Category 3: Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) data grade cable (usually 24 AWG). CAT 3 cables are characterized to 16 MHz and support applications up to 10 Mbps. Typically used for voice telephone and 10Base-T Ethernet systems.

Category 5e: Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) data grade cable (usually 24 AWG). CAT 5 cables are characterized to 100 MHz and support applications up to 100 Mbps. Most common application is 100Base-T Ethernet systems.

DSL: Digital Subscriber Line. A generic name for a family of evolving digital services provided by local telephone companies to their local subscribers. Such services go by different names and acronyms - ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), HDSL (High Bit Rate Digital Subscriber line) and SDSL (Single Pair Symmetrical Services). Such services propose to give the subscriber up to eight million bits per second one way, downstream to the customer and somewhat fewer bits per second upstream to the phone company.

Ground: An electrical term, which quite literally refers to an electrical connection to “earth” or “earth ground”. All electrical outlets have a “ground” connection; phone and TV services are “grounded” upon entering your home for safety.

Inside Wiring That wiring located inside your premises or building. Inside wiring starts at the telephone or cable company's Demarcation Point (NID) and extends to the individual extensions. Traditionally, Inside Wiring was installed and owned by the installing company.

Modem: A peripheral device used to convert digital signals ("1s" and "0s") into analog signals (tones) and vice versa, necessary for communication using standard telephone lines.

NID: Network Interface Device. Phone Company connector box, where your house phone wiring is attached. Phone Company is responsible for all wiring up to and including the NID. Also referred to as a “Demarcation point or demarc”.

Rollover: Automatic call forwarding if first phone number is busy. Typically used in office environment.

Short: A “short” is a connection made inadvertently. For instance, if you had an extension cord with frayed wire, you could experience a “short”, or, an accidental connection.

Why do I have static/noise on my phone line?

There are several reasons for static:
1. A wire shorted to ground.
2. DSL noise.
3. Faulty equipment.

Ground short: An intermittent short to ground can cause phone static. Many times, this short can occur outside of your home, underground. Your phone service has many underground routes and connections before it reaches your home. During rainy weather, these connections can get wet, affecting your service.

DSL Noise: If you have DSL installed on your phone line, you must have filters installed on all phones that are on the same phone line.

Faulty equipment: Cordless phones and modems can inject noise on the phone line, even when they are not turned on.

How do I know what is causing the static/noise on my line?

There are several steps you can take to determine what is causing the static/noise on your phone line:

1. You can quickly determine if the static is caused by a short on your phone company feed to your home by carrying a hardwired phone to the side of your home where the phone service originates. Typically, this is on the side of your garage next to your Electric Meter. The network interface device (NID) is located underneath a metal cover. Remove the cover and open the NID. Inside, most NID’s have a phone test port. It should normally have a short modular phone cord plugged into it. Unplug the short cord and plug in your hardwired phone. If the static is still present, call your phone service provider for repairs. If the static disappears, move to step 2. Don’t forget to plug the short phone cord back into the jack, as all of your phone jacks inside the home will not function with it unplugged.

2. If you have DSL, unplug your DSL Modems phone cord. If the static/noise disappears, you need to install or replace your DSL filter.

3. To discover a faulty piece of equipment, remove all phones, faxes, modems, and Tivo or DVR phone connections. Plug in one hardwired phone into a phone jack, if the static disappears, one of your devices is injecting noise on the phone line. Plug in one more device and check for static/noise. Continue plugging in devices and testing until all devices are plugged back in. (Since cordless phones can be the source of static/noise, they should not be the device you test with)

4. Call C&R Systems Customer Service Department, 1-800-331-1625. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

My phones quit working, why?

