Extend telephone cable: this is how you connect two cables

• Materials and tools
• Extend telephone cable: Instructions

Telephone cables are an important element for the use of private telecommunications. Not only do they allow you to make calls in your own home, but you can also use the Internet through a modem. Depending on the location of the phone jack, it may be worthwhile to extend the phone cord, for example, if you do not have a port on a higher floor.

A telephone jack allows you to access the telephone and the Internet, two communication media that are not lacking in any household today. The cans sit in the wall and are connected via telephone cable to the phone or a modem. Telephone cables are important because they connect the 1st TAE (telecommunications connection unit) with other TAE in the house. Depending on whether it is an older building, a complicated basic section or a poor installation of the continuing TAE cans, it is necessary to place them elsewhere to facilitate access. At the same time you can extend telephone cable to connect a TAE easier with a modem.

Why Extend Telephone Cables ">

Materials and tools

The necessary utensils for the extension of the cable depend on the respective connection. Here you can choose from three different connections that make it possible to connect the respective wires of the cable. Following the three compounds in comparison:

1. Luster terminals: Luster terminals are known to many people and are used for a variety of connections. Because of their ease of use, they are also suitable for the extension of telephone cables. The biggest advantage of the luster terminals is the large selection of sizes and the extremely low price of about 2 euros for a 12-pin bar. In addition, they can be easily used with a variety of cables. However, there are also significant disadvantages to using luster terminals that can negatively impact performance:

• Due to the size, they are difficult to place behind the TAE inside the wall
• The copper strands are squeezed by the terminals, which can reduce the power
• In an emergency, the strands could break because they are under stress

Especially with telephone cables, which today transmit very high amounts of data, the good old Luster terminal can often lead to a lower bandwidth. If you can accept this loss, the luster terminal is especially recommended for use outside the wall.

2. Installation terminals from Wago: the German manufacturer Wago offers special installation terminals that are space-saving and easy to use. They connect two different cables reliably and do not squeeze the copper strands, which is a big advantage. The downside to the Wago terminals is the loss of bandwidth, since they are actually intended for use with power cables and not with data cables. Nevertheless, they offer a higher protection and a better connection than the luster terminals. They consume less space and cost between 25 and 50 cents apiece, making them an effective connection between two telephone cables.

3. Scotchlok compounds from 3M: The Scotchlok compounds are manufactured by the US company 3M and are extremely well suited for connecting two telephone cables. They are a crimp connector that works even without stripping before, making it much easier to use. In addition, they are available in different versions:

• fat free
• filled with fat

To extend a telephone cable, especially the filled with fat Scotchlok connector offer. These protect the copper wires from corrosion by moisture in the air and possible wear from use. In addition, they are firmly connected to each other due to the crimp and even a strong pull on the cable does not disconnect the connection. They are the best long-term solution of all these connectors and cost about 10 cents apiece. Especially packs of 100 pieces are very cheap and are enough for a while. They are very small and can be stowed away behind the phone socket in the wall.

If you have decided on one of the above mentioned connections, you will need more utensils. This as follows:

• pliers
• cutter
• LSA punch down
• screwdriver

You only need an LSA installation tool if your TAE has so-called insulation displacement terminals. These are simply used with the tool in comparison to the conventional screw terminals and at the same moment the insulation is removed at the wire end. You only have to use the tool if you equip the TAE with a new cable and do not extend the previous one, which is already connected. So before you extend the phone cable, it is important to check beforehand what kind of clamp it is, so you will not spend about ten euros on the tool for nothing.

Tip: Alternatively, the telephone cable can be extended if you solder them together. This is a method that can save you money when the necessary accessories are already available in your own workshop and you know how to connect cables together by soldering.

Extend telephone cable: Instructions

After you have taken care of the purchase of the individual utensils, it can already start with the connection of the two cables. The following instructions go through all the connection types mentioned above, as they differ only in a few points in the installation. The instructions in detail:

Step 1: If you want to extend an existing TAE box, of course, you must first extend it. To do this, turn off the power at the socket, unscrew the plastic cover and remove the socket from the wall. Depending on the model, the can has to be removed using screws or springs.

Step 2: After removing the can, open the clamps and pull the wires out of them. For most telephone cables, two wires would need to be in the terminals. If your can has insulation displacement terminals, press the lay down tool into the clamps to open the connection. For screw terminals you just have to use the screwdriver.

Step 3: Now pick up the other cable and prepare it depending on the connector:

• Chandelier and Wago clamps: use the cutter to cut off the end of the insulation so that the wires are exposed
• Scotchlok connector: no further step is necessary here

Important: Make sure the exposed wires are not twisted or kinked.

Step 4: If you have opted for luster terminals, you must insert the wires of the same color into each of the ends of the luster terminal and close it with the screw. The Wago clamps work the same way, but you just have to close them with a click.

Step 5: If you are using Scotchlok connectors, insert the same colored wires into them and pick up the combi pliers. Now use the pliers to press the top button, which allows you to connect the two cables and fix them.

Step 6: Now you have the two telephone cables connected together and can connect the end wires to the TAE. Then install the box in the desired location.

Step 7: This method also works with exposed telephone cables running from the TAE to the modem or telephone. To do this, cut off the RJ connector on one cable and the TAE-F connector on the other with pliers and connect the two cables to the interface.