We just bought a new building, and as i look at the wiring, it has two sets of punchdown blocks. One isn't hooked up to anything, and the second is hooked up to an old NEC phone system. We are going to be installing our own Norstar system when we move next month, but i'd like to be able to test the lines to make sure that we have working lines where we need them and not just dead jacks. However, we won't have phone service there for a month. Is there a good way to test these phone lines?
Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!
Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!
-
Congratulations strongm on being selected by the Tek-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!
Testing a new location 3
- Thread starter specialj
- Start date
Servamatic
IS-IT--Management
Sure
A wire map tester such as the Fluke MicroScanner and the proper adapter for the type of block they are punched down on is a good way to do that. I am sure there are cheaper wire map testers out there, but personally I wouldn't use less than the MicroScanner. It has features the cheap ones don't have. Such as Office ID capabilities, TDR function and toning. All features you may need if the cables in place have no documentation.
Richard S. Anderson, RCDD
A wire map tester such as the Fluke MicroScanner and the proper adapter for the type of block they are punched down on is a good way to do that. I am sure there are cheaper wire map testers out there, but personally I wouldn't use less than the MicroScanner. It has features the cheap ones don't have. Such as Office ID capabilities, TDR function and toning. All features you may need if the cables in place have no documentation.
Richard S. Anderson, RCDD
-
1
- #3
AvayaNovice
Vendor
For a guy that's trying to test out his lines in an office... that probably won't be doing it everyday, I'd sake a microscanner is a bit too expensive.
If you just want to test continuity to each jack, any cabling tester will work just fine, just use the correct sized patch cord for the dongle (ie. 6 pin, 8 pin, etc.)
If you just want to test continuity to each jack, any cabling tester will work just fine, just use the correct sized patch cord for the dongle (ie. 6 pin, 8 pin, etc.)
- Thread starter
- #4
-
1
- #5
a tone and probe is really all you need something like this
your norstar only needs one pair so really no need for wire map or evan a cable tester you just need to id the cables .
plug the tone into the jack you want, go to the 66 block and find it with the probe. when it comes time to crossconnect your norstar just activate the jacks you need.
your norstar only needs one pair so really no need for wire map or evan a cable tester you just need to id the cables .
plug the tone into the jack you want, go to the 66 block and find it with the probe. when it comes time to crossconnect your norstar just activate the jacks you need.
AvayaNovice
Vendor
But to test jacks... and proper wiring, with ease... and also have a toner built in... I'd get a Siemen STM-8
TouchToneTommy
Vendor
You just need the toner and probe. Plug the toner into the jack in question, and use the probe to see if it makes it back to the punch block. Use the metal tip of the probe, or a screwdriver, to make sure that you can short it out and the continuity is good. Make up a map and number the jacks as you go, it will make the installation a snap.
AvayaNovice
Vendor
Blah, polarity does matter, not directly, but if ever down the road he switched KSU's...
And there's a good chance it's wired RJ14 already...
If he's just trying to figure out which ones are which, then maybe so -- but I thought he was actually testing pairs to make sure they're wired correctly, and there aren't any shorts or opens.
And there's a good chance it's wired RJ14 already...
If he's just trying to figure out which ones are which, then maybe so -- but I thought he was actually testing pairs to make sure they're wired correctly, and there aren't any shorts or opens.
-
1
- #10
daronwilson
Vendor
Assuming you are actually going to test the drops from the backboard to the outlet, the tone and inductive tracer should do fine. If they aren't labeled, this is your opportunity to label everything as you go.
If you really want to test, there are several DC continuity testers that can test 1,2,3 or 4 pairs and show you that you have wiring there, no opens or shorts.
Were it me, I'd just tone them to make sure you know which one is which. If you have good solid tone you likely have a usable wire.
You might look at for some affordable solutions, tone genertor and listening device or more specific testers.
It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com
If you really want to test, there are several DC continuity testers that can test 1,2,3 or 4 pairs and show you that you have wiring there, no opens or shorts.
Were it me, I'd just tone them to make sure you know which one is which. If you have good solid tone you likely have a usable wire.
You might look at for some affordable solutions, tone genertor and listening device or more specific testers.
It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com
well testing wouldnt hurt but in my experiance its very rare to find a existing jack that I need to do more with than tone out and Id
on a differnt note I would probaly replace all the jacks with duplex jacks that way if they decide they want two phones or need to add a fax or modem later you arent faced with trying to move desks and file cabinets . it wouldnt cost a lot or take too long at this point .
on a differnt note I would probaly replace all the jacks with duplex jacks that way if they decide they want two phones or need to add a fax or modem later you arent faced with trying to move desks and file cabinets . it wouldnt cost a lot or take too long at this point .
depending on the number it will be of great assistance to you to have a buddy and a two-way radio, with your buddy sending tone to the closet. You can wear yourself down to a nub doing this alone. aach of you having a floorplan of some sort will give you a good and propper start at documenting the wiring. being able to recognice Cat 3 wallplates will reduce the geese you have to chase. Hopefully a pattern will develop.
Why is there never a phone in the phone closet?
Why is there never a phone in the phone closet?
Why is there never a phone in the phone closet?
I always try to put a jack in the closet and usually program it as a station with programing permsion
I carry "c"stock dispaly phones for all the sysems Inormally work on
If there is no jack than a mod-tap adapter gives me a quick one.
I always try to put a jack in the closet and usually program it as a station with programing permsion
I carry "c"stock dispaly phones for all the sysems Inormally work on
If there is no jack than a mod-tap adapter gives me a quick one.
mikeydidit
IS-IT--Management
On telephone wiring (cat3 or less) a tone and amplifier will work well. If you really want to test all 4 pairs, then I use the Fluke Microscanner pro. This is a fairly inexpensive tester with a lot of features. It will also send a tone on all 4 pairs at once so you can test all 4 pairs while tracing and labeling.
Mike Jones
LSUHSC
Mike Jones
LSUHSC
First thing to look for on this re-install would be a blueprint or diagram that shows the existing jack numbers and see if you can determine the layout. Most often there are sheets leftover from the original cutover that show the jack locations. Common place to find them is tucked behind the switch or in the front of the cabinet. With a little bit of figuring you may be able to catch onto the numbering scheme that was used. Bear in mind that you may run into a situation where a 25 pair feeds an area and there is a splice block in the ceiling with a bunch of 4 pairs running back to it. Also, one big mistake I always see is that a customer will tone out and identify the jacks going in a given pattern around the office area and labeling them 1, 2,3 as they find them, and then wind up with an MDF that goes 7,9,12,24,58.. You may want to lable the main wiring field first and then put that identification on the jack; that way your main wiring field is in order and you are not hunting all over to find a jack location at the main closet.
- Status
