Wiring Toshiba DK424 Phone System 1

[cbcllc]

We are switching from electronic key line centrex to ISDN PRI. I am going to need to wire up a Toshiba DK424 phone system for our office. We purchased the system from a company that went out of business, so I deinstalled it. I think I have a good idea of what to do, but wanted to run it past the pros before I started.

I am mounting the equipment in our server room. I plan on cutting a piece of plywood, painting it and mounting it to the wall to mount the blocks on. We have 2 66 blocks in our office (one in the front area, one in the back area). Each of the phones is wired to the closest 66 block, the majority are CAT5e with 1 pair terminated on the 66. About 20-30% are CAT3.

My plan is to leave the phones terminated on the 66 blocks out in the office, and go from there, back to the server/phone room and terminate them on another 66 block. Is this a solid plan? Or would it be worthwhile to do new home runs (we have everything through conduit but it would still be a major project)? If I should retain the 66 blocks, should I run a couple CAT5e cables through between the 66 blocks, or should i get a 25 pair cable?

As far as wiring in the phone room... The digital station cards have amphenol connectors, that are wired to a 66 block. The analog station cards have 4 or 6 port jacks and I have a 66 block with the port jacks as well.

As far as I know the only thing necessary to connect the stations is to punch them down on the appropriate section of the 66 block. Is there anything else I need to do? I tried to pay close attention when removing the system, but there was 2 other phone systems in the same closet, so it was a little confusing.

Do you have any other suggestions on this? I need to do as much work myself as possible. I need to keep the cost on the project low, and I also want to know the system inside and out by the time it is completely installed.

Thanks in advance,
Joe

 

[telnettech]

i would just run a 25 pair cable from the existing 66 blocks on the station side and punch down to the new 66 blocks you are installing in the server room...you can even get these with amphenol connectors to ease the connecting.....this will save you in having to pull new cables for all phones thru the conduit that is already full...then use bridge clips for the connections since the pbx side has an amphenol connector and can be plugged into the 66 block itself......this will help with troubleshooting later as a phone has no dial tone....you can even pull a 50 pair for future expansion and use if a pair ever goes bad....thats my 2 cents

Brian



To error is human.....if the machine doesnt work, then KICK IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cbcllc]

Thanks for the advice.

With the 66 blocks am I just trying to connect the tip and ring from the digital station card to the tip and ring on the phone? Is there anything else it needs in between? Theoretically, I could have the wires from the digital station cards in the phone system, punched down on the left of 1 66 block, then have the respective tip and ring from the phone punched down on the right side, correct?

Also, with the bridge clips, I assume they complete a connection, are they necessary in all situations, or just in certain situations (analog and digital or both)?

Thanks

 

[ISDNman]

1) I would install 2 sets of punch blocks in the phone room.

1 with Amphenols conectors.

The second set gets connected out to your various closets with the phone wiring.

You now "cross conecct" the two sets of blocks with wire.

The advantage to this approach is that if employee A moves from one area to another you can simply change the crossconnect to move his/her phone.

If you don't do it this way you'll have to learn enough about your switch to move numbers form port to port. This MAY be easier than caning corss connect, but it sort of depends ont he switch and your comform level.

2) To answer your questions.

66 blocks come in split and non split varieties. They typical split block has 4 terminals across, with the left pair and right pair connected withing the pair.

You can check which type they are by wiggling on eterminal. Either 1 other terminal will wiggle or all of them in that row will wiggle.

As recommended above, if you use a split block you can simply remove the bridging clips and then you can test form euither side of the block. For example clip on a set on the PBX side and see if it works. Or you can put a tone or other test gear on the station side with the PBX disconnected. Very handy.

It is unlikely you need to provide anything for the sets other than tip and ring, though there are some sets that need a power feed (rare). I don't know this system so I can't say.

Once you get your swithc power up and have the switch punch blocks installed (e.g. the ones with the amphenols) you can alsways use a set and some jumper leads to verify the sets come up and have dial tone. If so then you know you only need 1 pair per phone and can do your crossconnects.

Best of luck.

 

[ISDNman]

PS- You will need to do some programing to bring the PRI up. You will need to know the following and make approrpiate programming changes on the system.

I am assuming you are int he USA or Canada

Line Code (normally Extended Super Frame on a PRI)

Zero suppression (normally B8ZS on a PRI)

Switch Type and Variant (e.g. the ISND protcol used on the D channel)

Number of digits sent for DID (you can request a specific number. 7 or 10 digits IMHO is best just because it means you are using the full DID).

List of all DID numbers.

You'll need to assign each station an internal extension or a DID number.

Best of luck

 

[cbcllc]

Excellent, I appreciate the explanation, that is very helpful. Most of the installations I have seen had 2 sets of 66 blocks that were crossconnected, but I didn't understand why. It makes alot of sense now, I will definitely do that.

Our phones only need 1 pair. And I am in the US.

I was planning on having the local Toshiba dealer come out and do the programming for the PRI. Do you think that is a smart move, or should I attempt it myself? I am a fairly techinical person, but learned most of what I know by experience, I have not had any formal education or training. I can do just about anything with a computer or data network, but have never needed to do much with phone systems. I basically try to do as much research on the internet as possible, then jump into it and figure it out.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[ISDNman]

Great!

I like your plan. Sit with the person and see what you can learn. At the very least s/he can't stop you from watching over his/her shoulder.

Before the come in you'll want to verify that the sets are working - you'll probably be able to get dial tone and call other extensions (using the old extension numbers)

Ideally buy dougnuts/ coffee/ pizza and explain you've been told you ned to learn the system and there's a good chance the installer will explain what he's doing, at least to a degree.

If they are doing this time and material without a quote don't hesitate to ask questions. If they gave a quote then realize that you can't take too much time or they'll lose money.

Pay particualr ho to set up extensions and voice mail. If you change service providers you may very well want to bring them back to cutover to a new PRI.

Best of luck.

 

[cbcllc]

Sounds like a good plan. The rep at the Toshiba dealer invited me to watch what the tech was doing and ask any questions I wanted. He gave me a ballpark idea of what to expect, but it is going to be time and materials.

I want to learn as much about this as possible. That way, when there is a problem or a change needed, I can just go take care of it, rather than wait for a technician to come out.

Thanks,
Joe