How to trace a pair?

Hi

I need to trace a pair from a master socket flush mounted face plate (not an
NTE5) back to a BT connection box. On this site there are no NTE5 boxes, just
a sodding great cable that comes into the property. The majority of which are
then connected to a Panasonic Digital PBX.

However, there is one line that comes in that is dedicated to a Fax Machine
and ADSL.

I would like to trace this pair back to the BT connection box, but the outfit
that did the installation about 15 years ago didn't leave any documentation
for which pairs are which, and unfortunately they are no longer trading.

I wondered if I could connect a tone generator to the pair at the Master
socket to allow me to trace where they end up, whilst the circuits are 'live'
and connected? Or am I in danger of bolloxing something up somewhere else?

This is new ground for me, hence why I'm looking for a little guidance.

TIA

--
Regards
Barry

"BJH" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
>
> I need to trace a pair from a master socket flush mounted face plate (not
> an
> NTE5) back to a BT connection box. On this site there are no NTE5 boxes,
> just
> a sodding great cable that comes into the property. The majority of which
> are
> then connected to a Panasonic Digital PBX.
>
> However, there is one line that comes in that is dedicated to a Fax
> Machine
> and ADSL.
>
> I would like to trace this pair back to the BT connection box, but the
> outfit
> that did the installation about 15 years ago didn't leave any
> documentation
> for which pairs are which, and unfortunately they are no longer trading.
>
> I wondered if I could connect a tone generator to the pair at the Master
> socket to allow me to trace where they end up, whilst the circuits are
> 'live'
> and connected? Or am I in danger of bolloxing something up somewhere else?
>
> This is new ground for me, hence why I'm looking for a little guidance.

Connect an earpiece in series with a capacitor to each incoming pair in turn
at the connection box. Listen to the activity when you send a fax. If you
hear fax warbles, then the pair you are listening to is the one feeding the
fax machine.

Or: on the assumption that there is only one ADSL service into the building
disconnect the ADSL router and move it to the junction box, connecting it to
each pair in turn. One pair should have the ADSL signal and the router will
show it has found it.

-- Graham J

"BJH" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
>
> I need to trace a pair from a master socket flush mounted face plate (not
> an
> NTE5) back to a BT connection box. On this site there are no NTE5 boxes,
> just
> a sodding great cable that comes into the property. The majority of which
> are
> then connected to a Panasonic Digital PBX.
>
> However, there is one line that comes in that is dedicated to a Fax
> Machine
> and ADSL.
>
> I would like to trace this pair back to the BT connection box, but the
> outfit
> that did the installation about 15 years ago didn't leave any
> documentation
> for which pairs are which, and unfortunately they are no longer trading.
>
> I wondered if I could connect a tone generator to the pair at the Master
> socket to allow me to trace where they end up, whilst the circuits are
> 'live'
> and connected? Or am I in danger of bolloxing something up somewhere else?
>
> This is new ground for me, hence why I'm looking for a little guidance.
>
> TIA
>
> --
> Regards
> Barry

With the phone on the hook there will be about 48 volts on the pair, lift
the phone off the hook and it will drop a lot depending on line length and
phone type. You may be able to check this works near the phone. Then go to
the BT connection box, look for a 48v pair that falls much the same amount
when the phone's off the hook and that will be your pair.

After serious thinking BJH wrote :
> Hi
>
> I need to trace a pair from a master socket flush mounted face plate (not an
> NTE5) back to a BT connection box. On this site there are no NTE5 boxes, just
> a sodding great cable that comes into the property. The majority of which are
> then connected to a Panasonic Digital PBX.
>
> However, there is one line that comes in that is dedicated to a Fax Machine
> and ADSL.
>
> I would like to trace this pair back to the BT connection box, but the outfit
> that did the installation about 15 years ago didn't leave any documentation
> for which pairs are which, and unfortunately they are no longer trading.
>
> I wondered if I could connect a tone generator to the pair at the Master
> socket to allow me to trace where they end up, whilst the circuits are 'live'
> and connected? Or am I in danger of bolloxing something up somewhere else?
>
> This is new ground for me, hence why I'm looking for a little guidance.
>
> TIA

Punch a socket down at the BT connection box, in turn on every pair.
Make sure you have a telephone to your ear and plugged into the socket.

If you hear dial tone (assuming you've not picked up an analogue port
on the panny) dial 147017070 and you should have the CLI read back to
you. Or ring the number from another phone.

On 16/05/2008 17:06:08, "Steve B" wrote:

> With the phone on the hook there will be about 48 volts on the pair, lift
> the phone off the hook and it will drop a lot depending on line length and
> phone type. You may be able to check this works near the phone. Then go to
> the BT connection box, look for a 48v pair that falls much the same amount
> when the phone's off the hook and that will be your pair.

Thanks Guys!

I'm spoilt for choice, but I like the sound of the 48v option, I can cope
with that.

--
Regards
Barry

BJH wrote:
> On 16/05/2008 17:06:08, "Steve B" wrote:
>
>> With the phone on the hook there will be about 48 volts
>> on the pair, lift the phone off the hook and it will
>> drop a lot depending on line length and phone type. You
>> may be able to check this works near the phone. Then go
>> to the BT connection box, look for a 48v pair that falls
>> much the same amount when the phone's off the hook and
>> that will be your pair.
>
> Thanks Guys!
>
> I'm spoilt for choice, but I like the sound of the 48v
> option, I can cope with that.

Why not use the tone generator, it's what BT/Openreach do
everytime...