BT-RJ45 PABX Mastered Adaptors - Commtel VS Excel?

benb

Hi,

We've just had a new BT/Nortel exchange installed, which has increased the
number of lines & extensions we can have. This meant I had to buy a few more
of the BT-RJ45 adaptors so I could plug in so new phones. Now I know there
are 2 different types, Secondary/Slave & Mastered. So I decided to pop over
to the local Maplin store, and took one of the current adaptors we use with
me, an Excel PABX Mastered adaptor (P/N VX-BM-PAB). I managed to find a
Commtel BT-RJ45 LAU PABX Master adaptor, for £5.99, I checked the wire
layout against the existing adaptor, and it matched, so I brought 2 of them.
When I got them back to the office, I plugged them in, but nothing happened.
The phones don't ring, register on the network, or even light up/display the
date.

Does anyone know what the difference would be? Is there something specific I
should be looking out for?

Any help much appreciated

Ben

JW

benb wrote:
> Hi,
>
> We've just had a new BT/Nortel exchange installed, which has increased the
> number of lines & extensions we can have. This meant I had to buy a few more
> of the BT-RJ45 adaptors so I could plug in so new phones. Now I know there
> are 2 different types, Secondary/Slave & Mastered. So I decided to pop over
> to the local Maplin store, and took one of the current adaptors we use with
> me, an Excel PABX Mastered adaptor (P/N VX-BM-PAB). I managed to find a
> Commtel BT-RJ45 LAU PABX Master adaptor, for £5.99, I checked the wire
> layout against the existing adaptor, and it matched, so I brought 2 of them.
> When I got them back to the office, I plugged them in, but nothing happened.
> The phones don't ring, register on the network, or even light up/display the
> date.
>
> Does anyone know what the difference would be? Is there something specific I
> should be looking out for?
>
> Any help much appreciated
>
> Ben
>

What type of phones are these? If they are digital type,
then you should really be using a secondary-type adaptor for
those. The master is for analogue phones needing a ringer
circuit. The ring capacitor isn't needed for the digital
phone and may prevent it from working.

If you can open the adaptor, cutting one of the capacitor
legs should let it work.

Of course, you should also check the wiring/patching/system
programming.

Rather than using adaptors, you can get telephone leads
which plug directly into RJ45 outlets.

benb

"JW" <> wrote in message
news:...
> benb wrote:
>> Hi,
<snip>
>>
>
> What type of phones are these? If they are digital type, then you should
> really be using a secondary-type adaptor for those. The master is for
> analogue phones needing a ringer circuit. The ring capacitor isn't needed
> for the digital phone and may prevent it from working.
>
> If you can open the adaptor, cutting one of the capacitor legs should let
> it work.
>
> Of course, you should also check the wiring/patching/system programming.
>
> Rather than using adaptors, you can get telephone leads which plug
> directly into RJ45 outlets.

Hi JW,

Thanks for the reply.

We're using a mix of 'Nortel Norstar T7316 and T7208' phones. I did try a
Commtel secondary adaptor, which I brought on Tuesday, and tried it, but
with the same result (so exchanged it for one of the master adaptors). When
I checked all the existing working phones, they were using the Excel
mastered adaptors, so I assumed a Commtel master would work too.

I have tested one of the T7316 phones on the system, using one of the Excel
master adaptors, and it worked fine; plug it in, the red lights flashes
briefly, then the time & date is displayed, you can then ring it & call from
it. So I am fairly sure that the wiring & patch panels are all fine.
However, if I swap the Excel master, for a Commtel master, using the same
phone & same patch port, nothing happens.

