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Testing, Repairing and Installing Home telephone Wiring - Installation in New Construction

Installation in New Construction
The best time to place wiring for telephone service is before the wallboard or wall covering has been placed. The method of installing telephone wire is similar to that of installing wire for electrical outlets. That is, you start from one point, run wiring to the first location, from that location to the next location.

The telephone company will install the Network Interface. The starting point for your wiring is at the jack/outlet box you provide adjacent to the Network Interface (it should be within six inches). By comparison, the Network Interface is like your power meter and the jack/outlet you install is like your power panel. It is from the jack outlet that you provide that the wiring must start, and run to all other modular outlets.

As an example, in order that the telephone company and you have a common point to wire to, the location of the wiring starting point will be the location of the power panel. If this location has a hollow wall (wall studs), it is suggested that you place two outlet boxes at this location, one for the left side of a stud and one for the right side of the same stud. The telephone company can then install the Network Interface into one of the outlet boxes and you can install a jack for your inside wiring in the other (this arrangement should be on an outside wall if possible). This will provide a method to connect your inside wiring to the Network Interface with a short eight inch standard FCC plug-to-plug cord.

For wiring in a new construction, it is recommended to use at least 4-pair wire for the concealed portions of the wiring (the portions that will be behind the drywall).  Using this type of wire will make additional connections easier in the future. 

  • Concealed wiring should be installed prior to the walls being covered by insulation and drywall
  • Plan your wire routing to avoid future problems including overheating (i.e. place the wire away from elements that may get hot like recessed lighting) or moisture (i.e., place the wiring away from plumbing fixtures). 
  • Start a new wiring run for each jack. 
  • Run the wire through holes drilled in the studs and floor joists. 
  • Leave extra wire at each end of the installation for when you make the connection. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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