In today’s world of fast-paced technology and demand for instant communication, it’s not uncommon to have multiple different phone lines in a home. Fortunately, adding to an existing phone system is a highly doable project.
Installing a second phone line
If you are adding just one line, simply call your telephone service provider and ask them to give you a number for that line. Standard phone wire has four conductors; in a home with only one phone number, typically only two wires are used, leaving the other two for a separate line. Some older homes do not have four conductors; if this is your case, you will need to add wires to an existing jack or, if necessary, add a new jack.
If you want to have a multiple-line phone, as is common in home office situations, you will need an RJ-14 jack, meaning it is wired for two lines, instead of an RJ-11 jack, which is for a single line. If the jack has only one outlet, you can plug in an adapter that has multiple outlets.
Adding multiple lines
If you want to add more than one phone line, your phone service provider will have to make the connections at the network interface jack. Should you need a larger interface jack, a service person will have to come out to install it. Once installed, station wire must be run to a wire junction, a housing box, or a patch panel, depending on which one you have, and the wires for the new phone lines will extend out from there.
Standard station wire has three pairs of conductors, so it can accommodate three extra lines. Category 5 communications cable has four pairs of wires, which, in addition to handling regular phone connections, can also manage computer data transmissions of up to 100 megabits per second. Modular jacks and line cord that handles three phone lines are readily available.
Should you want to add more than four phone lines, it may be best to consult with a professional regarding the placement of station wire, line cord, and jacks.
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