Telephones 101! - residential line phones/PBX phones

[willwilliams]

I have been given an old office phone. Will it ever work at home on a single line? Would buying something from you help? How about getting a cordless phone I have at home to work on my PBX socket in the office? And what about fax machines, will they work on single lines and home and on extensions on PBXs at the office?

Just wondering!

Will

[Steve]

If the office phone system uses 4 wires then you cannot use normal phone on the PBX and the PBX phones won't work on a normal line. A simple rule of thum is if the office pohones have got lots of flashy buttons and displays then they are probablt 4 wire.

[willwilliams]

Steve, thanks for that. Just wondering, if the type of phone you have, 2 wire or 4 wire, depends on which system you are using it on - single line or PBX - modems don't have the same contriction, right? You would have to get the right type of phone for your desk at work, 2 or 4 wire, but the modem w. your laptop would work at home or in the office? Or does it? I have never tried the modem in my laptop in the office. And does it follow that if you put the line running from the phone on the desk thru the modem and on to the wall socket, you could use a 2 or 4 wire phone?

Speedy reply, by the way. Appreciated.

Regards

[Steve]

How many questions is that (5)?


if the type of phone you have, 2 wire or 4 wire, depends on which system you are using it on - single line or PBX - modems don't have the same contriction, right?

yes. It depends on whether it is a single or on what type of pbx you have. Modems need a 2 wire interface.

You would have to get the right type of phone for your desk at work, 2 or 4 wire, but the modem w. your laptop would work at home or in the office? Or does it?

modems need a 2 wire interface. Therefore, if the extensions in your office are 2 wire then the modem should work. However, it can be more complicated. Several years ago (like about 5-6) we used to sell a PBX which used 2 wires for the extension BUT the voice/speach signals were sent digitally so 'normal' 2 wire phones wouldn't work. There are some PBX's around that do this.

I have never tried the modem in my laptop in the office. And does it follow that if you put the line running from the phone on the desk thru the modem and on to the wall socket, you could use a 2 or 4 wire phone?

Probably BUT if it's a 4 wire interface then the modem woulkd probably not work on the line anyway.

[willwilliams]

Steve,

That's great. Thanks again.

Will