I had no dial tone. When I checked the phone jack it was filled with a rubbery substance where phone clicks in and behind it inside the box. Is this common….
One of the Causes of Lost Telephone Dial Tone
Background: Ginny, a Homeowner from Rockville Centre NY Question: I had no dial tone. When I checked the phone jack it was filled with a rubbery substance where phone clicks in and behind it inside the “box”. Is this common? Should I be worried this might cause a fire? I have contacted the phone company and I was told not to worry, but I wanted another opinion.
Dave’s Reply: Thanks for your electrical question Ginny. Part of the reason for this is due to environmental conditions in the room, inside the wall and electrolysis.
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The rubbery substance is silicone. It was put there for a purpose. It keeps dirt and moisture from entering the jack when not in use, this is like an industrial grade phone jack. You lost dial tone for another reason, but not because of this.
Please Note:
Unless otherwise posted, please refer to the following Guidelines when working on Electrical Projects:
Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Precaution:
Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Important:
Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and National Electrical Codes, with a permit and be inspected.
The rubbery substance is silicone. It was put there for a purpose. It keeps dirt and moisture from entering the jack when not in use, this is like an industrial grade phone jack. You lost dial tone for another reason, but not because of this.
Thanks T.S.
Your additional ideas about loosing dial tone are certainly welcomed and appreciated.
Go ahead and share your thoughts.
Dave