Ben

Lurch

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:01:02 +0100, "benb" <benb@nospam.postalias>
mused:

>"JW" <> wrote in message
>news:...
>> benb wrote:
>>> Hi,
><snip>
>>>
>>
>> What type of phones are these? If they are digital type, then you should
>> really be using a secondary-type adaptor for those. The master is for
>> analogue phones needing a ringer circuit. The ring capacitor isn't needed
>> for the digital phone and may prevent it from working.
>>
>> If you can open the adaptor, cutting one of the capacitor legs should let
>> it work.
>>
>> Of course, you should also check the wiring/patching/system programming.
>>
>> Rather than using adaptors, you can get telephone leads which plug
>> directly into RJ45 outlets.
>
>Hi JW,
>
>Thanks for the reply.
>
>We're using a mix of 'Nortel Norstar T7316 and T7208' phones. I did try a
>Commtel secondary adaptor, which I brought on Tuesday, and tried it, but
>with the same result (so exchanged it for one of the master adaptors). When
>I checked all the existing working phones, they were using the Excel
>mastered adaptors, so I assumed a Commtel master would work too.
>
>I have tested one of the T7316 phones on the system, using one of the Excel
>master adaptors, and it worked fine; plug it in, the red lights flashes
>briefly, then the time & date is displayed, you can then ring it & call from
>it. So I am fairly sure that the wiring & patch panels are all fine.

Did you test this at the outlet you are plugging the new commtel
adapter into?

>However, if I swap the Excel master, for a Commtel master, using the same
>phone & same patch port, nothing happens.
>
Sounds like the LJAUs then. If nothign else has changed apart from the
adapter then it can only be the adapter.
--
Regards,
Stuart.

JW

benb wrote:
> "JW" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>
>>benb wrote:
>>
>>>Hi,
>
> <snip>
>
>>What type of phones are these? If they are digital type, then you should
>>really be using a secondary-type adaptor for those. The master is for
>>analogue phones needing a ringer circuit. The ring capacitor isn't needed
>>for the digital phone and may prevent it from working.
>>
>>If you can open the adaptor, cutting one of the capacitor legs should let
>>it work.
>>
>>Of course, you should also check the wiring/patching/system programming.
>>
>>Rather than using adaptors, you can get telephone leads which plug
>>directly into RJ45 outlets.
>
>
> Hi JW,
>
> Thanks for the reply.
>
> We're using a mix of 'Nortel Norstar T7316 and T7208' phones. I did try a
> Commtel secondary adaptor, which I brought on Tuesday, and tried it, but
> with the same result (so exchanged it for one of the master adaptors). When
> I checked all the existing working phones, they were using the Excel
> mastered adaptors, so I assumed a Commtel master would work too.
>
> I have tested one of the T7316 phones on the system, using one of the Excel
> master adaptors, and it worked fine; plug it in, the red lights flashes
> briefly, then the time & date is displayed, you can then ring it & call from
> it. So I am fairly sure that the wiring & patch panels are all fine.
> However, if I swap the Excel master, for a Commtel master, using the same
> phone & same patch port, nothing happens.
>
> Ben
>
>

OK, those phones use pins 3&4 on a LJU, rather than the
standard 2&5 for an analogue extension.

The Excel must pass these wires through, but the Commtel
presumably doesn't. I think they go to pair 1,2 on the RJ45
- can you see if those are wired on the respective plugs?

The master/secondary issue wouldn't be relevant, as the
normal functions are bypassed. If pushed to get suitable
adaptors, you could make up your own with patch leads and
compact-style line jack units.

telex

"JW" <> wrote in message
news:...
> benb wrote:
>> "JW" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>
>>>benb wrote:
>>>
>>>>Hi,
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>>What type of phones are these? If they are digital type, then you should
>>>really be using a secondary-type adaptor for those. The master is for
>>>analogue phones needing a ringer circuit. The ring capacitor isn't
>>>needed for the digital phone and may prevent it from working.
>>>
>>>If you can open the adaptor, cutting one of the capacitor legs should let
>>>it work.
>>>
>>>Of course, you should also check the wiring/patching/system programming.
>>>
>>>Rather than using adaptors, you can get telephone leads which plug
>>>directly into RJ45 outlets.
>>
>>
>> Hi JW,
>>
>> Thanks for the reply.
>>
>> We're using a mix of 'Nortel Norstar T7316 and T7208' phones. I did try a
>> Commtel secondary adaptor, which I brought on Tuesday, and tried it, but
>> with the same result (so exchanged it for one of the master adaptors).
>> When I checked all the existing working phones, they were using the Excel
>> mastered adaptors, so I assumed a Commtel master would work too.
>>
>> I have tested one of the T7316 phones on the system, using one of the
>> Excel master adaptors, and it worked fine; plug it in, the red lights
>> flashes briefly, then the time & date is displayed, you can then ring it
>> & call from it. So I am fairly sure that the wiring & patch panels are
>> all fine. However, if I swap the Excel master, for a Commtel master,
>> using the same phone & same patch port, nothing happens.
>>
>> Ben
>
> OK, those phones use pins 3&4 on a LJU, rather than the standard 2&5 for
> an analogue extension.
>
> The Excel must pass these wires through, but the Commtel presumably
> doesn't. I think they go to pair 1,2 on the RJ45 - can you see if those
> are wired on the respective plugs?
>
> The master/secondary issue wouldn't be relevant, as the normal functions
> are bypassed. If pushed to get suitable adaptors, you could make up your
> own with patch leads and compact-style line jack units.

