DIY Tips: Can You Wire a Phone Socket Yourself?

Just like how your home appliances generate electricity through a plug, landline phones need sockets to function. But phone sockets are not exempted from fault wires. There will be a time that you might need to wire them yourself.

However, it is not as easy as it sounds. You should at least have a proper electrical and phone connection background to fix the socket problem. Also, take note that you are still working with a voltage, so you need to be extra careful to avoid unwanted accidents.

Phone sockets are prone to damage through time. Unforeseen wiring faults may happen due to corrosion, short circuits, animal intervention, or water spillage. And there are instances where you need to extend a telephone line after purchasing a new phone unit. You can opt to do the wiring yourself through following these DIY tips on how to wire a phone socket: 

Determine the landline connection

Over the years, there are three main phone connection types installed in Australia. It is vital to know them first before moving on to the DIY wiring process. 

600 Series Connector 

Telecommunication companies used this kind of connection for landline phones only. Take note that nowadays, phone lines and DSL cables are sharing a network. Thus, people opt to upgrade the 600 series to the latest cabling, which is the RJ series.

Moreover, it is the oldest phone wiring system in Australia, so expect that corrosion is one of the possible causes of why your phone is not ringing anymore. 

RJ12 Series Connector

Developed by the Bell Telephone Company, RJ12 series allows both phone lines and DSL connection. Globally, it is the most used type of cabling, which has six conductors for data transmission and signals.

RJ45 Series Connector

Also known as Category 5 (Cat-5) connection, it is the latest series connector that offers faster data transmission. Unlike the RJ12 Series, it has eight conductors that carry out different purposes. 

Equip with proper tools

You need to have the proper equipment in dealing with wiring your phone sockets to avoid further damage or making contact with live wires. Listed below are the materials and tools you need: 

• Wire strippers
• Long-nose pliers
• Screwdrivers
• Screws
• Phone cable

After obtaining these items, you are now ready to wire the phone socket. But take note that the instructions here are for RJ series since it is the usual type installed in households, and the 600 series is now outdated. 

Remove the cable’s outer covering

Cut the cable’s sheathing, exposing 5 to 8 cm of the inner wires. Be extra careful not to cut the inside lines. Sometimes, there is a pull cord inside that strips on the covers as you pull back. In this case, strip only a small portion and use the pull cord to remove the outer covering 5 to 8 cm long. 

Untwist and strip the inside wires

Untwist and separate each wire from one another. And using wire strippers, strip 1 to 2 cm of insulation from the wires you need. If you are installing a standard one-line phone, then dismantle only two of them. But if you are extending your phone line, strip four of them.  

Then, determine the exposed individual wires. 

• Four-wire cable
  • Primary line: red and green
  • Secondary line: black and yellow 

• Cat-3 or Cat-5 data cable 
  • Primary line: blue and white with blue stripe
  • Secondary line: orange and white with orange stripe

Install the mounting plate

Remove the cover of the phone socket, leaving the mountain plates and screw holes visible. Then, position the plate against the wall while threading the cables on its opening. And install the plate on the wall using screws. Make sure to level the plate before tightening the screws. 

Connect the wires according to colour

Connect the stripped wires from earlier according to the screw terminals of the socket and their colour.

• Four-wire cable
  • Primary line: red to red and green to green
  • Secondary line: black to black  and yellow to yellow

• Cat-3 or Cat-5 data cable 
  • Primary line: blue to red and white with blue stripe to green
  • Secondary line: orange to yellow and white with orange stripe to black 

For safety, secure the wires into the screw by making sure that the insulation only touches the terminal, and no exposed wires are visible out of the screw. 

Place back the cover

Tightly seal the socket by putting back the cover. If possible, use screws to avoid exposing cables. Then connect your phone to test if it is working.  

Conclusion

Now you have learned the DIY tips on how to wire a phone socket. Utilise them whenever you need to wire your landline connection. But bear in mind that you need to consider first your phone socket type and the right cable for it.  

Phone socket wiring is not easy. Careful planning and execution are essential to do the job flawlessly. When you are having doubts, it is wise to call for data and phone electricians.   

Here at Sutherland Shire Electrician, our team of level 2 electricians are knowledgeable when it comes to phone socket wiring. We are reliable and service-oriented electricians who are on alert 24/7 for your phone and electrical needs. So call us at 02 9133 4354 or book your appointment on our website.