Wiring Ethernet and Merlin on the same wire? 1

[Rafool]

Hi,

I currently have a Merlin (I'm pretty sure it's either a 420 or 820) running over 4-pair wire to each room in a building. Now I also want Ethernet (10BaseT or 100BaseTX) in those rooms but only have that one 4-pair wire in each room. Now if I remember correctly, Merlin uses 3 pairs, and 10BaseT uses 2, right? So is there anyway I could have one of the pairs serve both purposes (I know this is really messy...)? I.e. can I put a Merlin signal and a 10BaseT signal on the same wire? Anyone ever tried this before? Perhaps if they work at completely different frequencies that would work?

Thanks.

 

[exsmogger]

10BaseT needs at least 2 full pairs, one pair for transmit and one pair for receive. Even if you stole the last pair of the Merlin wiring it wouldn't be enough. Why don't you try a wireless network hub if it's too much trouble to get another 4-pair to each room?

Brian Cox

http://www.jandjcommunications.com

 

[Rafool]

exsmogger: I know 10BaseT needs two full pairs and Merlin needs three, what I'm asking is if they can share a pair, i.e. if I can splice one pair and have a Merlin signal and an Ethernet signal on that same pair wires.

 

[merlinman]

You can do that, BUT, only if you want both units to NOT WORK.

The Data/Voltage are different between the two.

A better option, upgrade to something that only uses 2 pairs and swap stuff around to suit the application.

(Partner, LEGEND w/MLX, etc....)

 

[Pepperz]

MLX phones take two pairs (unless you need power for an adjunct), and the 10 base T takes two pairs. You can share a "cable" to yse voice and data, but not the actual conductors.

Pepperz@charter.net

 

[DaVinici]

The Merlin 410, 820 series required 4 pairs...if you did not care about the voice over the IC...you could get away
with 3 pair.

 

[upstateny]

It has to be just about time to upgrade the Merlin to modern technology and take advantage of the improved productivity and customer service that voicemail offers (not necessarily auto attendant). This would get you into single or two pair capable phones or take the leap to IP and use one wire to the desktop - go for it and you'll be glad you did.

 

[AndrePa]

Rafool, It is possible! Standard Merlin ATL Phones ( Membrane/BIS ) Must recieve/xmit data on Pair 2 ( pins 1 & 2 ) T/R on pair 1 ( pins 5 & 4 ) Get a 48V Power suply ( ISDN Phones used these ) -48V goes to pin 3, and pin 6 is GND. This will free up pair 3 ( pin 3 & 6 ) And You will illiminate INTERCOM feature Pair 4 T/R ( pin 7 & 8 )
Very important negative 48 Volts ( -48V ) goes to pin #3!

Summary: Merlin ATL Phones must have Pair 1 & 2 from control unit to work. Pair 4 is for Intercom ( optional ). Pair 3 is 48 Volts.

Pins decribed are mod jack pins, Good luck!

 

[Ghostin]

why don't you just install some dedicated Cat5 cable? It will be less work and cheaper in the long run.

 

[thieb]

It is possible to do this by using 2 pair for each the phone and ethernet, but whenever you put two different types of singles within the same cable you will usually get bleed-over. Chances are that both the ethernet and the phone at that spot will have constant problems, plus depending on the amount of bleed-over you could effect both the phone system and the ethernet network.