Re: POTS and Ethernet over CAT-5 Cable

["BruceR" <brNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Agreed. It's certainly not desireable but if a second cable isn't there
or can't be readily added it will work. I know of no Utilities or even
building codes that would have a say in this. The phone company
certainly won't care nor will the electric, gas, water or cable
companies.

From:Joerg
notthisjoergsch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> Hello Brian,
>
>> Is it possible to use some of the extra wires in CAT-5 cable to run a
>> POTS line or two?  I heard that Ethernet only uses two of the eight
>> wires.  Is this true?  If so, seems like I could run 3 POTS lines in
>> addition to my Ethernet over my CAT-5 home network.
>
> There will be a serious current spike whenever the receiver is taken
> off hook or placed back. That may or may not cause packet losses on
> the data pairs. Ringing can also generate 90V or so and an open loop
> phone line can run up to such voltage levels as well. So if you
> accidentally miswire something ... bzzzt.
>
> Utilities also have their rules and some may not endorse such wire
> mixing. Anyway, personally I wouldn't do it so I ran two CAT-5 to
> every location from the central closet. CAT-5 is cheap. Plus now it's
> future proof in case there comes a day when the other two pairs are
> being used for the data link.
>
>> If this is correct, are there any jacks available that would make
>> this easier than cutting open my cables?  Thanks.
>
> You have to cut the cables anyway to connect an RJ45. In this case
> you'd just have to cut the sleeve back some more. But again, I
> wouldn't do it.
> Regards, Joerg
>
> http://www.analogconsultants.com