How to Use a Fax Machine & Phone Parallel

Combining fax and phone in one line

Using a fax machine and telephone on the same phone line is a staple of any modern home office. For a busy office, it is too inefficient and expensive to have multiple lines for faxing and making calls. Splitting a phone line is simple and requires minimum expenditure. Depending on usage, an all-in-one office unit that includes a fax, telephone and answering machine is necessary to make operations efficient and automatic.

Things You'll Need

• Dual-line splitter

Instructions

1. Insert the dual-line splitter into a wall phone jack.

2. Connect the phone line from the fax machine and into one slot of the splitter. Keep the fax machine turned off.

3. Connect the phone line from the telephone and into the other slot of the splitter.

4. When using the fax machine, turn the unit on to send and receive a fax. If the telephone has an answering machine, turn it off while the fax machine is on.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on fax usage, consider purchasing a combination all-in-one unit that can be used as a telephone, fax machine and answering machine (if needed). When a call comes through, the unit will automatically switch to the necessary function depending on the dial tone. Make sure that the unit has a cordless handset so that you don't have to be near the machine when using the telephone.

References

• ConsumerSearch's Review Page -- best fax machines