Multiple Phone Extensions (BT)

[cmj306]

Hello

A quick and probably silly question - if I want two BT phone extensions should they be wired as one cable going from the master socket - extension 1 - extension 2, or should each extension have a wire back to the master socket - or doesn't it matter?

Cheers

 

[rsgaz]

or doesn't it matter?

For only 2 extensions, it doesn't matter.

Any more than two extensions and they should all be in a daisy chain, because otherwise you would end up with 3 or more wires to push into each of the IDC slots in the lower part of the master socket. IDC slots are only designed for a maximum of 2 wires of equal diameter.

It can be got around with junction boxes or 3 way jelly crimps, etc, but that's just adding more work and cost.

 

[cmj306]

For only 2 extensions, it doesn't matter.

Any more than two extensions and they should all be in a daisy chain, because otherwise you would end up with 3 or more wires to push into each of the IDC slots in the lower part of the master socket. IDC slots are only designed for a maximum of 2 wires of equal diameter.

It can be got around with junction boxes or 3 way jelly crimps, etc, but that's just adding more work and cost.

Thanks. I will probably daisy-chain then, just in case I want to add another extension to the end. I doubt I will, but I have made the mistake of thinking "oh, I won't need to do that" before....

 

[rsgaz]

I will probably daisy-chain then, just in case I want to add another extension to the end.

You could still add a third extension in the future whichever way you wire it now, as long as it comes off of extension 1 or 2, and not from the master.

If you daisy chain now, then you couldn't add a third extension from extension 1, because you've got the 'three wires into an IDC slot' problem again. It can be got around still, but just try to avoid it.