Extension wiring

TheOldFellow

On Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:38:37 +0000
TheOldFellow <> wrote:

> Which is the right (or best) way to wire extensions?
>
> 1) as a star from the master socket, or
> 2) as a long string starting at the master socket, or
> 3) it doesn't matter
>
> I'm planning on rewiring the whole house, and will want a lot of
> sockets, although not more than 'Sum of REN' number of phones,
> obviously.
>
> Thanks,
> R.
>


Another thought. What wire to use - I'll be buying some Cat5e/6 for the
network wiring (I have a Solwise NTE5a front with built-in ADSL filter),
is this OK to use Cat5e/6for the phone wiring too?

Currently my S/N is crap unless I run straight from the NTE5a
(Kitchen Cupboard), which is one driver for the rewire (I can't do
anything about being 6 Km from the exchange ;( ). I'm going to put
the ADSL modem/router right next to the NTE5a, and run four radials
terminating in wall sockets at strategic locations. I don't want
wireless as all my walls have foil-backed insulation in 'em.

R.

Owain

TheOldFellow wrote:
> Which is the right (or best) way to wire extensions?
> 1) as a star from the master socket, or
> 2) as a long string starting at the master socket, or
> 3) it doesn't matter
> I'm planning on rewiring the whole house, and will want a lot of
> sockets, although not more than 'Sum of REN' number of phones,
> obviously.

If you want a lot of sockets I would just flood wire with Cat5 data
cable, and use a small patch panel to change sockets between phone and
data as required.

Star wiring makes it easier to add a small PBX later, or to isolate an
individual faulty extension.

Owain

JW

TheOldFellow wrote:
> On Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:38:37 +0000
> TheOldFellow <> wrote:
>
>> Which is the right (or best) way to wire extensions?
>>
>> 1) as a star from the master socket, or
>> 2) as a long string starting at the master socket, or
>> 3) it doesn't matter
>>
>> I'm planning on rewiring the whole house, and will want a lot of
>> sockets, although not more than 'Sum of REN' number of phones,
>> obviously.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> R.
>>
>
>
> Another thought. What wire to use - I'll be buying some Cat5e/6 for the
> network wiring (I have a Solwise NTE5a front with built-in ADSL filter),
> is this OK to use Cat5e/6for the phone wiring too?
>
> Currently my S/N is crap unless I run straight from the NTE5a
> (Kitchen Cupboard), which is one driver for the rewire (I can't do
> anything about being 6 Km from the exchange ;( ). I'm going to put
> the ADSL modem/router right next to the NTE5a, and run four radials
> terminating in wall sockets at strategic locations. I don't want
> wireless as all my walls have foil-backed insulation in 'em.
>
> R.
>

Cat 5 is essentially telephone cable manufactured to a more
exacting standard for higher bandwidth. It's over the top
for voice, but it'll work. You may find it a little harder
to draw in tight spaces.

I'd echo Owain's suggestion of a full star-wired network,
with a patch panel in the cupboard next to the Router and
twin outlets in the rooms. You can then put wired PCs,
printers etc anywhere. The phone line can be wired in
parallel to a number of patch outlets for connection to the
room outlets. If you don't want to use RJ-BT adaptors, you
can get modular outlets which take BT or RJ sockets. Costs
for this will be a bit higher than using telephone-grade
components, and the connectors require a bit more care to
terminate.

JW

Bill wrote:
> In message <>, JW <> writes
>> . It also makes fault-finding easier.
> Very true.
>
>>
>> The furthest point should be within 50 metres cable length, though
>> this can be exceeded if you only have one exchange line on the cable.
>
> Why the limit on 50m?

It was a recommendation on the early Oftel wiring code for
domestic extensions, based on multiple exchange lines
sharing a cable, presumably to do with cross-talk limits.
For a single-line, the cabling could go up to 250m.

Bill

In message <>, JW <>
writes
>Bill wrote:
>> In message <>, JW <> writes
>>> . It also makes fault-finding easier.
>> Very true.
>>
>>>
>>> The furthest point should be within 50 metres cable length, though
>>>this can be exceeded if you only have one exchange line on the cable.
>> Why the limit on 50m?
>
>It was a recommendation on the early Oftel wiring code for domestic
>extensions, based on multiple exchange lines sharing a cable,
>presumably to do with cross-talk limits. For a single-line, the cabling
>could go up to 250m.

Thanks.
--
Bill

Bill

In message <>, JW <>
writes
>Bill wrote:
>> In message <>, JW <> writes
>>> . It also makes fault-finding easier.
>> Very true.
>>
>>>
>>> The furthest point should be within 50 metres cable length, though
>>>this can be exceeded if you only have one exchange line on the cable.
>> Why the limit on 50m?
>
>It was a recommendation on the early Oftel wiring code for domestic
>extensions, based on multiple exchange lines sharing a cable,
>presumably to do with cross-talk limits. For a single-line, the cabling
>could go up to 250m.

Thanks.
--
Bill

PeterT

On Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:38:37 +0000, TheOldFellow
<> wrote:

>Which is the right (or best) way to wire extensions?
>
>1) as a star from the master socket, or
>2) as a long string starting at the master socket, or
>3) it doesn't matter
>
>I'm planning on rewiring the whole house, and will want a lot of
>sockets, although not more than 'Sum of REN' number of phones,
>obviously.
>
>Thanks,
>R.

I wouldn't daisy chain the extensions - rather wire them all back to a
common point. This will give you flexibility should you want a second
line etc. Also probably wouldn't bother using 40wire now but instead
run liberal doses of cat 5 cable - especially to where you expect to
place a TV set in the future - and then run 2 cables!

--
Cheers

Peter

Owain

PeterT wrote:
> ... Also probably wouldn't bother using 40wire now

Comes in handy if you want a Plan 107 though!

Owain

Owain

PeterT wrote:
> ... Also probably wouldn't bother using 40wire now

Comes in handy if you want a Plan 107 though!

Owain

stephen

"PeterT" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:38:37 +0000, TheOldFellow
> <> wrote:
>
> >Which is the right (or best) way to wire extensions?
> >
> >1) as a star from the master socket, or
> >2) as a long string starting at the master socket, or
> >3) it doesn't matter
> >
> >I'm planning on rewiring the whole house, and will want a lot of
> >sockets, although not more than 'Sum of REN' number of phones,
> >obviously.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >R.
>
> I wouldn't daisy chain the extensions - rather wire them all back to a
> common point. This will give you flexibility should you want a second
> line etc. Also probably wouldn't bother using 40wire now but instead
> run liberal doses of cat 5 cable - especially to where you expect to
> place a TV set in the future - and then run 2 cables!

couple of thoughts

1. if there is building work involved, then tubing makes it easier to pull
cable (after the builder finish, so they dont damage the cable).

2. when (not if) the wife complains about the mess, allow for co-ax, burglar
alarm, speaker wiring etc in the same tube

3. you always need more space / cables......

4. a Cat5 is 4 pair - so if things are tight you can use 2 pairs for
Ethernet and 2 for phone from 1 cable (but the Ethernet will be limited to
10/100).

5. 3 or 4 way compact modular faceplates are pretty good as they fit on a
single size backbox, and let you add extra connectors later.
>
> --
> Cheers
>
> Peter
--
Regards

- replace xyz with ntl