How to Run a Wire in a Wall Phone

Male phone plug

Phones that have a physical wire are often referred to as land lines. The advantage of a wired phone is that service is very reliable, particularly during disasters or emergency situations. Running a paired wire from the phone box on the outside of the house to the location of the phone and making a few connections will have you up and connected.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Stud finder
• Keyhole saw
• Drill
• 1/2-inch wood drill bit
• Metal fish tape
• Electrical tape
• 1 roll phone cable, 100 feet
• Wire cutters/strippers
• Wall phone jack kit

Instructions

1. Locate the phone box on the exterior wall and unscrew the screws holding the cover over the box and set it aside. If needed, punch out a knockout hole in the rear of the box to allow for additional wiring to be pulled through.

2. Locate the area where the phone wall will be installed, and use the stud finder to ensure there are no studs where you will be cutting a hole. With the area clear, cut a 1-inch hole in the wall with the keyhole saw.

3. Drill a hole down into the top plate directly over the hole in the wall from Step 1, so the hole in the wall and top plate are in the same wall cavity. Feed the metal fish tap down the hole in the top plate, and have an assistant pull the end out the hole cut in the wall. Attach one end of the phone cable to the end of the fish tape, using the electrical tape. Pull the cable up through the holes and into the attic.

4. Pull the cable in the attic over to where the phone box is located on the exterior wall. Drill a hole in the top of the wall and run the wiring down the hole to the phone box. Have an assistant pull about 12 inches of wire out into the box.

5. Return to where the phone will be mounted, and leave about 12 inches of wiring running out the hole in the wall and cut away any extra.

6. Strip off 4 inches of outer sheathing off each end of the phone cable (the end out the phone box and the end out the wall for the phone jack). This will reveal two wires twisted together inside the cable. Untwist the two wires (at each end of the cable) and strip off 1 inch of insulation off the white-and-blue-striped wire and the blue-and-white-striped wire.

7. Insert the wiring coming out of the wall through the back and out the front of the phone wall jack. Slide the wall jack up to the hole and attach it to the hole, using the screwdriver and included screws. Attach the white-and-blue-striped wire to the screw labeled tone one. Attach the blue-and-white-striped wire to the screw labeled ring one. Tighten each screw down on the wiring. Place the cover over the wall mount jack and tighten it down with a screw.

8. Attach the phone cable in the phone box to the appropriate screw and tighten it down. Attach the white-and-blue-striped wire to the screw labeled "tone one." Attach the blue-and-white-striped wire to the screw labeled "ring one." Replace the cover over the phone box and tighten the screws down, securing it in place.

9. Plug a phone into the wall mount jack and test for operation.

Tips & Warnings

• It may help to purchase a phone line tester to help trouble shoot the wiring, and help indicate if the line is cut or the wires are cross polarized.

References

• UPENN: Doing Your Own Telephone Wiring

Resources

• Top Bits: How to Install Telephone Wiring