Contents of this Document:
Final Verification Testing -- Basic Residential Wiring
Testing Security Systems
Troubleshooting the RJ-31 X
Diagram: RJ-31 X Jack Wiring
Verifying Polarity to the Premise Phone System
Verifying the Security System Tamper Loop

2T.3. FINAL VERIFICATION TESTING 2T.3.1. BASIC RESIDENTIAL WIRING VERIFICATION

After the jack has been installed in the outlet, and assuming all other prior tests were successful, final verification testing can be performed with a simple telephone set or a buttset-if dialtone service has been installed. Splitting adapters can be used where necessary to test for multiline service.

1) Connect to the NID (network interface device) at the demarcation point.

2) Go off-hook and receive dial tone.

3) If a test number is available, make a call to it and receive a return call. (Check with the local telephone company about test lines.) Listen for clear transmission without pops, clicks, or scratching sounds. Your office may be able to assist if a test number is not available. In any case, assure that digits dialed will stop dial tone, and that dial tone resumes when the phone is hung up and then taken off hook again.

If these tests fail, either the line has not been installed, or the fault is in the access lines to the phone company, in which case the phone company should be contacted.

4) Repeat the tests for each of the lines at the demarcation point. 5) Connect the NID to the premises wiring. 6) Go to each outlet in turn and repeat the test for every installed line (at each jack). If a failure is encountered, proceed as follows:

Check the connections to the jack for proper connections and check the wiring (including the distribution device and any auxiliary disconnects) to see if any obvious disturbance has occurred since rough-in. Some phones may not work with polarity reversed, so be particularly careful to check wire colors for proper polarity.

If no fault is obvious, re-test as for rough in.

NOTE: If dial tone service is not available, perform the same tests as for rough-in before the jacks were installed. A splitting adapter may be necessary to test each line of each jack. A toner may be used with a normal telephone or buttset to test for dial tone. Most toners will provide an audible tone to the phone as well as sufficient voltage to power the phone to generate touch-tone or rotary dial digits.

2T.4. TESTING SECURITY SYSTEMS

Since FCC Docket 88-57 permits non-carriers to connectwiring and other devices to the carrier's network (on the customer's side of the demarcation point) there is an expanded opportunity for those involved in security systems installation and maintenance. This alarm system troubleshooting section will describe how to use Leviton test equipment to:

Verify correct installation and operation of alarm and phone system wiring and RJ-31X exclusion-type "dialer jacks," with or without Telco dialtone available.

Locate and troubleshoot wiring for proper installation of RJ-31 X jacks.

Locate and identify spare pairs in existing premise wiring to facilitate initial alarm installations.

Locate and use spare wire pairs in establishing alarm systems for more economical upgrades and expansion.

2T.4.1. TESTING SECURITY SYSTEMS FOR SHORTS AND OPENS (CONTINUITY)

1) With the tone test set mode switch set to CONT, connect the red and black test leads of the Tone Test Set to the loop wires under test.

Polarity does not matter in this test. A solid green LED light indicates a closed circuit, a dim LED indicates off hook status, and a pulsing LED indicates a ringing line. If the LED does not light, check for opens in the loop.

2T.4.2. LOCATING SECURITY LOOP FAULTS

Use Leviton's Tone Test Set and Speaker Probe to quickly check for opens, faulty active devices, and damaged contacts or switches. These test sets can also locate poor or corroded splices or connections, and foil breaks in the protective circuit, without disturbing any field wiring connections.

1) Clip the Tone Test Set's red lead to either side of the loop while it is disconnected from the alarm panel terminals, and select the TONE position. Note: For this test to be accurate, attach only one lead to the loop.

2) Then, with the Speaker Probe, listen at the splice locations for a tone.

If no tone is heard, then the wiring break is somewhere between that point and the panel.

If a tone is heard, continue probing the wiring until the tone is lost or greatly attenuated. When thetone diminishesor disappears entirely, afault is indicated because the signal is no longer carried by the loop circuit.

If the fault is caused by improperly spliced or crimped wire connection, a clean, reliable splice is achieved by using a dedicated splicing/crimping tool.

2T.4.3. LOCATING SPARE PAIRS

Installing or upgrading phone and alarm systems is easier and more economical if existing wiring can be used. Use the Speaker Probe and Tone Test Set to trace and identify spare pairs in existing premise wiring. Leviton's Tone Test Set and Inductive Speaker Probe are ideal tools for rapidly troubleshooting alarm systems.

For instructions on locating spare pairs by tracing tone, see Section 2T.2.4.

