ADVICE

News - PhoneCabling has become part of the Cabling Technology Group. Cabling Technology are Voice & Data Networking Infrastructure Experts. CablingTechnology plan, design, install, and maintain Technology & Telecommunication Networks utilising Telephone, CAT5e, CAT6, Fibre Optic and Wireless Cable Systems.

We have been in business since 1997 and performed many successful and varied telephone extension installations, repairs, and replacements. Some experiences that we would like to share with you are described below.

Master Socket (NTE5)

Until recently, telephone lines and extensions were installed by GPO engineers. A telephone line would be installed to a master junction box and all extensions would be directly connected to it. If you have this telephone line then you will need it replaced (or modified) with a modern installation (NTE5). We can install an NTE5 directly into the existing master junction box. All extensions can then be run from the new NTE5 socket. The installation of an NTE5 socket to a master junction box does not breach your telephone provider's terms and conditions.

Cables

If you choose to install an extension yourself then ensure that you select quality materials. Of particular importance is the type of cable used for an extension. There are many low cost extension kits available that use low quality cables. It is important to select cable that has protection from interference, such as electricity or vibrations. Our preferred choice of cable is twisted pair cable that surpasses the BT CW1308 standard. ADSL may not operate on a low cost telephone extension.

ADSL

ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. Asymmetric means not in time and in relation to broadband means that download and upload sppeds are not the same. Download is always faster and can be upto 2 Mbits per second. Upload speeds are always 256 Kbps.

To receive ADSL you must have a telephone line that is connected to an ADSL enabled telephone exchange. You must also be within 5.5 kilmetres of that exchange. You can test your telephone line by dialing 17070 from your telephone set.

Wiring

Fix extension sockets where most convenient. Run a length of cable form the existing master socket to each of the extension sockets. The cable can be pinned to the top of skirting boards, door frames, etc. Alternatively, you can conceal the cable under floorboards or within cavity walls (providing you do not follow the exact same route used for mains wiring). Both for safety's sake and to avoid interference on the line. At each socket, feed a loop of cable into the mouting box ready for connecting to the terminals.