How to Wire a Phone Jack

Today, more and more people are working from home, either as satellite extensions from their full-time job or as part of their own home business. That type of responsibility often requires the homeowner/businessperson to have several lines of communication open, from email to telephone lines to dedicated fax lines. If you have the need to expand your phone flexibility, like adding a phone jack in a room that currently does not have one, then it is a fairly simple job. Once you get the line run into the room, it is only a matter of wiring the jack. Here is how to wire a phone jack.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Wire strippers

1. Whether you choose to use a surface-mounted phone jack or a wall jack, the choice is up to you, but the wiring is essentially the same. For the surface-mounted phone jack you will need to remove the front cover. Inside, you will see four screw terminals and there will already be colored wires attached to them. Use the screwdriver to loosen all four wires.

2. Use the wire strippers to strip about 3/4 inches of insulation from each of your phone wires. Be extra careful because phone wire is extremely thin and can be cut through very easily.

3. Now that all four of your phone wires are stripped and ready for installation, just wrap each wire around the terminal on the phone jack that already has its like-colored wire attached. For example, wrap the black wire around the terminal screw that already has the black wire from the jack itself under it. Then tighten the screw down to secure the wire in place.

4. Perform Step 3 for each of the remaining wires. At the end of the surface-mounted phone jack you will see a small notch. That is where you will place the sheathed section of your phone cable so the installation looks complete and professional. With the phone cable in the notch, just replace the cover over the phone jack.

5. If you are using a wall phone jack, the wiring is exactly the same as with the surface-mounted phone jack. Since it is a smaller contained unit, you may have to look more closely to determine which colors go to which terminal, but it is not that difficult. Once the wiring is complete, the phone jack just gets secured to the wall like a switch plate, by screwing it in place with the two included screws.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have two active phone lines in your home, then you will just connect the two wires that deliver the service for the line you want installed on the phone jack. For instance, the phone jack is powered by two lines, either the yellow and black or the red and green. If the line you want installed is delivered by the red and green, then simply wire those two wires to the phone jack and tape off the yellow and black wires.
• An easy way to remember the phone wire pairings is "Christmas trees and bumble bees" because the red and green wires are typically one pair and the yellow and black are usually the other pair.
• If you are installing a new phone jack and you ground yourself, you may feel a slight shock. Phone cable carries a very low voltage and is harmless, but it could surprise you if you are not paying attention.