Phone lines crossed/merged

[bczoom]

Although nothing has changed in the house as it relates to phones, 2 of my phone lines seem to be shorted out to each other.

Everything sounds fine at the outside box

I'm getting a hum in the 2 lines.

If I call one of the lines, they both are ringing.

Is there an easy way to track down where the issue lies? I've disconnected most of the phones, fax machines... and it's still there.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Did it happen spontaneously or was something changed on the system recently?

I have a tone tool for tracing wires which is very handy. You can buy them at Home Depot or most electrical supply places. Should be pretty cheap ($20).

PB

 

[Jim_S]

what happens if you plug two phones into the box outside? do they both ring? If so there is network trouble. They used to call it "half paired" one wire from each number is switched with the other, or there is a problem with the way the phone company switch is programmed. If it works fine outside you have something similar in your wiring inside the house.

Jim

 

[DaveNay]

Lots of rain lately? Could be a leaking splice somewhere.

 

[bczoom]

Dave,

No major weather lately. The rest of the phone lines are fine as well.

Jim,

I checked outside. Unfortunately (for me), they're both fine out there.

PB,

What does this tone tool do? Can it find/isolate the problem?

Brian

 

[Doc]

Wouldn't your symptoms indicate the two lines are interconnected somewhere, most likely a junction box. Have you checked inside the junction box(s) where the problem phones plug into? That's the only place the wires are stripped, so I'd guess that's where your problem is.
If only one particular two line phone has the problem, I would try a different cord from the jack to the phone.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

PB,

What does this tone tool do? Can it find/isolate the problem?

Brian

A tone tool (there's probably different names for them) attaches to one end of a wire and then transmits a signal down it that will make a sound (tone) when you put the receiver near the opposite end.

First find that google showed. Might find a cheaper version:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00023RVNO/104-6693303-1820762?v=glance&n=228013

http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/Technical Details

• Non-contact probe audibly identifies selected wire or cable
• Trace phone, computer network and coax cables
• Tone generator is terminated with RJ11 and RJ45 connectors plus alligator clips
• Selectable continuous or variable tone
• Continuity and ring/tip identification test

 

[bczoom]

I got it fixed.

There were 2 wires touching in the back of one of the wall jacks.

It was in the 7th jack I checked but only took about 1.5 hours to track it down and fix it.

 

[DaveNay]

I got it fixed.

There were 2 wires touching in the back of one of the wall jacks.

It was in the 7th jack I checked but only took about 1.5 hours to track it down and fix it.

Dammit! It's always the last one, isn't it?!

 

[bczoom]

Dammit! It's always the last one, isn't it?!

Nope. I was about 1/2 way through.

I started in my office as it has a couple splitters which have caused problems in the past. They weren't the issue.

I then moved on to the jacks that didn't require furniture to be moved. Luckily, it was one of those as I'd hate to start moving dressers, desks...

 

[DaveNay]

Nope. I was about 1/2 way through.

You kept going even after you found the problem? Hence, it's always the last one.

 

[bczoom]

You kept going even after you found the problem? Hence, it's always the last one.

DOH. You got me. I've just been hit with a Bill Engvall "Here's your Sign"...

 

[buckle97]

You kept going even after you found the problem? Hence, it's always the last one.

DOH. You got me. I've just been hit with a Bill Engvall "Here's your Sign"...

Brian: "Well I fixed it, but I'm still looking for the problem; just in case we're living in a parallel universe or something."