wire come through the hole. Leave enough slack to allow for connecting to the phone jack.

Install the Phone Jack

5. Install the phone jack before connecting the wires to ensure the jack fits properly. If the hole isn't big enough, use the drywall saw to enlarge the hole.

6. Strip the end of the wire back about 2'' and connect the wires to the correct terminal. Most phone jacks will have color coordinated terminals to match the wire color.

7. Secure the phone jack to the wall using drywall screws.

8. Connect the cable in the attic to the telephone D-mark using the flat blade screwdriver. Now your jack is ready to test.

Tips & Warnings

• Coil around 6' inches of wire behind the jack in case you make a mistake so you don't have to run more wire.
• Don't over-tighten the drywall screws; this will strip out and the jack won't mount securely to the wall.