Depends what system you are using them on.

I see the snag.
Is the OP using these handsets on a Compact or a Modular?
Good reason for asking this.

Alastair

benb

"JW" <> wrote in message
news:...
> benb wrote:
>> "JW" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>
>>>benb wrote:
>>>
>>>>Hi,
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>>What type of phones are these? If they are digital type, then you should
>>>really be using a secondary-type adaptor for those. The master is for
>>>analogue phones needing a ringer circuit. The ring capacitor isn't
>>>needed for the digital phone and may prevent it from working.
>>>
>>>If you can open the adaptor, cutting one of the capacitor legs should let
>>>it work.
>>>
>>>Of course, you should also check the wiring/patching/system programming.
>>>
>>>Rather than using adaptors, you can get telephone leads which plug
>>>directly into RJ45 outlets.
>>
>>
>> Hi JW,
>>
>> Thanks for the reply.
>>
>> We're using a mix of 'Nortel Norstar T7316 and T7208' phones. I did try a
>> Commtel secondary adaptor, which I brought on Tuesday, and tried it, but
>> with the same result (so exchanged it for one of the master adaptors).
>> When I checked all the existing working phones, they were using the Excel
>> mastered adaptors, so I assumed a Commtel master would work too.
>>
>> I have tested one of the T7316 phones on the system, using one of the
>> Excel master adaptors, and it worked fine; plug it in, the red lights
>> flashes briefly, then the time & date is displayed, you can then ring it
>> & call from it. So I am fairly sure that the wiring & patch panels are
>> all fine. However, if I swap the Excel master, for a Commtel master,
>> using the same phone & same patch port, nothing happens.
>>
>> Ben
>
> OK, those phones use pins 3&4 on a LJU, rather than the standard 2&5 for
> an analogue extension.
>
> The Excel must pass these wires through, but the Commtel presumably
> doesn't. I think they go to pair 1,2 on the RJ45 - can you see if those
> are wired on the respective plugs?
>
> The master/secondary issue wouldn't be relevant, as the normal functions
> are bypassed. If pushed to get suitable adaptors, you could make up your
> own with patch leads and compact-style line jack units.

Hi JW,

As far as I can see both the Excel & Commtel have pair 1 & 2 wired on their
plugs, so theoretically they should both work the same.

I think I'm going to return both the commtel ones back to Maplin. I've found
a company online that do the exact same Excel adaptors that we already have,
and for only £1.37 each, compared to £5.99 @ Maplin for the Commtel ones.
They arrived this morning, I plugged them in to the same sockets the Commtel
ones weren't working on, and they work fine.