2T.4.4. TROUBLESHOOTING THE RJ-31 X 

Diagram: RJ-31 X Jack Wiring

The RJ-31 X exclusion-type "dialer jack" (Fig. 2T-7) is commonly used with security and fire alarm equipment to provide exchange access lines to alarm reporting devices. The phone line is wired in series through the RJ-31X; from there, tip and ring pass through the dialer. A normally closed relay will open if the alarm is activated, seizing the circuit for alarm use, while temporarily disconnecting house phones to avoid disruption ot the dialing sequence.

The eight-position, non-keyed miniature jack has shorting bars across terminals 1-4 and 5-8. Inserting the modular plug lifts the contact wires away from the shorting bars, extending the tip and ring circuit to the series leads going into the alarm device. When the plug is removed from the jack, metal tabs inside the RJ-31X provide direct connection of tip and ring back to the other locations, bypassing the alarm device. This design lets the dialer control the line for exclusive use when in alarm mode. It also permits "phone trouble" to be isolated by unplugging the panelldialer to route tip and ring directly to house phones.

Some technicians may install a "shortcut" or de-populated four-terminal version of the dialer jack. In the shortcut dialer jack, the jumpered terminals which supervise the presence of the plug are missing. Consequently, the depopulated version cannot provide a hard-wired, normally closed tamper loop for supervising the presence of a modular plug in the jack. If the tamper/trouble indication function is important to your customer, be sure to install a fully populated RJ-31X jack, and properly connect all terminals.

Leviton recommends that the RJ-31 X be installed in front of any other jacks in the system so that when an alarmoccurs, theautomatic dialing unitwilltake priority and seize the line, leaving all house phones and wiring disconnected.

Unless noted otherwise, the tests described in this section require that Telco dialtone be available.

2T.4.5. VERIFYING RJ-31X INSTALLATION

With the Tone Test Set switch in the OFF position, connect the tone set leads to terminals 4 (ring) and 5 (tip) of the RJ-31Xjack. (See Fig. 2T-7, Test 1.) The LED should glow bright, steady red, indicating voltage is supplied to the line and dialtone is available. A green LED indicates the line is off hook, and a pulsing orange LED indicates a ringing line.

2T.4.6. VERIFYING RJ-31X WIRING WITHOUT DIALTONE.

If installation occurs before dialtone is connected, it is especially important to check the panel, dialer, and jack wiring to make certain both alarm and phone will work properly when dialtone is supplied. Note: Without Telco dialtone, polarity cannot be verified, but Telco standard polarity color coding is shown in Fig. 2-2 on page 2-2. Telco installers will observe this color code when connecting dialtone.

1) With the Tone Test Set switch set to TONE, connect the test set leads to terminals 4 (ring) and 5 (tip) of the RJ-31X jack. Be sure to observe proper polarity.

2) Trace the generated tone through the entire circuit with the probe. Tone should be heard throughout.

3) Then, to verify the operation of the alarm dialer, set the alarm panel off and check the house phone wiring with the probe. No tone should be heard on the house wiring. This indicates that the dialer has seized the line. 

2T.4.7. VERIFYING POLARITY TO THE PREMISE PHONE SYSTEM

It is important for the alarm installer to verify correct polarity to the premise phone line, especially in old tone telephone systems without polarity guard. In such a system, if tip and ring are reversed and an emergency occurs, the alarm may or may not work, and the phone will not dial out.

1) With the alarm panel in normal, connect the Tone Test Set red lead to terminal 1 (ring) and the black lead to terminal 8 (tip).

If dial tone is connected to the pair under test, the roll is indicated by the LED. A green LED indicates proper polarity while a red LED indicates 'rolled' or reversed polarity. 

2T.4.8. VERIFYING THE SECURITY SYSTEM TAMPER LOOP

Most alarm systems have a trouble/tamper indicator to alert the owner when the system cannot arm because the alarm's modular plug has been disconnected. Only a fully-populated, eight-terminal jack can provide a supervisory circuit. The tamper loop is a normally closed circuit, jumpered at terminals 3-6, that opens upon removal of the plug. Alarm installers can use the toner to verify the tamper loop and ensure that the system will be able to detect this condition.

1) With the Tone Test Set switch set to CONT, connect the test set leads to the black and yellow wires in the alarm control box.

2) Unplug and replug the modular jack several times to verify that the trouble indicator lights up when the modular jack is removed.

Remember, this test cannot be performed with the "shortcut" version of the RJ-31X.