Line Problems on ACS R5

[phonesaz]

I am working on an ACS R5 where the lights light up on lines one and two (they only have two lines) and there is nothing there, when you pick it up it's just re-order tone. The LEC has checked the lines and says they are good at the 66 block. I have grounded the system, put a UPS on it, re-set the system, and checked the wiring. Yet problem still occurs. It is in a 2-slot carrier. Any suggestions??

 

[skip555]

do you have VM ?

 

[SYQUEST]

Are you receiving dialtone at the modular plug that is plugged into the line ports? If so, then I think you may have a defective module.

....JIM....

 

[phonesaz]

There is no voice mail and I have great line quality at the 66 block. I ended up replacing the processor and the 2-slot carrier - so far no problems. Thanks. Diana

 

[phonesaz]

I spoke too soon - - this morning when the customer came in line 2 and 3 are taking turns flickering on and off - even though they don't have a line 3. If I disconnect the wire from the 66 block so there is no connection to Qwest it still happens.

What could be causing this, and what could I test? I replaced the carrier, processor, and backup and restore card. The only original equipment is a 308 card with NO lines in it and the handsets. There are no station lights lighting when the lines flicker on and off.

They had four lines at one time, so they are all connected. I disconnected the last two just in case there is something weird with the Qwest feed but beyond that am totally befuddled. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Diana

 

[CarGoSki]

We should expand on flickering on and off. If you siezed line two from a phone does it continue to flicker and does DT drop in and out?

Obviously the system is indicating some sort of voltage across line three.

 

[Dexman]

One thought:

If the problem is being caused by a marginal cable (either in-house or between a wall jack and a telephone) create direct dial buttons on a test telephone for all active extensions and connect it directly to a spare port.

The next time the problem happens, check the test phone to see if any of the extension buttons are lit.

If it ain't broke, I haven't fixed it yet.

 

[phonesaz]

I am wondering about voltage at this point. With regard to looking at extensions being lit, I already did that - there was one - connected with an irob - that was flickering but stopped after I disconnected the wiring from the system. I actually disconnected all 3 remote stations (removed the wiring from the system completely) since they are not using them any longer.

So now all the connected stations are viewable on the main phone and none of them light when line 1 or 2 does the flickering thing. And since I removed the wiring with line ports 3 and 4 (even though there is no line 3 or 4) the flickering is limited to lines 1 & 2 - but either line has dial tone when you pick it up, regardless of the flickering light. I am going to have the LEC take another look - the dmarc is directly next to the system - an older one with the copper screw-type bugs, so it can't really be the house cable - I am thinking something random with the lines?

 

[Dexman]

If the lines were acting up, the line status lights on any 2 line telephone (such as the at&t 993) would flicker. If you have access to a 2 line phone try connecting it in parallel with the telephone system and see what happens.

If it ain't broke, I haven't fixed it yet.

 

[SYQUEST]

With a testset you might go across the line and monitor it, and see if you hear anything unusual in conjunction with the flickering LEDs. Also monitor the lines unplugged from the ACS for the same.

....JIM....

 

[TouchToneTommy]

When the line lights on the ACS phone are flickering, are they Green or Red?

 

[phonesaz]

They flicker red. And even when the lines work, whichever line you are NOT talking on has a red light - even when there is dial tone on that line. The LEC is checking it again today - they see a short somewhere and I don't think the lines were connected to the Partner when they tested them

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Red light indicates that another station is using the line. Even though you have put auto intercom buttons on a phone for all the active extensions, put on buttons for all the actual station ports on the system, including the RMD and 78/79. One on those ports is shorted out, and seizing the line. When you discover which one, you will be able to remove all line assignments from it.

 

[phonesaz]

So... Qwest came to the site and blamed the processor (of course.) I took a THIRD processor (did I mention this customer is 89 miles from my office?) and plugged in the two lines, the first 8 phones, and just laid it on the shelf. It worked beautifully for 2 weeks. I just returned from putting THAT processor in the carrier. If it acts up again, it seems it has to be the 308 card - or a gremlin...

 

[Westi]

did you measure the lines for AC voltage? I thought it might be a very good symmetrical line and AC voltage influences both, tip and ring, the same way. That way you can not measure it Tip-Ring or will hear noise but the System is grounded and might take offense to that. Just a thought might be totally useless and not worth an extra trip to check.


Joe W.

FHandw., ACS

If you can't be good, be good at it!