Assess your room and think about the best path for the phone wires. If you need a new phone jack on the opposite side of the room from your existing jack, will it be possible to run the wires along your baseboards? You’ll want to keep your wires neat, so have a plan in mind when you make your choice. If you want to install a new wall mounted phone, it’s best to choose a spot a few feet above your existing phone jack. This way, you won’t have to run unsightly wires across your room.
Ensure that your jack is not installed at a crooked angle by using a level to help you line up the jack with your floor or baseboard. Make small pencil marks in the places where you’ll be screwing or drilling holes.
If the hole in the phone jack casing is too small, or if it’s difficult to thread the wires through, it may be necessary to drill or cut a larger hole for this step.
If you’re replacing an old jack that needs repairing, the simplest choice is a new jack with the same size and shape as the old one. For example, if your old jack is a standard rectangular wall plate, it will be easiest to install a new jack that looks very similar. This way you won’t have to drill a new hole in your wall to accommodate a new jack size. If you plan to attach your telephone to the wall, make sure you buy a wall mount jack, rather than a flush jack. A wall mount jack juts out from the wall, providing a structure on which to mount your telephone. A flush jack lies flat against the wall, allowing you to plug in your phone, but not mount it. Baseboard jacks are small plastic or metal boxes that are affixed to your baseboard, with the jack opening on the bottom edge of the box. If you’re concerned about aesthetics, this may be a more discreet option than a wall plate. If you’re planning on using the jack for both a DSL internet connection and a phone line, choose a jack with two openings, often called a duplex jack, so that you can run two separate lines.
The NID has two sides: one for the phone company, and one for customers. Open the side that’s intended for customers (the phone company’s side is usually locked) and unplug the test jack. Now your phone line is disconnected from the outside network. If you’re working with an older interface box without a test jack, disconnect your phone line by detaching the wires, making sure to remember which wire goes where so you’ll be able to reattach them when your job is complete.
If your jack is the type that is a rectangular box attached to a plate on the wall with notches, use a flathead screwdriver to pop off the top part of the case, and proceed to loosen the screws and remove the wires. Unscrew the plating and remove this from the wall as well.
Some types of jacks come with adhesive backing in addition to screws. You may use this to secure the jack to the wall, but it isn’t strictly necessary.
If the phone line does not seem to be working, you may need to unscrew the new jack and make sure the wires are connected to the proper places and correctly screwed in. If further electrical work is required, make sure to go back to the NID and disconnect the phone line again before manipulating the wires.
