Hi guys,
Thanks for the response.
My initial idea was to run a new line, which I have mostly got roughed in of Radio Shack's "Telephone Station Wire" #278-0385 at $15 for 100 feet of their indoor/outdoor 24 gage wire, sheathed and internal 4 color coded solid copper wires.
SEARS had the wire strippers at $20 for item #34-73574 that will go down to 30 gage AWG for solid wire, their 26 gage works nicely, without nicking the wire. To strip thru the jacket, SEARS sells for $10 a wire stripper from KLEIN TOOLS and 8 gage works nicely (My old general purpose strippers for 14, 12, and 10 gage needed replacing anyway, now I can get 8 AWG! ).
I just need to finish the run thru the 2nd floor, floor, then hook it up, then permanently secure my run. I figure the 4 color coded wires to each of 4 matching wires in the 42A block, that block has a female modular jack input built in.
I left the old line temporary in place in case I need to trouble-shoot the 3 wire old line for continuity as to the original hook up in case the color code sequence isn't correct. Will see how it goes.
Before I started and before I found out I could have checked the phone company's input myself, I did call Frontier to troubleshoot their end. They said their end was fine! Well, the short was on the customer's side, but in the box, and if they knew it, they didn't tell me! I realize the termina screwl is their problem, but I attempted the fix. So I crimped on a new terminal where the old had sheared (TIGHT FIT). I tested it with a meter and had juice of 48 volts RED and GREEN, as I also have 48 volts RED and GROUND. I unplugged the phone company's modular live input until I get it all hooked up. So after completing my new line in to my #2 phone upstairs (mother-in-laws!), if problems, then a call to the telephone company to replace their box, but I think I will be fine. At least they won't need to run a new line.
Awhile back I did call the telephone company about a separate LIGHTNING ARRESTER or protective device. They said the SYLVANIA #CP-800 Network Interface Box was sufficient and their separate ground to the incoming water pipe. Well, I unplug my phones in the house if I suspect a bad storm comimg in. I got it setup with just a one modular plug to undo the system if it is necessary. That is what prompted this whole mess. I suspected a lightning hit and a fried modem to Mom's WEBTV unit. Looks like it was just a bad Interface box terminal. Well, I got a spare WEBTV box now if problems later down the line.
When I get her hooked up and working I will report back.
THANKS!
Take care,
Alan in NY State
(sorry if typos) =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D re:
How to Clean Copper (oxides?) Telephone Network Interface Box Group: rec.crafts.metalworking Date: Wed, Aug 20, 2003, 7:30am From: snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net (Music=A0Man) Hi, Would somebody here possibly know how to get residue off copper washers other than filing or sandpaper and pass on the knowledge to me please. (I'm rewiring a single phone line into the house from the Network Interface box outside the house. The original line goes back probably to at least 1920, the wires' jacket are similar to old TV aerial antenna wire. Also the old line consists of two porcelin fixtures one is fused, the other looks like it was at one time an amplifier, but currently it is just wired to bypass the fixtures (but still on the porcelin terminals), a type of button tack(s) secures the three wires thru the run, 3 solid insulated wires, one HOT (red) at 48 volts, one GROUND, the other I suspect leads to GREEN (no voltage) and I suspect also ground, also all three wires are not color coded.) I found the short, within the customer side of the Network Interface. I think probably the result of a lightning ZAP! The item in question is a terminal screw (ZINC I think) and three copper washer to a broken terminal lug. I added a crimped on terminal lug to the internal GREEN wire (I suspect it is the GROUND) and I have 48 volts DC (I'm assuming DC) across the RED and GREEN terminals, so I think I'm good to go with running the new line. Oh, yeh, I will disconnect the telephone modular plug input while rewiring. I don't know why the corrosion, but it looks to me like the process of disimilar metals touching one another. I'm just looking for a soulution to clean the residue off, maybe it is oxides, maybe it is zinc. Presently I got the scew and washers soaking in apple cider vinegar chancing that it may work, but it may not. I remember HCL acid cleaned ZINC residue off steel pins in a mold repair shop I once worked. I have no idea where to get HCL acid. Muriatic acid maybe (HCL?), but I don't know the chemical composition and I know for concrete work it quickly etches, so kind of potent I think, but as to copper, I don't know. If vineger doesn't work I guess I'll try muriatic acid next, then sulphuric but 'm just guessing, water rinses in between. =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Anybody know where I can get wire strippers for 4 wire telephone cable, below 22 gage solid coper---wire measures .037" diameter???? =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Telephone company suggests THEY repair, but at about $100 an hour service charge, so I will attempt this 1st, myself! Thanks in advance for any help. Yes, I am a neophyte at this---critique away, I can take it! Alan