First time wiring a 66-block 2

[simonizer1]

I am installing a phone system into an old building. The system we are using is the XBlue X16. The XBlue has 4 ports, each port supports 4 extensions. They sell a simple little splitter that allows you to do this.

I am running new wiring to every workstation and I am using Cat5e cable for the phone wiring. All the wiring will be "home run" (star topology) and there will be 12 extensions total. There are five lines coming into the building, four of which are going to be connected to the XBlue key unit and the fifth line will be going directly to a fax machine.

I am planning on using 66-blocks for the wiring closet. What is the best way to go about with this installation? I have not wired a 66-block before but I read online manuals and have an alright understanding of how it is constructed. I just don't know the best way to utilize the 66-blocks. I am guessing that I need more than one 66-block because of the number of extensions. Is it best to have two 66-blocks and on the left side have all of the incoming lines from the NID and on the right have all of the extensions? Then the extensions connect to another 66-block that terminates to an RJ11 jack that will connect to the XBlue key system computer?

Thank you in advance for replying.

 

[SYQUEST]

What suggestions does the manufacturer offer in their documentation, or have you even read the documentation?

You might want to take a 66 block, mount it and practice some wiring layouts to get familiar with how this works, and how the wiring is terminated on the block. Reading about it is one thing, but you need to practice it to know how it really works.

Those are my comments, others may have other suggestions. Although, my choice is something different.

....JIM....

 

[Mugsiensedgwick]

There are many different ways to do this.
If I were you, I would find an old retired Outside Plant telephone guy to get you started.
He'll do it for a lunch and once he gets you started he will probably insist on staying around to make sure it's done right.
That way you won't have any troubles down the road.
Good luck!

 

[donb01]

If your XBlue unit has these simple little splitters that have RJ11 jacks (you didn't say) then what I would suggest instead of a 66 block is a 110 block that is wired out with 12 RJ45 jacks going down the middle. Slap that puppy on your plywood and wire each of your 12 wall jacks to one of the RJ45 jacks - just match up the wire colors. Now all you have to do is take a short phone cord from your "simple splitter" and plug it into an RJ45 port, and poof - you're done. 12 RJ45 jacks = 12 extensions. If you need more you can buy a second 110 bock of the same type.

If your "simple splitters" do not use RJ11 jacks, but are instead hardwired you won't gain any advantage from the above suggestion.

 

[hdingman]

I'd agree with mugsiensedgwick - find a retired frame room person.

Usually with 66 blocks, you'd have 2 columns of blocks, one column with the connections to the KSU, and the other with the house cables and RJ21X. Then cross-connect between the two.

XBlue has those funky little stake-ons to connect to pins on the KSU motherboard, and I had good success by bringing those out of the KSU cabinet on cross-connect and terminating on a KSU 66 block.

Depending on what you want to do with the house cables, you'll probably have a lot of spare connections on the House cable side, but believe me - when the customer starts making adds and relocations, you'll be glad that it's easy to connect to the spare pairs.

I put an XBlue in a lawyer's office, and after having detailed plans for the office, when everyone moved in they realized all of the things they had forgotten. Additional FAX machines used for outgoing-only; Partners' "Private Lines"; and lots of "Oh, I don't want that THERE, can't you hook it up HERE instead?" But at least at that point, it was just cross-connect changes in the frame room, and everyone was happy.

But it was a good thing that all of the pairs from the House cables were punched on the 66 blocks, so that it was easy and fast to locate the spare pairs when needed.

 

[LkEErie]

To whoever responded to this post, you have to remember one thing....an Xblue system daisy chains 4 extensons per leg. Oh

To the OP, and this has been beaten to death in another forum, you can terminate 12 station cables on a 66 block. Using Cat-5e, you actually bring the pair between the pins and terminate the Tip going up and the Ring going down, terminating all 4 pairs. It's not easier, but it keeps the pairs together better.

LkEErie

 

[Textron68]

If your putting in new structured cable for both PCs and phones, and your PC cable is going to a rack patch panel... I would run the phone cable to the patch panel also. Set the xBlue on a shelf in the rack. If you are going to use the splitter from them then all you need are some RJ11-RJ45 patch cables and patch just like going to a data switch. You could also take some of your extra cable and extend the xBlue ports to the patch panel. Just put a RJ45 on one end and punch a single pair per port on the patch panel.

 

[LkEErie]

For the 3rd time, where do you make up the daisy chains in a patch panel?

It can be done, but you forgot to mention this in your simplistic answers.

 

[LkEErie]

Syquest pretty much nailed the answer on his first post. RTFM

http://www.xbluenetworks.com/dealerlogin/files/X16 Installation Guide Version 2.0.pdf

Pay attention to pages 12 and 19.

Feel free to stumble around with how you'd use a patch panel, just know how the system goes together first.

LkEErie

 

[donb01]

If any of that was directed at me, note that I said "IF" this is the way it is, and (you didn't say), as I was just offering a suggestion if that was the way the system worked. The manual didn't show up in this thread until the most recent post, so I had no idea if that was the case or not....

 

[LkEErie]

It was not specifically directed at you, I just find it amusing how some people stumble on an answer for an X-16 without having a clue how it goes together.

Using 66M blocks for voice is not the end of the world, and sometimes it's just plain easier.

 

[SYQUEST]

Thank you, LkEErie, I guess my post was more appropriate than I originally thought! It is very interesting what people expect from some of the forums, when they may or may not have reviewed the product's documents. I wish so many people would stop playing TECH, and contact the ones that know what they are doing..., but then I guess this just makes it more interesting and challenging. Since I never heard of the XBlue X16 phone system, when you posted a link for the manual, I thought I would have a look see. Just glancing at it, it looks to use some different approaches to phone wiring, etc. I think it would be a good idea for simonizer1 to read it in depth so he better understands their concepts, etc.

....JIM....