Phone line to outbuilding

The questions I have may not be reasonable,but I know nothing about telephone or intercom-type devices. Here is the situation: I own a large shop about 200 ft. from my mother-in-law's house where I spend a great deal of my now-retired time. It has 1 bedroom and a full bath. I wonder if it is possible to run a phone line from her phone to my shop [more for her than me as I use a cellphone]? Also, or alternatively, how difficult would it be to install a simple 2-way intercom? She suffers from dementia and it would have to be easy-to-operate. As she advances in years, I am trying to be close by, but allow her as much "space" as possible. If either or both of these are possible, please advise me on material needed as well as installation tips. I appreciate your time and consideration.
David

 

Here is a sample of a wireless intercom system with a reported 1,500 foot range. It might be easier than wire.

http://www.smarthome.com/5060.html

Hope this helps.

 

Running a hardwired phone connection is fairly simple. You'll need to dig a trench between the buildings and place some small conduit with sweeps at each end (it's easier to pull the wire thru a sweep).

When the conduit is placed, pull in a 6 pair drop cable and run it to where ever you need it.

You can avoid the conduit if you use direct bury cable.

I would put the cable at least 18" - 24" deep.

 

I am not sure what a 6-pair drop cable is. If I go somewhere like RadioShack I suppose they will know, and also sell me the proper fittings. I prefer to use conduit and thought I might pull whatever type of cable is used for intercoms along with the phone wire in case the need arises in the future. Is RadioShack reasonable on this quanity of cable, or should I shop around?
CHFITE, I E-Mailed smartphone for more info; thanks for the link.
David

 

Technically, you could use just one line for both devices - phone and intercom - but, if you're going to pull wire, you might as well plan ahead too. I would go ahead and pull 2 Cat5's - one for phone and one for intercom.

I'm all for wireless, but if you're going to pull wire for phones, you can pull wires for intercom too - might as well save some money while you're at it.

Radio Shack is not going to be the best place to get materials - it's going to be very expensive and they do not have the quality you are going to want. Look into getting a NuTone intercom or Talk-A-Phone, even AIPhone if you want quality. SmartHome is ok, but they are somewhat expensive too. I would look around on Ebay, you never know what you'll find - just make sure you buy from a reputable seller.

Good luck!

 

Look for an electrical supply house in your area. They may have drop cable or could send you to the right place. I doubt if Radio Shack will have it.

Drop cable is what the phone company uses for the connection between your house and their distribution cable. Six pair drop would handle six separate lines (one pair handles one phone line). Running a six pair cable and some Cat 5 wiring would handle almost any type of communication between the buildings.

 

Use direct burial rated Cat5e or Cat3 6pair or run through PVC conduit. Obviously running the direct burial rated cable is a heck of a lot easier.

Any electrical distributor should have this stuff on the shelf. Ask for PE89 6pr for the Cat3, or a Mohawk 57561 for the Cat5e 4pr direct burial.