AboutSpencer Holcombe Expertise I have been in the telecommunications arena for several years. I've worked in traffic,installation,repair,customer service,fraud,national and major accounts. I Started with Pacific Telephone,went to American Bell, AT&T Information Systems, AT&T Communications, Pacific Bell-SBC - AT&T. I can answer most questions of a service or equipment nature-excluding cellular. From jacks, wiring, phones, to custom calling services, local to long distance.
Experience Bell System and post divesture work for AT&T and Local operating companies. Service rep-to Fraud desk.
Organizations Telephone Pioneers of America
Publications PTM mag. Connections, Update, and other company publications. Also have expert status at AskME.com
Expert: Spencer Holcombe Date: 5/17/2006 Subject: Tone and Probe a phone line.
Question To give you a little background. I'm an IT Tech. that just started a new job installing and servicing radio and phone recording equipment. My question is. If I am at a location and I have to locate a phone line to punch down to a 66 block, can I hook a tone generator up to the phone jack in the office where the phone is located, then probe the telecom block in the telecom room down the hall to find out which position that line comes in, with the phone system working. Phone service is through Bell south and is a multiple line system with 26 lines. Thanks for any help you can give.
Answer Keith,
Your idea will work with the telephone system "down", but while it's up and running it depends on the type of system at that location. You run the risk of shorting the line(s), phone(s), or "control unit". At the very least, you may disrupt any communications taking place on the line(s) you test for the tone. I'd chance it and hope for the best if you're working on a conventional system, but if it's digital I'd check with the manufacturer first.
Spencer
