Listing of last activity on TN Analog and Digital

[Hairball1]

We have many Nortel PBXs.
I am sure there are analog and digital lines out in our systems that haven't been used for a long time. example would be as follows.
Somebody needed a modem line a few years ago for some application. Now they have changed jobs, quit using the modem or forgot they had one.
Is there a way to list a telephone line that hasn't been used for say a year or more?
We have CDR, but I am thinking it won't be much help.
We would like to gain back some unused TNs if they aren't using them.
Anybody got any ideas?

 

[Nortellian]

use cdr and look for any lines that have had no activity on them

 

[GHTROUT]

I second the CDR method, but at times you might want to use a different approach, such as "how can I determine if there is a device/modem/2500set, etc on the distant end of this pair.

The common response is "can't be done". The fact is you can determine if there is a modem or telset at the far end by putting an analog VOM set to "milliamps" in series with the ring side of the xconnect wire and during a ring cycle. observe the variation in the meter response when there is nothing connected and there is a modem or set connected. The response will be a greater sweep of the meter if a device exists.

An organized method to performing this type of inventory is to rig male and female Amphenol connectors that you connect between the shelf/card connector and the switchtail (positions of analog line cards)- those two cables will meet ar a 66 block where you perform the meter test.

~
Gene of

http://www.GHTROUT.com

~

 

[johnpoole]

that test works, as well as an induction test on the analog port. a ringer in series with the line is a positive test. the bad news is the amount of time any of those test take. 20 years ago we built a box with neon lamps. 90v.. we wired out two amp cables, one male, one female. by unplugging a cable from the backplane, we could insert out test box in series. called those 16 numbers, the lamps that didn't light, did not have phones on the other end.. that job was changing out 8000 analog sets from rotary to touchtone. plant was over a square mile, we couldn't account for over 3000 sets... by testing each cable we outed most of the lost sets.. just a fyi

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[acewarlock]

Gene will your way work on the new Electronic 500 set ringers?????

 

[GHTROUT]

Ace, we determined it worked on a modem, which is what we expect is one of our two outcomes: modem, or open

My assumption was that if a modem could be found, anything could.

John's test of years ago would be great...but I am guessing the neon lamps would not be sensitive enough to light without anything but a traditional bell ringer...

I pondered getting 16 panel meters - still might look into that

~
Gene of

http://www.GHTROUT.com

~

 

[acewarlock]

Thanks Gene!