Installing Phone Service Wiring

Installing your own telephone wiring can save you money and time. Local telephone service wiring projects can range from simply snapping modular connectors together to hook in a new computer to completely installing new wiring inside a wall during home office renovation.

In reality residential telephone wiring concepts are very simple. If you want to install new wiring to support your new or existing local telephone service preparation and planning is the name of the game. In general, the preliminary steps are:

Make sure you understand the basic wiring concepts:

Have ready necessary material such as sufficient modular telephone wire, connectors, phones, electrical tape, etc.

Have on hand any necessary tools such as needle nosed pliers, screwdrivers, etc

For anything complex, you may wish to draw a diagram and prepare notes. A check list also helps.

The standard residential telephone service wire now consists of only four thin wires bundled into a standard modular plug. Generally, the wires and connectors simply snap into each other. Look closely at the end of any of the connectors. You should see Red, Green, Black and Yellow wires. Almost all home connections consist of four wire set ups. Two wires make up one phone line.

Line Two = Black and Yellow

Line One = Red and Green

You can cut, splice, re-route or do anything necessary so long as you keep in mind the one critical factor each active phone line must have its two wires connecting to the phone.

Your local phone service company is only required to deliver their working wires, more or less, to your front door. Anything else they do means additional installation payment or other charges. The local phone service company's basic responsibility terminates in a thing called a, "Network Interface Box", or a "D-Mark" or some variation. The usually gray plastic box is located in the back or side of your house in a relatively protected area. The box will have a modular plug with a telephone wire leading into your house.

Local phone service companies make tons of money by charging ridiculous rates for installation or solving problems inside a structure. The Baby Bells will often try to sneak in monthly charges supposedly to guarantee you’re in home wiring. None of this is necessary. Save the money and do it yourself.