There are several steps you can take to determine why your phones do not work:

1. You can quickly determine if the phone service is the problem by carrying a hardwired phone to the side of your home where the phone service originates. Typically, this is on the side of your garage next to your electric meter (Your home may have it in a different location). The network interface device (NID) is located inside of a metal cover. Remove the cover and open the NID. Inside, most NID’s have a modular phone test port for each phone line. It should normally have a short modular phone cord plugged into it, which has the house wiring attached to it. Unplug the short cord and plug in the modular cord to your hardwired phone. If there is no phone service (dial tone) present, call your phone service provider for repairs. If the phone service (dial tone) is present, move to step 2. Don’t forget to plug the short modular phone cord back into the jack, as all of your phone jacks inside the home will not function with it unplugged SAFETY NOTE: Even though the phone service is grounded, do not test the phone service at the NID during inclement weather or while standing in water.VERIZON CUSTOMERS: The Verizon NID, (and some other brands) do not have a patch cord visible. Inside the large cover, you will see small doors over each phone line, when the door is opened, the modular plug is accessible and the house wiring is automatically disconnected. Ensure door is securely closed when finished testing.

2. If you have DSL, unplug your DSL Modem from the wall. If the phones now work, call your phone service provider for repairs.

3. To discover a faulty piece of equipment, remove all phones, faxes, modems, and Tivo or DVR phone connections. Wait 15 minutes. Plug in one hardwired phone into a phone jack, if the phones now work, one of your devices is in need of repair or replacement. Plug in one more device and check for dial tone. Continue plugging in devices and testing until all devices are plugged back in. (Since a cordless phones battery can be the source of trouble, they should not be the device you test with)

4.Call C&R Systems Customer Service Department, 1-800-331-1625. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

The Phone Company says my phones test fine and they will charge me if they come out!

The phone company will not charge you if it the phone line is inoperative at the side of your house (NID). Be aware, your house wiring could affect your phone service, giving you a false diagnosis. Always disconnect your house wiring before testing. If you follow the testing procedure above for testing at the NID, you can confidently let the phone company know they need to schedule a service call to repair your phone service.

Why do my phone wires have blue, orange, green and brown wires?

Category 5 wiring has the ability to transfer up to 4 phone lines. The phone company has historically used different colored wires to differentiate between phone lines. Line 1 (the primary phone line in the home) uses the blue pair of wires for distribution. Line 2 uses the orange pair. Line 3 uses green and Line 4 uses brown. Throughout the home, anywhere you can access a phone line; the color code will follow these guidelines.

So, if you are at the side of your home and wish to test Line 2, use the modular plug next to where the orange pair of wires is connected.

I want to add a second phone line in my home, what do I do?

All homes wired by C&R Systems are set up for a second phone line. All you need to do is schedule with the phone company to install your second line and it will be routed to all phone jacks. Just plug in your two-line phone and you’re done. If you have the UsTec phone panel installed, your home has up to 4 phone lines pre-distributed.


I ordered my second phone line and I can’t access it with my fax machine, what do I do?

All single line phone devices automatically access line 1 at your phone jack. In order to access lines 2, 3 and 4 with a single line device, you need a line chooser. The line chooser will let you choose which phone line you want to access, simplifying installation of a fax machine, kids phone line, etc. C&R Systems carries line choosers simply pick up the phone and order one. Or you may wish to go to a local electronics store to purchase one. Call C&R Systems Customer Service Department, 1-800-331-1625. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

My third and fourth phone lines have been installed, how do I access them?

All single line phone devices automatically access line 1 at your phone jack. In order to access lines 2, 3 and 4 with a single line device, you need a line chooser. The line chooser will let you choose which phone line you want to access, simplifying installation of a fax machine, kids phone line, etc. C&R Systems carries line choosers simply pick up the phone and order one. Or you may wish to go to a local electronics store to purchase one, make sure the device you choose supports 4 phone lines. Call C&R Systems Customer Service Department, 1-800-331-1625. The Customer Service Department is available from 7am until 4pm, Monday through Friday.

I have a two-line phone, why can I hear a conversation on my other phone line?

This is referred to as crosstalk. A plug-in phone extension cord exceeding 10 feet in length typically causes crosstalk. One phone extension cord in excess of 10 feet can affect all phones in your home.

My call waiting is not working, what should I do?

Call waiting is a service provided by your phone company; call your service provider for repairs.

My phone lines do not rollover anymore, why?

Rollover is a service provided by your phone company; call your service provider for repairs.

My call forwarding is not working, what should I do?

Call forwarding is a service provided by your phone company; call your service provider for repairs.