How to Share a Phone Line & Fax Line

If you frequently use a fax machine, but are unable unable to afford or obtain a dedicated phone line, it is possible for one line to be shared between a telephone and a fax machine. Since these devices are not constantly in use, they can share one phone line.

Things You'll Need

• One phone line
• Two phone cables
• Phone splitter
• Phone jack

Instructions

1. Connect a phone cable to your fax, then a separate cable to your phone.

2. Connect the phone cables you connected the phone and fax machine to the phone splitter via the holes for the phone cables. Then connect the splitter into a phone jack. The phone and fax now share the same line.

3. Set your fax machine to "Manual Mode." This is so the fax machine will answer the phone only if you allow it, enabling you to continue to take voice calls.

4. Have senders notify you with a call before they send a fax. This will allow you to keep the phone line clear so the fax can be sent. When sending a fax, make sure no one is using the telephone, and send as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Disable call waiting before sending a fax, or the tone that occurs may hinder the process of receiving your fax.

References

• Sharing a line with a fax