Many thanks for the info & suggestions

Ben

benb

"Lurch" <.uk> wrote in message
news:...
> On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:01:02 +0100, "benb" <benb@nospam.postalias>
> mused:
>
>>"JW" <> wrote in message
>>news:...
>>> benb wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>><snip>
>>>>
>>>
>>> What type of phones are these? If they are digital type, then you
>>> should
>>> really be using a secondary-type adaptor for those. The master is for
>>> analogue phones needing a ringer circuit. The ring capacitor isn't
>>> needed
>>> for the digital phone and may prevent it from working.
>>>
>>> If you can open the adaptor, cutting one of the capacitor legs should
>>> let
>>> it work.
>>>
>>> Of course, you should also check the wiring/patching/system programming.
>>>
>>> Rather than using adaptors, you can get telephone leads which plug
>>> directly into RJ45 outlets.
>>
>>Hi JW,
>>
>>Thanks for the reply.
>>
>>We're using a mix of 'Nortel Norstar T7316 and T7208' phones. I did try a
>>Commtel secondary adaptor, which I brought on Tuesday, and tried it, but
>>with the same result (so exchanged it for one of the master adaptors).
>>When
>>I checked all the existing working phones, they were using the Excel
>>mastered adaptors, so I assumed a Commtel master would work too.
>>
>>I have tested one of the T7316 phones on the system, using one of the
>>Excel
>>master adaptors, and it worked fine; plug it in, the red lights flashes
>>briefly, then the time & date is displayed, you can then ring it & call
>>from
>>it. So I am fairly sure that the wiring & patch panels are all fine.
>
> Did you test this at the outlet you are plugging the new commtel
> adapter into?
>
>>However, if I swap the Excel master, for a Commtel master, using the same
>>phone & same patch port, nothing happens.
>>
> Sounds like the LJAUs then. If nothign else has changed apart from the
> adapter then it can only be the adapter.
> --
> Regards,
> Stuart.

Hi Start,

That's what I think, I brought some additional Excel adaptors online, which
arrived this morning (much cheaper than Maplin's Commtel ones as well), and
have already plugged them in, and they work with out issue. I can only
assume the Commtel ones are faulty or something!

Many thanks

Ben

Alastair

"benb" <benb@nospam.postalias> wrote in message
news:...
> "Lurch" <.uk> wrote in message
> news:...
>> On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:01:02 +0100, "benb" <benb@nospam.postalias>
>> mused:
>>
>>>"JW" <> wrote in message
>>>news:...
>>>> benb wrote:
>>>>> Hi,
>>><snip>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> What type of phones are these? If they are digital type, then you
>>>> should
>>>> really be using a secondary-type adaptor for those. The master is for
>>>> analogue phones needing a ringer circuit. The ring capacitor isn't
>>>> needed
>>>> for the digital phone and may prevent it from working.
>>>>
>>>> If you can open the adaptor, cutting one of the capacitor legs should
>>>> let
>>>> it work.
>>>>
>>>> Of course, you should also check the wiring/patching/system
>>>> programming.
>>>>
>>>> Rather than using adaptors, you can get telephone leads which plug
>>>> directly into RJ45 outlets.
>>>
>>>Hi JW,
>>>
>>>Thanks for the reply.
>>>
>>>We're using a mix of 'Nortel Norstar T7316 and T7208' phones. I did try a
>>>Commtel secondary adaptor, which I brought on Tuesday, and tried it, but
>>>with the same result (so exchanged it for one of the master adaptors).
>>>When
>>>I checked all the existing working phones, they were using the Excel
>>>mastered adaptors, so I assumed a Commtel master would work too.
>>>
>>>I have tested one of the T7316 phones on the system, using one of the
>>>Excel
>>>master adaptors, and it worked fine; plug it in, the red lights flashes
>>>briefly, then the time & date is displayed, you can then ring it & call
>>>from
>>>it. So I am fairly sure that the wiring & patch panels are all fine.
>>
>> Did you test this at the outlet you are plugging the new commtel
>> adapter into?
>>
>>>However, if I swap the Excel master, for a Commtel master, using the same
>>>phone & same patch port, nothing happens.
>>>
>> Sounds like the LJAUs then. If nothign else has changed apart from the
>> adapter then it can only be the adapter.
>> --
>> Regards,
>> Stuart.
>
> Hi Start,
>
> That's what I think, I brought some additional Excel adaptors online,
> which arrived this morning (much cheaper than Maplin's Commtel ones as
> well), and have already plugged them in, and they work with out issue. I
> can only assume the Commtel ones are faulty or something!
>
> Many thanks
>
> Ben
>
You will find that the Excel ones are fully wired whereas the Commtel ones
aren't.