Telephone Wiring Problems and Solutions

How to Wire a Telephone: Checking Home Telephone Wiring Connections, Why a Telephone has No Dial Tone.

Telephone Wiring Connections
Electrical Question: I have a telephone problem where there is no dial tone.

• I just bought a home. I had been waiting for my telephone to be connected but whenever I call the number they gave me the line is busy and I have no dial tone.
• AT&T came out and determined that the problem was not on the outside but in my existing wiring.
• I have took the cover off of both jacks and everything is connected correctly.
• I do have some sort of something above my washer and dryer and close to my fuse panel I’m not sure what it is called or how the telephone wiring should look but I suspect the problem is there it just doesn’t look right.
• It is about 4×3 with 2 screws attaching it to the wall and four screws that telephone wiring is wrapped around the bottom two.

Thanks for any help you can give.
This question about telephone wiring came from: Andria, a Homeowner from California.

Dave’s Reply
Thanks for your telephone wiring question Andria.

How to Connect Telephone Wires

Application: Telephone Wiring.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate – Best repaired by a Qualified Telephone Technician or Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Straight Slot and Philips Screw Drivers, wire strippers for 20 to 24 gauge wire.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience and ability to work with tools and small phone wires.
Precaution: If installing or relocating additional telephone wiring the main phone cable or the Test Jack should be disconnected before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional telephone cable and wiring should be done using approved phone cable and phone jacks that are approved and compatible with the local telephone system specifications.

Checking Home Telephone Wiring Connections

• Andria, The box that you are describing may be a main telephone junction box for the inside telephone lines.
• If you do not have dial tone then the main wires must be identified and traced to the connection boxes and the terminations for the telephone wiring must be checked.
• For older homes the red wire and green wire pair  most is most commonly used.
• For newer homes the blue/white wire and white/blue wire pair is commonly used.
• If you have dial tone but hear clicks when you press a keypad button instead of a tone then the two wires at the phone jack or main telephone junction box may need to be swapped or reversed.

More about Telephone Wiring

• For more information about Telephone Wiring with telephone wiring diagrams:
  Telephone Wiring
  
  Telephone Wiring
  This telephone wiring diagram with photos and instructions will show you the direct steps to correctly wiring a telephone jack.

The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring: » You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring with my Online Video Course: Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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