How to Hook Up DSL Filters

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service is a popular and low-cost high speed data Internet access service that works across standard telephone lines. The service compresses data and transmits it at the upper frequency ranges of the telephone line, almost out of earshot of standard voice conversations. Because the data traffic is not entirely outside the audible range, however, DSL filters must be used on telephones sharing the DSL line to ensure the data sound does not interfere with voice conversations. This article will explain how to connect DSL filters to standard home or office telephones.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Service from your local telephone company
• One (1) DSL filter for each telephone in the home or office

1. Find and identify the telephone sets on which a DSL filter must be installed. Each voice telephone that shares a line with a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connection must have a filter installed, else the data and voice conversations may overlap, causing a degradation in both. When the telephone sets have been identified, follow the connected telephone wire to its wall connection.

2. Unplug the telephone line from the wall jack. On standard RJ-11 modular jacks, the telephone line is connected to the jack with a small plastic modular plug. Squeeze the small plastic clip on the plug, then pull the plug gently but firmly out of the jack. If the wall connection is not a modular connection, or uses some non-standard connector, the jack may need to be replaced with a standard RJ-11 jack before proceeding.

3. Remove the DSL filter from any packaging and plug the telephone line into its modular connector. DSL filters feature a female port and a male plug, as they are intended to be place in line between the telephone and the jack. Locate the modular telephone port, which looks like a square hole with 4 or 8 wires inside, orient the telephone line unplugged in step 2 above so that the plastic clip is aligned with the opening on the port, and firmly but gently press the modular plug into the DSL filter. The plastic clip should snap into place when the line is connected.

4. Plug the male end of the DSL filter into the wall jack. The male portion of the DSL filter should feature a plastic modular connector identical to the one on the telephone line, and this plug should be inserted into the telephone jack left open from step 2 above. Simply align the plastic clip of the plug with the opening on the telephone jack, then firmly but gently press the plug into the jack. The plastic clip should snap into place when the line is connected.

5. Repeat this process for each telephone that shares the DSL line. DSL filters generally only filter the data conversations for one phone at a time, so a filter should be installed for each individual telephone. Repeat this process as necessary until every connected telephone is successfully filtered.

Tips & Warnings

• DSL filters are readily available from most discount chains, electronic stores and computer shops. DSL filters are generally designed for use on RJ-11 modular telephone jacks; if a telephone is connected to an older style jack, or if it is hard wired into the wall, a new jack may need to be installed to facilitate DSL filtering. Wall-mounted telephones may require a special wall-mount DSL filter, which is also readily available from most electronics and discount chain stores.

Resources

• DSL Installation Tutorial

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