Q&A for How to Install a Residential Telephone Jack

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Question

Which wires go where on a phone jack?

Daniel Stoescu
Master Electrician
Daniel Stoescu is a Master Electrician and the Owner and Operator of Home Tech Solutions, LLC in Hampton, Virginia. With over a decade of experience, Daniel specializes in wiring residential, commercial, and light industrial structures. The Home Tech Solutions team has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive solutions for residential electrical needs.

Daniel Stoescu

Master Electrician

Expert Answer

Place the wires onto the designated terminals on the mounting plate. The red and green wires go with the primary line, while the black and yellow wires go with the secondary line.

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Question

I have a cable connection and a phone jack in the same box. The cable works, but the phone jack doesn't. How can i change it?

Community Answer

It's easier to just buy a new piece, if you want the connections to be in the same housing.

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Question

What if my old telephone wires are not color coded?

Community Answer

Bring in the owner of the company you bought the phone from; you're going to need to know what the wires mean now, and use Washi tape (or similar) to colour code them. Whilst doing that, write down which colour means what. That way, every time you need to use the cables and wires just look at your sheet.

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Question

What do I do with the white and orange wires on my new phone jack?

Community Answer

The white and orange wires are now obsolete. New wires and plugs have gray and purple. If those colors are not available, replace the wiring.

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Question

Where do I connect my two incoming wires if they are blue and white?

Community Answer

Connect with the two screws closest to the wire hole, or farthest from the phone jack side (tip and ring). It does not matter which side each goes on. If you are installing a wall plate, it goes on the green and red terminals.

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