Installing a phone jack in an old apartment
#1
03-15-12, 08:34 PM
Installing a phone jack in an old apartment
I am trying to install a phone jack in an apartment that was built in the 1950's.
The 3 wires in the box are not color-coded (they are all black).
How do I determine what color the wires should be with a DVOM (Digital Volt Ohm Meter)?
The 3 wires in the box are not color-coded (they are all black).
How do I determine what color the wires should be with a DVOM (Digital Volt Ohm Meter)?
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#2
03-15-12, 09:05 PM
All black was never used for phone. Are you sure it is phone cable? Can you post a picture. http://www.doityourself.com/forum/li...-pictures.html
#3
03-15-12, 09:43 PM
There are six wires that run into the box. Three wires terminate at the box and the other three run through.
Phone Jack Box picture by drock675 - Photobucket
Phone Jack Box picture by drock675 - Photobucket
Last edited by ray2047; 03-16-12 at 09:07 AM. Reason: Embed Photo
#4
03-16-12, 09:05 AM
Looks like regular 120v or since no white 240v wiring to me. Why do you believe it is for a phone jack?
The old phone wiring circa 1950 would have normally been a surface mounted connection block about 1-1/2" by 1-1/2". The wires would have been smaller then those shown, no larger then #18 or #20.
The old phone wiring circa 1950 would have normally been a surface mounted connection block about 1-1/2" by 1-1/2". The wires would have been smaller then those shown, no larger then #18 or #20.
Last edited by ray2047; 03-16-12 at 09:22 AM.
#5
03-16-12, 07:32 PM
The guage of the wire is too large for 120V and the box is at a different height from the floor than all the other outlets in the room (there's also an outlet about 3 ft away). Its the only box in the
apartment covered with a blank panel.
apartment covered with a blank panel.
#6
03-16-12, 08:09 PM
The guage of the wire is too large for 120V and the box is at a different height from the floor than all the other outlets in the room (there's also an outlet about 3 ft away). Its the only box in the apartment covered with a blank panel.
#8
03-16-12, 09:17 PM
Ask your landlord about phones. Surely previous tenants had phones. If this is just an apartment in a house you may have a NID outside. Look for where the phone cable comes in. It will usually be near the electric meter.
Last edited by ray2047; 03-17-12 at 07:51 AM.
#9
03-17-12, 07:32 AM
Are you young and unfamiliar with old phone wiring? if so it is usually a cable lees then a quarter inch in diameter stapled to the baseboards with a small box screwed to the baseboard or wall. It is unlikely to be a box set into the wall. Bedrooms, hallways, and the wall in a kitchen are good places to look.
Last edited by ray2047; 03-17-12 at 07:49 AM.
#10
03-17-12, 03:12 PM
Group Moderator
This also appears to me to be line voltage wiring based on colors, gauge, and wiring method. If it is really phone wiring you should get something around 50 volts DC or less.
#11
03-17-12, 07:25 PM
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In my personal opinion I think you should just leave that wire alone. I agree with Ray that isn't phone wire that is at least 120 volt wire. They never used that large a gauge ever for any phone wiring but have always used it for 120 volt and higher voltage. You should be able to have the phone company come out and install at least one phone box. From there you can always add on more wire to other rooms easily enough.
#13
03-17-12, 11:14 PM
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I happen to agree Ray but maybe they ripped them out too. I ripped out some but not all phone wires from our rental house after my cousins vacated the house and moved to a residence they had purchased. I knew better of course than to rip everything out but maintenance men in apartment buildings don't always do things right. Your illustrations though should point drock675 in the right direction.
