How To Setup Up Your ADSL Modem
To complete ADSL set up, the first task is to determine the location of the installation. This often depends on the type of wiring that is already installed at your location. This wiring may be hidden inside walls or ceilings. Because of this, the connection points may be unavailable for change. There is a possibly some could be behind the wall jacks or outside where the telephone line is connected to the street.
In a commercial installation, these lines are often prepared for more frequent changes and may be accessible at a phone board, also known as a "demark" point. The true demark point is a legal entity established by the telephone company, and may not be on your floor, or even within your building. For more complicated installs, a cabling installer with ADSL installation experience (such as someone from our company) may be more equipped to trace the phone lines and complete the installation. The following guide is an attempt to enable self-installation where it may be possible to reduce / eliminate the expenses associated with hiring a cable installer.
Regardless of which service provider you have chosen, (including the phone company directly) only a basic installation or self-install support is usually included in regular costs. Sorting out multiple phone jacks, working around the presence of an alarm, dealing with fax machines, postage machines, credit card or debit terminals is most often not included.
Assuming that your installation is simple enough that you will attempt a self-install, the first thing to determine is the location of the ADSL service. The simplest of all installations involve only a single phone jack. Many phone services can interfere with each other. Fax machines, cordless phones, alarm systems, and health monitor systems often involve auto dialers, line seizing technology and other features which can conflict and cause operation problems with other equipment.
If you want to preserve any more than a single jack, you may need to carefully choose the location for the POTS filter / splitter install.
An important note on alarms...
Alarm installers often prefer to place the alarm device as the first device on the phone system (location B below). The trouble with this choice is that when the alarm needs to communicate with the alarm company, it seizes the line. This can happen when it activates, (or in some cases does software updates / maintenance checks) and will cut off phone service as well as Internet service to all devices using that line. This can include your ADSL service, life monitor services, etc.
As your Internet service may also be used for security monitoring, you may prefer to have the alarm installed in location A. This allows the alarm to function (disrupting phone service when it needs to) without interrupting the ADSL service.
Note that in the event of a failure of the POTS filter or ADSL modem, or in the case where a normal phone is plugged in to the ADSL jack and left off hook, the alarm may be prevented from working.
Malfunction of the POTS device is unlikely; however, the possibility of someone misconnecting a phone to the ADSL jack is a real consideration. Any phone and fax devices should be connected behind the alarm at location A. If a life monitor is in place, careful consideration should be taken in chosing to connect it first (where it can prevent the alarm from functioning) or second (where it may be prevented from operating by a malfunctioning alarm system).
Consult your service providers and make the choice that is right for you.
Installed at location (A) - The alarm will work, but could fail if there is some failure in the internet equipment. While unlikely, this failure should be considered.
Installed at location (B) - The alarm will disconnect the internet service when it phones the alarm monitoring company.
Outside Filter Installation - Multi-jack
Here we see an installation where all jacks are wired to a single (possibly outside) location:
In this case, the filter may have to be installed outside if you need to preserve multiple jacks. A special filter that is rated for outside use is required. Please contact your customer service if you require a weather proof filter for outside installation. Weather proof filters have a water resistant housing and all cables enter through a rubber seal in the bottom:
Inside Filter Installation - Multi-jack
In this case (common in many condo installations) the wires for all jacks are connected at the back of one of the jacks. This can be a convenient location to make changes and possibly to install a splitter allowing other jacks to be preserved / left operational.
Self Installation - Single jack preferred
In a self install, the POTS filter "phone out" jack is not connected back to the phone lines, so the other jacks should not be used for devices like cordless phones, fax machines, life monitors, etc. Even normal corded telephones may malfunction with ADSL on the telephone line (a ringing may be heard on an unfiltered line). If it is nessecary to install phones at other phone jacks, pigtail filters may be used to reduce interference. Sometimes multiple filters may be required. If you need pigtail filters please contact customer service.
Connecting the POTS filter
The POTS filter should be connected directly to the wall using the short cable included. There will be two jacks on the opposite end remaining open. The POTS filter should be secured to the wall plate with a piece of double sided tape.
One is for the ADSL modem, and one is for any phone equipment, such as a fax machine, etc. Here we see a completed installation which includes a phone, cordless phone (connecting multiple devices to the fax machine may require a separate phone splitter (not a filter) available at most stores carrying phone extensions, etc.) and fax in addition to the ADSL modem and MIG router.
All cables should be shortened and secured by bundling them up; however, care should be taken to ensure no bundle is smaller than 3" (about 10cm) in diameter. Wires with sharp bends in them may not work or may result in intermittant service. Also note that electrical equipment generates heat and may malfunction if not provided with adequate air circulation. Do not pile things on top of the equipment or otherwise obstruct air flow. If you have trouble, contact customer service to arrange a professional installation.
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