How to Wire a Phone Jack for a Digital Telephone
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service offered by cable providers--commonly referred to as digital phone service--routes voice conversations over the Internet using regular phones. You can place and receive calls even if the party on the other end of the phone line does not have VoIP service. Most digital phone providers offer plans that allow you to make unlimited local and long distance calls for one monthly price.
Things You'll Need
- RJ-11 phone jack (surface mount)
- Telephone cable
- Screwdrivers
- Wire stripper
- Diagonal pliers
Instructions
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1
Locate the spot where you want to place the VoIP adapter, as well as the spot where you want to place your telephone. Avoid placing your adapter in areas exposed to moisture or excessive humidity.
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2
Mount the RJ-11 telephone jack on the wall nearest to where you will place your telephone, using the screws or mounting tape that came with the jack.
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3
Unscrew or pry off the jack's snap-on cover and loosen the green and red terminal screws inside, using a screwdriver. Get a telephone cable and strip off 2 inches of its outer cover to reveal the internal wires, using diagonal pliers. Strip off 1/2 inch from the insulation of the red and green wires using a wire stripper.
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4
Hook the red wire clockwise around the jack's red terminal screw, and hook the green wire clockwise around the green terminal screw. Tighten the screws to secure the connections.
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5
Run the telephone cable along baseboards or through ceilings up to the second RJ-11 telephone jack. Choose the shortest and least visible route and fasten the cable with staples as you go along. Avoid placing the telephone cable side by side with power lines to prevent any interference. Cut the cable once you reach the second telephone jack and connect the wires to the second jack by repeating the procedures in Step 4.
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6
Plug the telephone patch cord with the RJ-11 connectors that came with your VoIP adapter into the back of the adapter, then plug the other end of the cord into the wall jack. Plug a telephone into the jack at the other end of the line. Turn on your VoIP adapter, listen for a dial tone, and call a friend to test the line.
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References
- Photo Credit Newton Daly/Lifesize/Getty Images
