There are two basic methods of connecting the monitoring unit to your phone lines: the series (pass through) connection, or the parallel (branch off) connection. The series connection uses both input and output modular jacks on the unit. The parallel connection uses only the input jacks.
Connecting the unit in series allows the use of the first ring suppression feature. Since the Caller ID signal is sent on the telephone line between the first and second ring, suppressing the first ring will prevent the call from being answered before the Caller ID data is sent. A series connection allows the user to have the option of suppressing the first ring simply by selecting it in the software.
Figures 2a & 2b show series connections. Each phone line to be monitored passes through the unit. Phone lines coming into the building connect to the input jacks on the unit (through bare wire to modular adapters, if needed). Lines connected to the output jacks continue to the desktop phones (through a phone switch, if present).
A parallel phone line connection is often easier since the incoming lines to the building need only "branched off" to the unit. The unit can monitor the telephone activity simply by being connected to the phone lines of interest. With this connection only the input ports on the unit are used.
Figures 3a & 3b show parallel connections. This involves branching off or "tapping" from each phone line to be monitored and connecting them to their respective input jacks on the unit (through bare wire to modular adapters, if needed). As mentioned above, this method of connection does not provide for first ring suppression capability.
Most modular phone cords contain 4 wires which can handle two phone lines (2 wires for each line.) Your system may have either 2 of the wires connected (RJ11 - 1 phone line) or four wires connected (RJ14 - 2 phone lines). The modular connectors on the unit are equipped to handle either arrangement. They are marked similar to the modular connectors on a 2 line phone. For example, Channel 1 is marked “L1 or L1/L2”. L1 is for a 2-wire phone cord and L1/L2 is for a 4-wire phone cord. Please refer to Fig. 1.
For a 2-wire (RJ11) system one phone cord simply plugs into each channel on the unit. Caution must be observed when connecting a 4-wire (RJ14) system. Phone cords must only be connected to channels 1 and 3. To prevent crossed telephone lines, do not connect phone cords to channels 2 and 4 on a RJ14 system.
If you are unsure whether your system is 2 wire or 4 wire a quick check can be made using the unit. First, power on the unit. Connect one cord to the input of channel 1. If only the Line 1 light comes on, you have a 2-wire (RJ11) cord. If both Line 1 and Line 2 lights come on, you have a 4-wire (RJ14) cord. Continue checking the rest of your cords in this manner.
Note
Current Detection must be connected in Series
