Cable & Wire | Good quality and good service based on reasonable prices.
What is Flat Telephone Cable?
Flat telephone cable is a type of cable specifically designed for use in telephone and telecommunication applications. It is distinguished by its flat, thin appearance, which is unlike the more rounded profile of many other types of cables. Here are the key characteristics and uses of flat telephone cable:
Design:
The cable is flat, with multiple wire conductors running parallel to each other inside a protective jacket. The flat design helps in easy routing of the cable in tight spaces and along surfaces like floors and walls.
Conductors:
Typically, the conductors inside the cable are made of copper or a copper alloy, which is an excellent conductor of electricity. This allows for clear transmission of voice signals over telephone lines.
Insulation:
The conductors are insulated with a plastic material. This insulation is important for preventing short circuits and for protecting the wires from environmental factors like moisture or physical damage.
Common Usage:
Flat telephone cables are most commonly used to connect landline telephones to wall sockets. They are also used in other telecommunication setups, such as fax machines.
Connectors:
These cables usually terminate in RJ11 connectors, which are standard for telephone applications. The RJ11 connector is smaller and has fewer pins than the RJ45 connector used in Ethernet cables.
Advantages:
One of the main advantages of flat telephone cable is its flexibility and ease of installation. It can easily be laid under carpets, along baseboards, or around door frames without being too obtrusive.
Limitations:
Flat telephone cables are not suited for high-speed data transmission, which is why they are not used for internet or network connections that require high bandwidth.
Varieties:
They come in different lengths and may vary in the number of wire conductors, depending on the specific requirements of the telephone system they are being used for.
In summary, flat telephone cable is a specialized cable used primarily for telephone connections, valued for its flat form factor and ease of installation in residential and commercial environments.
It usually has four or six wires inside a flat plastic casing, and uses RJ11 connectors at both ends. To install flat telephone cable, you will need some basic tools and materials, such as a wire stripper, a crimping tool, RJ11 connectors, and the cable itself. Here are the general steps to follow:
Cut the cable to the desired length using a wire cutter or scissors. Leave some extra slack for adjustments.
Strip about 1 inch of the outer insulation from both ends of the cable using a wire stripper or a knife. Be careful not to damage the inner wires.
Separate the inner wires and arrange them according to the standard color code. The color code may vary depending on the country or the manufacturer, but a common one is green, red, black, and yellow. The green and red wires are usually used for the main line, while the black and yellow wires are for the second line or other functions. You can also check the existing cable or the device manual for the correct wiring scheme.
Insert the wires into the RJ11 connector, making sure they match the pins inside. The pins are numbered from 1 to 6, with 1 being the leftmost and 6 being the rightmost. The green wire should go to pin 2, the red wire to pin 3, the black wire to pin 4, and the yellow wire to pin 5. The pins 1 and 6 are usually not used, but you can insert the remaining wires there if you want.
Crimp the connector using a crimping tool, applying enough pressure to secure the wires and the connector. Repeat the same process for the other end of the cable.
Test the cable by plugging it into the wall socket and the telephone or the device. Check if there is a dial tone and if the functions work properly.
